Who Would Like It?
Anyone looking for a deeper understanding of how and why golf has evolved since its inception. It is accessible enough for those with a limited golf background but may be heavy on jargon.
Thoughts:
The book is very much worth reading. When we think about science and golf, we usually think about A) new equipment and B) new swing methodologies incorporating biomechanics. The book shows how these advancements are far more wide-reaching, and no area of the game has been left unaffected. From methods of instruction to psychology to course design strategy, each chapter after the first two highlights how areas of the game have evolved with new science, and the historical overview and individual analyses are quite interesting in their own right and can be read independently if one is interested in a particular area. Even as a lifelong golfer and reader of golf-related content, there was a ton of interesting information that was novel to me, from the inception of launch monitor technology to the three schools of course design strategy.
That said, as many have noted, the title is overstated. Yes, technological innovations have changed how instructors and players approach every area of the game, often challenging and contradicting traditional methods and philosophies. But the author tries too hard to fit traditional and spiritual philosophies into a single camp opposite the “technical” camp, and I am left unconvinced that being more feel-oriented and less technical necessitates a spiritual component that can be grouped in with Michael Murphy's approach.
Other Books I Want To Read Now:
- Every Shot Counts by Mark Broadie
- Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella
- Fearless Golf by Gio Valiante
- Zen Golf by Joseph Parent