Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons And Teachings From A Lifetime In Golf

I meet a guy who had one of the last single memberships at the FedX Cup Course in Atlanta while hiking in NC. He recommended Harvey Penick's book to me. I started playing when I was in my early 60s, and as most golfers do I have good and bad days. I have had lessons by a good golf pro, even bought new irons. I improved, but not as much as I thought. This book helped take what my golf teacher taught me and helped me get my head more in the game. The book goes over the basics like holding the club, hand position, swing. But takes you into unusual areas like in your mind swing a bucket of water (you'll have to read the page or two this is on to get the just), but this has helped me with my new (golf pro) grip and the rithium of the swing. How to take aim and why you should do it with each swing or stroke. Putting, look at the green the slop, grass, three practice swings (I a more comfortable with two) and believe or even see the ball going in the hole before you strike it. Don't try to have the ball go too much past the hole when putting. It is better to have the ball stop just after the hole (this has helped me sink at least 4 or 5 extra putts on 18 holes. Because if your ball is just loosing momentum at the hole, a lipped put will go in (I do it now quite a few times playing 18), where a little faster put will rim out. This takes practice because of ripped greens or sloped greens, I still go for a little speed to take out the ball drift, which I usually pay for in a longer second shot. Another key point which I am just starting to do, and it is paying off. I take a few clubs after play slows down in the evening (I am lucky enough to have my home back up to the course). I take a 6 iron, 9 iron, wedge and a putter. Play one ball all the way to the green. Then I hit it back to the tee box and start back to the green again. This has got me use to and better with my swing, irons and short game. Harvey says only practice this way with one ball. Never any more and go all the way to the green. I hit my first ball with the six iron, just in front of the tee box. I usually hit 4 to 5 irons to get to the green (it is a par 5) depending on my shots, putt out. Put the ball in front of the green and hit back to the tee box. This really has improved my short game and putting. Get and read this book, there is a lot more in it that may help you.

This book is simply (and I DO mean simply) the best guidance I’ve ever read. It helps to have at least ten rounds of golf under your belt before reading it. You will then have a greater appreciation and understanding of Mr. Penicks observations and suggestions. Read it and take notes. Then read your notes over and over. I guarantee you’ll become a better golfer. Thank you, Harvey Penick.

Harvey straightened out my swing almost immediately. A colleague recommended his book and I was too snobby at first to look at it because of the title. When I overcame my aesthetic distaste for the title I read a few paragraphs and found I could not put the book down. Harvey has a way of talking that is hypnotic and compelling (no fancy words here and no gimmicks). His words came alive on each page and made sense even to someone who has been golfing for 62 years (often erratically). I found him to be a great teacher whose wisdom and no nonsense approach to teaching gave me the courage to try new things, change my grip and stay with the program..My irons are 100% better and the loft of my short irons has improved dramatically. Harvey has no intention of teaching a one size fits all swing and tailors his observations to each golfer's body and mind and makes simple alignments to one's grip or swing that often leads to unexpected perfection. There is no perfect swing to emulate but there is an imperfect self to overcome in order to hit the golf ball squarely. Harvey provides great golf tools even for the most seasoned golfers and professionals. He is also a wise man whose wisdom rests in its simplicity and respect for playing fairly and honestly. After reading his book I came to the conclusion that I had to add about 1-5 strokes to every round from many of my past scorecards (for conceding short putts). Harvey's comments to excited parents who were proud of their son's first birdie, but admitted that he did not putt out the gimme, was direct as direct can be. He said something like "Your son has still not birdied a hole. He did not putt it in." I recalled those words the other day when I had a four inch putt for a birdie, stood over the ball and putted it in. The "Little Red Book" is a gem. Harvey knows when not to change anything and say very little and cause great change. I was reminded of a saying of Alfred North Whitehead whose words are inscribed on the walls of a library at Columbia University in NY, "Philosophy is the search for the obvious." Harvey must have read Whitehead, I concluded. Two geniuses I thought. The book is a great read. Wish he were alive to play a round with him. LM Lothstein

Penick was a lifelong caddy and teacher of the great game of golf and, reportedly, not a bad golfer himself, though he writes in a the little red book that he learned to golf from golfers and to teach from teachers. There must be 80+ "chapters" in this book, with most being approximately a page and some being much less. From practical technique tips to psychological preparation to stories of famous (and not so famous) golfers, the little red book has it all. Penick was a teacher to some of history's best golfers (including Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite) and rubbed elbows with many, many more (Davis Love III, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus..). This is often rated the #1 golf book of all time and for golfers it is a must read.

Great book, great stories

Harvey Penick was the ultimate classical Golf Pro and Instructor. He taught many golfers of all ability levels and understood the brevity of communication that heighten the accomplishment of a superior game. His trademark phrase was, "Take dead aim." Harvey Penick loved and treasured by many left an indelible mark on the game if golf as he enjoyed a consummate life as a "grown up adult caddie." RIP Harvey.

Really enjoyed this book as a golfer new to the sport, but more importantly as a reader. Easy to tell how much this man had an impact on golf, helped to introduce and grow the sport over a period of many years, and most importantly - how much he just loved the game.

If you’re looking for a “how to” book, this isn’t it. What it is, is a collection of “tips and tricks” you’d get from years and years of lessons from a seasoned pro. There is no explanation of the grip, but there is a modification to a grip Harvey gave to a student that fixed a prominent hook. It’s little morsels of knowledge that if applied, can and will fix hiccups in your game, or tighten it up if you’re already solid. As someone who’s swung clubs from time to time, but only recently started golfing, these bits of knowledge are helping me prevent bad habits from forming!

An excellent read, very informative

ES UN LIBRO QUE TIENE BUENOS CONSEJOS Y EXPERIENCIAS DEL AUTOR.

Plein de bon sens. Ce qui est bienvenu pour jouer au golf. Les évaluations des joueurs de l'époque ont un peu viellies.

The best part about this book is its simplicity. You can easily see why Harvey Penick was such a highly regarded golf instructor. The anecdotes are entertaining for any golfing fan, but the little lessons he gives, often through real world visualizations, and often geared toward putting you in the right head space, are priceless. A few of these lessons have already had a wonderful impact on my game, and certainly have made it more enjoyable. If you're a beginning golfer and don't have the fundamentals down then as an instruction book this won't be of much use. But if you've been at it for a while and find yourself growing increasingly frustrated, this book should both provide you with enough instruction to really get your game on track, and also frame things in such a light as to make your appreciation of the game far more enjoyable overall.

Libro básico de enseñanza para los golfistas.