Golf for Dummies

by Gary McCord

Book Overview

Golf is a simple game. You have a bunch of clubs and a ball. You have to hit the ball with a club into a series of holes laid out in the middle of a large, grassy field. As simple as it is, many people believe golf is the hardest game in the world. If you're like most golfers, you play the sport for fun, relaxation, and a chance to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. If you're like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, or Tiger Woods, you get to do all...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764551469
• ISBN13: 9780764551468
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Beginners Look No Further

As a complete novice to the game of golf I needed a guide to get me started. This book gave me the information that I needed to know in order to start playing the game of golf. In this book you not only learn the fundamentals of the golf swing, but you also learn the language, the rules, and the do's and don'ts of the game. That way you don't make a idiot of your self out on the golf course. Gary also gives advice on everything from buying clubs to tipping the caddie. Gary lays down a common sense approach that is easy to follow and fun to read. I picked it up and could not set it down. This book put me on the right track in my golf game, and after a short while of applying the instructions that Gary suggests I have already seen a dramatic improvement in my game. The main reason for this improvement is advise from Gary's book; 1.Know your game, 2.Stick to your strengths, 3.Work on your weaknesses, 4.Don't compare yourself to other golfers. My first golf outting I couldn't hit a fairway to save my life. After reading this book, and practicing a lot as Gary suggests, I saw a dramatic improvement. I have since hit my first two greens off the tee, one of which resulted in my first par. And the only reason I didn't birdie either one of those holes is that I DIDN'T follow Gary's advice; practice putting a lot. If you are new to the game of golf I know you will enjoy and appreciate this book. I gets my highest endorsement.

If you're a duffer, buy "Dummies"

I picked up a golf club for the first time just a few short weeks ago. The confusing jargon, the mountain of rules and all the "advice" I've received from EVERYONE who finds out that I'm learning the game has been overwhelming. Gary does a fantastic job of breaking down a difficult game...without making me feel like a moron. I appreciate his humor and his suggestions really do work! I wish there were more tips for women golfers and left-handers, but overall, this book is more than worth the price!

quest to breaking 80

As a golfer who has read over 200 books, taken hundred's of lessons and hit millions of balls...I still learned a lot from this book!Worth the money ; No question!

I guess I'm a golf dummie!

I have never picked up a golf club until a week ago. I started browsing the internet for information at a beginners level. The web turned up dry but thanks to IDG I have the definitive golf newbie resource. The book is 400 pages with the first 238 being strictly information on how to golf. From descriptions of each club to how to hit the ball every different way imaginable. The rest of the book shows you how to handle yourself on the green, rules of the game, and how to score yourself.From what I can see, this book will be invaluable to my venture into the sport of golf. I will recommend it to anyone wanting to play golf but just don't know where to start. Lets face it, we're all dummies in the beginning!

2nd Edition is excellent

I'm not sure about the reader from NYC or the one from Rockford, IL. I went and bought the Complete Idiot's Guide after reading the review by NYC, and I liked it, but it is nowhere near as good as Golf For Dummies, 2nd Ed. Granted, Gary does put in a lot of extra information. But, there's more to the game than swinging the club, and he fills in a lot of holes.I compared the breakdown of the golf swing in both Idiot and Dummies. The description in Idiot is reasonable, but completely overlooks the role of the wrists in the swing. Dummies has an excellent series of photos that shows the entire swing and how the club head turns - this is essential!I just started learning a few weeks ago. Last Saturday was my third lesson and I can now hit the ball pretty straight and reasonably far for a beginner. All of the advice my teacher gave me is in Golf for Dummies, but it isn't in the Idiot book. Golf for Dummies has much better drills, better illustrations and about twice as much information, all of which is useful.I can see myself referring back to Golf for Dummies in the future, but I doubt I will look at the Idiot book again. You might consider Dummies a bit wordy, but what's your hurry? Golf is a game that will take you years to really become good at. Enjoy the process. Gary gives you lots of history and other facts that tell you why certain things are done the way they are. Personally, I appreciate all of the information he provides.This is a really good book on golf. Buy it.