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Inner Game
The Inner Game of Golf
W. Timothy Gallwey's bestselling Inner Game books--with over one million copies sold--have revolutionized the way we think about sports. And now, after twenty years of applying his Inner Game methods to the royal and ancient sport of golf, Gallwey brings us this completely revised edition of his classic The Inner Game of Golf, nearly half of which is new material, published here for the first time.
Even the masters of the game, from the venerable Jack Nicklaus to the wunderkind Tiger Woods, must battle their mental demons to excel in the crucible of competition. How do they maintain concentration under pressure? How do they avoid the mental and physical tensions that can sabotage any shot, from the simplest putt to a demanding drive? And how do they contend with the nagging inner voice that says, "You haven't been playing your best today. How will you keep from messing up on this shot?"
Here, Gallwey provides specific ways for you to improve the concentration and confidence that keep your insecurities from hijacking your best instincts, your score, and your enjoyment of the game. In addition to the specifics of Inner chipping, Inner swinging, and Inner putting, Gallwey explains why the art of "relaxed concentration" is the fundamental skill for improving every aspect of your game.
It may seem like common sense nowadays to say that mental approaches are as crucial as physical skills in a good game of golf. But Gallwey was among the first to say it, and he is a pioneer of the modern sports psychology movement. In The Inner Game of Golf, now comprehensively updated, you will find the kind of perceptive and articulate instruction that not only will improve your swing, but, perhaps even more important, will reacquaint you with the pure pleasure of the game.
Even the masters of the game, from the venerable Jack Nicklaus to the wunderkind Tiger Woods, must battle their mental demons to excel in the crucible of competition. How do they maintain concentration under pressure? How do they avoid the mental and physical tensions that can sabotage any shot, from the simplest putt to a demanding drive? And how do they contend with the nagging inner voice that says, "You haven't been playing your best today. How will you keep from messing up on this shot?"
Here, Gallwey provides specific ways for you to improve the concentration and confidence that keep your insecurities from hijacking your best instincts, your score, and your enjoyment of the game. In addition to the specifics of Inner chipping, Inner swinging, and Inner putting, Gallwey explains why the art of "relaxed concentration" is the fundamental skill for improving every aspect of your game.
It may seem like common sense nowadays to say that mental approaches are as crucial as physical skills in a good game of golf. But Gallwey was among the first to say it, and he is a pioneer of the modern sports psychology movement. In The Inner Game of Golf, now comprehensively updated, you will find the kind of perceptive and articulate instruction that not only will improve your swing, but, perhaps even more important, will reacquaint you with the pure pleasure of the game.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1986
About the author
W. Timothy Gallwey
29 books153 followersW. Timothy Gallwey is an author who has written a series of books in which he has set forth a methodology for coaching and for the development of personal and professional excellence in a variety of fields that he calls "the Inner Game". Since he began writing in the 1970s, his books include The Inner Game of Tennis, The Inner Game of Golf, The Inner Game of Music (with Barry Green), Inner Skiing and The Inner Game of Work. Gallwey's seminal work is The Inner Game of Tennis, with more than one million copies in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 22, 2013
Telling our bodies how to do something is not the most effective way to improve performance. p5
The quality of my teaching and of my students' performance took a major step forward the day I realized the extent of the disrupting effects of overinstruction. p5
Three inner game skills: Concentration, Confidence, Willpower. p12
I observed that the one doing the talking, whom I named Self 1, thought he knew all about how to play and was supervising Self 2, the one who had to hit the ball. In fact, Self 1 not only gave Self 2 instructions ,but criticized him for past errors, warned him of probable future ones, and harangued him whenever he made a mistake. It was easy to see that the primary feeling in the relationship b/w these two selves was mistrust. Self 1 didn't trust Self 2 to hit the ball, and precisely to the extent that he lacked trust, he would try to force Self 2 to conform to his verbal instructions. I noticed that when I had more confidence in my ability to hit a shot, there was a corresponding decrease in instructions from Self 1, and that Self 2 would perform amazingly well without him. When I was on a streak, there was no talk in my head at all. p19
I found that in order to decrease interference and increase performance, it wasn't necessary to analyze why doubt, fear, judgement and lapses in concentration occurred; it was sufficient to recognize their intrusion, and then concentrate the mind on something real in the immediate environment. p19
