OpenMindedGolf
Home      Library - and other stuff
 
 
Click here ==>  Book List   to view a list of my golf books.  This is only a partial list as I know that over the years, and with a sincere desire to help my fellow golfer's inprove, I have lent out dozens of  books that were never returned (I don't mind - I just hope they were read).  I have some thoughts on a few of these books that I consider to be true "gems" and I have read and re-read some of these dozens of times... at one time, when I was MUCH younger, I could almost recite verbatim, the entire classic, "Hogan's Five Fundamentals"!  There are certain books that I continually return to - whether I'm playing well or struggling. 
 
You'll note that the name "Hogan" keeps coming up throughout this web site... there is a reason for that.  In my humble opinion, there has never been anyone quite like Hogan.  When you talk about pure ball striking, an almost machine-like ability to control his golf ball, the ability to dissect the nuances of a particular golf course and then successfully execute a game plan for mastery of the course - well, no one has come close to Mr. Hogan's prowess in this area.  If he had some of the tools available today (in particular - high speed video), if he hadn't had the accident, served several years in the military (for which I loudly applaud him) and had more quickly corrected his inclination to hook the ball, he just might have won 20 majors and well over 100 tournaments.  I'll leave it at this... I think Hogan is the Gold Standard that all real "tournament" golfers should be judged by - there will probably never be another like him.
 
In addition to the list of books, I've added a list of VHS tapes, CD's & DVD's that I have studied - several times, and some of the "swing aids" or performance aids I've purchased and put to the test.  It is not my intention that you check out all or even one of these offerings.  I am only trying to convey the means and the ends that I was willing to go to in order to discover and put into the use, the keys that would help make MY game a better one.
As I will get into later on, there is more than one way to skin a cat.  Everyone, although basically anatomically the same, has certain physical and mental weaknesses and strengths - and we all interpret things differently.  If you do choose to read a little or a lot, measure the words you read carefully.  Ascertain what makes sense to you (and is not easily a total contradiction to what some other "expert" might write) and either put it to use in your game - or erase it from your mind completely. 
 
A key thing to remember is "THERE ARE VERY FEW ABSOLUTES IN GOLF"...  read and reread that statement until it is planted in your mind.  All you need to do is study some of the swings on the various tours and you will quickly learn that there are many ways to get the job done and it is our job as aspiring golfers to discover OUR absolutes and discard everything else.    
 
VHS TAPES:
Golf Heroes of the Game
The History of the PGA Tour
Dalton McCrary's "Hit it as Straight as You Can Point"
The Golf Channel's: Ben Hogan, The Golf Swing
The Master System to Better Golf
Golden Greats of Golf
Lee Trevino's: Priceless Golf Tips (they are priceless - 3 tapes that I picked up for $1 at a flea market)...
 
DVD'S:
Ben Witter's "Rip It 300 Yards"
Tracy Reed's "Golf Swing Control"
Hard-Wired For Golf: The Key to Your Mental Game
Putting To Win: The Technique of Champions
Leadbetter Interactive: The Modern Golf Swing
The Graves Golf Academy Presents, "Little Moe, A Golf Swing For Life"
AJ Reaveals The Truth About Golf
Jim Hardy's, "The Plane Truth For Golfers"
 
CD'S:
Dr. Robert K. Winters Golf Mind CD's
   - Mental Toughness
   - Putting Genius
The Tour Tempo CD
 
E-BOOKS:
The Peak Performance Golf Swing - Don Trahan
 
Gadgets & Gizmos:
Tour Tempo Player
The Path Pro
The Swing Link
The Swing Extendor
Momentus Swing trainer
Medicus 5-iron
The Eyeline Putting Plane System
The Swing Setter
The Stance Minder
The Inside Approach (home made)
The Speed Stick
The Master Swing Personal Driving Range
The XLR8R (John Novosel - Tour Tempo)*
Beltronics Swing Mate
The Determinator - shaft flex device
 
* http://www.tourtempo.com/