ADB
Journeyman Pro
Or to quote the full title 'Getting Up and Down, How to Save Strokes from Forty Yards' has never been too far away from my bedside table and I am always inspired when reading it. Firstly, my bias relates to the fact that this was the first and only golf book my dad ever bought me when I took the game up in the mid 80's so it is something I genuinely treasure.
The book is based on simple technical advice for a range of situations you may encounter on the course written in the first person by Tom Watson and superbly illustrated by Anthony Ravieilli. Whilst this is an instruction book, to me it is more a series of lessons learnt over the years relating to how a particular shot is chosen and then executed given all the variables that can be present. For example, a shot Ben Crenshaw played in Dallas, Texas is described in glowing terms which involved a 5-iron chip from 55 yards using a strong tailwind and a firm green to leave a tap-in birdie. I love this personal insight and a willingness to promote shot-making really resonates with me.
The book has three primary chapters covering Putting, Chipping/Pitching and Sand. Each chapter provides an insight as to how the author would execute a particular shot, his mental approach and any supplementary tips or hints. What I find most interesting is when particular shots are related to real tournament situations as it brings the book to life by putting theory into practice.
Following the instructional element, the book has three further chapters covering Practice, Equipment and, perhaps the most enjoyable part of the book, Putting Theory into Play. The practice section summarises some advice and tips on various recommended drills which are all eminently sensible and achievable within the most limited of practice facilities. Equipment is debated with an argument both for and against a 3-wedge set up (a 2-wedge approach was preferred!) with the best saved until last when a full eleven pages are devoted to a hole-by-hole account of the final 9 holes in the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach including 'that' chip as described by the man himself.
Whilst this book is getting close to 30 years old, the quality of the advice holds good and is still very relevant to the game today. What really sets this book apart, in my opinion, is the insight to each given situation by the man himself – it simply makes you understand the mindset of a winner. Highly recommended.
The book is based on simple technical advice for a range of situations you may encounter on the course written in the first person by Tom Watson and superbly illustrated by Anthony Ravieilli. Whilst this is an instruction book, to me it is more a series of lessons learnt over the years relating to how a particular shot is chosen and then executed given all the variables that can be present. For example, a shot Ben Crenshaw played in Dallas, Texas is described in glowing terms which involved a 5-iron chip from 55 yards using a strong tailwind and a firm green to leave a tap-in birdie. I love this personal insight and a willingness to promote shot-making really resonates with me.
The book has three primary chapters covering Putting, Chipping/Pitching and Sand. Each chapter provides an insight as to how the author would execute a particular shot, his mental approach and any supplementary tips or hints. What I find most interesting is when particular shots are related to real tournament situations as it brings the book to life by putting theory into practice.
Following the instructional element, the book has three further chapters covering Practice, Equipment and, perhaps the most enjoyable part of the book, Putting Theory into Play. The practice section summarises some advice and tips on various recommended drills which are all eminently sensible and achievable within the most limited of practice facilities. Equipment is debated with an argument both for and against a 3-wedge set up (a 2-wedge approach was preferred!) with the best saved until last when a full eleven pages are devoted to a hole-by-hole account of the final 9 holes in the 1982 US Open at Pebble Beach including 'that' chip as described by the man himself.
Whilst this book is getting close to 30 years old, the quality of the advice holds good and is still very relevant to the game today. What really sets this book apart, in my opinion, is the insight to each given situation by the man himself – it simply makes you understand the mindset of a winner. Highly recommended.