When the mind is concentrated and absorbed in what it is doing, interference is minimized and the brain is able to function closer to potential. Once Self 1 was focused in a concentration exercise, his interference with Self 2 decreased significantly, and performance instantly improved. p20
Forget about trying to get the ball back over the net, and just play "bounce-hit." Gradually it would become obvious to the student and me that the more he focused on the concentration exercise and forgot about trying for correct form, the better his tennis became. p21
I realized that there were two basic reasons for the success of hte bounce-hit exercise. First it is interesting enough to absorb the attention of Self 1, distracting him from his normal interference patters with Self 2. Secondly, the added concentration on the ball gave Self 2 better feedback, enabling him to perform his eye-body-coordination task better. Students who practiced the exercise conscientiously attained a state of mind that improved their technique automatically and made their tennis seem effortless. I called this state "relaxed concentration" because the mind was alert and focused, yet not tense, and the body moved with an economy of effort that gave the impression of ease. p21
To keep Self 1 focused on the club and away from the process of controlling it, I conceived the following concentration exercise. Keeping my attention on the feel of the club head, I would say the word "back" the instant I felt the club head reach its furthest extention at the completion of the backswing. I would simply sense its position without worrying at all whether it was accurate. Then I would say the word "hit" the instant the club face met the ball. "Back-hit" kept me in touch with the club head throughout the arc, and was exacting enough that Self 1 couldn't easily do the exercise while issuing commands at the same time. p23
After a brief period of practicing back0hit or da-da-da your concentration will probably improve, and so your swing will be freer and you will get better results. At the first sign of success, be careful! Don't start thinking that these are magic words, and that whenever you say them the ball will go where you wish. Remember that if it works, its not the words that make it work, but improved concentration. Remember that the words are simply an aid to concentration and that its the concentration that helps. Every time you succeed in blocking out Self 1 and allow Self 2 to hit the ball, you will get better results. But you have to make the effort every time; relaxed concentration is easy, but it has to be constant and continuous. Techniques to help gain that concentration are only as effective as your steady use of them. "Relaxed concentration." p26
BOBBY JONES: "The golf swing is a most complicated combination of muscular actions, too complex to be controlled by objective conscious mental effort. Consequently, we must rely a good deal upon the instinctive (Self 2) reactions acquired by long practice. It has been my experience that the more completely we can depend upon this instinct - the more thoroughly we can divest the subjective mind of conscious control - the more perfectly can we execute our shots. That intense concentration upon results, to the absolute exclusion of all thoughts as to method, is the secret of a good shot. Few great shots are played when the mind is fixed on the position of the feet, the behavior of the left arm, etc." p27
Doubt is the fundamental cause of error in sports. p37
The effects of self doubt can be minimized if we attempt to see what it is. It tends to strengthen as the challenge increases. p42
In short, "trying" is essentially compensation for mistrust in ourselves, and generally leads to poor performance. p44
SAM SNEAD: "The only thing wrong with your swing is what's wrong with most amateurs; you don't hit the ball with your practice swing." Something about the presence of the ball invites doubt.) p45
Whatever you're trying to do, don't. Don't try to do it and don't try not to do it. Simply don't try at all and see what happens. p47
The true professional keeps his goals high, without letting himself become so emotionally attached to them that he fears failure. His sense of his own value is independent of external results. He doesn't listen to self-doubt, nor does he perform by rote. He dances to the tune of his Self 2 intuitions. In this state of mind his attentiveness to detail is sharp and selective. He sees each situation as it is, not as he would have liked it to be, and nonjugementally he perceives in each situation opportunities to propel him toward his goal. The he gets more done than most, his acts seem relatively effortless. p49
This association had the same magical effect for me. I held in my mind the memory of tossing a tennis ball and felts so comfortable inside that I didn't steer. Ball after ball went straight toward the market. Only when I got sloppy with my technique or started thinking about my swing would accuracy desert me. p53
On the putting green, I had the best results by associating mentally with reaching in the hole and picking up the ball. For chipping, I liked thinking about the simple action of taking the stick out of the hole. p53
The association signals the mind to relax, but does not tell the body how to swing. It is effective in inducing a state of mind that is optimal for performing a physical action. p54
