28 Days Later...February Statistics

It's been 28 days since my last stats update and though the weather has caused some disruption, I've managed more practice this month than last. As you know I'm using the Scoresaver 2 statistics package to track my progress and practice. So without further ado here are this months stats.




Practice
February is obviously a shorter month and though I am pleased with a total of 13 hours 35 minutes, I'm starting to realise the challenge of balancing golf with work and family. I'm having to be quite innovative with my practice time to avoid incurring the wrath of HID and making sure I have plenty of time with my littl'un. So far this constitutes putting/chipping practice when she's on her treadmill and toddler is sleeping and pitching practice on the heath during lunch breaks when I work from home.

In addition to my practice I have also had 30 minutes of tuition (focussed on chipping), played five rounds on the par 3 course and played a full 18 holes. To a degree I'm finding that playing time is as good, if not better practice. As such I'll be trying to get more rounds in next month particularly on the par 3 to continue to hone my 'target golf' and short game. The practice time for February can be broken down as follows:

Distance	Time (minutes)	% of practice time
150 – 200 yards	80	10%
100 – 150 yards	85	10%
Short Approach	425	52%
Putting	225	28%
Total	815	100%

Again I've focussed most of my time on my short game and the round played on the par three following my chipping lesson produced my lowest ever score of 35 (thanks to Homer for nagging me into having that lesson)!

Rounds
Once again I have played mainly on the par 3 course (except my first full round). As I have covered that in detail a couple of days ago, I'll focus on the stats for the par 3 rounds here. My average score has dropped from 42.6 last month to 40.6 which is 0.4 below handicap. In terms of core playing stats (last month in brackets):

Statistic	Performance	SS2 Handicap level
Greens in Regulation	6.67% (13%)	24
Putts per Round*	29.2 (35.86)	3
Birdie Conversion	0% (0%)	28+
Par Scrambles	14% (9%)	21
Penalties per Round*	0.8 (1.85)	8

The SS2 handicap level is a calculation made indicating your performance on different facets of your game. The stats marked with * are aggregated up to reflect an 18 hole round.

The short game practice is clearly working but as a consequence of more practice in this area I'm now hitting fewer GIR. I'm hoping to address this with a one hour video lesson in mid March.

My putting stats keep getting better and better. Comparing my performance in January to my performance in February illustrates this. This is also due to improved chipping giving me more opportunity for one putts.

Statistic	January	February
Putts per Hole (GIR)	2.75	2.33
Putts per Hole (non GIR)	1.76	1.57
Putts per Round*	33.2	29.2

However, I'm not getting carried away as performance on the par 3 is much easier in terms of putting and (to a lesser extent chipping) because the greens are smaller.

So final statistic and that's where I'm missing the greens. 50% of the time I'm short of the green and 24% of the time I'm long. The long misses are now due to club selection rather than thinned shots but the short ones are 99% of the time due to fat shots. I'm hoping my next lesson can resolve this.

If you are interested in using Scoresaver 2 to analyse your game you can download a free months trial version. Just click here to find out more.

In March I'm hoping to get a minimum of four rounds in on the par 3 at Fynn Valley as well as 18 holes on the short par 62 course at Purdis and 18 holes at Waldringfield. I'm hoping to iron out my ball striking issues and to make a serious challenge on the 100 mark at Waldringfield, whilst honing my short game in my other practice rounds.

As always interested to hear your comments and views and if there are any stats I haven't posted that you would be interested in, let me know I'm more than happy to share.

Comments

Homer
Some solid progress there. Well done. The invoice for getting you out for lesson is in the post. Keep at it. My advice would be to start getting the 18 holes games in now whilst keeping the short game ticking over. Its only on the longer courses that the problems will mainfiest and show you what needs looking at next. I’ve just updated my site too http://threeoffthetee.blogspot.com/ to take into account my shiny new bats and look at where I’m at with my own challenge for 2010

Tiger
Hi Homer, I’d love to play more 18 holes I’m hooked on the full version of the game but unfortunately I just can’t afford it this month. The short course at Purdis is only a tenner midweek and hoping to get a cheap/free round at Waldringfield before I join. I promise you that once I’m a member I’ll be getting in as many rounds as I can!

Murder on the golf course: Swing Feb 2010

I'm so glad I didn't try to correct my swing on the course yesterday as looking at it again the main thing I've noticed is an old bad habit and trying to fix it would have done more harm than good. What is quite funny is that when I first started lessons my pro said that people he taught regularly rarely developed new problems and more often than not slipped back into old bad habits. Looks like I'm a case in point.

