Search for the Perfect Golf Club [Hardcover]

Tom Wishon (Author), Tom Grundner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2005

The Search for the Perfect Golf Club is the first book that explains to the golfing layman how and why golf clubs work the way they do. It lets them in on the secrets that will allow them to spend their money more wisely and start enjoying the game more. Golf is about having fun. Simply put, this book is about understanding its tools and removing some of the barriers that keep it from being more fun for more people.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The sad fact is that the average golfer knows little more about golf clubs than what he or she reads in advertising or sees in Golf Channel infomercials. This lack of knowledge results in millions of golfers attempting to play an already difficult game with equipment that not only won't, but can't possibly, meet their needs. - Tom Wishon

From the Back Cover

"A few years ago, Tom Wishon, with his experience as a designer, helped me understand more about a particular aspect of golf club performance. With this book, Tom will help you understand the entire field, make good buying decisions, and get the most from your game." - Arnold Palmer, Member, World Golf Hall of Fame

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Sports Media Group; First Edition edition (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587261855
• ISBN-13: 978-1587261855
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Golf

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book that the OEMs don't want you to have!, April 19, 2005

By 

Jason A. Poston (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Search for the Perfect Golf Club (Hardcover)

This is an extremely well-written book on golf equipment technology for the everyday golfer. Too many ill-informed golfers are constantly buying the "latest and greatest" golf equipment without knowing the real facts that will help them to improve their game.

Amateur golfers DO NOT have a swing like Tiger, Phil, or Vijay. So then, why do so many rush out to buy clubs that are too stiff, with too low of a loft, and driver shafts that are too long?

Here are just a few things that I learned from this book.

FACT: Most amateur golfers need a driver with AT LEAST 11 degrees of loft - and perhaps even 13 to 15 degrees. How do you know which loft will provide maximum distance for your swing? In this book are some very interesting charts that explain how to figure this out based on your swing speed (which you can have checked at a clubfitter or pro shop).

FACT: The average driver length on the PGA tour is 44.5". Most "off the rack" drivers are 45" or even 46". If the pro's can't control a driver this long, can you? There is some eye-opening data regarding shorter length drivers that can provide much better control with no loss of distance.

FACT: If you don't have a very high swing speed and a very consistent swing, you have no business with a three or four iron. This book discusses some very interesting alternatives to long irons - explaining the pros and cons of each type of club.


In addition to the extremely useful information described above, there is also a neat compilation of stories that are a result of Tom Wishon's experiences working with Payne Stewart, Tom Kite, Harvey Penick, and various other PGA legends. I highly recommend this book to ALL golfers. Think about it this way, the pros have every club in their bag completely custom fit for their swing. With the information from this book, you can have the information to have your bag custom fit for YOUR game - just like them.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book, September 4, 2005

By 

Esteban Silva - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Search for the Perfect Golf Club (Hardcover)

Mr. Wishon knows more about club design and function than just about anyone in the world, and it shows in this book. But what could be an arid, dense subject is treated here with humor, clarity and above all, independence. There are no hidden agendas here. His ONLY objective is for the reader to learn how he or she can obtain the maximum benefit of having the right type of clubs that are made to fit adequately, considering size, ability, swing speed, type of swing, etc.
We who love the game of golf, are always on the lookout for something that will help us play just a little better than before. Reading this book, and applying its wisdom, can do that.

It necessarily has charts and some technical stuff, but I assure you, a book with this subject matter cannot be written more clearly than this one.
If you're even remotely interested in this subject matter, do yourself a favor with this book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ARM YOURSELF WITH THE BEST INFOMATION ABOUT GOLF CLUBS, April 22, 2005

By 

Richard K. Buckner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Search for the Perfect Golf Club (Hardcover)

I highly recommend this book to everyone who plays golf. Inside the covers of this book you will have more information about golf clubs and fitting guidelines than the BIG 5 "OEM's"i.e., Titliest, Taylor Made, Ping, Calloway, etc., do not want you to know. The real reason that they spend so much of the profits "off of you" when you buy their band name clubs "Off The Rack" is; their big advertising dollars are intended to brainwash and keep you in the dark, when it comes to golf club specifications and how they are made. The standard "Off the Rack" clubs certainly are not a correct fitting that will help every individual, and your unique swinging of a golf club. The selction on golf club shaft selection is well worth the money by itself. If you are interested in improving your golf game, do yourself a big favor and not only buy, but also read this book.