Hod do "do-instructions" incur doubt? How do you walk down a flight of stairs? How do you tie your shoe? How do you write your name? Think about one of these actions and see if you can come up with a set of instructions about how to perform it. Then try to do the action by following your own instructions. p60
The primary difficulty lies in our inability to translate any but the simplest verbal command into a bodily action. When asked to do more, we invite self-doubt because the brain cannot consciously control the body with words; that part of the brain that analyzes , conceptualizes and instructs us verbally is incapable of moving a muscle, and has only a limited capacity to communicate to the part of the brain that does control our physical behavior. p60
Fundamental to the Inner Game approach to teaching is a workable alternative to the do-instruction, one that engages the student in learning from experience and increases his self trust. Awareness Instruction is a command to the attention of the student rather than to his body. Instead of saying, "See if you can do this or that," it says, "See if you can see, feel, or hear what is happening right now and right here." For example, "Pay attention to the direction of the downswing." The back-hit exercise introduced in Chapter 2 involves an awareness instruction that requests that the student focus on the club, with special emphasis on its position at the back of the swing, and at its completion. None of these call for a change in behavior, but simply for heightened awareness of what is happening. p62
"See if you can feel whether the blade of your club is open, closed or square at impact" is also an awareness instruction, circumventing the doubt about doing it right by involving the pupil's mind in the process of simply noticing what is happening. The instructor might ask the student to shut his eyes, then arrange the club in different positions -open, square, and closed- until he can feel the difference in his hands while the club is motionless. The next step is the challenge to the student to see if he can feel the angle of the face at the moment of impact when the club is moving at normal speed. If the student thinks that this is a gimmick to help him to hit the ball square, his apt to try to do it right, and to be caught in the same trying mode as if he were simply told to make sure that his club was square at impact. But if he takes the awareness instruction for what it is - simply a request that he attempt to feel what is happening with the face, no matter what it is - then there is no question of right and wrong, the mind focuses on the experience and soon experiential learning will take place as he learns to differentiate the sensations of the different angles of the club face. p62-63
Awareness instructions are radically different from do-instructions, and tend to put the student in another frame of mind entirely. They engender a mode of learning that is free of doubt, frustration, and discouragement. They induce a national state of learning, which, once rediscovered, progresses organically and rapidly. Most important, they strengthen the student's faith in his own capacity to learn from experience; the instructor's role is only to help him in focusing on the most relevant parts of his experience. p63
The translation of this doubt-producing do-instruction into awareness instruction might sound like this: "Just swing the club without trying to do anything, but feel whether, on the downswing, it's moving from outside the ball - that is, further away from your body- to inside - closer to your body, or the other way around." Before beginning, the instructor might move the arms of the student from the outside to inside and then from inside to outside to give him a feel for the difference. As soon as he can distinguish between these two broad categories of movement while actually swinging, the student can be asked to distinguish more subtle changes. He might be asked to see if he can tell after each swing whether it was more or less inside out than the last. In this case, in order to pinpoint his focus more subtly on the swing, awareness can be heightened by the use of a rating scale. If a downswing that is square to the target line is Zero, a swing that is slightly inside out could be a +1... p63-64
The most difficult thing about awareness instructions is to realize that they work, when all your life you've believed only in do-instructions. p66
"Can you come within 6 inches of telling me where putt stops? No, don't try to sink it and don't try to miss it. Just putt toward the hole and see if you can tell by feel alone where it goes." p68
May 22, 2021
I don't play golf any more, but read this book not long after taking up golf quite a long time ago, about a 17 handicap at that time. And at that stage not appreciating very well the importance of the mental game was definitely an impediment towards enjoying each game more, and improving my skills. This book was quite an eye-opener for me, and by applying a few of the mental management techniques suggested by Gallwey managed to take 4 or 5 shots off my handicap quite quickly. But the book was also an incentive to practice and play more, which helped to no end as well! In fact it was only well after assimilating the contents of this book I played my best golf reliably in the mid-single-figures handicap range. Recommended for any golfer wishing to enjoy the game and progress beyond the golf-hacker stage.
