Did you know that it’s impossible to get maximum performance on the golf course without mastering the mental side of golf?
Many beginners may not realize that golf is just as much a mental game as a physical one. 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.
Pick up a few to start shooting better scores and hitting longer drives!
1. Mastering Golf’s Mental Game: Your Ultimate Guide to Better On-Course Performance and Lower Scores
Our pick
Mastering Golf’s Mental Game
Dr. Michael Lardon’s step-by-step Pre-Shot Pyramid provides any player with the ideal blueprint for shot setup. And his revolutionary Mental Scorecard will give you the tools to accurately measure what you really do on the golf course and how to make real, permanent improvements.
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This masterpiece is written by a sport psychologist named Dr. Michael Lardon, who works with a ton of PGA Tour professionals. Lardon helped Phil Mickelson win the 2012 Open Championship by giving his mental game a much-needed tuneup. 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. Both of these tools have helped countless amateurs and professionals. This is simply a must-read for any serious golfer.
Rating on Amazon: 4.6 (over 270 reviews)
2. Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game
Our pick
This book has been around for 20 years and was written by another highly respected golf psychologist named Dr. Joseph Parent. Vijay Singh has credited Dr. Parent with helping him have clear thought on the golf course. Parent is not just another PGA coach but also a Buddhist instructor.
Zen Golf will help golfers deal with frustration, which can be an unwelcome distraction during a round. Many folks are shocked at how much more enjoyment they experience on the course after learning to 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 Amazon: 4.7 (over 1,500 reviews)
3. Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect
Our pick
This book from Dr. Bob Rotella gives golfers some fabulous tips to improve their mental game. Learn how obsessing about your swing mechanics can keep you from shooting your best score. Dr. Rotella provides practical info on how to put more joy into your golf game.
PGA Tour fans will especially appreciate the Foreward of this book, written by 2011 Open Championship winner Darren Clarke. Some folks think this is the best golf book on the market for improving their mental habits on the course. We can see why because Dr. Rotella is one of the best sports psychologists in the industry.
Rating on Amazon: 4.7 (over 3,300 reviews)
4. The Mental Game of Golf: Strategies for Improving your Confidence, Focus, Stress Levels, Resilience & More
Our pick
The Mental Game of Golf
In this book you’ll find simple, step-by-step instructions and proven techniques to permanently fix problems such as first tee nerves, anger, low confidence, fear, and focus.
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Here’s a new option for folks that want to improve their mental approach to golf. The Mental Game of Golf was released in January of 2022 and was written by a mental game coach named Jermaine Harris.
Harris teaches golfers how to deal with nagging mental issues such as low confidence, nerves, anger, and fear. The Mental Game of Golf will show you how to shoot low scores even if your swing isn’t quite right. This is a massive advantage on the course!
Rating on Amazon: 4.6 (20 reviews)
5. The Little Black Book on the Mental Side of Golf: 41 Mental Tips From a Golfer Who Regularly Shoots His Age!!!
Are you not much of a reader but still wanting to improve your mental approach to golf? This book is the perfect fit 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.
Dr. Len Fellez authored this short book and has helped players on four tours (PGA, LPGA, Champions, Nationwide). Learn the importance of staying positive in between shots and how writing out goals can improve your game. Golf is a game of confidence, and this quick read will help you pick yourself up mentally after a big miss.
Rating on Amazon: 4.8 (9 reviews)
6. Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game
In Fearless Golf, Dr. Gio Valiante will teach you the same principles that Davis Love III and Justin Leonard used to become world-class PGA players. This book will teach you how to overcome all of your fears 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 to reach their full potential by letting go of an obsession with results. This will free up your mind and your swing, resulting in lower scores.
Rating on Amazon: 4.4 (over 350 reviews)
7. Mental Toughness Training for Golf: Start Strong Finish Strong
To play your best golf, you need a certain amount of mental toughness. 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. Both amateurs and professionals will benefit from this nice and easy read.
Rating on Amazon: 4.3 (over 110 reviews)
8. Golf: The Ultimate Mind Game
This book will help you block out all distractions and increase your confidence on the golf course. Rick Sessinghaus is an expert in performance psychology and he teaches golfers how to embrace pressure instead of caving under it. By reading this book, golfers will learn how to incorporate pressure into their time on the driving range.
Sessinghaus will help you rediscover why you play golf so that you can get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of it. You’ll also learn how to set goals and properly motivate yourself before your rounds and practice sessions.
Rating on Amazon: 4.5 (over 100 reviews)
9. Fore the Mind – The Mental Program for Golf
Out of all the golf books on our list, this one probably has the catchiest title. Troy Bassham tells a compelling short story about a golfer named Kevin, who mysteriously starts getting golf lessons in his golf 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 a must-read for golfers who want to improve their mental approach to the game. We can’t say enough good things about this no-fluff page-turner.
Rating on Amazon: 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 teach you how to manage your expectations so that you can shoot lower scores and have more fun. Sherman is a player-coach who knows how important it is 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 teach you how to remain calm on the course, even during the most pressure-packed situations. Get a much-needed confidence boost by reading this book!
Rating on Amazon: 4.8 (over 460 reviews)
Mike Noblin
Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.