Tom Watson's Strategic Golf

To get a good overview of golf strategy, there are only a few ways to go. One is to corner your pro and make him give you a round lesson, asking "why" every two seconds like a three year old. Another is to read through books written on golf architecture. The problem here is that they don't exactly cover strategy from an easuly accesible perspective for the average golfer, and just getting ahold of some of the better books is a trick. Last we have the handful of volumes on the subject writen for golfers of all caliber. Between Tom Watson's book, Armour's (A Round With...), and Harmon's (Playing Lessons), Watson's is not quite the easiest or most entertaining read (both these go to Armour), but it is the easily referenced and speaks most generally on the subject. Both Harmon and Armour use the format of a round of golf to explain strategies and offer swing tips. You have to look through the different holes to find one that matches the type that always gives you trouble, then hope there is useful information there to help. Watson organizes his writing by general topic (shot shaping and other swing tips and tricks, attacking holes, etc.) and then focuses on specifics (short par 3s, long par 3s, etc.). There are also just enough illustrations to help understand his points. This is where the only gripe I have with the book comes out: I wish there were more illustrations, particularly diagrams of the many holes at Augusta National, Winged Foot, etc., that he describes. All these can be found in the World Atlas of Golf or any other book on famous layouts, but the reader could have been saved a trip to the bookshelve and the book made to look that much better. All in all, if you want to know anything more about golf strategy that you do right now, this is the book to pick up. At the least, for those who have read Armour or Harmon, this will serve as a great review and reference.

If your golf mechanics are ready to use on the golf course, then it's time to think about how to lower your score. Tom Watson is one of the best strategists in the game of professional golf. Read this book to discover how he picks clubs and where to hit them in various circumstances, how he hits repeatably shaped shots (straight, high and low fades, high and low draws, skyballs and worm-burning knockdowns), and how to get the advantage in matchplay. The goal is to lower the golf score, not to hit the world's most pure drive. And this is a good thing.Highly recommended.

Step by step, this book is like a playing lesson. From the green backwards, Watson helps us realize what course maintenance is all about. This book will really help us begin to think a round out, rather than just look at the yardage, the obstacles and let it rip. Smart golf book. Higly recommended.

even a beginning golfer can reap benefits from this important publication. mr. watson is in touch with how to transfer knowledge to another golfer. this volume is so important to have if you are at all serious about the game. this book serves a wide variety of players from hackers wondering where they might get back strokes to single digit players seeking a new perspective. this is one must book for a golfers library.