13 Golf Books You Absolutely Have To Read

This is an extremely popular book amongst golfers and one you or the golfer in your life is bound to enjoy. A timeless classic with nearly one million copies in print, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons outlines the building blocks of winning golf from one of the all-time masters of the sport—fully illustrated with drawings and diagrams to improve your game instantly.

In each chapter, a different experience-tested fundamental is explained and demonstrated with clear illustrations—as though Hogan were giving you a personal lesson with the same skill and precision that made him a legend. Whether you’re a novice player or an experienced pro, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons is a must-have reference for anyone who knows that fundamentals are where champions begin.

Dr Bob Rotella is one of the hottest golfing performance consultants in the world today. Unlike other performance consultants, Rotella goes beyond the usual mental aspects of the game and the reliance on specific techniques. In this extraordinary book and with his clients, he creates an attitude and a mindset about all aspects of the golfer's game, from mental preparation to competition. As some of the world's greatest golfers will attest, the results are spectacular. Filled with charming and insightful stories about golf and the golfers Rotella works with, Golf Is not a Game of Perfect will improve the game of even the most casual weekend player.

Legendary golf course architect Donald Ross died in 1948. Unbeknown to those around him, he wrote a book on the game giving an insight into his thoughts and beliefs. As a result, it wasn't until the mid 1990's that the book was published and received rave reviews. The book includes pictured examples of what Ross believed made a good or bad course and identifies courses around the US that he designed or improved. The honesty and openness of the author provides an interesting perspective of the game and a very interesting read.

This wonderful book by Brad Klein really does enlighten the reader about the monumental golf architect Donald Ross. The book includes old drawings, maps and photographs of many of Ross's most famous courses, many of which have been uses in major championships. This first-class golf architect, born in Scotland had such a considerable impact on the game and continues to do so today. For anyone interested in the man behind the name, this is a fascinating read.

A completely revised and expanded edition on golf courses. For anyone who is interested in golf course architecture, this book is a must for your library. Contains a complete index (a continuous work-in-process) of architects and their courses. Essentially every course in the world (including those which are no longer in existence), is listed including its location, date of origin and the architects who created.

This will not be a book that will attempt to simply detail courses where major championships have been played, but courses whose architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance make them "must play" venues for passionate golfers. It includes Royal County Down (Ireland), Pebble Beach (California), Bandon Dunes (Oregon), Cape Kidnappers (New Zealand), and the National Golf Links of America (New York). Each chapter will be linked to a golf "guru" or celebrity personality; the featured course will be presented as the individual's recommendation for one of their favorite courses in the world. This will be the perfect gift for avid golfers and armchair travellers alike.

This book contains all the Rules of the game as revised 1st January, 2016, together with over 100 illustrations designed to provide easier understanding of those situations that cause difficulties for golfers. 

This essential reference book gives guidance on every situation a player may come across including bunkers, water hazards, loose impediments, casual water and much more. It includes descriptions of incidents that demonstrate the Rules in action and Frequently Asked Questions to aid understanding. Written by the USGA - the game's governing body - Golf Rules Illustrated is the perfect book for those new to the game or those who want a definitive golf rules book in their library.

In the first book from popular Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, the network’s “resident scholar and critic” (The New York Times) explores the common swing positions of the greatest players throughout history—and reveals how those commonalities can help players of every skill level improve their own games.

This book provides perhaps the clearest explanation of how to hit a golf ball ever. Golfers can take The Anatomy of Greatness to the driving range and use Chamblee’s clear explanations to build better swings—and get more speed and consistency into their swings—immediately. This book is like having a series of private lessons from the best golfers of all time, and it will help golfers build swings that make the game easier and more fun.

No athlete has changed his sport the way Tiger Woods has transformed the world of golf. The Tiger phenomenon has created a new legion of golfers, seduced by Woods's almost effortless mastery of this most difficult game. Woods reveals how he plays the game and reveals his secrets into his success. Supported by photographs and illustrations. This book communicates passion and respect for the game.

Faldo is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. For years he has worked on the perfect swing, and in this updated and revised version of a timeless golf classic, he shares what he has learned. Faldo explains the principles behind his flowing, consistent swing, as well as driving strategy, short-game technique, bunker play, and the art of putting. He also includes new information on fitness, equipment, his philosophy of golf, new developments in his swing, and more. 

Supporting these principles are 250 superb photographs that illustrate how to swing on all parts of the course. Seasoned and inexperienced golfers alike will be fascinated by Faldo's insights, and by sharing the same drills and exercises he personally uses for tournament preparation, he will help you create your own 'swing for life'.

What a fantastic book to help you improve your game. Knowing how to play and playing more will definitely make you a better play! Play Golf Better Faster is a practical, inspiring, simplified guide to dramatically improving your golf game whether you are a relatively new player, have been playing for years or even aspire to go pro.

In its pages Kalliope Barlis shares all the secrets she used to go from golf novice to pro golfer in just two years as well as the insights she developed during her twenty-year career teaching golf to thousands of students.

Divided into three sections, this invaluable golf guide covers how to use your brain, practice your game and play your game, offering information found in no other golf book. You’ll learn how to:

• Erase bad shots from your mind

• Anchor great shots so you have more of them

• Practice correctly

• Eliminate bad habits

• Cultivate the right attitude on and off the course

Play Golf Better Faster is a game changer. By following its step-by-step instructions, you will revolutionize your golf game and have more fun.

The commemorative edition of the instant New York Times bestseller--now with a foreword by Jack Nicklaus!

"A wonderful compilation that reflects who he was as a person, as a golfer, and as someone who believed in giving back. He was a champion at each turn, and it was an honor not just knowing him and competing against him for nearly 60 years, but also being his friend." ―Jack Nicklaus, from the foreword

This book is Palmer’s parting gift to the world -- a treasure trove of entertaining anecdotes and timeless wisdom that readers, golfers and non-golfers alike, will celebrate and cherish. No one has won more fans around the world and no player has had a bigger impact on the sport of golf than Arnold Palmer. In fact, Palmer is considered by many to be the most important professional golfer in history, an American icon.

In A Life Well Played, Palmer takes stock of the many experiences of his life, bringing new details and insights to some familiar stories and sharing new ones. It's a truly wonderful book and most certainly worth a read.

The most beloved golf book of all time, Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book has become required reading for all players and fans of the game, from beginners to seasoned pros.

The legendary Harvey Penick, began his golfing career as a caddie in Austin, Texas, at the age of eight, and over the course of nearly a century worked with an amazing array of champions. In this classic book, which is named for the red notebook he always kept, Penick’s simple, direct, practical wisdom pares away the hypertechnical jargon that’s grown up around the golf swing, and lets all golfers, whatever their level, play their best.

This twentieth-anniversary edition features a treasure trove of rare images from the Penick family archives, commemorates Penick’s lasting achievement with a moving new foreword by 2012 Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III—whose father learned the game under Penick’s tutelage—and reminds golfers everywhere to “take dead aim.” A wonderful gift for any golfer or a treat for yourself.