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Rating: 
Summary: Very dated but still worthwhile
Review: Bear in mind that this is a book originally published in the 1950s. It's widely regarded as an all-time classic, but it's now very dated. Armour was an excellent player (one of the great iron players of all time) and a superb teacher, but some of his theories are no longer in vogue. I can tell you that way back in the early 1960s this book, through Armour's focus on the hip turn, transformed me literally overnight from a beginner who sliced the ball to someone who has fought a hook for the last 40 years. I bought this updated edition strictly for its sentimental value, and I wouldn't foist it on someone who was serious about achieving his or maximum potential because a GREAT deal has been learned about the golf swing since this was written (and today's equipment demands a different sort of swing anyway). However, if you've played for awhile and just can't seem to get the hang of the golf swing, this book is so straightforward that it may be just what you need. You'll end up looking like Julius Boros rather than Tiger Woods, but odds are that'll be a major improvement if you're now shooting over 85. Armour was a transplanted Scot who was very eloquent, and this book is a pleasure to read for that reason alone. Some of his most basic wisdom ("THINK WHAT TO DO -- that's concentration in golf") still sticks with me every time I play. A ROUND OF GOLF WITH TOMMY ARMOUR, in which he steers his 90-shooting friend around the course in 79 by making him play within his limitations, is also excellent.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for the Occasional Golfer
Review: I must echo the sentiments of the other reviewers...this is the only golf instructional book recreational players will ever need. Armour gives you a few simple things to remember while you address the ball and take your swing that can eliminate many of the typical problems experienced by the occasional player. For example, his suggestion that a right-hander imagine dragging his left knee behind the ball on the upswing and then swinging it back through the ball on the downswing was very effective in curing my problem of getting a proper hip turn. The genius of the book is that the techniques Armour suggests are easy to remember while you are actually out there in the process of swinging the club. This book suggests many of the same principles described in Ben Hogan's books but I think they are laid out with greater simplicity and simple techniques that can correct common problems with grip, stance and swing are what I think average and beginning golfers like myself are looking for.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book but not to start out with
Review: Other reviewers have sung the praises of this book, and I won't throw water on that. However, if you are a new golfer thinking this book will give you some magic secrets, you may be disappointed. I'm not saying it can't help, but to get the most out of the book, you need to have had some lessons and some familiarity with golf, including your swing. If you don't know what a spine angle is, or what the slot is, go take a class or get private lessons, and THEN buy this book. It's analysis on the mental game and playing the course is great and probably isn't taught too well in lessons. THAT's where this book shines.
Rating:
Summary: Very dated but still worthwhile
Review: This book is an excellent follow-up to Ben Hogan's Five Lessons. Hogan covering the backround theory in more detail and Armour emphasizing the practical application. There are differences opinion: Hogan wants the hands to act as a unit while Armour says to whack the ball with your right hand. But they agree on much more than they disagree, and Armour explains how, through basic footwork and other simple measures, you can be sure you are swinging correctly. Armour also goes into more detail about specific shots such as chipping, pitching or driving. Theory, then applcation. You can't go wrong if you read Hogan and Armour back to back, in that order. Hit 'em straight.
Rating:
Summary: If you only read two golf books
Review: This book is an excellent follow-up to Ben Hogan's Five Lessons. Hogan covering the backround theory in more detail and Armour emphasizing the practical application. There are differences opinion: Hogan wants the hands to act as a unit while Armour says to whack the ball with your right hand. But they agree on much more than they disagree, and Armour explains how, through basic footwork and other simple measures, you can be sure you are swinging correctly. Armour also goes into more detail about specific shots such as chipping, pitching or driving. Theory, then applcation. You can't go wrong if you read Hogan and Armour back to back, in that order. Hit 'em straight.
