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  • This really is a great book . . .

    "The Elelments of Scoring" by Ray Floyd. Someone said it was the best golf book they'd ever read a little while ago, so I ordered it (used) from Amazon for next to nothing and I am about half way through and seriously impressed!
    Basically he starts by saying "If I had yoiur exact physical golf game, I'd still beat you 99 times out of 100" and then proceeds to tell you why.
    A few things he said have stood out - particularly the way amateurs always club themselves for a perfectly struck shot at full swing speed, whereas if he did that he'd be taking an 8 iron for a 185 yard shot instead of the 5 or 6 iron he would actuallt use at 80% swing speed.
    There's a lot of stuff that most of us at least think we already know (practice the short game, as it makes up 60-70% of all your shots) but whether we actually do that or not is questionable!
    It's all about play comfortably, play within your limits . . . . I look forward to finishing it and becoming a wiser player.

  • #2
    Re: This really is a great book . . .

    hi Mariner
    sounds interesting and i like Ray Floyd so i have put an order in for the book. thanks for letting me know about it.
    cheers
    bill

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    • #3
      Re: This really is a great book . . .

      I don't believe anyone would disagree when I say Floyd had one of the worst looking swings in pro golf, when judged against "conventional pro swings", and that was each of the several variations he concocted during his career. But, he was a very accurate shot maker, and he was exceptionally long and his putting and short game were exceptional.

      One of the key points which made him such a great golfer, though, was his will and determination. His fellow golfers would talk about the "Floyd stare or glare". When he had to make a shot or chip in, or hole a putt, he would burn a hole on the ball and the intended line. I think that determination to "win at all costs" gave him the mental strength and the discipline to think out the situation at hand. It was remarkable how he was able to pull off the results, even in his later years. For health reasons, he has slowed down playing, but he still plays well, as I saw recently in the father son event.

      He was a exceptional match player. In his younger days, he hooked up against regional hotshots and played for big money. Here is an interesting true story from the old days, about how two future hall of fame "hustlers" met.

      http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/new...=news_Features

      Ted

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      • #4
        Re: This really is a great book . . .

        Hi Ted
        i always remember the story about Trevino and Floyd and some business men that had set up a bet between the two player.
        when Floyd arrived in his big car Trevino was sitting on the steps of the clubhouse. Floyd tossed the Mexican kid the keys and told him to get his clubs out the car. when in the dressing room he asked the Mexican kid who he was playing and Trevino said he was play him. Floyd though he was his caddy.
        Trevino won by one hole. Trevino tried to copy Floyd in the way he wanted to win every hole even the ones that were lost early on. Ray Floyd would fight for every hole.
        think they became friends after a few years but did play quite a few money games before Floyd helped Trevino get on tour and it was hard for a Mexican kid to get on tour and if not for Ray Floyd we might never of heard of Trevino.
        cheers
        Bill
        Last edited by bill reed; 03-19-2009, 05:54 PM.

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        • #5
          Re: This really is a great book . . .

          Also read this book recently on a recommendation from a fellow GTO'er and it is a seriously good book.

          Have taken a couple of things out of it that have helped, the 80% swing idea being one of them.

          Cheers

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          • #6
            Re: This really is a great book . . .

            Just ordered mine. 98 pence on Amazon!

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            • #7
              Re: This really is a great book . . .

              I've finished it now and can't praise it enough . . . one unforeseen benefit to me has been how he rightly points out that is a game of misses. Your average mid to high handicapper will be able to count on the fingers of one hand all the full shots that go as planned during a round, therefore, you should play with the knowledge that everything is going to be a mishit to some extent, and play the shot accordingly.
              It sounds incredibly negative, but has helped in loads of ways - you swing easier if you are expecting a mishit and that's always desirable, you don't lose your temper due to the frustration of trying to hit perfect shots all the time, (which is how I've always played, with some exploive results down the years!) and your strategy is so much better.
              I shot a very average 90, but it felt like an 85, and I actually enjoyed myself which probably wouldn't have been possible with that score on my home course before I read this book.
              Nearly all the damage was done on the first 2 holes before I remembered to use his book!

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