What is interesting is that with this flawed swing when I connect it goes miles (well probably 1/10th of a mile). Unfortunately, I just can't connect consistently. The video below was taken on arguably my best iron strike of the day. It went arrow straight and according to Freecaddie travelled 182 yards.

Mixed bag...(Hintlesham GC, Feb 10)

So the wait is finally over as today I completed my first 18 holes. My slightly controversial approach has raised a few eyebrows and after today's round it might raise a few more. There were a number of positives to be gained from today but also a stark recognition that I need to work extremely hard on my ball striking over the next month. The good thing is I know exactly what the problem is, how to fix it and that once it is sorted my scores will plummet. However, as many people have wisely warned you should play with whatever swing you bring to the course and sort out the issues on the range.

Winning!: Book review

Winning!, Sir Clive Woodward (Hodder & Staughton, 2004)

It will come as absolutely no surprise that I really rate this book. Like Sir Clive I'm also a Loughborough graduate and first read Winning! shortly after receiving my MSc in Sport & Leisure Management. My course was taught by a combination of the highly regarded business and sport schools (Sir Clive was a Sport Science graduate). In hindsight Sir Clive's autobiography could have been a core text.

The core underlying principles of positive thinking, creativity, innovation and dedication, to look at the smallest details to ensure the maximum impact are transferable to all walks of life. What sets this book apart is how the open narrative explores the challenges, mistakes and failings in more detail than the triumphs. Success at the 2003 World Cup wasn't just down to a generation of gifted players, a visionary coach and an inspirational captain. It was down to seven years of meticulous preparation to cultivate a Winning! environment, an unshakeable team spirit and well drilled and regimentally organised elite sports team.

Total Golf & Second Half Thinking

Continuing with the Sir Clive Woodward inspiration today's focus is on Total Rugby,This is England and Second Half Thinking. My first love and passion in sport was Football. Although I missed out on the wonderful Brazil team of the 1960's and Dutch team of the 1970's, my early football coaches tried to instill their total football approach into us from an early age. The concept is that everyone can play everywhere and it's probably no surprise that by the time I hung up my boots last summer I had played centre back, central midfield, centre forward, right wing and in goal. I also played a bit of Rugby though I took up the game late and played during my University years. As a late comer to the game it was easier for me to slot into the forwards as a lock or number 8 but because of my speed I'd often appear on overlaps, occasionally to devastating effect. As a result I understood what Sir Clive meant by his vision of Total Rugby.

So what is Total Golf?

Winning!

This week is dedicated to the genius mind of Sir Clive Woodward, who through a process of trial and error, in business and sport, designed the perfect framework for Winning! Many people may look at the concepts described in his autobiography and think they are applicable in team sport or business. However, having recently re-read this excellent book I think they can be adapted to fit all circumstances and I am applying them to my golf project. There will be a detailed book review on Tuesday as usual, but through the rest of the week I'll be letting you know key principles that I've adapted for this challenge.

Backward progress

Apologies for the big delay between posts. Work was more than tad manic but the weekend is here and judging by the weather so is Spring. Some have questioned the logic of learning the game backwards, and one in particular has repeatedly told me that if that's what I want to do get a chipping lesson. You see me to chipping, is like Homer Simpson to beer - duff all day long. Actually, I should rephrase that to say was.

I had my lesson this afternoon and played a couple of rounds on the 9 hole before hand. I scored 42 & 40, putting was ace once again 12 & 14. Damage was done getting the ball onto the blinking green. Case in point first hole of the day I carded a seven. That wouldn't have been so disheartening if I'd three putted. One putt, one blinking putt was all it took. From the tee box came up short then proceeded to pitch / chip the ball back and forth across the green for six shots. Then step up and hole a eight foot putt!! I'm Alesha Dixon on the dancefloor and John Sargeant off it.

Anyway had my chipping lesson, he tweaks a couple of things on follow through and has a chat about club selection. I go back onto the course and hit a 35, my lowest ever score. The chipping made such a big difference. I'm hoping to get some more range time before Wednesday to hit a few more mid irons but I'm very happy with how the short game is shaping up.

Comments

Deke
Glad your short game is getting beter Tiger,my advice now is to work on your pitching.On your par 3 course you can pitch off the tee,and a good strike will give you birdie chances.On my last round my chipping was just ok,but my pitching and putting were spot on,and i shot two under.If you can master all three abilities,you will be a short game machine,and will eat up the par three!

