Top 10 Books to Help You Master The Mental Game of Golf

Did you know that it’s impossible to get maximum performance on the golf course without mastering the mental side of golf?

Many beginners don’t realize that golf can be a mental and physical game. That being said, you don’t want to be on information overload while standing on the tee box.

Though there are plenty of golf coaches that teach swing mechanics, there just isn’t much information available regarding golf psychology. To help with this problem, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best golf books that address the mental side of the game.

Start driving longer and getting better scores by buying a few!

 

1. Mastering Golf’s Mental Game: Your Ultimate Guide to Better On-Course Performance and Lower Scores

Dr. Michael Lardon is a sport psychologist who works with a lot of PGA Tour professionals to create this masterpiece. Lardon helped Phil Mickelson win 2012 Open Championship by giving him a mental tune-up. You’ll get the same tips that helped Mickelson become one of the best left-handed golfers of all time.

In this book, also available as an audiobook, golfers can learn about Lardon’s Pre-Shot Pyramid and Mental Scorecard. These tools have been invaluable to both amateurs and professionals. This is an essential guide for serious golfers.

Rating on the website 4.6 (over 270 reviews)

 

2. Zen Golf: Mastering The Mental Game

This book has been around 20 years. It was written by Dr. Joseph Parent, a highly respected golf psychologist. Vijay Singh has given Dr. Parent credit for helping him think clearly about the golf course. Parent is more than a PGA coach. He is also a Buddhist instructor.

Zen Golf helps golfers cope with frustrations, which can sometimes be a distraction during a round. Many people are surprised at how much more they enjoy the course when they can deal with this one negative emotion. Having more fun and shooting lower scores is every golfer’s dream, and this book will help achieve both.

Rating on the website 4.7 (over 1,500 reviews)

 

3. Golf is not a game of perfection

Dr. Bob Rotella’s book gives golfers great tips for improving their mental game. How obsessing over your swing mechanics can prevent you from scoring your best score. Dr. Rotella offers practical tips on how you can bring more joy into your game of golf.

The Foreward is a must-read for PGA Tour players, as it was written by Darren Clarke (2011 Open Championship winner). Many people believe this book is the best on the market for improving mental habits on golf courses. We can see why Dr. Rotella has been ranked as one of the top sports psychologists in the world.

Rating on the website 4.7 (over 3,300 reviews)

 

4. The Mental Game of Golf: Strategies for Improving your Confidence, Focus, Stress Levels, Resilience & More

Here’s a new option for folks that want to improve their mental approach to golf. The Mental Game of Golf, written by Jermaine Harris, was released January 20, 2022.

Harris teaches golfers how they can deal with persistent mental issues like low confidence and nerves, anger, fear, and anger. The Mental Game of Golf will show you how to shoot low scores even if your swing isn’t quite right. This is a huge advantage when playing on the course.

Rating on the website  4.6 (20 reviews)

 

5. The Little Black Book on Mental Golf: 41 Mental Tips from a Regular Golfer!!

You are not a great reader, but you still want to improve your mental approach to playing golf. This book is perfect for you! It’s only 67 pages, but it is jam-packed with great information to help you shoot lower scores and gain more confidence.

This short book was written by Dr. Len Fellez. He has helped players on four tours: PGA, LPGA Champions, Nationwide, and Champions. Learn how to keep positive and how to set goals to improve your game. Golf is a game that builds confidence. This quick read will help you get back on track after a major miss.

Rating on the website  4.8 (9 reviews)

 

6. Fearless Golf: The Mental Game Can Be Conquered

Fearless Golf will teach you the same principles as Justin Leonard and Davis Love III to become world-class PGA players. This book will help you overcome your fears and make the most of your time on the course. You’ll even get never before seen quotes from PGA legends like Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els.

Fearless Golf teaches golfers how they can reach their full potential and let go of their obsession with results. This will help you have a better game and a more relaxed mind.

Rating on the website 4.4 (over 350 reviews)

 

7. Mental toughness training for golf

Mental toughness is essential to play your best golf. Dr. Rob Bell will teach you all of the dos and don’t of mental toughness in this book. Learn how to add some pressure to your practice sessions so that you aren’t in shock when it happens during an actual round.

Dr. Bell has worked with PGA Tour pro Scott Stallings and has led a ton of different research studies on “the yips”. This book is only 132 pages, but it’s packed from cover to cover with helpful information. This book is easy to understand and will be of benefit to professionals and amateurs alike.

Rating on the website 4.3 (over 110 reviews)

 

8. Golf: The Ultimate Mind Game

This book will help you to block out distractions and increase your confidence while on the course. Rick Sessinghaus is a specialist in performance psychology. He teaches golfers how not to succumb to pressure. Golfers will learn how pressure can be incorporated into their time at the driving range by reading this book.

Sessinghaus can help you rediscover what makes you love golf and how to get the most enjoyment out of it. You’ll also learn how to set goals and properly motivate yourself before your rounds and practice sessions.

Rating on the website 4.5 (over 100 reviews)

 

9. Fore the Mind – The Mental Program for Golf

This book is probably the most memorable of all the golf books we have reviewed. Troy Bassham tells the compelling story of Kevin, a mysterious golfer who suddenly starts taking golf lessons in his bag. It’s kind of neat that Bassham uses this unique story-telling approach!

Bassham’s Mental Management System has helped some of the top PGA Tour pros, including Jerry Kelly and Fred Funk. Fore the Mind is essential reading for any golfer who wants to improve their mental approach to the game. We can’t say enough good things about this no-fluff page-turner.

Rating on the website 4.6 (over 50 reviews)

 

10. The Four Foundations of Golf: How To Build a Game That Lasts A Lifetime

This book isn’t exclusively about the mental aspect of golf, but it has several chapters that address various mental techniques that golfers can use to increase their performance. Jon Sherman will show you how to manage expectations and shoot lower scores while having more fun. Sherman is a player-coach and knows how important it can be to swing without thinking.

If you’re tired of your poor mental approach keeping you from playing your best, this may be the ideal book for you. Sherman will show you how to stay calm and composed on the course, even in the most stressful situations. This book will give confidence a boost!

Rating on the website 4.8 (over 460 reviews)