MUST READ

ESSENTIAL READING:  HARVEY PENICK’S LITTLE RED BOOK

There are few books the golfing world proclaims as “must reads” so with this first installment of my essential reads we are recommending you get your hands on the time tested “Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book.”  Little Read Book is based on 60+ years of golf observation from long time Austin pro Harvey Penick.  The story behind the book is that Harvey kept a small red book where he would scribble and dictate his golf observations, thoughts and notes.  These thoughts were never meant for publish, never meant to sell copies or even become a best seller.  The intention of the notebook was to pass on these tried and tested golf thoughts to his son.  One day that changed when these little notes that span over 60 years of teaching the beautiful game when Harveru decided it would make for a good book on golf instruction.

Listen, when TOM KITE and BEN CRENSHAW write the forward for the book you know it must be worthy of a read.  When golfing minds of that level trust you there must be something special about your teachings.  Much like his personalty the chapters are communicated well and boiled down to the simplest form.  It reads like you are watching an old pro give a clinic.  At points you can almost picture him in out on a dusty driving range in sepia tone, wearing plus fours.

Much like watching a good clinic you pick up little things in this book and slowly apply them to your game.  You read a tip, or a drill and you try it out.  Then read another that captures your attention and repeat.  Its easy to just pick up, follow along and instal his thoughts into your swing.  For me the drill that first stuck out was his slow motion swing drill.  In this drill you are to merely take practice swings as slow as you possibly can.  You want to feel each motion from the moment you draw the club back, to squaring up the face and following through.  It forces you to think and not just blindly swing away beating golf balls to death.

I have read a lot of books that base themselves on new and exciting modern swing principle for whatever was hot at the moment, however this book is pure fundamentals.   These writings have and will stand the test of time and remain relevant for the generation of golf.

Who should read:  This book contains time tested golf lessons suitable for all golfer from beginners to low handicappers.