Tiger
Hey Deke, Couldn’t agree with you more. My par three is a great test of target golf but whilst my strike is much better on short pitches the yardages are wholly inaccurate on the course. The reason I say this is that on one hole allegedly measuring 83 yards I hit my GW with a half swing which I know travels approximately 69 yards. It was a clean strike with equal follow through and I cleared the green by 20 yards! It did look short but not that short!! When I play on Wednesday I’m using Freecaddie on the iPhone for some ball park figures and it will be interesting to note the difference. Shots are going straight it’s just distance that’s all wrong at the mo. That said I’ll need to be having an absolute blinder to get anywhere near a 25!!!

Deke
I am sure your next score on the par 3 will be your lowest,and it will get lower as you practice more.My bunker play has been good recently,and as my fear of sand is not what it once was i have been trying out flop shots which i am sure you know are some of the harder techniques to master.Stone me if my first atempt with the face wide open(usually a big bugbear with me)sails over the bunker to two feet of the hole and stop dead!Happy days!Having a few different shots in my short game arsenal will be of much use when i finally suss out my long clubs,i am going to the range today,will let you know how i get on,cheers.

Putting Out of Your Mind: Book review

Putting Out of Your Mind, Bob Rotella 
(Pocket Books, 2005)
Dr Bob was my first golfing companion. I was taken ill in August and spent a little under two weeks in hospital. Having only started playing golf two weeks earlier I was already gripped by this wonderful game. As a result being stuck on a ward with very little grass in sight I was feeling a tad miserable. My eldest brother came to my rescue, like a shining knight with a copy of 'Golf is a Game of Confidence' as his trusty sword of truth.

Since completing that book, I have moved on to read 'Golf is Not a Game of Perfect' and 'Putting out of Your Mind', which is the subject of this review. What I've learnt when browsing a range of golf forums is that Dr Bob is very much like marmite. While, I have absolutely no love for the vile, vegetable extract substance that resembles(and probably tastes like) tar, I think Dr Bob is an utter genius.

This isn't just rhetoric I have the statistics to back it up. When I first started playing my putting stats were pretty good. Then I got a little too technical, careful and cagey on the greens. My performance suffered. With Dr Bob I realised that I had it right to begin with, don't overcomplicate things just get it in the hole!

Many people will find this seemingly over simple explanation to be a bit of an anathema. They dedicate so much time on honing their short game, developing their swing, honing their driving technique that a philosophy of 'have a look, trust your instinct and hit it' seems too simplistic. Either that or they feel robbed having shelled out the price of a jumbo bucket of balls for blinking common sense!

The thing is that many of us are guilty of overcomplicating things. I'm glad Dr Bob intervened in time, as my putting is now by far the strongest part of my game. In my mission to learn the game backwards I feel I have taken a significant step in terms of improving my ability on the dancefloor. Dr Bob has played a big part in that. And that is why I've rated this book so highly, as I think it has already had a significant positive impact on my game.

My rating 95%

To buy this book please click on the image below:


ISBN 978-1-4165-0199-2

Comments

Deke
I am glad you like Rotella as much as i do Tiger,and like yourself i too seem to be learning backwards! My putting and short game are really solid,but as you go down the irons my accuracy gets worse! I can hit my hybrid,3 wood,and driver with a fairly similar shape(a big fade),but i struggle for distance.When i do hit a long one,i tend to slice it,but when i hit the ball from the centre of the face the ball goes long and straight(250 yards with driver,220 with 3 wood and 200 with 3 hybrid).I know that when i get a good,repeatable swing i will really have a solid game for my level of experience,and i will be getting my first lessons soon.Until then let the race to 18 handicap commence!

Swinger
If you like Dr. Bob then I would suggest getting audio books on an MP3 player (I use my phone) and then you can listen during practise sessions.
Even listening to music can help practise as it help stop your brain over thinking during sessions.
I am currently learning Chinese but not great at it yet as I haven’t been down the range much!!

Tiger
Swinger
That is a genius idea. Are the audio books different to the actual books or just him reading it? I like the idea of preventing the brain from overdoing it when I practice and just get into a flow. Will definitely give it a go when I hit the range on Saturday.

Deke
Love Dr Bob and my missus (bless her) has just got me ‘Your 15th Club’ and ‘The Golfer’s Mind’ for Valentines Day. I definitely reckon learning the game backwards is the way to go. Feel my short game is coming on!

Swinger
Slight changes for audio but pretty much just the Doc reading his books.

Always got my head phones on up and around the practise ground and course.

