Smart Golf: How to Simplify and Score Your Mental Game (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) [Hardcover]

Dede Owens (Author), Dan Kirschenbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1997 | Series: The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series

Gives players the inside track to improve their mental game and their scores

For the first time, a book that shows you how to put mind and technique together for winning performance! Begin using Smart Golf today and enjoy taking your game to a new level.-- Dr. Shane Murphy, Chief Sport Psychology, United States Olympic Committee (1987-1994)

All golfers know the importance of their mental game. Smart Golf is the first book to translate the mental aspect of playing golf into a simple format that golfers at all skill levels can actually use.

In this innovative new book, pro-trainer DeDe Owens and sports psychologist Dan Kirschenbaum join forces to give you the inside track on improving not only your mental game, but also your scores.

The authors use the acronym PAR (Plan-Apply-React) to summarize the key elements of smart golf. Applying scientifically researched and field-tested principles of sport psychology, Smart Golf presents state-of-the-art techniques for focus, relaxation, self-regulation, anxiety and stress management, and performance enhancement.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This terrific book offers the best of both worlds: practical tips and the latest scientific studies in the area of sport psychology. On top of this, it is fun to read. Readers can now track and score their mental game, giving golf addicts something else they won't be able to stop thinking about!" —Sean McCann, Ph.D., head of sport psychology, United States Olympic Committee

"Smart Golf is one book players at any level of expertise should not miss. It combines the knowledge of a top teaching pro with the scientific-based principles of a sport psychologist who knows how to play the game. This unique combination provides the insights for a good read and a better game." —John M. Silva, Ph.D., professor, sport psychology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and founding president, Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology

"For the first time, a book that shows you how to put mind and technique together for winning performance! Begin using Smart Golf today and enjoy taking your game to a new level." —Shane Murphy, Ph.D., Chief Sport Psychologist, United States Olympic Committee (1987-1994), and president (1997-1999), American Psychological Association's Division of Exercise and Sport Psychology

"With this book DeDe and Dan have provided golfers of all levels a clear plan of action. This is for anyone truly serious about improving their mental approach to the game." —Steve Patterson, head golf professional, Winnetka Golf Club, and two-time Illinois PGA Radix Cup Team Member

From the Publisher

Sean McCann, Ph.D. head of sport psychology, United States Olympic Committee states of Smart Golf: "this terrific book offers the best of both worlds: practical tips and the latest scientific studies in the area of sport psychology. On top of this, it is fun to read. Readers can now track and score their mental games, giving golf addicts somethng else they won't be able to stop thinking about".

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787910627
• ISBN-13: 978-0787910624
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Golf
  • #84 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Miscellaneous > Sports Psychology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Smart Golf: How to Simplify and Score Your Mental Game (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Hardcover)

This is definitely one of the best of the many books on the mental approach to golf. There is no zen mumbo-jumbo here. This book presents a very straightforward technique in a very straightforward style. There is far more "meat" to this book than to the run-of-the-mill books on the mental approach, which tend to be long on generalities and platitudes. I enjoyed the part where they take you through the actual playing of a round -- their recommendations are more conservative than would have occurred to me in my most conservative moments on the course. Their technique of rating yourself in various categories on a hole-by-hole basis gets a little too involved for me, but it would be a great help if you were willing to stick with it. Even though I haven't adopted the technique, I have benefitted from reading and re-reading the book and applying the principles. DeDe Owens was a true teacher, and her recent death was a great loss.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and well written, November 15, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Golf: How to Simplify and Score Your Mental Game (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Hardcover)

The authors present a simple, logical, easy to understand approach to the mental side of golf. Following their guidelines enables the golfer to focus on his/her successes--as opposed to dwelling on the miss-hits. Positive feedback encourages relaxation and a feeling of self worth--and lower scores follow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good way to score your mental game and keep focus., May 14, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smart Golf: How to Simplify and Score Your Mental Game (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) (Hardcover)

I found their technique very useful and showed an immediate improvement in my score and enjoyment of the game. The program is simple to use and keeps you focused. Let's you go over a round and analyse where you succeeded mentally.