How I Play Golf

Now Tiger Woods has written his book about how he plays golf, offering us an intimate view of both his game---mental arid physical-and his unique personality on and off the course.

Golf fans everywhere have been waiting for this guide-the first and only how-to authorized by Tiger Woods. In it, Tiger reveals how he leaned the game backward-from the green to the tee. He clearl methodically analyzes every aspect of the sport, from lining up a putt to following through on a tee shot, from choosing the right club to keeping his focus after a bad shot. With hundreds of brilliant photos, Tiger uses a frame-by-frame approach to explain his golf fundamentals, examining his personal intricacies of grip, stance, ball position, balance, rhythm, and routine,. As Tiger shows us how he does it, and how he has learned to make changes in his own game, he helps us improve ours with some of his favorite techniques and tips, including:

• Tiger's six keys to a great Backswing
• The biggest, most common mistake in putting and how to avoid it
• How to psyche yourself up for a key shot, and how to "throttle back" when you need to
• How to practice your golf shots-,and have fun
• The "knockdown" shot-learn how to keep a ball out of high winds and heading its tote direction you want it to go
• Tiger's do's and don'ts of course management, including knowing when and when not to lay up
• Tiger's best exercises to upgrade your strength and flexibility.

There's no denying that Tiger Woods has taken golf by storm. It seems like every time this 25-year-old swings a club, another PGA record is shattered. While his explosive drives, accurate approach shots, and steady putter certainly contribute to this success, both fans and critics agree that it's Tiger's devastating mental game that has propelled him to become the premier golfer of our time. Now Tiger shares his thoughts on what he calls the game of a lifetime. He reveals the five secrets he believes are responsible for his success-a combination of physical, metaphysical, and psychological practices he uses daily to keep his game in top shape and help him to transcend all the ups and downs of golf. Best of all, Tiger reveals his unique approach to the game for the first time ever in this one singular volume.

Publishers Weekly

Very few sports figures have accomplished as much as Woods has already achieved at age 25. He has been named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated twice; he has won more than 30 professional tournaments and he's the youngest player to win the Grand Slam four of the major pro championships. Despite his many commercials and product endorsements, Woods is one of the rare athletes who isn't overplayed in the media. Unlike many other sports stars, Woods plays and wins quietly. That may explain why this instructional book will reach far beyond the links. Woods talks about his experiences and his attitudes toward golf and life. The conversational tone is quite engaging: "The difference between golf and most other sports is that anyone of average intelligence and coordination can learn to play it well. It requires a commitment to being the best that you can be. That has always been my approach to the game.... Pop gave me many great lessons, not only about golf, but also about life. His greatest advice to me was always be myself." On watching the ball, Woods says, "If you're like me, you can't wait to see if the ball is tracking toward the hole right after the golf ball leaves the putterface.... The tendency to peek too soon causes your head to move and leads to off-sloppy contact.... I found an effective way to fight the problem: I practice putting with my left eye closed, so I can't see the target line at all with my peripheral vision. That makes it easier to keep my eyes looking straight down." Accompanied by wonderful photos, the book reads as if Woods is right there with the golfer, providing instructions. (Oct.) Forecast: With scheduled appearances on Oprah and Dateline along withextensive print and television advertising, this book will immediately shoot out of the bookstores. Strong sales should continue for a long time. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Tiger Woods became the youngest player ever to complete the career Grand Slam of professional major championships and only the fifth ever to do so, following the likes of Jack Nicklaus. He was also the youngest Masters champion ever, at the age of 21, and has since won 29 tournaments, including the 1999 and 2000 PGA Championships, the 2000 U.S. Open Championship, and the 2000 British Championship. He is the career victories leader among active players on the PGA tour.