Description:
In a perfect golfing universe, every drive would sail straight and every approach would land gently on the green, at tap-in range for birdie. Of course, there's no such thing as a perfect golfing universe. The best a golfer can do is be well-prepared for the harsh realities. As Bobby Jones once noted, golf's secret is the ability to convert a potential three strokes into two. In The Scrambler's Dozen, Mike McGetrick, the 1999 National PGA Teacher of the Year, identifies 12 shots that every golfer, regardless of handicap, needs to be able to pull out of the bag to help accomplish that. McGetrick's arsenal moves from tee to green and includes both difficult recovery shots--such as exploding from a bunker, flopping, flyers, and hanging lies--and shots designed to work a ball with purpose, not just prayer--the lag putt, the fade, the feathered iron, and the standard pitch and its variations. For each, he clearly explains why and when you need the shot, how to approach it mentally, and--via photos--the physical set-up and swing required to accomplish it. Then he offers game-filled practice drills designed to help make learning this stuff fun, and to keep you working enough to trust the shots when you need them. Once that's laid out, he carefully summarizes his instruction with bullet points that include simple--and important--swing thoughts. "Scrambling isn't reserved only for your off-days," McGetrick stresses. "Good golfers scramble every round." The key is scrambling with confidence. McGetrick's book will certainly help you lower your score. --Jeff Silverman
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