Golf: Learn from the Legends

Golf: Learn from the Legends

In 1975 Sam Snead wrote the words, “Something’s wrong somewhere,” because he recognized that even with improved courses, instruction, and equipment the average golfer shot 100. His answer was to write the definitive golf book. Since that time millions and millions of words of instruction have been written, but if Snead were alive today, he would write those same words. The dilemma of 1975 still exists; in 2018, the National Golf Foundation reported that the average golfer shot 100. Every golfer is in search of a consistent swing with a predictable result. Bob Mullen has spent years looking for answers to the questions, “How do we learn motor skills? And how can that knowledge be applied to learning golf?” This new book combines tried-and-true golf teaching with Bob’s knowledge in applying brain science to our learning process.The fundamentals have not basically changed in the last fifty years, so the problem is not what is being taught, but the fact that students and instructors don’t understand how learning occurs. We must walk away from the lure of quick fixes, miracle clubs, and lessons that promise immediate results. Instead, we must learn to enlist the autonomous capability of the brain to perform for us in golf just as it guides our daily lives. If we educate the motor cortex and keep our conscious thoughts from interrupting its flow, the golf swing will repeat itself over and over.Along with brain education the book presents fundamentals through trusted, time-tested teachings of seven icons of golf: Jones, Hogan, Snead, Penick, Palmer, Nicklaus, and Watson. They are quoted extensively in teaching the fundamentals. Combining their wisdom with knowledge of how the brain learns and structured practice provides us with the key to a solid game. a Library of Congress Control Number: 2019940473AR Publications, Pinole, CaliforniaISBN-13: 978-0-578-49711-2 Cover designed by Wendy Mullen Ruel, IPM Group, Shawnee KS "This book may be the very best golfinstruction book ever written. Mullen combines a perfect articulation of golf's physical fundamentals with an understanding of self-confidence-building mental control not seen in otherbooks. He has constructed the complete golf-instruction book...the seven fundamentals beautifully articulated and illustrated, an understanding of the mental side to build self-confidence, practice tips, and a world of insight from the seven Legends." B.David Allen Aiken,South Carolina "Mullen masterfully pairs the physical and mental fundamentals to allow the golfer to gain confidence and trust in their swing and to perform consistently under pressure. Mullen'sscholarly breakdown of the details shows you how the greatest golf legends developed their uncanny shot-making ability." KristaTucek Calaway, Former Women's Touring Golf Professional Houston, Texas "Bob has done an exceptional job of compiling lessons from all of the legends and delivering it in a very easy-to-read style. I believe the most beneficial part of this book for any instructor or student would be to read the chapter 'Learning to Learn'.Understanding exactly how the brain works during a lesson is a game changer!Golf is more than technique, and Bob has delivered this truthbeautifully. Every instructor should have a copy of this book." Richard Waller, PGA, Director of Golf and Instruction Tallgrass Country Club, Wichita, Kansas "Most golf books have explanationsor illustrations that lack detail, leaving the golfer to guess if he or she is following the instruction correctly. I like how Bob delves into thorough explanation of the fundamentals without getting technical. The illustrations are from ideal perspectives and are crystal clear. The 'Learning to Learn'chapter is especially important, as many students and teachers don't have a good grasp on properly learning motor skills. By following the guidelinesin this chapter, those wishing to learn this great game will have a a proper blueprint for doing it correctly."Mark Harman USGTF National Course Director "This is a simple, readable book with great illustrations that give the golfer clear pictures of hand and body positions that make learning easier at every step. Bob focuses on the fundamentals as taught by the best golfers to ever write about the game, which is the key to learning golf. There is no 300 game in golf, but working on the fundamentals leads to improvement--all any of us can aspire to." Brooks Blackburn, Head Golf Professional, PGA Palmetto Golf Club, Aiken, South Carolina Bob Mullen is one of only 475 certified Master Teachers of the United States Golf Teachers Federation, he has played golf since he was nine years old and taught for the past twenty years. Always an athlete, Mullen earned eight varsity letters in college; he continues to stay in shape so he can, in his seventh decade, periodically challenge Colorado's fourteeners. Immediately after college he went into the Marine Corps and was highly decorated for his service in Vietnam a