The previous generation of golf stars were reluctant to admit to visiting a "sports shrink." But by raising the competitive bar, players like Tiger Woods and David Duval have sent countless professional and amateur golfers to the couch in an attempt to discover if their minds are keeping them from winning the big ones. Writing here with Cullen (Why Golf?), former University of Virginia sports-psychologist-turned-consultant Rotella applies his popular, well-respected methodology to the stroke that wins tournaments. According to Rotella, good putting has less to do with mechanics than attitude: golfers who can empty their minds of any thought other than making the putt, follow their pre-shot routine faithfully and believe,
will improve their putting. The book is lucid, well-paced and enlivened by anecdotes of golf champion Jack Nicklaus's selective memory ("He was able to block from his mind all the missed putts. He kept and replayed the memories of made putts"), by an introduction by veteran pro Brad Faxon and by a foreword from Duval. All lovers of the game will benefit from bringing this book to the green. (June 5)
Forecast:Rotella's two most recent titles—
Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect and
Golf Is a Game of Confidence—have been sports-title bestsellers, spawning a huge sideline in calendars and other paraphernalia; this title should continue the trend. Expect it to be placed point-of-sale at the pro shop.
