Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am completely in awe of the power this book has to improve your golf game and make it FUN. You won't learn any mechanics here; but the combination of emotional, mental and course management is magic. It also happens to be simple - no "practice" time involved. Just think about what Dede (sadly, now deceased) and Dan propose. Read the first chapter this morning, play better and have more fun this afternoon. Really. I wish I could give this book to all my golfing friends who love the game.

By applying the principles covered in this book you will take your golf game to the next level. Assuming you know how to execute various golf shots, playing smart golf means getting your mind into the game in a positive way to enable your abilities to shine through. Not only will you shoot lower your scores, but you will increase your enjoyment of the game. Brilliantly written in a clear, concise manner. Get this book, that is, unless you happen to be one of my match-play opponents!

Before I even finished the first chapter I knew this technique was going to work. The first chapter alone is worth the cover price. I was able to apply the techniques immediately, take it to the course and the results just had me doing double-takes. It's that effective. In barely of month having half-read this book I've already taken 8 strokes off my avg game, setting or tying new personal bests each time out.

Before I read this book I was the typical golf course hot-head, maybe a little worse than typical. I would spend half the round fuming over one poor shot or another, which of course led to others, which in turn mad me even angrier. Before I knew it I would be out-scoring the Lakers. Those days are gone. People hardly recognize me now because the program laid out in this book gives you constructive, positive factors to think about. You just don't have the time or inclination to worry about one bad shot because you now have a much better idea of what is happening to you and how you can combat it. It's a wonderful book. It does for the mental game what Ben Hogan's 5 Lessons does for the swing.

-ep

This is a down to earth analysis of the mental side of golf. Specific, practical ideas are explained which can be applied by golfers at all skill levels. The authors have developed their program over many years working with hundreds of clients. This is a must have for anyone looking to improve their golf game.