Practical Golf

I picked up this book after determining to spend this winter digesting everything I could in an attempt to improve my golf game. After reading an article about John Jacobs in a recent issue of Golf Digest I looked into his books. This one seemed to be what I was looking for. I'm trying to be realistic here. I don't want to turn pro, but I just want to stop being so embarrassed on the course with my golf buddies. The way this book has helped me is to better understand what is happening with my swing at the moment of impact. Just understanding this has made my practice more productive and helped me to make adjustments on the course. Another way this book has helped me is in my attitude on the course. Jacobs urges high-handicappers to hit high-percentage shots and stop 'going for it' on each shot. This kind of makes your game boring when you're playing with 3 other guys that are 'going for it' on each shot while you lay up, but on the other hand you aren't the one looking for your ball in the ditch, woods, or along the water's edge. At the end of the round this attitude pays off. The only drawback for this book is the passive voice, English spelling (i.e., practise not practice), and the illustrations could use some updating. However, the illustrations are very well done. Finally, one ironic thing that Jacobs points out in the book is that today's golfers have learned golf through static images. For instance, the use of high-speed photography capturing the different positions that a golf swing 'should' go through rather than video of the entire golf swing. Despite all this, there I was looking at static images in a golf book.

Jacobs explains clearly why golfers slice or hook and how to go about straightening out your shots. He also tells you how to hit it as far as your potential will allow. All this information is put across very clearly with no misleading jargon. There is nothing very surprising in this book - no big magic move or position. He just gets straight down to telling what matters in your grip, setup and swing and how to deduce what you're doing from the ball flight so you can "analyse" your own swing. He also has some great thoughts on competing and attitude. This book should be the golfer's Bible - it's the best instruction I've ever seen by a LONG way.

This is as clear and concise as golf instruction can get in written form. It is organized logically, the language is simple and easily understood, and the drawings convey critical information instantly. Virtually every point of importance is made efficiently and clearly. This book has no fat in it.This has been the most effective book in helping my game. Because it has distilled the essence of golf instuction to it's purest form, it becomes like a user's manual that one can turn to again and again.

Tiger Wood's coach, Butch Harmon, has called John Jacobs the greatest golf teacher of today.This book demonstrates why. No big mechanical section to give one the too common "paralysis of analysis."In Jacobs fashion, he builds on the vital necessity of knowing what is going on, the geometry and balistics. This is easily relayed on to us simpletrons with "Two turns and a swish of the club."He then gives this applied to stance, grip, aim, then proceeds to backswing, etc. The illustrations are by the famous Anthony Favielli of Ben Hogan's Five Fundamentals fame. They are so good and visually impart what this master teacher is pouring forth in words.Lady golfers will especially like the section provided and helps throughout for them, such as "why women raise up on their toes" and "ladies, you can hit it further!"Trouble shots, strategy, equipment selection are all provided in one volume that anyone starting in the game or desiring to shave strokes will reap benefits from. Having gone to a Jacobs school, I can proclaim that this book is a good one to study and mold one's swing after.

This is one of the two or three best golf instruction books ever--no question. It gives the reader clear, concise, and PRACTICAL commentary on how to properly hit a golf ball. Jacobs also explains how the ball is the best teacher, which is something no other books delves into. I'm here because my dad won't part with his copy--you'll be similarly attached.