Is Your Golf Driving You Crazy?

“It is rare these days that I come across a golf coaching book which holds my attention from start to finish. It is also rare to find a book about the mind written by someone who is genuinely at the ‘coal face’ of both playing and coaching as opposed to classroom theory.

Sam Jarman has written such a book. It will do what a great book should by challenging your existing beliefs and making you think about the way you either play or coach the game.

It is not more of the same ‘positive thinking’ and ‘affirmation’ nonsense but a genuine inquiry about how our mind actually interacts with our body to either make or break our performance. 

Do your game and your life a favour by reading this book.”

“Mentally, golf might just be the hardest sport of all. 

When I was playing football, even if I was having a poor game I could dig in, run harder, make more tackles, use grit and willpower to raise my spirits and get the job done. 

Golf isn’t like that. The harder you try, the worse it gets.

The ideas in this book will help you understand how your mind works. How to get out of your own way. How to take the pressure off yourself.

And those are useful things to know. Not just on the field of play, but in the rest of your life as well.”

Sam,

Just read The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it and learned from it.

Spent all morning yesterday reading and then went to play 10 holes and walked the dog.

Wasn’t sure what to expect but my mind was quieter! I didn’t react emotionally to thoughts so much.

Anyway, thank you and well done.

Kind regards,

This book is outstanding… and NOT just for golfers. I learned a great deal from reading this book about the way our mind works .. which is applicable to all sports and performance and actually my whole life.

Hi Sam

I just finished reading The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf. Your book is wonderful!

I’ve read hundreds (not only golf but a lot of them…) It’s probably one of the best I ever read. Congrats for that !

Now you’ve got a French comment on Amazon.fr. (I’m an author myself and I know a good comment is always welcome.)

You deserve it 100,000 times.

Thanks for this book. I can’t wait to play again with a new approach of the game !

(FYI I’m a young 54 years old golf addict, Hcp 7)

All the best, and thanks again

Hi Sam,

I just wanted to send a quick message now that I’ve finished The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf.

I loved it!

It has helped me so much. My golf was getting worse and worse and I was stepping up to the first tee quivering and tense, knowing it was causing the problem and yet helpless to do anything about it.

I’ve been a big fan of Michael Neill and the 3 Ps for a few years but was appalled to find that I couldn’t ‘get it’ where golf was concerned. Your great way of explaining how the principles work for golf brought me instant relief.

Within minutes of reading the first few chapters I ‘saw’ what my thinking was causing me to believe about my game and then … and this was the best thing for me … your explanation about awareness gave me the practical help I needed.

I will probably never be a good golfer but I can play without crying now!

So, I’ve read it, loved it and now I’m re-reading the learning material with the aim of offering a few suggestions regarding the presentation of the course.

Kind regards,

Sam,

Just a short note from a 70 year old who is still trying to play his best in both golf and life and wishes to thank you for writing the book. 

I won’t try and tell you I understand and can apply all the lessons and insights – but I will tell you that its the best book I have ever read about “the game” and life.  That may not mean much to most people – but I think it might mean something to you. 

I know that I will be revisiting The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf many more times – especially chapters 4 through 7 (as you suggested).  I especially got a great deal from Chapter 7 and I am so very glad you ignored the advice of some and included it. 

Thanks again Sam.  I have ordered additional copies one each for my children and very close golfing buddies. 

All my best

Hi Sam, 

I’m a 55 year old frustrated golfer living in the States who has been looking for answers to my sports-performance questions for decades.    

I was a Division 1 baseball player back in the day and was a good athlete. I also have a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work and a Bachelors in Psychology. I’m a perfect storm of sports neuroses 8-).  

I just finished The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf and loved it. Was amazed by it, actually. If you knew me or my history, you would know that is saying a lot! 

So, first and foremost, THANK YOU for your excellent book.    

I’ve got an interesting sports/sports psychology tale to tell if you are interested.  I certainly sensed from reading your book a kindred spirit.   I’m presently not much of a golfer; I didn’t take it up formally until I was 40 something. 

But I could feel right away this was a game that was going to teach me some things.  And it has.  And is.  But not without some significant beatdowns pretty much every step of the way.     

Being a no pain/no gain guy ( I was raised and played sports in the Bobby Knight era, the ultimate no pain/no gain Indiana U basketball coach) I endured the humiliation of underperforming at golf as a sign I was paying my dues and good things were to come.    

I don’t believe that now, one bit.  

Hope we can have a conversation soon. 

All the Best,

As a long time golfer, I’ve read more books on the mental side of the game than I care to think about.

Without a doubt, Sam Jarman has unlocked the secret of the mental side of the game in a manner that’s easy to read, understand and most importantly apply to one’s game. 

I can easily see where anyone can significantly improve not only their scores but more importantly the enjoyment derived from playing golf by applying Sam’s lessons.

