Dan's Papers - June 13, 2008 - Ten Minute Golf by Darren DeMaille

I recently came across the book, 100 Classic Golf Tips, edited by Christopher Obetz. The book is a compilation of golf tips from leading ladies and touring pros. Obetz has written other books, such as Classic Golf Instruction, as well as a men's version of 100 Classic Golf Tips. Anthony Ravielli, who is most famous for his work in Ben Hogan's book, Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, provided the illustrations.

Hogan's work is considered one of the most influential golf instruction books. It's read religiously by some of the world's greatest golfers. Raveielli's drawings msterfullly illustrate the ideas that Hogan explained - he accomplishes the same feat in 100 Classic Golf Tips.

The book filled with wonderful information from some of the most knowledgeable women ever to play the game. It includes lessons from today's stars, such as Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, as well as Hall of Fame stars Patty Berg and Nancy Lopez. Organized by the different aspects of the game, the book starts with discussion of the grip and covers everything to sand play. It also includes the mental side of the game and course strategy.

Although there are some great lessons to be learned from this book, one should be careful. Many average golfers may take the tips too literally and over-do them. The average hack might even try a tip that's not appropriate to his or her game. One student I have insists on immediately trying out every new idea that he finds or reads on the range. This is great job security as a Teaching Professional, because he's never going to get better with that attitude. I love his passion and enthusiasm for the game, but jumping from tip to tip will never get you anywhere. The average person reading 100 Classic Golf Tips should look for tips that apply to him or her, and not attempt to try each one.

My two favorite tips in the book are by Suzy Whaley and Kathy Whitworth.

Whaley provides a tip on a 50-yard pitch shot. She explains, "Golfers should hit down and through," for iron shots. In my experience, most golfers swing up instead of hitting down. Whaley states, "Golfers should swing through to their finish while releasing the club at impact." Whitworth's advice is, "Hold it steady," which she insists will help the average Joe hit the ball crisply. If you can keep your head still through impact, you will hit the ball solidly. However, Heather Daly-Donofrio's tip on "the big flop" should be ignored by most people. The idea of opening the face and angling your body back to hit a high soft landing shot should not be attempted, left only to players like Phil Mickelson. It's a low percentage shot with high risk.

100 Classic Golf Tips is a great tribute to Reveielli's work and to women's golf. The average club player needs to filter through each tip, and understand that not every one is appropriate for his or her game.