Books every self-respecting golfer should read

If you want to get better at golf, you should be practising. A lot. It doesn’t mean, though, that if you are interested in golf, practising should be all that you care about. No! You need to let your tired mind and body rest. How, by going on a spiritual retreat to Tibet? No! If you want to get better at golf, but you need a break, then you could… read about golf. Sure, if you want to improve your skills, it would be helpful if you knew what Vokey grinds are for, but reading about golf can help you persevere in your march toward greatness. In a minute, you’ll learn what the books that every golf-enthusiast should check out are. Let’s go!

Leslie Nielson’s Stupid Little Golf Book

If golf is all that you think about all day, and even in your dreams, you dream of green fields, then you absolutely need to read this book. Will it teach you how to be better at golf? No. On the contrary; this book written by Leslie Nielsen contains the most useless advice ever imaginable. So, why should you read it, then? Because it is extremely entertaining! I know that it might be difficult to comprehend for some that golf is not all about pure skills, but that there could be an element of fun in there too, but trust me!

Francis and Eddie: The True Story of America’s Underdogs

The sad reality is that golf is not gaining in popularity. We are increasingly more used to the instant effects and flashiness, none of which can be found in golf. One way of counteracting this state of affairs is to encourage children right from the start to begin their journey with this noble sport. How? After years of research, scientists discovered that children like colorful pictures. If you combine beautiful pictures and golf, you might just reverse this trend! This book presents a fascinating story of people who were not afraid of failure, against all the odds. If you haven’t dedicated all of your life to golf, and there are also some children in your life, you should definitely buy them this book.

Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf

If you think that there is not enough weirdness in golf, this book, written by Dave Donelson, should give you exactly what you need. Is it good? No, actually far from it, but it’s the same as with movies that are so bad that you enjoy watching them. You’ll find Batman and Superman, supernatural creatures, the weirdness oozing from every corner, and golf. You’ll find yourself alternately asking “why is it happening” and questioning everything that you’ve known about the universe.

The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods

If you are looking for something more serious, then this book, written by Hank Haney, might be right up your alley. Sure, Tiger Woods might have achieved a lot, but what did his path look like? Haney spent 6 years working as Tiger’s Coach, and here he explains what the necessary elements for success are. You’ll also learn about intimate details from Woods’ life, and how he dealt with his enormous popularity.

My Life in and out of the Rough: The Truth Behind All That Bull**** You Think You Know About Me

If you want to learn first-hand what does the life of a hugely successful golfer looks like, then this book is an absolute must. John Daly isn’t a fan of half measures. His extraordinary persona, coupled with his exceptional skills made him super famous, but it also made him prone to all kinds of addictions, with which he battled throughout his life. If you practise enough, you might become famous, but are you sure you can handle it?

Golf in the Kingdom

If playing golf for you is more than just a sport, and you treat it as a way of life, then this book should suit your tastes perfectly. A young man travels to Scotland, encounters a mysterious man, and his life becomes transformed. All because of golf. It might be too much for people who twist their faces with disapproval when hearing the word “meditation”, but if you want golf to be more than just mere hitting the ball, then this book is for you.

Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime in Golf

If you are not big on weird stories, and would rather read something that is actually valuable, then you should listen to the advice given by Harvey Penick. Every piece of advice that you’ll find in this book is simple and straightforward. You won’t be intimidated by the complex vocabulary; no matter how much experience you have with golf, you’ll be able to understand everything. And hopefully, you’ll follow Penick’s advice.

Now choose

The books on this list range from weird, super-weird, to really helpful. Not every position might be suited for you, but remember that you need something to occupy yourself with something when you are not hitting the ball.