I only wish I had read this book a decade or more ago.

Hello Sam,

I have just read The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf after hearing you on the Talent Equation podcast.

Your book rang many bells for me. I used to play golf – not great golf – I did get a single figure handicap when I was fairly young.

I loved the game and spent every waking hour either playing or thinking about the game. I decided I wanted to turn professional when I grew up.

It all fell apart. I practice till my hands bled. My game did not improve. When playing in competitions. I remember waiting for “the disaster” to happen so that I could then relax and enjoy the surroundings. I had a reputation of being angry and losing my temper. The game became an ordeal.

I read hundreds of articles and book about golf. The more I knew the worse I got. Towards the end of my golf “career” I read Timothy Gallway’s The inner game of golf. This seemed to work for a time but I had, think given up hope by then. I still felt the pressure to perform. I was further from my goal.

My handicap was on the way up not down.I eventually turned my back on golf but there was something in that book that really got my interest. I have had ever since, an avid interest in eastern philosophy – yoga, Buddhism, Taoism. I meditated daily.

Reading your book I was reminded why I played golf in the first place and the enjoyment I used to get from hitting the ball well. I remember going out in late evening this time of year with just a five iron and still breaking 40 for nine holes, playing what we called commando golf (from the first tee to third green and so on) when nobody was out on the course.

I remember the creativity, the fun. For the first time in 30 years I even thought about getting my clubs out and heading up to the local driving range.

Thank you for this.

I am now more interested in how I can apply this knowledge to the stuff I do now. I swim, cycle and occasionally play cricket. I also coach swimming at my son’s swimming club and was wondering how I apply this to swimmers.

I see a lot of youngsters feeling anxious about their sport and life in general. I see a lot of youngsters who are pressured into performing by their parents. The ideas you have shared are so different from the mentality of the swim coaching I have witnessed I wonder how to even start. Have you any ideas?

Thanks you again for a really enjoyable read and listen.

Best wishes

Hi Sam,

I truly enjoyed reading the Three Principles of Outstanding Golf. You’ve really provided a refreshing approach to the way I look at my game.

So much of the attention in golf seems to be on equipment and technique versus the actual playing of the game…or the things that interfere with playing good golf.

Thanks again and take good care.

Cheers,

Hi Sam

I read The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf following a round where I hated the thought of even playing again. I’ve done the whole reading and lessons on technique but I realised from looking at my previous sport in cricket I’ve always had self doubt and a massive ‘don’t mess it up’ approach.

Your book however has completely opened my mind and I’ve now found the reason I play again.

I have a busy life due to work and I started playing more 3 years ago to enjoy it and break away from work. I can now do that again as your right enjoying it is way better than any score. Plus I play on an parkland course with lots of scenery I’ve hardly noticed for the last few months.

But more importantly it’s opened up my eyes in real-life. I have a step daughter who like all little girls has her moments. I used to think she was naughty, delaying things and not listening but after conversations I’ve never had with her before she actually just wants to spend more time with us.

Her delaying bed time for example was just her wanting to see me. A massive thank you for this.

I’m a Sports Physio and I see a lot of of negative thinking towards re-occuring injuries and people overly worrying when it comes back to lower level where it just requires a top up session because of their lifestyle or sport but they think it’s a lot worse.

I’m massively interested moving forward in whether or not the basis of the book could in fact be used to help these people as theories towards it that I know are very much out to in rather than looking inwards?

It’s something I think could change the way we injury therapists work. I’ve started talking to people in my clinic using your thinking. My rehab was always based in their feels rather than textbook approach but even more so now.

Many thanks again,

Dear Sam,

I have already finish your book here in Argentina.

I want to send you a big Thank You because your writing helped me to wake me up and to remind me what things come first. 

Thank you again

Hi Sam,

I have read The Three Principles of Outstanding Golf and can’t believe I found someone who writes about Gallwey and Shoemaker’s books and the mind set for golf!

When I read Tim’s book I was in my twenties and did an article for Golf Digest magazine. They asked me what was the biggest help for my game. I told them, The Inner Game of Tennis.

It helped me so much with my thought process. Then later I found Extraordinary Golf, another game changer.

I have told other people and have bought the book for them but they do not get it. I have never cared where ball went or if my drive is the shortest, I can get the ball in the hole with less shots and that is the name of the game.

I was playing a partner thing the other day my partner kept duck hooking. I said why don’t you try another club off the tee.

I know I will get my swing back when it goes. It may not be today, and style and good looks are for the red carpet not for golf.

Anyway, thank you. Someone who knows where I am coming from is great. I will have to get your book Take Relief next.

I am 73 and still winning tournaments and I love it. Qualified for the USGA Women’s Seniors 2 years ago.

It is fun!

Thanks.