Percy Boomer - On Learning Golf

[platgof]

The part where he is throwing out some humor with the lady on her golf swing is brilliant! She is doing her best to belittle golf courses and golf pros, and he fires right back.

[hoganfan924]

One of the all-time classics, and a must read for any serious golf swing enthusiast or instructor.  I haven't read it in about 14 years, but like his "turn in a barrel" visualization (at least for the backswing).  Seems what is old is new again, as way fewer pros today sway off the ball than probably ever in the history of the game.  Fewer 70's style "teeter-totter" pivots. 

 

When I've spoken with Geoff Jones about the most influential golf books in his collection, he always cites "Five Lessons," "See and Feel the Inside Move the Outside" by Mike Hebron, and "On Learning Golf."  Literally says these (and a video camera, and digging it out of the dirt) were what helped him get his swing back after he lost it in the early 80's (due to horrible golf swing advice from a local pro).

[Robert L.]

In my first golf career, from 1991 to 2006, I picked up Percy Boomer's On Learning Golf, Mr. Hogan's Five Lessons, and Harvey Penick's Little Red and Little Green Books. These books I consider to be the foundational books in a golfer's education. Five Lessons gives you the foundational mechanics of the golf swing, Mr. Penick's books give you the overall knowledge of the game of golf from a respected teacher, and On Learning Golf also gives you great ideas on the golf swing, as well as being an entertaining read if a little inscrutable at times.

Last time I read On Learning Golf Bill Clinton was President. Think I'll have to give it another read now that the golf season has ended.

[gvogel]

I am reading a book titled "More on Learning Golf" by John Ward and Dr Paul Woods.  I believe that John Ward is a teaching pro and Dr. Woods is a psychologist and John's friend.  They quote Boomer extensively, and then they sometimes interpret the book from a modern look.  In my view, it's always helpful to get other views on the basic book.

 

I came across this ditty, which they quote at the beginning of Chapter 9:

 

"The difficulty in teaching golf is that what we to teach is a correct feel, and neither demonstration nor words can do that directly.  Sometimes it is almost a chance word or movement that gives the pupil the right impression - and then he picks up the feel in a flash."

[Nicknomates]

20 hours ago, gvogel said:

I am reading a book titled "More on Learning Golf" by John Ward and Dr Paul Woods.

I am on my second read of Percy Boomer's book.

Hope the "more on learning golf" is good as just ordered it. On Amazon discounted to just £2.79 with free postage (so maybe not too popular!).

[Nicknomates]

On 5/1/2024 at 3:42 PM, Nicknomates said:

I am on my second read of Percy Boomer's book.

Hope the "more on learning golf" is good as just ordered it. On Amazon discounted to just £2.79 with free postage (so maybe not too popular!).

Well not sure I would recommend "More on learning Golf". Partly seems to be a book using another book (Percy Boomer's) to sell the book/method developed by John Ward.

Glad I only paid £2.79 for it.

But would still recommend Percy Boomer's "On learning Golf".

[CHE KJARRVERA]

On 11/25/2023 at 5:05 PM, Robert L. said:

In my first golf career, from 1991 to 2006, I picked up Percy Boomer's On Learning Golf, Mr. Hogan's Five Lessons, and Harvey Penick's Little Red and Little Green Books. These books I consider to be the foundational books in a golfer's education. Five Lessons gives you the foundational mechanics of the golf swing, Mr. Penick's books give you the overall knowledge of the game of golf from a respected teacher, and On Learning Golf also gives you great ideas on the golf swing, as well as being an entertaining read if a little inscrutable at times.

Last time I read On Learning Golf Bill Clinton was President. Think I'll have to give it another read now that the golf season has ended.

Boomer’s chapter on the 5 handicap with his ‘violent waggle’ is as good as it gets for me. One of my four favourite golf books along with Penick’s Little Red Book, Hogan’s Modern Fundamentals (the larger sized 1988 Pan books edition) and Tom Watson’s Getting Up and Down. Ravielli’s drawings are superb.