Extraordinary Golf: The Art of the Possible

Fred Shoemaker gently and persuasively reminds us that golf is an experience, rather than a result. It's only by being aware and in the moment that we can really enjoy the experience - or play our best. Yet, as he clearly illustrates, the "Culture of Golfers" is to focus on the results and on what's wrong with our game... which robs us of both the enjoyment, and the potential to play to our full ability. Why do I recommend this book so highly? Because golf is meant to be fun, not a chore or a test. If you love the game but find yourself constantly frustrated or disappointed - read this book! Or if you're intrigued by the game but intimidated by all the jargon and attitude you hear - read this book! Oh, and does it deliver? Yes! Personal example: As a 14 handicapper I'm constantly obsessed with breaking 80. Typically I start every round with the best of intentions to just enjoy the walk... but after a couple of good holes, or a couple bad ones, I start the mental games of "Don't goof it up!" or "Fix it!", which continue through the rest of the round. So it was with my most recent round: a rough start and already I'm 5 over par, struggling to find my swing. But this time there were two differences: (1) I'd begun re-reading Extraordinary Golf (first read it 2 years ago), and (2) my playing partner was having an even worse round, loudly expressing all the frustration and anguish that often entails. With Shoemaker's coaching in my mind, and such an obvious example before me, I was able to make a different choice about my day. I was able to follow his guidance to relax and just focus on being aware. So did I break 80? Nope - shot an 81. But I played the back nine in 2 over, a personal best on that course. I was so focused and aware that I can still go back to each shot and replay just how it looked & felt. And most importantly, I played without fear and enjoyed it immensely. After all, isn't that the point of playing a game?

This is a long review, but I hope you hang in there.Just to put everything in context, I've bought thefollowing golf books in the last few months:How to Break 90 (Tomasi, et al)The 30-Second Golf Swing (Tomasi)Five Fundamentals (Hogan)Five Fundamentals (Elkington)Plus I've flipped through dozens of books in thestore. And I've visited every golf site know to man.Or woman.We're talking minimal improvement after 2 monthsof hard work -- and I'm a fairly gifted athlete, modestyaside.Minimal improvement and not much joy. And this isa game I used to LOVE in my teens.Minimal improvement.And just in case you thought I was looking for instantmastery, I'm not. There's no such thing anyway.But I WAS looking for a ray of hope. A ray that says,"If you stick to this general way, improvements anda sense of accomplishment WILL come with time."Enter "Extraordinary Golf." Read it a couple of days ago with a growing senseof excitement.This morning I tried some of Shoemaker's awareness/concentration exercises down in the basement for 45 minutes. (Then started making up some of my own!)Was CONSISTENTLY making 30-foot chips to withinabout 18 inches of the "hole". And sometimes IN THEHOLE.I'm talking about 95 out of 100 very very good shots,(to within 2 or 3 feet) simply by PAYING ATTENTIONto what was going on, NOT trying to fix anything, and simply having FUN.I know you may think you're a technique player, but listento this:I started playing shots leaning waaay forward, waaay backward,on my left leg only, on my right leg only, holding the club miles from my body, in too tight, up against the wall, with the left handonly, with the right hand only, all sorts of crazy contortions -- AND WAS STILL KNOCKING THEM CLOSE TO THE HOLE!!!Simply by paying FULL attention to what I was doing (primarilythe FULL arc of the clubhead) in an easy, free-spirited way.Shoemaker is right. Most players DON'T concentrate for the full2 seconds it takes to swing. Their minds are filled with all sorts ofdistractions and FEARS. Especially the fear of looking bad.But when you just step up with full awareness in a spirit of inquiry,open to any possibility, not fixated on results, it is remarkable what happens.This stuff actually works!I discovered that I "lose" the clubhead near the top of my backswing.I suddenly lose awareness of it. But when I calmly maintain focus onwhere the clubhead is THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SWING andFORGET ABOUT THE RESULTS amazing things happen.I also found out I"lose" the clubhead when I putt.So I decided to line up a 35-foot putt while MAINTAINING AWARENESSin the clubhead.The FIRST putt ended up ONE INCH from the hole.The SECOND putt ended up TWO INCHES from the hole.The "trick" if there is one, is to FORGET about FIXING and startOBSERVING what you're DOING.Even if you miss every putt and every chip while you practice, evenif your shots miss by a mile, THE MAIN THING IS YOU STAY AWAREOF WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THE ENTIRE 2 SECONDS.That should be your only concern. "Can I track

This book has really helped me enjoy golf more AND at the same time improve my game and score. I don't want to say it's light hearted but it's not as "deep" as "The Inner Game of Golf". It teachs you that the way we look at the game of golf is counter productive. We are always striving to be just a little better and by doing that we are never happy. Once you become comfortable and start playing for fun you not only enjoy the game more BUT your scores go down.For me that has happened.It also debunks the swing thought theory. During the swing is not the time to load your head up with thoughts.

I was so impressed with this book that I searched out and attended Fred's School for Extraordinary Golf. I was amazed to see the wide range of golfers there (a beginer, high and low handicappers, several in their 60's+) all accept and dramatically benefit from the instruction provided (all of which was based on what's in the book).As for me, Fred's approach to golf and wise instruction methods have transformed the game of golf. Not only am I shooting the best golf in my life, I'm having the most fun -- and the more fun actually happened before the better scores did! I'm also learning about myself, about golf and about my life at a much faster rate.Perhaps you can guess that I recommend Extraordinary Golf highly. It's changed my life by giving me continuous, ongoing access to the game of golf that I had always wanted, hoped for, and glimpsed -- but was somehow never able to fully embrace. Thank you Fred, and those who work with you, for providing a future of golf that is full of possibilities.

I was originally given this book by a friend and told to approach it with a completely open mind. This book will help you explore your true inner self and how it relates to golf. I now have the ability to forget all my 32 years of golf mumbo-jumbo and "correct-swing" theories, and focus on experiencing and truly enjoying golf. I recently had the opportunity to take an all day seminar / golf experience from Fred and it changed my whole life and thoughts about the game. I am now re-reading the book again!!! Don't let this one pass you by...get the book and forget all the technical theories...the game and swing are in you, Fred simply helps you bring it out.