Tiger Woods became the youngest player ever to complete the career Grand Slam of professional major championships and only the fifth ever to do so, following the likes of Jack Nicklaus. He was also the youngest Masters champion ever, at the age of 21, and has since won 29 tournaments, including the 1999 and 2000 PGA Championships, the 2000 U.S. Open Championship, and the 2000 British Championship. He is the career victories leader among active players on the PGA tour.
There's no denying that Tiger Woods has taken golf by storm. It seems like every time this 25-year-old swings a club, another PGA record is shattered. While his explosive drives, accurate approach shots, and steady putter certainly contribute to this success, both fans and critics agree that it's Tiger's devastating mental game that has propelled him to become the premier golfer of our time.
Now Tiger shares his thoughts on what he calls the game of a lifetime. He reveals the five secrets he believes are responsible for his success-a combination of physical, metaphysical, and psychological practices he uses daily to keep his game in top shape and help him to transcend all the ups and downs of golf. Best of all, Tiger reveals his unique approach to the game for the first time ever in this one singular volume.
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. In How I Play Golf Woods reveals the many facets of his game and offers a plethora of tips and advice aimed at all levels of play. Unlike most golf guides, and perhaps somewhat surprising from a player best known for his long game, How I Play Golf begins with the short game--putting, chipping, and pitching--before moving onto swing mechanics and hitting off the tee. Produced in conjunction with the editors of Golf Digest, the book is lavishly photographed and illustrated and offers a gold mine of useful ideas and mental images Tiger has collected over the years. Throughout, Tiger recounts memorable shots from his relatively brief career; for example, his only "perfect" shot (a 3-wood on No. 14 at St. Andrews) and his first putt at the 1995 Masters (a 20-footer for birdie on No. 1 that missed and rolled off the green). How I Play Golf is not only a first-rate instructional guide, it also communicates a passion and respect for the game that beginners, hackers, and low handicappers should find inspiring. Highly recommended.
Very few sports figures have accomplished as much as Woods has already achieved at age 25. He has been named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated twice; he has won more than 30 professional tournaments and he's the youngest player to win the Grand Slam four of the major pro championships. Despite his many commercials and product endorsements, Woods is one of the rare athletes who isn't overplayed in the media. Unlike many other sports stars, Woods plays and wins quietly. That may explain why this instructional book will reach far beyond the links. Woods talks about his experiences and his attitudes toward golf and life. The conversational tone is quite engaging: "The difference between golf and most other sports is that anyone of average intelligence and coordination can learn to play it well. It requires a commitment to being the best that you can be. That has always been my approach to the game.... Pop gave me many great lessons, not only about golf, but also about life. His greatest advice to me was always be myself." On watching the ball, Woods says, "If you're like me, you can't wait to see if the ball is tracking toward the hole right after the golf ball leaves the putterface.... The tendency to peek too soon causes your head to move and leads to off-sloppy contact.... I found an effective way to fight the problem: I practice putting with my left eye closed, so I can't see the target line at all with my peripheral vision. That makes it easier to keep my eyes looking straight down." Accompanied by wonderful photos, the book reads as if Woods is right there with the golfer, providing instructions. (Oct.) Forecast: With scheduled appearances on Oprah and Dateline along with extensive print and television advertising, this book will immediately shoot out of the bookstores. Strong sales should continue for a long time
There's no denying that Tiger Woods has taken golf by storm. It seems like every time this 25-year-old swings a club, another PGA record is shattered. While his explosive drives, accurate approach shots, and steady putter certainly contribute to this success, both fans and critics agree that it's Tiger's devastating mental game that has propelled him to become the premier golfer of our time. Now Tiger shares his thoughts on what he calls the game of a lifetime. He reveals the five secrets he believes are responsible for his success-a combination of physical, metaphysical, and psychological practices he uses daily to keep his game in top shape and help him to transcend all the ups and downs of golf. Best of all, Tiger reveals his unique approach to the game for the first time ever in this one singular volume.