May 21, 2007
Gives you simple tips on how to concentrate on your golf game. Well worth a read..
March 3, 2024
This book reminds the reader that the 'Game' of golf is just a game - rather than the inner 'game' oneself brings to it ...
November 21, 2022
It’s all in the mind
August 2, 2021
This is a very different kind of golf improvement book. It focuses on the mental side of the game, rather than providing technical analysis of the golf swing. As such, it's a welcome relief and complement to most of the golf improvement books out there. Gallwey has lots of interesting insights about the importance of quieting your own internal critic/instructor and letting the childlike natural learning behavior that we all had when we were kids take over. This isn't simply a matter of relaxing and not getting stressed, though. Gallwey has lots of ideas about the best ways to attain a state of "relaxed concentration." This feeling of being in the zone, he argues, will lead to the greatest improvements in your game and the most enjoyment. It's definitely a thought provoking book and I look forward to taking his lessons to heart in the months to come. If I can put his ideas into practice and both improve my game and have more fun while playing, I'll be back here to bump my rating up to five stars. Recommended for all golfers, regardless of your playing level.
April 22, 2016
Da da da da ......
Don't care how many it takes, just enjoying hitting the cover off the little white ball.
Don't care how many it takes, just enjoying hitting the cover off the little white ball.
March 30, 2021
My first foray into learning about the mental side of golf. Been playing for a long time and wanted to explore new ways to improve and this book delivered. It will change the way you approach the game and get you to question the how and why of everything you are already doing. This book is the antidote to the thousands of instructions you have absorbed over the years bouncing around in your head in your backswing.
Engaging story telling from someone with decades of coaching experience and the first hand accounts and stories of his battle to break 80. Gallwey does a great job of weaving oh so familiar stories everyone can relate to on the course with what he has learned working with athletes of all stripes from hackers to the tour.
This book provided me with a new outlook on the game and a refreshed perspective that make all my time on the range/course more enjoyable and a positive learning experience.
Engaging story telling from someone with decades of coaching experience and the first hand accounts and stories of his battle to break 80. Gallwey does a great job of weaving oh so familiar stories everyone can relate to on the course with what he has learned working with athletes of all stripes from hackers to the tour.
This book provided me with a new outlook on the game and a refreshed perspective that make all my time on the range/course more enjoyable and a positive learning experience.
March 24, 2023
This is one of my favorite books that I have read. I'm usually a bit bored by nonfiction, but I really like this book. I loved the part about focus and I also liked the examples given about other golfers. This book gave some great examples of how to better yourself. The tip about moving your grip was also an excellent addition to the book. The tips like this are what made the book so good. I gave this book 5 stars. I would recommend this to any golfer.
The part of this book that I didn't like is that I got bored after reading this for a long time. The parts about actual golfers entertained me a lot. One of the parts that bored me was the part about changing some things in your stance. I liked the part about what types of balls to use. I didn't like how long that part was. Overall I like all the parts to the book and would recommend it to anyone. It's one of the best nonfiction books I've read
The part of this book that I didn't like is that I got bored after reading this for a long time. The parts about actual golfers entertained me a lot. One of the parts that bored me was the part about changing some things in your stance. I liked the part about what types of balls to use. I didn't like how long that part was. Overall I like all the parts to the book and would recommend it to anyone. It's one of the best nonfiction books I've read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 29, 2024The Inner Game of Golf" by W. Timothy Gallwey is a transformative exploration of the psychological aspects of golf, offering readers a comprehensive guide to mastering the mental challenges of the game. Gallwey, renowned for his Inner Game series, applies the principles that revolutionized tennis to golf, providing a fresh perspective on improving performance through mental discipline. Golf is popular sport for betting also as cybersport or football and sure you can make your bet's in https://1xbet-egypt.com/
At the heart of Gallwey's approach is the concept of "relaxed concentration," a state of mind that allows players to perform at their best by overcoming the self-doubt and tension that can sabotage their game. This book is not just about golf; it's a manual for life, teaching readers how to apply these principles beyond the green to achieve personal and professional success.