Rating:
Summary: only book you need
Review: This is a helpful instructional book that could easily be bundled with Hogan's Five Lessons. Where Hogan's text is meticulously precise in its depiction of the mechanics of the golf swing, Armour's offering delves into the mental arena and probes the mindset behind the various aspects of the game. Copywrite 1953, its year of publication even mirrors that of Hogan's, but beyond that the contrasts are striking [granted Hogan's text started out as a series of SI articles]. Having worked through some personal golf issues with Hogan's book and after writing a review for that, I noticed Armour's under the `if you liked this book' link. I purchased it on a lark being obliquely familiar with Armour's professional and teaching career, and seeing the quote by Harvey Pennick on the cover. Armour's tone versus his contemporary is quite authoritative and at times almost condescending in his depiction of the `average' golfer and his urging to play within their limitations. He models the early chapters after a visit to his golf clinic in Florida, speaking always as the teacher and never a peer. It was his stated intention to produce a thin volume of the absolute minimized, efficient teachings about golf. This I believe he accomplished. The instruction would be good for a beginning golfer, there were a few tips scattered throughout for the long time player. Unfortunately, I didn't see too much new and fresh that I could take with me onto the course, perhaps because his themes have long been drilled into our heads by modern pros. The illustrations are nowhere near the quality and detail of the Hogan book. Ultimately I did get more out of the Hogan text, but Armour's was very interesting to `hear' his teaching methodology and his numerous references to players and tournaments of the 30's and 40's. Punctuating this timelessness, when I was talking to my father the other night I mentioned to him this was the latest golf book I was reading, to which he replied, "Yep, that's what I learned with 40 years ago." Recommended to be read along with Ben Hogan's `Five Lessons'.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Complement to Hogan¿s Work
Review: This is a helpful instructional book that could easily be bundled with Hogan's Five Lessons. Where Hogan's text is meticulously precise in its depiction of the mechanics of the golf swing, Armour's offering delves into the mental arena and probes the mindset behind the various aspects of the game. Copywrite 1953, its year of publication even mirrors that of Hogan's, but beyond that the contrasts are striking [granted Hogan's text started out as a series of SI articles]. Having worked through some personal golf issues with Hogan's book and after writing a review for that, I noticed Armour's under the 'if you liked this book' link. I purchased it on a lark being obliquely familiar with Armour's professional and teaching career, and seeing the quote by Harvey Pennick on the cover. Armour's tone versus his contemporary is quite authoritative and at times almost condescending in his depiction of the 'average' golfer and his urging to play within their limitations. He models the early chapters after a visit to his golf clinic in Florida, speaking always as the teacher and never a peer. It was his stated intention to produce a thin volume of the absolute minimized, efficient teachings about golf. This I believe he accomplished. The instruction would be good for a beginning golfer, there were a few tips scattered throughout for the long time player. Unfortunately, I didn't see too much new and fresh that I could take with me onto the course, perhaps because his themes have long been drilled into our heads by modern pros. The illustrations are nowhere near the quality and detail of the Hogan book. Ultimately I did get more out of the Hogan text, but Armour's was very interesting to 'hear' his teaching methodology and his numerous references to players and tournaments of the 30's and 40's. Punctuating this timelessness, when I was talking to my father the other night I mentioned to him this was the latest golf book I was reading, to which he replied, "Yep, that's what I learned with 40 years ago." Recommended to be read along with Ben Hogan's 'Five Lessons'.
Rating:
Summary: Good on golf instruction.
Review: When I bought this book, I was looking for something that would really step up my game. I wanted to be consistent. Armour's book can show you how to be truly consistent at golf. This book is aligned with Hogan's theory on golf instruction. So the rationale since Hogan got so much success using his technique, it must work. Many golfers don't realize that Hogan had awesome flexibility and talent to get away with using his technique. If you don't have the body of Hogan nor the flexibility get the following:
The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide: Key Techniques for Becoming a Zero Handicap Golfer or Better by Patrick Leonardi. The isbn is 1933023090. I used this last book and I don't have much flexibility and I improved right after using the techniques in Leonardi's book. I went from an 96 stroke average to about a 88 stroke average within 7 weeks. I play twice a week so this definitely says a lot. All I have to say is that this book works.
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