Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game

I have read nearly all of the books on trying to square the game between your ears with the physical game of golf and this one is highest on my list. Joseph Parent reviews nearly all aspects of the weaknesses one experiences in both competitive and non-competitive golf. In many ways, I now seem to enjoy playing more than I have in years and I have played the game since I was nine years old. Now 60 years later I only wish I had this resource years ago. It is a no miss purchase if you love and play the game of golf. The author obviously does both.

Probably one of the most important books I have ever read. I was so impressed after reading the kindle version I bought the hardback copy as well for my library. There wasn't a single page that didn't contain words of wisdom. After reading the first half of the book I put into practice some of the processes Mr Parent talked about and I have to say I have never enjoyed 18 holes more. At 60 I have been playing for about 4 years and am a 12 handicapper. This book will take me to another level. But the real kicker is that it isn't just a book about golf... Brilliant!

I was a student of karate for over 10 years so I understand the concept of "zen" and how the mind-body connection is so intrinsic when mastering a skill. I recently took up golf and found this book extremely helpful, especially when it comes to putting. I purchased a second copy as a gift for a friend as well. The person who recommended it to me said she reads it every single year as a refresher. I plan to do the same!

As a life long golfer in his very late fifties I kept thinking as I read this book that the majority of this novel was simply common sense. But, the more I thought about what I will call Zen lessons, the more I thought...no they’re really not.There is a tremendous amount of wisdom within this book. However, you have to be willing to open up your mind to the ideology. You have to rid your thinking of...yeah, I already know that...and truly absorb the concepts. There’s no doubt it will improve your performance.

It's helped me to focus on the moment, and not so much the past or future. It has greatly improved my attitude towards things I found frustrating.Originally, I bought this to help my mental game in golf. But, I've learned I can also apply in life. Highly, recommend this book to anyone struggling in life, and their golf game.

Good, practical advice for the mental aspects of golf. Definitely helped me realize that most of my issues are confidence and mental. Great guide for how to approach the game mentally.

I am not done with this book yet. However, I am going to write the review early. While I noticed some people who reviewed this book mentioned that the info is "obvious", the fact is that most truths are obvious once learned. Some of the biggest epiphanies seem extremely clear and obvious once they are had. There is no reason to mention the obviousness, when the value is not in the obscurity, or lack thereof, of the information. I played a round yesterday after reading about a third of this book, and kept a few of the ideas in mind, and I am extremely happy with the results. I had more fun, and was more relaxed. I am still new to the game, but I am making steady progress, and I am really glad I found this book so early in my career. There is no reason for me to sloppily tell you the short version of the ideas here. I am telling you right now that no matter where you are in your game, you will be happy you got this book. It is not magic, it does not tell you how to astrally project the ball into the hole, it is just there to tell you some fundamental ideas that will help your mental game. BUY THIS NOW. You will not regret it for a minute. I can't think of any resource that could have helped my game so dramatically for so cheap.

I have been a golfer for fifty years but never read or studied much on the mental side of the game. This book raised my awareness of how the mind and body must interact to be successful in golf and life. Dr. Parent's examples and parables reminded me of Yoda teaching young Luke Skywalker about the "Force". Now there are no lightsabers involved but learning to train my mind to best deal with the task at hand was illuminating. The good doctor gives plenty of solid recommendations on how to be more mindful and deal with extraneous thoughts that can subtly torpedo your game. Highest recommendation.

I thought about buying this book for years but was put off by the title. I thought it would be full of strange dodgy stuff. I have read most of the mind books (Rotella etc.). I should have bought it years ago. If you are like me you sometimes tense up, force shots or try too hard (like when there is out of bounds or thick trees all down one side of the fairway, and the wind is blowing toward them). This book gives loads of useful, practical tips to keep calm, hit the shot and deal with the result. There are so many you can see what works for you. I have read it and am going to put it into practice this season

Separating planning from taking the shot and from review is stiff you are probably familiar with. But how you do this is where this small book excels. Don't be worried that this will be all mystic and staring at candles-it's not. Where there are many references to Buddhism this is as the wisdom of logical thinking and approaches written in an easy to understand way with logic that is unarguable.

The most important inches on a golf course are between your ears - the great Bobbie Jones said to this effectZen Golf shows you how to make the turbulent waters of your mind, a magnificent still millpond of clarity, commitment and resolve to play golf more effectively, reflectively and most important happily.

A good book to advice you on how to master your mind in the game. I already practise Zen and mindfulness so knew instantly what the author was getting at. A lot of non practitioners may find the concepts hard to adjust to but believe me it's worth trying. No thought golf works.

This is one of the most clearly written and helpful golf books I have ever read. It will help anyone to enjoy their golf more.

Bought as a Christmas gift, and it was loved by the person I bought it for. Full marks for the book and for the swift delivery. Overall, a great purchase.

Good read to focus golf on the mind not the swing. I feel calmer whilst playing but not yet showing in the score but more relaxed about that too.

This is a great book and from start to finish the guidance is excellent. It targets the mental aspects of the game and aligns them with buddhist philosophy. Written in an easy to read fashion, the book really makes the management of the mental side of the game obvious and so very simple. I will keep this book to hand and read every time I get frustrated on the course - which in my case is a lot! Brilliant!

Cheap rubbish garbage....not worth buying it

If we allow our emotions to interfere with our performance consistency is impossible. This book explains how to distance your feelings from the outcome of a shot - be it good or bad, thus leading to a measured and thoughtful process preceding each and every shot. Well worth reading.

Similar to other mind over matter improvement books but with a Zen quotations twist and mind and breath exercises good but not a worthy add on if you have other golf mind books already unless you really can aspire to Zen like focus

Allowing time for the mental aspect of the game I've realised is a huge benefit to playing good golf. This book constantly reminds us of the mindset we must have on the course to play well.

Zen Golf simplifies the issues that arise in every round of golf whilst allowing you to learn and develop techniques and exercises to help you deal with the mental struggles of the game. Zen Golf's main objective is to encourage the reader to enjoy the game and more importantly have fun whether you are practicing or playing in the club championship

Very happy thanks

I bought this book to see if it offered any insight into overcoming nerves in a medal. It has helped me to see my attitude very differently- scarily I had my first eagle in a week. I'm now just about to read it again to help it all sink in.