11 Best Golf Books To Shoot Lower Scores (Fast)
When it comes to golf, I'm absolutely obsessed with mastering the game.
I’ve written more than 3,000,000 words about golf, read over 100 golf books, recorded close to 400 podcast episodes, and will do whatever it takes to keep improving — both on and off the course.
While lessons, YouTube videos, and endless practice are valuable, golf books offer timeless wisdom that can transform your game mentally, physically, and strategically. Below, you'll find a carefully curated list of the best golf books that have helped me — and thousands of others — play smarter, shoot lower scores, and enjoy the game even more.
Best Golf Books For Every Obsessed Golfer
Here are the top golf books that can change your game forever:
1. How I Play Golf by Tiger Woods
Written at the peak of his dominance, Tiger Woods' How I Play Golf is a masterclass in every aspect of the game. I truly think this is the best golf book ever and always turn to it when I need advice in any area from the GOAT.
To be honest, I’m still kind of surprised he ever published this, let alone during the greatest stretch of golf ever. Tiger breaks down the fundamentals — from driving to wedges and putting — with crystal-clear advice and real-life examples.
This book is loaded with actionable tips that any golfer — no matter your handicap — can immediately use to improve. I’d recommend the physical copy, as it’s filled with endless images of Tiger’s perfect swing to help you get into better positions.
2. Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf
If you need a go-to golf swing book, it’s hard to beat the advice from ball-striking legend Ben Hogan.
This classic remains one of the most influential golf books ever written. Hogan outlines the essential building blocks of a consistent, repeatable golf swing in a way that is easy to understand and apply.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, Five Lessons can help you master the fundamentals that lead to better ball striking and lower scores. This book is swing specific and doesn’t include any tournament, short game, or mental game tips — but if you want to build a foundational swing, it’s a great pick.
3. Wicked Smart Golf by Michael Leonard
As the author of Wicked Smart Golf, my mission was simple — help everyday golfers lower their scores without obsessing over swing mechanics.
After competing in hundreds of tournaments and coaching countless players, I realized most golfers don’t need a prettier swing — they need better course management, a stronger mental game, and smarter practice habits.
Wicked Smart Golf is easy to read, filled with 111 actionable tips, and designed for golfers of all skill levels who want to think better, play smarter, and have more fun every time they tee it up.
The reviews and emails from readers have been overwhelming and I'm so grateful for all the support since releasing it in 2022. Golfers have gotten amazing results with messages like:
- “Your book changed my golf game and took me from the high 90s to the mid 80s in 3 months.”
- “I read your book twice and went from an 18 to a 9.9 handicap this season.”
- “My handicap dropped from 26 in March to 6 by the end of summer!”
Grab it on Amazon or Audible, which also includes over an hour of bonus content.
4. Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella
Dr. Bob Rotella is the OG of golf mental game books and has written some of the best material ever on the subject. In fact, Golf is Not a Game of Perfect was my first real exposure to the mental side of the game — and one of the reasons I became a golf writer.
This top-rated golf book is one of the most famous mental game books ever written — and for good reason. Dr. Rotella teaches golfers how to shift their mindset to focus on confidence, acceptance, and routine rather than perfection.
If you tend to overthink, get frustrated easily, or struggle to trust yourself on the course, this book is a must-read. He does a great job helping you reframe the round, understand the importance of wedges and putting, and have more patience throughout the round.
5. Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent
Zen Golf is one of the most famous mental game books ever written — and for good reason. Dr. Joseph Parent masterfully blends Buddhist philosophy and golf strategy to help you calm your mind, stay focused, and manage emotions during a round.
It’s one of the books I recommend to all my mental golf coaching students and a timeless read (or listen).
It’s packed with short, powerful lessons that can instantly help you play with more confidence, clarity, and inner peace. After interviewing him twice on the Wicked Smart Golf podcast, I can’t say enough about his amazing books.
6. Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible
One of the ways I improved so much in high school (from shooting 124 in my first tournament freshman year to 74 in my first tournament senior year) was by developing a great short game. And one of my favorite teachers on the subject was the great Dave Pelz.
