Tom Watson's Strategic Golf

Book excerpt: To master the game of golf, you have to go beyond the mechanics of the swing and learn how to play the golf course. Now golf superstar Tom Watson, the 1993 United States Ryder Cup Team Captain, teaches his game-winning tactics to golfers at all skill levels, and demonstrates how to take a strategic approach to the game. Short, to-the-point chapters tell you first how to prepare for a game: how to create a "personal par" chart, how to get the most out of a practice round, how to "work the ball" so its trajectory suits the situation, and how to "rehearse" for your next match. Now you're ready to take on the tactics of conquering the course itself: the different ways to attack par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s; the defensive maneuvers around and through trouble spots like bad lies and bad weather; and how to make a crucial decision to play a shot safe or go for the green.