Extraordinary Golf: the Art of the Possible

by Fred Shoemaker, Pete Shoemaker

Most golfers approach the tee with a complex mental worries and judgments about their swing, the other person's swing, the course, the weather, looking good, looking bad. They think about what's wrong instead of what's possible, and this is what Extraordinary Golf the art of the possible. Drawing on his experience teaching both amateurs and professionals for more than fifteen years, in his clinics around the country, in his Golf in the Kingdom seminars at the Esalen Institute, and at his own School for Extraordinary Golf in California, Shoemaker shows how extraordinary golf can be coached, learned, and practiced, with results not only in people's scores but in their sheer pleasure in the game. Combining a host of practical exercises with an entirely new point of view, he demonstrates how to focus not on the voices in your head but on the reality of the club, the ball, your body, the course - the elements that actually make up your game. He shows how to approach shots creatively, instead of mechanically; how to read greens simply by staying awake; how to develop a powerful and consistent swing by rediscovering trust for your instincts; and how to improve yourself in competition by determining what you're competing for. He also gives simple guidelines on how to coach yourself, your spouse, and your children successfully.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope i never lose my joy of learning to golf-and this is the mindset to take forward. What a great book about living well-and also golfing well.

[David Wilkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite paragraph:

The first step [to extraordinary golf/life] is to create a future that inspires and enlivens you. But the real skill comes in re-creating this future in the face of the inevitable upsets that we encounter.... At any moment we have the choice of either letting the past continue or living in the possibility of a new future ... [the art is] distinguishing possibilities from expectations,

accepting what happens with grace and maturity while keeping all possibilities open is one of the most courageous and worthwhile things that a [golfer/person] can do.

[Frodo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book offers a fresh perspective on the experience of playing golf. Rather than buy into the “culture of golf” he suggests a different approach. The “culture of golf” asserts that there is always something that needs fixed in one’s game. Shoemaker asserts that “being” rather than “doing” would provide better long term outcomes, I.e, extraordinary golf. This was a fun interlude for me as I anticipate my next foray on the links.

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Golf as Art
-Fairways and shots as possibilities.
-Club throwing
-Losing the ego and the "self" and moving toward being conscious and aware of your swing and the club face.
-VERY unique book.
-the best swing is inside of you. When you find it, you'll see that it is not based on a formula, but it is based on your own natural animal instincts.

Bob Jones said that he felt he followed his natural instincts at the end of his life when shots worked out great.

[Tom Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a golf instructor, I've recommended this book to dozens of students. 85% of people loved it (some didn’t get it).
This book is about how to make the experience of golf extraordinary regardless of how well you play. SPOILER – if you go out with the goal of having a good experience, your more likely to shoot a better score. The inverse does NOT work.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A famous golfer talks about the emotion during the golf Game. Most opinions actually similar To my coach and my father . But is still a learning experience for me , because if the opinions reprised , that means is really important .

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting thinking about the culture of golf. The underlying emphasis of "possibilities" may help to reduce or eliminate the troubling negative self-talk so common.

Reminds me of "appreciative inquiry" where the dream state can help to produce innovation and a positive motivation for some.

[Josh Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too high-level and redundant for me. Basically, this is a 200-page book telling you that the best way to play golf is to care less about golf.

I appreciate trying to look at the game from a different perspective, but it just was not for me.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fred Shoemaker lays it out clearly.
Enjoy the game and get better.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on golf that I've ever read. (I've read about 100 golf books) Totally different approach to the game than virtually all other instruction books. Improved my game immediately.

[David Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mind book for golf

[Bill Clarkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was helpful but it was rather redundant and too tunnel visioned. But I’m trying the club throw and some of the concentration stuff

[Michael J.]

This book will change the way you play....

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valid concepts, but no magic bullet, which is the point….

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this back in 2013 … definitely one of the BEST books on golf I’ve ever read! Highly recommend!

[Ben Palm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to improve your mental game at ANY sport? Read this book! Yes, the concepts are focused on golf, but they can certainly be applied to any sport, or even life! Worth the read!!!

[Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like golf. My wife likes Yoga. Her Yoga instructor likes golf. He recommended this book. I learned among other things that the hardest distance for a golfer to control is the eight inches between the ears. nuff said. good book....OMMMMMMMM......

[Lissa Johnston · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too touchy-feely for me although I do intend to try the club throwing exercise. His advice on coaching is a joke. No man alive can resist Know It All syndrome on the golf course.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too new-agey, but had some good ideas for playing the game with a freer state of mind.