carl, i have found that the best way to improveyour  scoring is to have confidence in it. the only way to have this is to prcatice it to a point where it something you forward to. i once was a very bad  bunker player. i read all kinds of books and seen a lot of videos to help me, but got nowhere!! i findly got a sand wedge that i liked, and went into a sand bunker and staye dthere till i figured it out, and the more i practiced  this part of my game the better i got at it.  i  later seen a video and book written by gary player and it turns out that what taught about sand play is what i was doing. the jest of what i am saying is,  in this part of the game where touch is so important, you have find a comfort in what you are doing and forget what other people teach or think!!!  sure there are some small fundamentals but what you do is in you and not someones own ideas or method.  if you need a video to get some insight as to how you might start teaching yourself, you can't do any better than raymond floyds putting with loft video. thats a good place to start. good luck  L. P.

Carl

I've never read any golf books dealing directly with the mental side of the game.   Bob Rotella is very good,but it's alot to think about. The old sating, "paralysis by analysis".   I did read a fabulous book by Claude Harmon,  "The Pro", and what he learned from his Dad about the mentality of the game. 

  A very subtle book that will get your mind motivated in the off season.  not a golf instruction book by one of the best, but each chapter focuses on one lesson learned.  Got it cheap on Amazon. Bought 4 for my golf partners.   They loved it.  Easy reading, and you won't be able to close the book, til the end.

Deno

Fearless Golf...Dr. Gio Valente

This new young guru has been acclaimed by Davis Love lll and Charles Howell lll also.

Sounds like good references.

Good luck

Deno

I NEED to recommend "Fearless Golf" by Dr. Gio Valiante. Great read! He really does his research and captures thereader with his knowledge.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=gio+valiante&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4577736145&ref=pd_sl_95xykdt1gx_b

Five Lessons by Ben Hogan isnt a mental book but it does help me get back on track when the game starts to get a bit wacky ...

Carl T: I recommend Zen Golf to all my players....it's almost required reading.  Seems like most players think it's the opposite of Rotella so it will be a good experience for you.  Available in iTunes as well...which i find more efficient for some of the relaxation and Zen exercises.  There is also Zen Putting as well! 

RC

Thanks guys. I think I will head down to the local Barnes and Nobles and do some browsing. Weather here in Razorback land is cold and wet. Good time to curl up with a book and get ready for the season.

Zen Golf is a definite must read!!!

Getting the ball in the hole and having Mental blocks on the golf course are two totally different things.  Sounds like you need a few short game lessons instead of a book.  Getting up and down for Par from 80 yards instead of making a double does wonders for the mindset. 

Chris, here is the situation. I can go to the short game practice green and chip, pitch balls close to the hole until the cows come home. Same with green side bunker play. Problem is I can't take the relaxed feeling and confidence to the course under game conditions. There will be a couple of holes minimum that my grip gets tight, muscles get tight and I get the deer in the head light feeling and I end up just jabbing the ball and these holes just end up wrecking a decent round. The above also has effected my putting as to make a par I'm looking at a 10 foot plus putt due to the poor pitch/chip. This has caused a domino effect where as I get a little yippy on short 4 and 5 footers.These issues did not start until late summer. I have been reading some of the suggested books and am looking forward to dropping some of the "baggage" I am now carrying. I do feel optimistic and think my best golf is just around the corner. Just need to get those 6 inches between the ears straightened out.

Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect is honestly the best book ive ever read. By Bob Rotella it is perfect for your situation.

Dan

I have got that book somewhere in my book case. If I don't have Golf is Not A Game of Perfect I will go buy it. The weather has been terrible for golf as far as temperature goes so I am trying to take advantage of the down time. I have just finished Fearless Golf by Dr. Gio Valiante and I think his book is going to help. Bottom line to his book, before every golf shot think "What is my Target?" and then make a fearless swing. Lot more detail and examples of how some of the greatest pro's think. I don't know where I read it but years ago there was a native from Cambodia that came to America as a refugee. He started playing golf and got pretty good at it. When asked about his fearless style of putting he commented that fear is looking down the barrel of a gun barrel. Missing a putt is a 50/50 deal. You either make it or not. Not a life or death thing. I need to get that attitude as I really think that my putting yips has created a back lash on every part of my game. I did play 9 holes the other day and putted good. I just need to get out and play as soon as I can and put what I have been reading into play.

carl, i have read a lot of replys to your first posting and i think if you really need a golf instruction book that will help all of your game, locate a book written by alex morrison, called a better way to play golf. some of us  old timers might remember this one.  his pupils went on to teach  bobby jones ben hogan( yes henry pichard helped hogan, not with just cash, no proof but you might check out the swing changes before and after 1946) jack n was  jack grout student.  alex morrison  was a genius at the golf swing. i can't understand why no one teaches his method, you only have to  allow more lateral movement of your hips instead of twisting as much as he teaches. read the book, watch boby jones videos and than use the lower body movements hogan used, and you will be ready for what ever you desire leads you to!!  it will work

Understood.  I apologize if I sounded harsh, but that explanation was much better then the original one.  If you're checking things out try hypnosis4golf.com, and see what you think.  Your fight is taking control of your emotions, which obviously change when you hit the course, or you worry about the outcome.  Look into things like breathing techniques, meditation, anything that can get you from being worried about the end result and more into the process of the shot.  Best of luck!

With respect to Bob Rotella's work, his first book -- Golf is Not a Game of Perfect -- is still his best and the only one you need to read.   However, this summer I read both books by Pia Nilsson and Lyn Marriott -- Every Shot Must Have a Purpose and The Game Before the Game -- and found them to be excellent.  The second one really helped me focus on how to organize the limited practice time I have and bring both the game to the practice range, and the practice range to the course.  J.A.C.