With reggards to headphones I would suggest ones that link round the back of the neck as these seem to fit well and are stable enough through the swing. I just find that inner ear models keep falling out at the slightest yank or tug.

GolfHappy
I’m not so sure that taking the Rotella way at the beginning of your golf career is the best way forward. You might be more natural than you think and putting is certainly easier if you don’t complicate things. Rotella comes up with things like “don’t putt it unless you’re going to hole it” which isn’t necessarily the bast advice.

You should focus on your strengths and practice your weaknesses. Being a good lag putter is excellent as it means that you don’t have to get so close with your approach shots (and we are talking about getting your h/cap down here, not shooting under par from the off!) James

The Year of the Tiger

Well it's the Chinese New Year and I don't think that there's any coincidence that this year is the year of the Tiger.

I've had a bit of a disappointing weekend from a golfing perspective. Enjoyed a fantastic night with my brother to celebrate his 40th on Friday, and the missus was away at a Hen Do this weekend so I was on parenting duty Saturday and Sunday. Factor in the need to whip up some slow braised lamb shanks for Valentines dinner and I have had exactly zero golf since Wednesday night. However, I've sharpened my mind by reading a bit of Dr Bob and running through my plan of action for the year. I had expected a few raised eyebrows regarding my game plan but I am convinced that this approach will work for me and there are just ten days till my golfing odyssey truly begins in earnest.

My namesake has had a bit longer than a golf free weekend and rumours of his return at the WGC Championship proved unfounded and inaccurate. I look at the apparent 'decline' of Tiger prior to the massive revelations and I can't help thinking that his loss of form coincided with his sins and transgressions. If he can save his marriage and get back on the course I actually expect him to be better than before. In fact I seriously think that his Year of the Tiger will get underway with yet another green jacket.

As for me I see a very interesting three months ahead, but with my positive mental attitude packed and ready, I'm geared up to tackle it head on. Dr Bob paraphrases a 19th Century philosopher William James in "Putting out of your Mind". The actual quote is "belief creates the actual fact". I believe my handicap is going to tumble this year, I believe that I am going to get much, much better at this wonderful game and I believe that this will be a poignant Year of the Tiger!

Twelve days of golf...

So the countdown begins. In twelve days time I'll be stepping out on a full size course to complete my first full round of golf. I'm a little bit nervous but hope that the mental and management preparation will hold me in good stead. I've also been practising a lot and with my new golf game plan I'm planning to trust the swing and play within my capabilities.

SKLZ Power Sleeve: Equipment review

This will be my last equipment review for a while for two reasons:

1.   I am saving for a Laser Rangefinder and have my golf membership to pay soon
2.   I honestly believe I now have the right balance of training aids to support my development over the next six months

In my opinion the SKLZ Power Sleeve serves four main purposes:

• great for warm up
• boosting power
• improving tempo
• keeping you on your swing plane

To use the sleeve you simply attach it to any club shaft just above the hosel and swing. In terms of warm up I do some gentle baseball types swings, gradually dialling up the speed. Then start with some half golf swings building up to a few full golf swings. I then do a few dynamic stretches (more on that in a bit) before hitting five balls with it going through a full pre shot routine with each.

I've been involved in sport for a while, have a sport related MSc from Loughborough and have done some research into warm up techniques. As a result I try to carry out dynamic warm ups. This involves gently warming up the muscles by carrying out actions that mimic they types of movements you will use when you play. For an example of a dynamic warm routine click here.

In terms of physiology, building muscles for golf is difficult in a gym unless you have specific apparatus. In fact in my opinion the reason pros hit it further is not just technique but also repetition that has built specific golf muscles over time. Obviously swinging a weighted club can help speed up this process. It is improtant to remember that you've got to be careful not to overdo it as you could pull a muscle with overuse.

However, the main benefit for me was slowing down my tempo (particularly on the back swing) and stopping me standing up at impact. As a result the few warm up shots I hit got me grooved into the right swing plane. Though you can hit balls with the Power Sleeve you must remember that this will have an adverse affect on ball flight because of the extra weight on the shaft. When you hit balls with it what you are looking for is direction not height.

The only slight criticism I have is that the velcro does have a tendency to loosen a little causing it to slip slightly out of position. That said, this may be owe more to my swing speed than the training aid, and actually serves as a visual reminder not to overdo it. When it slips a little I take it off.

I am mulling over investing in a decent practice mat and net so I can practice in the garden and 5-10 minutes daily with the Power Sleeve would have even more positive benefits to my game. I've already had two members approach me at the driving range to ask about it and where I got it from. Time will tell what kind of impact it will have on my game but so far the signs are promising.

