Natural Golf: A Lifetime of Better Golf

Rating:
Summary: A Radical Fix
Review: Books of this type need to be assessed from two entirely different perspectives. The first concerns whether they relay their information in a manner sufficient for the reader to successfully employ it. The second concerns whether the information described (in this case, golf technique) has any merit

I have read both �Natural Golf: Get a Grip on Your Game� and �Natural Golf: A Lifetime of Better Golf�. Of the two, I vastly prefer the technical presentation in the latter. �Grip� is the older of the two books and seems overly concerned with selling the �Natural Golf� concept at the expense of actually describing it. It is a fairly aggressive sales manual, rendered entirely in black and white with actions shown in line drawings. Lots of scientific justification is claimed, but none is actually offered.

In contrast, �Lifetime� was cycled thru Golf Digest�s publication machinery and is better for it. Its emphasis is on instruction, not sales, and to that end it presents a wealth of color photographs as well as a couple of useful drills absent from �Grip.� The technical material presented in the two books is, of course, very similar, but there are key differences. For example, �Grip� describes the downswing as a hammering action dominated by the golfer�s right side, while �Lifetime� suggests that it is a pulling action of the left arm on the right elbow. Also, the stances described in the two books are somewhat different, with the stance advocated in �Lifetime� being a little more conventional. Readers should note, however, that there have been recent changes to the Natural Golf method that supercede the teaching in both books.

The second issue, whether the method has any merit, is difficult to assess. Natural Golf is an implementation of the �single axis� swing employed by the eccentric Canadian champion, Moe Norman. The swing mechanics are strange to say the least. I am a lifetime middle handicapper, who is naturally athletic and frustrated to death that no amount of effort applied to the game seems to lead to improvement. That probably makes me a sucker for radical approaches and quick fixes, of which Natural Golf is both. My first swings using the method felt strange and awkward, because the essential components of the single axis swing are nearly the opposite of everything I have ever been taught. On those occasions when everything clicked, however, the ball took off just like the books said it should � laser straight and surprisingly long.

But they weren�t always straight and long, and that was the crux of the problem. In my hands, at least, the single axis swing was no more reliable than a conventional swing. After a short period of time I developed a periodic pull-hook that would not be denied. It made no difference if many of my shots were good if even a small proportion ended up out-of-bounds. Golf is more a game of limiting bad shots than cultivating good ones. But, to be fair, I have talked to other golfers who are deliriously happy with Natural Golf. Perhaps I have too many conventional golf habits that aren�t compatible with the single-axis swing.

If you decide to read the books and try the method, be prepared for the necessity of a few equipment modifications. Because of the palm grip, you�ll need oversized, non-tapered grips. Even instructors of the method indicate that these are essential. Also, because of the strange stance, you�re going to want a longer club and one with a more upright lie angle. In order to accommodate these needs, I ordered a demo club from the company, and I�d recommend that anyone serious about the method do the same.

Rating:
Summary: A Radical Fix
Review: Books of this type need to be assessed from two entirely different perspectives. The first concerns whether they relay their information in a manner sufficient for the reader to successfully employ it. The second concerns whether the information described (in this case, golf technique) has any merit

I have read both 'Natural Golf: Get a Grip on Your Game' and 'Natural Golf: A Lifetime of Better Golf'. Of the two, I vastly prefer the technical presentation in the latter. 'Grip' is the older of the two books and seems overly concerned with selling the 'Natural Golf' concept at the expense of actually describing it. It is a fairly aggressive sales manual, rendered entirely in black and white with actions shown in line drawings. Lots of scientific justification is claimed, but none is actually offered.

In contrast, 'Lifetime' was cycled thru Golf Digest's publication machinery and is better for it. Its emphasis is on instruction, not sales, and to that end it presents a wealth of color photographs as well as a couple of useful drills absent from 'Grip.' The technical material presented in the two books is, of course, very similar, but there are key differences. For example, 'Grip' describes the downswing as a hammering action dominated by the golfer's right side, while 'Lifetime' suggests that it is a pulling action of the left arm on the right elbow. Also, the stances described in the two books are somewhat different, with the stance advocated in 'Lifetime' being a little more conventional. Readers should note, however, that there have been recent changes to the Natural Golf method that supercede the teaching in both books.

