Photo by Alexandra Fuller

Every person has their own hobbies and/or interests. One person could be into cooking, one could be into freediving, and one is eager to dive into the world of golf. Golf is more than just a sport or a game; it is a world of its own, full of rich history, inspiring stories, and more.

Whether you are a seasoned gold player or a beginner who is eager to grab hold of that golf club, it is a must to keep in mind that golf is not what you think. Golf is an activity that is more than just appearances. Why? It can go beyond the golf course.

Society perceives golf as a sport that is for an exclusive group filled with the elite, who could either or both be the rich and famous. That can be changed! But the most important part is that if you are someone who is interested in diving into the world of golf, it is in your best interest to equip yourself with the right knowledge and/or skills to ensure that once you play, you will be able to execute it in a manner that will make you flourish!

Photo by Savannah Lakes Village

For that to become a possibility, you must take the first step, which is to read up and research as much as you can. If you are feeling lost and confused about where to begin, we’ve got you. Here are wonderful books you should dive your nose into before you take on golfing sessions with family, friends, or even alone because golfers should read the following written works:

How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time By Tommy Armour

Gettin’ to the Dance Floor: An Oral History of American Golf By Al Barkow

Pro: Frank Beard on the Golf Tour By Frank Beard, edited by Dick Schaap

On Learning Golf By Percy Boomer

A History of Golf: The Royal and Ancient Game from Its Beginnings to the Present Day By Robert Browning

In Search of Tiger: A Journey Through Golf With Tiger Woods By Tom Callahan

Golf: The Marvelous Mania By Alistair Cooke

The Architects of Golf By Geoffrey Cornish and Ron Whitten

The Golf Courses of the British Isles By Bernard Darwin

The Historical Dictionary of Golfing Terms By Peter Davies

The Book of Golf Disasters By Peter Dobereiner

The Clubmaker’s Art: Antique Golf Clubs and Their History By Jeffery B. Ellis

A Good Walk Spoiled By John Feinstein

The Greatest Game Ever Played By Mark Frost

The Illustrated History of Women’s Golf By Rhonda Glenn

The Pro: Lessons About Golf and Life from My Father, Claude Harmon Sr. By Claude (Butch) Harmon Jr.

Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf By Ben Hogan, with Herbert Warren Wind

Practical Golf By John Jacobs

Dead Solid Perfect By Dan Jenkins

The Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate By Dan Jenkins

The aforementioned books are just a few of the myriad of books out there that are about or are connected to golf, and another one is “Golf Is Not What You Think: The Finishing Touch.” Written by Philip Ripley Ward, his literary work depicts depicts the life work of an independent golf specialist who, having been a teacher since 1979, began nearly 20 years prior.

After “circling the mountain” for over 40 years, he is more than ready to share his expertise through “Golf Is Not What You Think,” a book that contains an excellent mixture of engaging twists of personal experiences along with an abundance of witty satire. Not only that, but Philip Ripley Ward’s book offers easy-to-understand techniques that can be applied to both novices and seasoned players of golf!

The best part about Ward’s literary work is that it not only talks about the sport itself. True to its title, “Golf Is Not What You Think” also tackles what goes on beyond the golf clubs . Philip Ripley Ward’s also shares to the world through this book the challenges that he went through in life, such as fighting healthy problems he has had along the way and how he leaned onto his faith and trusting the Lord.

Literature has always been a wonderful source of information that every person should have access to. With that said, grab a copy of Golf Is Not What You Think – The Finishing Touch today!

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Philip Ward

Philip Ripley Ward is an accomplished golf professional and author, known for his book Golf Is Not What You Think: The Finishing Touch, published in 2023. With over 40 years of teaching experience, Ward combines humor and personal anecdotes to inspire readers, offering insights into both golf and life. A native of Andover, Massachusetts, he studied under renowned instructor Bob Toski at the Golf Digest Instruction School. Now mostly retired, Ward enjoys puzzles and playing guitar, while continuing to share his passion for golf. His work emphasizes mental resilience and the importance of faith in overcoming challenges.

Latest posts by Philip Ward (see all)

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