Golf Monthly's Systematic Golf, by Mike Palmer
Golf Monthly's Advanced Systematic Golf, by Mike Palmer
I was recently browsing my golf book collection and rediscovered Systematic Golf written by Mike Palmer, published in 1993.
I have to say that the contents of the book are true today as they were back in 1993. With the exception of the change in technology and perhaps new short-game swing thoughts from Gary Smith (Linear Approach, his DVDs also excellent by the way), it feels like reading a modern and up-to-date text. From the basics of grip, body turn, and putting drills, all modern books on the game could easily be considered reworks of these books, which happen to be much more concise and readable.
As an example: I've recently read "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle so as to get the latest thinking on fast-efficient learning. Coyle explains in his book the process of myelination which occurs in the brain which "insulates" signals so as to produce repeatable ingrained control. The secret to practice, according to Coyle, is threefold: a. Chunk it (look at the whole picture, then break it down into chunks and learn how it all fits together), b. Repeat it, so as to aid the process of myelination, c. Feel it, so as to become consciously aware of the body's actions.
Something similar is suggested in Ryan Moore's recent book "Practice to Learn, Play to Win", in which he advocates a three-fold approach: Discovery (learning), Refinement (grooving), and Re-Discovery (maintenance).
Lo and behold! Back in 1995 Mike Palmer had a section in his Advanced Systematic Golf book named "Effective Practice". What are the three areas of practice? 1. Learning, 2. Maintenance, 3. Repetition. And Mike's book explained this in two pages of concise instruction, not 200 pages of waffle.
Other areas of his books can be proven this way too. From the basics of grip and swing dynamics, all the way through to shot-shaping and playing in the wind.
I paid £0.63p for the Advanced book via a book retailer, and my wife picked up the first book from a car boot sale. It's a pity because I would gladly pay £50 for the pair.
Here is a link to Abe Books for anyone interested
Golf Monthly's Advanced Systematic Golf, by Mike Palmer
I was recently browsing my golf book collection and rediscovered Systematic Golf written by Mike Palmer, published in 1993.
I have to say that the contents of the book are true today as they were back in 1993. With the exception of the change in technology and perhaps new short-game swing thoughts from Gary Smith (Linear Approach, his DVDs also excellent by the way), it feels like reading a modern and up-to-date text. From the basics of grip, body turn, and putting drills, all modern books on the game could easily be considered reworks of these books, which happen to be much more concise and readable.
As an example: I've recently read "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle so as to get the latest thinking on fast-efficient learning. Coyle explains in his book the process of myelination which occurs in the brain which "insulates" signals so as to produce repeatable ingrained control. The secret to practice, according to Coyle, is threefold: a. Chunk it (look at the whole picture, then break it down into chunks and learn how it all fits together), b. Repeat it, so as to aid the process of myelination, c. Feel it, so as to become consciously aware of the body's actions.
Something similar is suggested in Ryan Moore's recent book "Practice to Learn, Play to Win", in which he advocates a three-fold approach: Discovery (learning), Refinement (grooving), and Re-Discovery (maintenance).
Lo and behold! Back in 1995 Mike Palmer had a section in his Advanced Systematic Golf book named "Effective Practice". What are the three areas of practice? 1. Learning, 2. Maintenance, 3. Repetition. And Mike's book explained this in two pages of concise instruction, not 200 pages of waffle.
Other areas of his books can be proven this way too. From the basics of grip and swing dynamics, all the way through to shot-shaping and playing in the wind.
I paid £0.63p for the Advanced book via a book retailer, and my wife picked up the first book from a car boot sale. It's a pity because I would gladly pay £50 for the pair.
Here is a link to Abe Books for anyone interested