The second issue, whether the method has any merit, is difficult to assess. Natural Golf is an implementation of the 'single axis' swing employed by the eccentric Canadian champion, Moe Norman. The swing mechanics are strange to say the least. I am a lifetime middle handicapper, who is naturally athletic and frustrated to death that no amount of effort applied to the game seems to lead to improvement. That probably makes me a sucker for radical approaches and quick fixes, of which Natural Golf is both. My first swings using the method felt strange and awkward, because the essential components of the single axis swing are nearly the opposite of everything I have ever been taught. On those occasions when everything clicked, however, the ball took off just like the books said it should ' laser straight and surprisingly long.

But they weren't always straight and long, and that was the crux of the problem. In my hands, at least, the single axis swing was no more reliable than a conventional swing. After a short period of time I developed a periodic pull-hook that would not be denied. It made no difference if many of my shots were good if even a small proportion ended up out-of-bounds. Golf is more a game of limiting bad shots than cultivating good ones. But, to be fair, I have talked to other golfers who are deliriously happy with Natural Golf. Perhaps I have too many conventional golf habits that aren't compatible with the single-axis swing.

If you decide to read the books and try the method, be prepared for the necessity of a few equipment modifications. Because of the palm grip, you'll need oversized, non-tapered grips. Even instructors of the method indicate that these are essential. Also, because of the strange stance, you're going to want a longer club and one with a more upright lie angle. In order to accommodate these needs, I ordered a demo club from the company, and I'd recommend that anyone serious about the method do the same.

Rating:
Summary: Moe Knows
Review: I don't want to play like Moe - that's Moe Norman, the discoverer, inventor, and grand guru of the system. It ain't that pretty. I'm a Tiger wannabe. But of the twenty-something million golfers in the country only a relative handful can master the so called conventional swing, so Moe and his handlers provide hope for us duffers to at least move the ball around the course without being completely humiliated.

I've made the swing and created the sound, and my scores have improved a lot - but I'm still a hacker - as a result of the natural swing. This swing is far simpler and easier to repeat than what passes for the conventional swings of the pros we see on television, but that doesn't mean it can be repeated every time. Only Moe can do that.

Like previous reviewers, the cult aspects of the author and the endorsers surprised me. I wouldn't have bought the book if I weren't going to give it at least a serious review and likely trial. The book comes on like a door to door bible salesman. Ease up already with the hawking of of videos and equipment. Put some more detailed instruction into the book. An eighty-one-page book about a swing should contain more than forty-six pages of how to text and pictures. Those of us who buy it can then make up our own minds about the need for further investment.

It seems to me that these folks may really be onto something for the millions of golfers who would enjoy hitting the ball straight and true on a semi-regular basis but who don't have the time or talent to master the Tiger stroke. But it appears that, like many firms with good ideas, they're trying too hard to maintain control of their product. ...With a better business model and improved sales techniques, I think they could penetrate much deeper.

This is good medicine for duffers, but these guys and gals have got to be convinced that it's not snake oil.

Rating:
Summary: Natural Golf ; A Lifetime of better Golf
Review: This is great! I learned the technique in an hour. I had my clubs bent up 4 degrees to compensate for the upright stance.
It's neat to be able to aim at a target, and hit a ball straight to it. Your back swing is no higher than your shoulders.
You eliminate all the angles of the wrists and elbows. You don't sway, because your stance is wide. Your grip is left hand
strong, right way right, like nailing with a hammer. You learn to acquire distance with solid hits and confident follow
through. I'm hitting in the low 80's now, having lowered my scores by 10 in less than a month. The pictures and philosophy
are helpful, and encouraging. Golf is not life or death, its more important, and like life, keep it simple stupid. This book
makes it easy, fun and gives you confidence you will improve every time you go out, without stress on your back.
Get it. Ed.

Rating:
Summary: Natural Golf ; A Lifetime of better Golf
Review: This is great! I learned the technique in an hour. I had my clubs bent up 4 degrees to compensate for the upright stance.
It's neat to be able to aim at a target, and hit a ball straight to it. Your back swing is no higher than your shoulders.
You eliminate all the angles of the wrists and elbows. You don't sway, because your stance is wide. Your grip is left hand
strong, right way right, like nailing with a hammer. You learn to acquire distance with solid hits and confident follow
through. I'm hitting in the low 80's now, having lowered my scores by 10 in less than a month. The pictures and philosophy
are helpful, and encouraging. Golf is not life or death, its more important, and like life, keep it simple stupid. This book
makes it easy, fun and gives you confidence you will improve every time you go out, without stress on your back.
Get it. Ed.