If you want to sharpen your scoring game, look no further than Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible. Pelz, a former NASA scientist turned short-game guru, uses data-driven insights to explain exactly how to practice chipping, pitching, bunker play, and putting.
This book is a must-read if you want to save strokes around the green and consistently shoot lower scores. Don't forget, Dave helped transform Phil's short game into one of the best in the world!
7. Unconscious Putting by Dave Stockton
Putting is everything in golf and one of the easiest ways to improve. Yet, most golfers don’t practice enough, have poor technique, and don’t mentally prepare.
Luckily, Dave Stockton — a two-time PGA Champion and one of the game’s top putting coaches — shares a simple, intuitive approach to rolling the rock. Unconscious Putting emphasizes trusting your instincts, not overthinking mechanics, and developing a consistent mental routine on the greens.
It’s a short, powerful read that will completely change how you approach putting — making it feel natural instead of stressful.
8. GYRA Golf by Dr. Izzy Justice
GYRA Golf made it onto the list of top golf books because it will transform the way you think about the game. If you’re serious about tournaments and want to get your mind dialed in to master peak performance, this is for you.
This golf book offers a fresh, modern perspective on improving your game by blending mindset, strategy, and skill development. When I first read the book in summer 2023, I had just come off my worst event ever. After implementing the advice, I followed it up with a 73 in a UGA Mid-Am qualifier (missing a playoff by one), then went on to win my first multi-day amateur event shooting 68 and 71.
No swing changes — just new mental strategies. If you want a creative, structured way to sharpen your mental game faster, GYRA Golf is an excellent addition to your bookshelf.
Don’t let the lack of reviews fool you — this book is a game changer.
9. Wicked Smart Golf II by Michael Leonard
After the success of Wicked Smart Golf, I published Wicked Smart Golf II in 2025 to help more advanced players break 80 consistently. If you’re committed to becoming a scratch golfer or low single-digit handicap, there’s no doubt this will help.
This book dives deeper into the key areas that separate scratch golfers from everyday players — including short game mastery, mental resilience, and smarter practice routines.
The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive and I’m excited to share my favorite from a podcast listener, Michael N.:
If you’re serious about lowering your handicap into single digits, Wicked Smart Golf II provides the roadmap to get there.
10. Putting Out of Your Mind by Dr. Bob Rotella
Another gem from Dr. Rotella, Putting Out of Your Mind, focuses exclusively on mastering the mental side of putting. If you want a simple approach to be more confident with putting, this golf book is hard to beat.
Rotella makes a compelling case that great putting is more about belief and routine than mechanics — and he shares real-world strategies used by major champions. If you want to build insane confidence with your putter and eliminate the fear of 3-putting, this book will change your approach on the greens forever.
11. Every Shot Counts by Mark Broadie
If you love data and want a smarter way to practice and play, Every Shot Counts is a must-read.
Mark Broadie, the creator of the Strokes Gained statistic, breaks down why some parts of the game matter far more than others (hint: it's not just about hitting fairways).
This book will revolutionize how you think about improvement — helping you prioritize the parts of your game that truly lower scores.
It’s filled with amazing strategies and visuals to help you think your way to better golf. If you geek out on stats like I do (and/or love DECADE Golf), there’s no doubt you’ll gain a ton from this book too.
Other Top-Rated Golf Books
I've read so many it's hard to only list 11 so here are some other classics:
- The Little Red Book by Harvey Penick
- Golf's 8-Second Secret by Mike Bender
- The Elements of Scoring by Raymond Floyd
- Tour Tempo by John Novosel & John Garrity
- Tournament Golfers Playbook by Mike Booker
Closing Thoughts
If you’re serious about lowering your scores and becoming the best version of yourself on the golf course, these books are the ultimate cheat codes. Whether you want to sharpen your swing, master your mind, or strategize like a tour pro, there’s something in this list that can transform your game.
Grab one (or a few), apply what you learn, and watch your scores — and confidence — reach a whole new level.
Looking for even more ways to get better?
👉 Check out Wicked Smart Golf Academy to learn smarter practice, course management, and mental strategies built for everyday golfers.
