How I Play Golf

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 24 SEPT 2001

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.