Golf for Dummies (Paperback)

~ (Author), Alice Cooper (Foreword) "Golf is a simple game..." (more)
Key Phrases: lateral water hazard, teeing area, soft spikes, Jack Nicklaus, United States, Arnold Palmer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you don't know the difference between a lob wedge and a lemon wedge, check out Golf for Dummies, by CBS commentator Gary McCord, one of the game's most colorful--and knowledgeable--characters. It's a wonderful, often hilarious, never boring introduction to the game. Don't let the foreword by Kevin Costner or the afterword by Hootie and the Blowfish confuse the issue; this is a terrifically sound, easy-to-follow primer. McCord's potato-chip drill--yes, potato-chip drill--will revolutionize your swing, and your thinking, with overtones that could spill directly into off-the-course existence, as well. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"...this new UK edition will be appreciated by any standard golfer..." (Birmingham Post, 17th December 2005) "If you've ever wanted to know more about golf or improve your game then this is your guide..." (The Fairway, No 107, Dec 05) "Does exactly what it says on the tin!" (Today's Golfer, May 2008) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2nd edition (April 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764551469
• ISBN-13: 978-0764551468
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #394,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd Edition is excellent, October 20, 1999

By	John R. Mcnew (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not sure about the reader from NYC or the one from Rockford, IL. I went and bought the Complete Idiot's Guide after reading the review by NYC, and I liked it, but it is nowhere near as good as Golf For Dummies, 2nd Ed. Granted, Gary does put in a lot of extra information. But, there's more to the game than swinging the club, and he fills in a lot of holes.

I compared the breakdown of the golf swing in both Idiot and Dummies. The description in Idiot is reasonable, but completely overlooks the role of the wrists in the swing. Dummies has an excellent series of photos that shows the entire swing and how the club head turns - this is essential!

I just started learning a few weeks ago. Last Saturday was my third lesson and I can now hit the ball pretty straight and reasonably far for a beginner. All of the advice my teacher gave me is in Golf for Dummies, but it isn't in the Idiot book. Golf for Dummies has much better drills, better illustrations and about twice as much information, all of which is useful.

I can see myself referring back to Golf for Dummies in the future, but I doubt I will look at the Idiot book again. You might consider Dummies a bit wordy, but what's your hurry? Golf is a game that will take you years to really become good at. Enjoy the process. Gary gives you lots of history and other facts that tell you why certain things are done the way they are. Personally, I appreciate all of the information he provides.

This is a really good book on golf. Buy it.

81 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I guess I'm a golf dummie!, January 10, 2000

By	Skyemaloney (USA) - See all my reviews

I have never picked up a golf club until a week ago. I started browsing the internet for information at a beginners level. The web turned up dry but thanks to IDG I have the definitive golf newbie resource. The book is 400 pages with the first 238 being strictly information on how to golf. From descriptions of each club to how to hit the ball every different way imaginable. The rest of the book shows you how to handle yourself on the green, rules of the game, and how to score yourself.

From what I can see, this book will be invaluable to my venture into the sport of golf. I will recommend it to anyone wanting to play golf but just don't know where to start. Lets face it, we're all dummies in the beginning!

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beginners Look No Further, April 26, 2001

By	Jeremy L. James (Oakland City, IN United States) - See all my reviews

As a complete novice to the game of golf I needed a guide to get me started. This book gave me the information that I needed to know in order to start playing the game of golf. In this book you not only learn the fundamentals of the golf swing, but you also learn the language, the rules, and the do's and don'ts of the game. That way you don't make a idiot of your self out on the golf course. Gary also gives advice on everything from buying clubs to tipping the caddie. Gary lays down a common sense approach that is easy to follow and fun to read. I picked it up and could not set it down. This book put me on the right track in my golf game, and after a short while of applying the instructions that Gary suggests I have already seen a dramatic improvement in my game. The main reason for this improvement is advise from Gary's book; 1.Know your game, 2.Stick to your strengths, 3.Work on your weaknesses, 4.Don't compare yourself to other golfers. My first golf outting I couldn't hit a fairway to save my life. After reading this book, and practicing a lot as Gary suggests, I saw a dramatic improvement. I have since hit my first two greens off the tee, one of which resulted in my first par. And the only reason I didn't birdie either one of those holes is that I DIDN'T follow Gary's advice; practice putting a lot. If you are new to the game of golf I know you will enjoy and appreciate this book. I gets my highest endorsement.