Books, Books, and more books

[drewitgolf]

I think it is a better presentation of information than his "4 Magic Moves", I'm surprised it hasn't been re-printed. It should be. Simple, straightforward and an excellent slice cure, and from 1953 at that. I wonder why this hasn't gotten more attention? He credits the approach to his father, James Dante.

James "Jim" Dante wrote "Nine Bad Shots of Golf and What to do about Them" with Leo Diegel and Len Elliot in 1947.

Joe Dante also wrote a follow up to the Four Magic Moves with a book called "What's Wrong with Your Game?" in 1978. Another good book by the "little guy", IMO.

[dkerby]

GOLF SWING SECRETS...AND LIES SIX TIMELESS LESSONS
by Michael Hebron has a lot about TGM and loads of
great pictures. Only drawback is no index in the back.
The book is well worth getting.

[drewitgolf]

GOLF SWING SECRETS...AND LIES SIX TIMELESS LESSONS
by Michael Hebron has a lot about TGM and loads of
great pictures. Only drawback is no index in the back.
The book is well worth getting.

I agree dkerby, if you use a Swinging Procedure. Not for Hitters .

[kmmcnabb]

I have the Hebron book (swinger myself) and I like it but I love the Joe Dante books. I have all that he has put out (had to order one from England) and I agree that Stop that Slice is a timeless work. I did find one of the magic moves very magical for me (worked wonders on getting the club in the slot). That one move made me curious (plus some recommendations from you guys) so I picked up the others a few months back.

I have a large collection of golf books, and I have found few that are truly worth the read with the exception of Kelley, Hay, Dante, Hall, and a very few others (I will make a listing next week by book and why I like it). Interestingly, the books that seem to be the most popular for instruction I hate or find pretty worthless (Leadbetter, McLean, Harmon).

Thanks for all the input.

PS: I will probably buy the new book by Daly. I had not planned to purchase it but saw it yesterday in Memphis airport and read the first chapter. I am not a Daly fan (one of the few) but I have to admit, he has had one interesting golf career thus far.

[EdZ]

Hebron's "Golf Mind, Golf Body, Golf Swing" is a worthy addition to any collection. An excellent survey of golf teaching over the years with a great presentation of TGM concepts. The photos alone are worth the book.

More of my personal favorites....

"The Golfing Machine" - Kelley
"5 Lessons - the modern fundamentals" - Hogan
"How to Feel a Real Golf Swing" - Toski/Love
"Golf My Way" - Nicklaus
"Play Golf the Wright Way" - Wright
"Shape your swing the modern way" - Nelson
"Stop that Slice" - Dante
"On Learning Golf" - Percy Boomer
"The Natural Golf Swing" - Knudson
"The Elements of Scoring" - Floyd
"Golf Myths Exposed" - Hall
"The Swing" - Price
"A New Way to Better Golf" - Morrison
"Swing the Clubhead" - Ernest Jones
"Extraordinary Golf" - Shoemaker
"Zen Golf" - Parent

And from a course management standpoint, everything Jack ever did is full of gems. Wright's book is subtle in its presentation, but outstanding in content.

[golfer24]

I don't know how Alex Hay can be so aclaimed in this thread i was always of the mind that he talked nonsence when commentating for BBC. His analysis of Ernie Els swing in the video they made together HOW TO BUILD A CLASSIC SWING or words to that affect was extremely poor on a technical assesment of Ernies Swing. I think any trainee PGA pro would have done it better. Example. "Look at how ernie has a ramrod left arm" Did not mention extensor action of the right arm producing this. I had to cringe with most of the non technical comments made by Hay and only pity someone hoping to learn and copy what was said on that video. Needless to say i sold it on ebay. For me Alex Hay is a big no no. Give me Homer Kelley anyday. Why bother to read another instruction book The Golfing Machine is complete and you could read it for a lifetime and learn something new from it everytime.

[drewitgolf]

Why bother to read another instruction book The Golfing Machine is complete and you could read it for a lifetime and learn something new from it everytime.

Point well taken. However, it is nice to see how others apply their creative minds to achieve the Three Imperatives .

[kmmcnabb]

I like Hay when compared to what Homer teaches. Many of things that Hay discusses in his book are directly related to TGM. I don't know what kind of talking head he was but the books are very good. Especially, FLW/BRW, extension, and right arm participation.

Please, no one get me wrong, I began this in a quest to get books that would help me better understand some core concepts in TGM. In that goal, the ones that I have found to be useful have been those referenced above which includes Hay.

I certainly think everyone should get TGM for their foundation and then work out. If you can get to an AI, that is the standard.

However, the problem with TGM is that it is a listing of components and how they fit but it lacks drills, and examples. These books can add some of this.... Before anyone jumps on me about going to an AI, I understand that TGM is a guide for teaching/learning with an AI but there are not too many out there (in some areas). I thought I would search out some books that could help with clarification, and/or drills.

Anyway, I like Hay in his books. Great core TGM concepts explained (not using TGM) and some great drills. Also, really, really like Hall, Dante (really like) and Hogan (Power, and Fundamentals).

[kmmcnabb]

Sorry for the delay. Teaching this semester so my time has been really limited. I have not gotten the Golf Secrets book. I contacted the guy listed on this thread and he put me on the list but asked me to wait a bit on a DVD they have to accompany the book. I decided to wait for both and that has been about a month or so ago. I sent another email today to check on their progress. In the meantime, I did order Perfect Impacts new book and DVD. Still reading but have gone through the DVD. Unfortunately, my time is really tight right now but I will get the book done (first time) by the weekend.

Glad this thread helped someone. I purchased or have all of the books cited here. I really liked a few, hated some others but found some value. I really only wanted to focus on books that would compliment TGM which I think most of these do. I am always suprised at some of the books I pick up that discuss concepts that are totally wrong when compared to TGM. Glad to have found TGM but I don't have time for an AI so I am learning SLOWLY...........I think my progress had been pretty good all things considered. Flattened out the left wrist, got my right shoulder on plane (which changed my pivot to a compound pivot...thanks perfect impact for our discussions). All in all, striking the ball much better, on a downward plane, and directional control is much, much, much better. No more out to left field for me.

I could use a great deal of work on my short game (still have distance control issues) but my directional control is right on.

For me the key has been in understanding what I am supposed to be doing and what it feels like. Impact bag, heavy club, tac-tic, tennis rackets, Rover Golf stuff (all) and dowels have helped the most. Of course, I do have a museum of crap that doesn't work.