How I Play Golf by Tiger Woods
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Book Reviews of How I Play Golf
Book Review: A unique look at how Tiger plays golf
Summary: 5 Stars
When I heard Tiger Woods was releasing an instructional golf book, I remember thinking that I had to buy it as soon as it came out. As we all know, Tiger Woods is an amazing golfer, and his first foray into writing an instructional golf book is a success. This shouldn't come as a total surprise, since he had been a playing editor at Golf Digest (which also helped in writing this book) for several years before the release of this book.
First, I'll mention what you won't find. This book is not overly technical and can be read profitably by recreational golfers and even non-golfers. The book is thoroughly illustrated with photographs (they are actually the primary medium of instruction), which is quite different than Ben Hogan's classic "Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf". By way of comparision, this book is considerably less technical than Hogan's book.
The book is laid out by tackling the shortest shots first - putts. Tiger explains that the book proceeds with the shortest shots and progresses through longer shots because he was taught golf that way. He explains why he plays the game the way he does (for example, he uses the interlocking grip instead of the more common overlap grip) and frequently points out other methods that could work. Tiger is quite thorough about exploring not just the technical aspects of playing shots, but also the mental side of the game, such as pre-shot routine and course management. He periodically uses actual pivotal moments from tournaments (such as the 13th at Augusta on Sunday at the 2001 Masters) he played in as illustrations of the principles he talks about in his book.
Another fascinating aspect of "How I Play Golf" is when Tiger discusses the off-course side of his golf preparation. Obviously, this includes exercise and fitness, but also includes diet and nutrition. He doesn't get too in depth about any of these subjects (he's actually quite secretive about the details of his exercise routine), but explains the general principles of why he does what he does. Tiger Woods is one of the most fit people on the planet, and the emphasis on physical well-being is a great message for the public.
Since this book was published shortly after he completed the Tiger Slam in 2001, there is undoubtedly much that he would change if he wrote another book like this right now, eight years later. Nevertheless, the information here can help a wide range of golfers. Even if you don't play golf, this book is still enjoyable to read and may convince you to give the game a try. It would be fascinating if Tiger wrote another book like this near the end of his competitive playing career to see the evolution of his thoughts on playing golf - we can only hope!
Book Review: www.knucklepit.com
Summary: 5 Stars
TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf
with the Editors of Golf Digest
(Warner Books)
© Marc Wickert December 27, 2009
www.knucklepit.com
The beauty of this modern age for anybody into anything is that there are instructional books and DVDs by the best practitioners in the world in every field imaginable - golf, mixed martial arts, tennis... even books on how to grow handlebar mustaches.
The thing is, no matter where you live on the planet, you can hop online and order a book or DVD, then start receiving tuition from the greatest exponent in any chosen sport or interest.
TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf is a perfect example, where you can have the world No.1 for your mentor.
As the cover states: "There is simply no athlete quite like Tiger Woods. His domination of golf is unparalleled."
CONTENTS:
Preface - How to Start (Yearning to Learn)
Chapter One - How to Putt (Rolling the Rock)
Chapter Two - How to Get It Down (Turning Three into Two)
Chapter Three -How to Escape from Sand (Making the Hard Easy)
Chapter Four - How to Swing (Building an Action to Last)
Chapter Five - How to Flag Your Irons (Knocking Down the Pin)
Chapter Six - How to Nail Fairway Woods (Playing the Versatile Clubs)
Chapter Seven - How to Smoke the Driver (Going with All You've Got)
Chapter Eight - How to Handle Problems (When it Starts Getting Ugly)
Chapter Nine - How to Stay in Control (Managing Your Game)
Chapter Ten - How to Master the Mind (Winning Psychology)
Chapter Eleven - How to Get Strong (Surviving as the Fittest)
Chapter Twelve - How to Play (Enjoying the Journey)
All instructions from Tiger are clearly worded and accompanied by excellent photos to make your lessons with him easy to follow and put into practice.
As with the best of the best in all sports - Fedor Emelianenko in MMA, Roger Federer in tennis, or Tiger Woods in golf - there is more to the player's winning ways than meets the eye. All elite champions have great mental powers. And as mentioned above, TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf also contains the chapter, How to Master the Mind, which covers some very interesting aspects of Tiger's mental approach to the game.
This is an outstanding publication for any professional or would-be golfer.
Book Review: Unless You Are Really Set in Your Ways....
