Zen Golf

Mastering the Mental Game

By: Dr. Joseph Parent

Narrated by: Dr. Joseph Parent

In chapters such as "During Your Swing Is Not the Time to Give Yourself a Lesson", "Isn't Where You Have to Play It From Punishment Enough?" and "How to Enjoy a Bad Round of Golf," the author guides golfers with simple yet powerful techniques to prepare for, execute, and, equally important, respond to the results of any golf shot. The author, Dr. Joseph Parent, is a PGA Tour Instructor who draws on his teaching experience to offer special methods that have led to amazing improvements in the games of professionals and amateurs alike.

Zen Golf offers a fresh perspective for golf and for life. Rather than focus on what's wrong with us (what's broken, flawed, or missing) we can take the attitude that there is something fundamentally, essentially right with us. Through mindful awareness, distractions and negativity can be recognized and cleared away.

Clear, concise, and enlightening, Zen Golf introduces a unique combination of modern psychology, Buddhist wisdom, and professional golf instruction. By applying classic insights and stories to the challenges of golf, Zen Golf shows you how to make your mind an ally instead of an enemy: how to stay calm, clear the interference that leads to poor shots, and eliminate bad habits and mental mistakes. Zen Golf shapes ancient philosophies into new teachings, leading golfers to the effortless focus and unconditional confidence of being in "the zone."

©2002 Joseph Parent (P)2003 Mental Game Mastery

Critic reviews

"Zen Golf is the best book at connecting the mind and golf together. It's for everyone, and you're really going to like it." (Vijay Singh)

this can really help your game

This book does a great job of introducing principles of zen that are applicable not only to golf, but to your day to day life. Relative to your golf game, you learn some great techniques to help manage your swing, stroke and game. Moreover, for those listeners in the East, this is a great listen while the snow is still covering the fairways.

Rick of Orlando

Excellent read for any golfer. Insights relate to golf and life.

play the game in your head first.

what a difference a mindset makes to the execution of a golf shot. fantastic book. I'll hear it again many more times.

Zen Golf

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. No matter how many lessons, how many buckets of balls, regardless of handicap, every golfer needs to listen to this book

What other book might you compare Zen Golf to and why?

Zen Putting

Any additional comments?

Great book & narration

Zen Golf Great

This book hit the nail on the head as far as golf's "head" game! I could see myself in every example that was given. I hope to put the mental exercises into good play.

Great book for beginners

I’ve struggled with the mental game of my golf and the results have been no improvement at all. This book has given me some insight into what I can do to improve my game. Great for all levels of golf

Great Advice for Golfing and Life

The narrator’s peaceful, almost meditative tone mirrors the messages in Zen Golf. Focus on the present shot instead of the prior bad shot.
If you’re focused on the past, you are unable to focus on the current and therefore set yourself
up for a downward spiral.
Quick take away: Get outside, have fun, don’t focus on the score, and note anything positive about your play that day.

Great book

Instantly helped my game. My playing partner in a match play event even commented about how loose and relaxed I looked during the round. Also shot my best round this year. Highly recommend.

Exactly what I needed

The best solution to saving yourself wasted time and strokes on and off the course

Good for those with anxiety

This book is one I fully intend to read at least once a year. It applies to golf as well as life. I struggle a lot with social anxiety and I applied concepts from this book that are legit helping. This book gets deep and can help a lot of confidence and overall mental outlook. highly recommend