My rating 86%

To buy the SKLZ Power Sleeve click on the image below:

Comments:

Graham
I would like to wish Tiger every success in his endevour. I appreciate that Tiger has also been very honest regarding the training aids that he has purchased from http://www.improvemygolf.co.uk and the reviews that he has given them. It’s good to see other golfers review these products and give their opinion. All the best, and if there’s anything else I can help with, you know where I am.

Method in my madness or madness in my method?

It seemed an innocent question at the time but it sparked an interesting debate. I've learnt a great deal from the responses to my 'Pitching distance' post on the Golf Monthly forum. I'm quite open to comment and constructive criticism, which I think will serve me well on this challenge. I certainly received a lot of sound advice that suggested I was over complicating things. Let me explain.

Golf Rules Quick Reference: Book review

Golf Rules Quick Reference, Yves C. Ton-That 
(Artigo, 2008)
I've only played one round before, well I say round it was 15 holes of hacking away in the rough with the occasional glimpse of a decent golf shot. I stood on 3rd tee, a reachable par 3 for me unlike the 203 yard opening hole. This was my chance to look like I belonged on a golf course.

Solid pre shot routine and a great hit. Must have been twenty feet from the pin, I was well pleased with myself till I turned round to see a disappointed head shake. The player I was playing with pointed out I had teed off about an inch in front of the tee markers.

Take it again, "better you learn now than in competition". I got lucky and hit a better tee shot about twelve feet from the pin. We didn't add the penalty and I three putted for a four. Most important thing wasn't the missed birdie (and par) opportunity. No the most important thing was learning a very valuable lesson: know the rules.

Every other sport I've played I've learnt the rules whilst playing at a young age. This was different I was entering a new world full of adults who won't take too kindly to you taking a drop shot at the point where your ball disappeared out of bounds (yes I have done this as well).

So I invested in this pocket rules book. At first I was unimpressed. It's so small and thin where's my money gone. Then I took a step and realised that in reality this was quite possibly the most important golf purchase I will ever make.

The book starts with an introduction to the general rules of play and is then neatly subdivided into different categories depending on whether you are:

• on the tee
• fairway & rough
• bunker play
• water hazard
• green

As a result it is very easy to find the rule relating to the situation you are in. I now have a much better understanding of the rules of the game and that will hold me in good stead for the future. There's also a really useful summary on the back page.

It's at this point that the slim, light and laminated presentation made infinite sense. The book lives in my bag ready to be taken out whatever the weather to ensure I play in the true spirit of the game.

My rating: 91%

ISBN 3909596196

To buy this book click the image below:

Trust, believe, relax & swing...

Things are improving though I'm still not taking the ability I know I have onto the course. The positives from today are:

• No card wrecking disaster holes, double bogey worst score


• Though it is still a work in progress, chipping with the 8 iron is producing better results


• I am getting closer to the green off the tee and hit more long than short today


• Putting continues to be solid with 15 putts taken on the 9 hole (this despite a very upsetting 3 putt when I hit a GIR)

Things to work on:

• Chipping, chipping, chipping. If I could chip decently I think I could be pretty useful


• Few too many fat shots today


• Wasted a couple of great opportunities today, 3 putt on my sole GIR and then hit a 6 iron to within 5 yards of the green of 181 yard 7th and still walked off with a 5


• I play better when I trust in my swing, believe in my shot, relax at address then swing. Need to do this more often

So in the end a 39. Not great but two shots lower than handicap and a clear understanding of where I need to improve. I'll be over the heath tomorrow then with the 8 and GW in tow. Fingers crossed things will get better...

Perfect balance?

How often do you play? How often do you practice? What has been your handicap at the end of the past three years? Three simple questions to which I'd appreciated your honest answers. The reason I am asking is that I am currently torn. I can be quite devastatingly brilliant at times on the driving range, never on the golf course. I need to find a perfect balance (if such a thing exists) between range, heath and putting practice and actually playing the game for real. As a beginner there are still technical issues I am working on and that is for the practice ground. However, I recognise that every time I play that is important practice as well.

So what in your opinion is the perfect balance?

Comments:

Homer
I know you’re into your Rotella books and one of the main things he teaches is to trust your swing on the course. The range is where you work on the technical aspects and the course is where you put the work into practice.

Its hard to decide how much of anything is too much. It depends on family and work committments, what you want to work on and how much you want to play on a full 18 regularly.

