Product Description

Often you hear golfers say, "I've got the game; it's something psychological that's holding me back. I don't know what it is, it's just psychological."

Well, that "something psychological" involves either thinking (concentration, visualization, thoughts about the swing, etc.), feeling (confidence, pressure, emotional control), or action (strategies, routines, practice techniques, etc.). Thinking, feeling, and action. When something goes wrong (or right) on the golf course, the cause is going to be found in one of these three areas. In Golf: The Mental Game, Tom Dorsel looks at more than sixty-five issues that can impact a golfer's success and happiness.

The book is divided into five sections. Section one presents the basics: getting started right, using the clubs correctly, and scoring. Section two is about thinking clearly: concentrating, what to think about, eliminating negative thoughts, keys to developing a great swing, and visualizing doing it right. Section three is about controlling emotions: building confidence, sharpening mental toughness, making your personality work for you (not against you), relieving stress through talking to yourself, handling pressure, and preventing choking. Section four is about effective action: practicing your skills, warming up, playing the game, and improving your game through setting goals. Section five is about the mental mysteries of golf: slumps, the effect of your good moments and bad, the mental gymnastics of putting, and collapses.

Golf: The Mental Game is the culmination of more than twenty-five years of writing about the psychological side of golf for national golf magazines such as Golf Illustrated, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #357750 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

About the Author
Tom Dorsel, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been a professor of psychology at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, for more than 20 years. Widely recognized for his contributions to the field of sports psychology, he has been listed by Golf Magazine as one of the leading golf psychologists in the country. He is the author of The Complete Golfer: Physical Skill and Mental Toughness, and dozens of scholarly and popular articles in the fields of psychology and sports.

Customer Reviews

The Gold Standard of the Mental Game
I spent numerous months in a slump/Yips/Shanks after achieving a respectable level of play. After this time period of self searching, I decided what was missing was the mental aspect/strategy of playing (versus the mechanics).

Many of the 'mental strategies' cover the 'visual imagery' of the perfect shot or emphasizing positive thinking. Those aspects covered by half a dozen books only scratch the surface of this underemphasized aspect of the game. I have listened to numerous 'motivational speakers' and advisors to the professionals.

This is one of the most comprehensive books on strategy, formulating a plan, and maintaining that high level of play. This book is the road map to success in this challenging game.

Dr. Tom Dorsel covers every aspect of the game regarding choosing equipment, preparing mentally and physically before a round, how and what to practice, course management, golf strategy, golf myths, and creating a plan to achieving one's goals. Whether you're a beginner, double digit/single digit/scratch/professional, this book (if you can assimilate all of the information) will elevate your game. He covers how to achieve your goals with a summary of objectives and illustrative vignettes in a clear and entertaining style.

This sensible approach to the thinking approach to the game helps make you 'minimize the imperfections' in your game.

This is the Modern Day Approach to the Mental Game of Golf. I highly recommend it.

A fun, great book on the mental game of golf
Cannot help but think this is a book Tiger Woods would agree with, since he seems (from all I have read) to know much of what the author has written. Like being eductated on which clubs etc fit you. Diet, rest, being focused. Visualizing the course, and how you will play it. Simple a great book with so much useful information.

Golf The Mental Game Thinking Your Way around the Course
I just read this book Golf The Mental Game on the thinking side of your golf game. Tom Dorsel has written an helpful guide to improving your golf game from every angle. Using your brain to think your way around the course, not to make crazy impossible shots. Every age golfers will be able to find something that will help them in their golf game.

I have been playing golf for over 50 years and am always looking for more ways to stay active and my golf game enjoyable. Tom Dorsel is a psycologist and a golfer so he know the importance of using your mental ability to improve your game. He quotes many Pro golfers in how they stay mentally sound during their games like Tiger Woods and several other pro golfers.

If you are a golfer you will find many helpful hints to improve your game and make it more enjoyable.