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's where I am coming from. I play golf about 10-12 times a year. Over a total of 100 full rounds on a variety of courses, hitting from the white (middle) tees, using one mulligan a side but only from a tee, with "gimmes" inside the leather, and playing the ball down, I would probably average 85 strokes per round. I am probably too old (i.e. too set in my ways) to make and then sustain major changes in my set-up, grip, take-away, weight shift, follow-through, etc. So, although keenly interested in whatever Tiger Woods has to say about golf, I must admit at the outset that his observations and suggestions will probably have little impact on how I play UNLESS he invites me to play a round with him. Just the two of us, without distractions.That said, I think this will be a terrific book for those who are about to take up golf (especially youngsters) or who have only recently done so. Also, to other golfers (regardless of age or gender) who are nowhere near as set in their ways as I am in mine. In terms of athletic ability, the gap between Woods and other elite players is much narrower (I think) than the gap between his mental discipline and theirs. It is incomprehensible to me, for example, that he would have made the same mental errors which Els and then Singh made during the final nine holes of the recent Masters tournament at Augusta National while they were still in contention. I vividly recall his mental discipline many years earlier while facing adversity during match play competition in the U.S. Amateur. How he plays "mental" golf will be of special interest to whose who are not especially athletic as well as to those (such as females or seniors) who may be at a physical disadvantage.
What I find most admirable about Woods is often ignored or given secondary importance by the media: His consummate sportsmanship. Although a ferocious competitor (albeit against the course and his own abilities), he always conducts himself as a gentleman, win or lose, with style and grace. I also wish to praise this book for the quality of its photography. First-rate. I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of Woods's company while reading this book and can easily accommodate an invitation to play a round with him sometime if he reads this review and is so inclined.
Book Review: A MUST READ for any golfer
Summary: 5 Stars
Read HOW I PLAY GOLF by Tiger Woods with the editors of GOLFDIGEST . . . actually, make that I also looked at this book . . . it has hundreds of magnificent photos, many of them from his winning tournaments . . . I very much liked it--even though I no longer play the game . . . it was fascinating to hear what Woods has to say with respect to how he hits various shots . . . in addition, I liked his recollections of how he learned the game from his dad and how he competes today against the best players on courses from around the world.
One chapter ("How to Master the Mind"), in particular, caught my
attention because it applies to virtually any situation in life . . . he presents the following building blocks to mental toughness:
Learn from your experiences, both positive and negative.
Take ownership of your mistakes.
Never make the same mistake twice.
Don't be afraid to turn a negative into a positive.
Never beat yourself up because there are plenty of people who will do it for you.
But in the book he does more than just list the above; he gives
specific examples from his own career.
And I'm still laughing at his top 5 mind games:
1. Really lean on a drive, then react as if you miss-hit it.
2. On your way to a drive that you've nutted, take a quick look at your opponent's ball
as you walk by, hesitate for a moment as if you think it's yours, then proceed to your drive.
3. Concede two or three short puts, then make your opponent putt a kick-in.
4. Make your opponent putt several gimmes, then concede a questionable two-footer.
5. After you've outdriven an opponent on a day marred by swirling winds, take a club you have no intention of hitting on your apporach shot and make a few practice swings. If he's stealing your club selection, you might get him to guess wrong.
All in all, this is the PERFECT GIFT for any golfer that you might know! And don't forget to get a copy for yourself, too, if you play the game.
Book Review: Golfer's Alert!: Run, Don't Walk, and Buy this Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
You've seen all the golf how-to's: lots of text, smallish pictures, boring layouts... watching grass grow would be more exciting.I'm a book editor: I read and evaluate books for a living. When I first laid eyes on HOW I PLAY GOLF, the hairs on my arms stood on end.
You will not find, at any place nor for any price, a book about golf(!) that's more interesting or downright exciting to read. The experience is more like savoring. You'll turn every page reverently and won't skip a word. Tiger extends his passion for the game, as well as his storied perfectionism, to the pages of his book. You'll hear his voice as you read it, and will come away feeling as though you know a bit more about the man with--let's face it--frightening talent. He's willing to share, though, and he is patient and generous with his explanations. The photography is superlative and the sidebars are filled with charming caricatures of the young Master giving us all tips, hope, and encouragement that we can actually achieve some of the magic he performs with his clubs and a little dimpled ball. There are gatefolds that open to show his stance and the progression of his swing. It's a beautiful thing to see, even frozen in photographs.
This is the perfect gift for the golfer in your life, especially if it's yourself. I'd recommend that you buy it for a holiday gift, but that's really much too long to have to wait to enjoy this spectacular volume.
By the way, I wouldn't know a driver from a divot. I do not play golf, but I do know a killer book when I see one. And this book is AWESOME.