For me I try and go to the range once in the working week and play in club competitions at the weekend. If I play on a Saturday and have a bad round I might work on the weaker points on the Sunday. In the Summer I’ll probably have two evenings of practice, a couple of full rounds or nine holers and a couple of days rest.

If you are having regular lessons why not chat to the pro and draw up a realistic practice schedule and some drills to work on and also get a structure to what you need to address in lessons in some sort of order i.e short game and putting, bunkers, pitching, mid irons and then up towards woods with perhaps a swing MOT somewhere in the middle

Tiger
The swing is definitely in there I think its just a matter of confidence on the course. I think playing a few longer courses with par 4’s will help. Hit a great shot to about 175 yards with a 6 iron and minimal roll but it was off the green. However, had I hit that same shot onto the fairway I’d be delighted. When I relax and trust the swing, I more often than not get good results.

In terms of practice, chipping, chipping and chipping. My next lesson is in a fortnight so if the swing continues to improve I’ll use a lesson for that. If not I’ll keep plugging away with the practice.

Alignment Sticks: Equipment review

It's been well documented. I've been having issues with my chipping, the odd pitch shot here and there and my alignment. I tried using the alignment option on the V-Easy but my big, clumsy, yeti sized feet kept kicking the blinking thing out of position. Also, you can't use the V-Easy to align your shots, when you're already using it to practice your chipping.

What has been less documented is that I can be a real geek. As a result I haven't just kept every golf magazine I've bought since August. Oh no, that would be too normal. Instead I have systematically dissected them and filed the hints and tips based on which area of my game they should improve.

By now you are probably wondering where this is going. Well I'll tell you, alignment sticks. Two long. lightweight, durable, and unbelievably versatile, fibreglass sticks that are playing a crucial part in helping me take control of my golf development. These sticks were an inspired purchase, here's why.

Having issues with your short game alignment and strike? Set up a pitching station (see this months Today's Golfer). Two alignment sticks running parallel form a channel pointing in the direction you wish the ball to go. A third runs perpendicular from the centre point enabling you to consistently place your feet. The result consistent ball position, excellent dispersion pattern and some truly beautiful £10 note shaped divots.

Leaving the ball short when you putt? Place an alignment stick horizontally before the hole and get the ball to pop over it and into the hole.

Issues returning the club face square? Place a stick in front of the ball in the direction of travel and think about needing to hit the stick forward when you impact the ball.

Challenges with dispersion set up a gate to aim through.

Problems with developing a low takeaway? Jab them in the ground at slight angles both in front and behind the ball, giving a visual cue to keep the club head low. I could go on I've got shedloads of drills taken from magazines and at least 25% use alignment sticks. When I'm not using mine as a pitching station I may well stick them in the ground and use them as target pins.

A cheap must have addition to your golf bag.

My rating: 86%

To buy a pair of alignment sticks click here.

Harvey Penick's Little Red Golf Book: Book review

Harvey Penick's Little Red Golf Book, Harvey Penick 
(Collins WIllow, 1993)
This book was reviewed recently on the Golf Monthly forum and received mixed opinions. Personally, I think the key to enjoying it is to think of it as the recollections of a renowned teaching professional, rather than a "how to...guide".

The main thing I learnt from this book is that I have to keep my approach to the game simple, logical and enjoyable. Only then will I be able to tackle the many challenges that golf will throw at me. This book reinforces that message many times over, with my favourite analogy comparing a golf swing to swinging a bucket of water. This instantly conjures up a rhythmic fluid motion in my mind and has helped me get back into the zone when it seemed my ball striking had abandoned me.

There are plenty of amusing anecdotes such as the brash individual that wants to learn how to escape bunkers only to be told he must first learn how to avoid landing in them. These are interspersed with Penick's golfing observations and recollections.

However, I did feel that too much of the book was dedicated to Penick's perceptions of other professional golfers, that he had either taught or watched and this seemed a little out of context for me. It was also over much too quickly and I felt there could have been more, so much more.

One poignant note is that despite coaching them at the same time Penick never allowed Tom Kite know what instruction he gave Ben Crenshaw and vice versa. They were different golfers and therefore needed individual advice. One man's meat is another man's poison and over the next five years I'll do well to remember that. While this doesn't come close to being a lesson from the great man himself, it does help you understand the mindset he tried to instill in all of his pupils. Bearing this in mind I will from time to time return to this book when I am getting overly frustrated with technical issues and try to remember to simplify, relax and enjoy.

My rating 73%

To buy the book click on the image below:

ISBN 978-0-00-218538-5