At the heart of Gallwey's approach is the concept of "relaxed concentration," a state of mind that allows players to perform at their best by overcoming the self-doubt and tension that can sabotage their game. This book is not just about golf; it's a manual for life, teaching readers how to apply these principles beyond the green to achieve personal and professional success.
April 21, 2021
Try to give someone instructions for walking down the stairs. It’s a mechanical process, but we do it intuitively. That how golf should be played and taught. Feel > Mechanics.
I loved the “law of awareness” and the natural learning process. Essentially, “if you want to change something, first you must increase your awareness of it.” The natural learning process is being aware without judgment and letting your body and mind work together to automatically achieve improvement. There is no “do this or don’t do that.” Only few matters.
Loved the concepts in this book and the real golf exercises given to increase ones own feel and awareness.
I just finished the book today but have been putting differently on the practice green. Instead of trying to make it on the hole, close your eyes and try to feel where it went. Great stuff!!
I loved the “law of awareness” and the natural learning process. Essentially, “if you want to change something, first you must increase your awareness of it.” The natural learning process is being aware without judgment and letting your body and mind work together to automatically achieve improvement. There is no “do this or don’t do that.” Only few matters.
Loved the concepts in this book and the real golf exercises given to increase ones own feel and awareness.
I just finished the book today but have been putting differently on the practice green. Instead of trying to make it on the hole, close your eyes and try to feel where it went. Great stuff!!
July 31, 2021
Excellent book on the mental aspect of the game of golf. Golf is Not a Game of Perfect was equally helpful. I don’t purchase many books, preferring to borrow from our local library in Carmel which has a pretty good inventory of books (not as good as Naperville).
However, I purchased Tim Gallwey’s book The Inner Game of Golf. I had read The Inner Game of Tennis in high school and took away many great actionable tips from it.
The Inner Game of Golf helped me find pleasure in playing golf I had rarely enjoyed. Some excellent tips and actionable advice to improve your game and enjoyment of golf.
However, I purchased Tim Gallwey’s book The Inner Game of Golf. I had read The Inner Game of Tennis in high school and took away many great actionable tips from it.
The Inner Game of Golf helped me find pleasure in playing golf I had rarely enjoyed. Some excellent tips and actionable advice to improve your game and enjoyment of golf.
April 5, 2019
Recomiendo la lectura a todos los aficionados del golf.
Tiene una propuesta muy interesante no solo del aprendizaje del mismo sino también de la forma en que lo podemos encarar para que se transforme en una experiencia revitalizador
a del encuentro con uno mismo, con las emociones y sensaciones que el jugo de golf nos despierta y hacer de ello una actitud no solo deportiva sino también personal. Lo recomiendo
Tiene una propuesta muy interesante no solo del aprendizaje del mismo sino también de la forma en que lo podemos encarar para que se transforme en una experiencia revitalizador
a del encuentro con uno mismo, con las emociones y sensaciones que el jugo de golf nos despierta y hacer de ello una actitud no solo deportiva sino también personal. Lo recomiendo
November 25, 2017
Not just a great golf instruction book, but a great sports psychology book. It's no small wonder since the author wrote The Inner Game of Tennis first. These lessons are applicable to nearly any sporting endeavor. Truly insightful and original in it's approach. It's no wonder this started a movement. It's a pretty cool story too. Particularly since it's true.
September 9, 2018
Definitive book for dealing with all the thoughts that are racing through your mind while you try to play golf, along with a great description of what makes golf different from most other sports when it comes to interference from the mind game.
It would be heard for me to believe there is any golfer that would not benefit at least a little, and most a lot, from reading this book.
It would be heard for me to believe there is any golfer that would not benefit at least a little, and most a lot, from reading this book.
December 23, 2018
I felt a great excitement during certain passages and wanted to rush to the driving range and try for myself. After only one round of golf my game has improved immensely.
See above my review has been written on the wrong line. Hope to read any follow up in the future.
See above my review has been written on the wrong line. Hope to read any follow up in the future.
October 24, 2020
Tim Gallwey is one of the fathers of the modern coaching. As Professional Coach this is the first and most excellent book I would recommend to every coach and any person looking to change the status...Highly recommended
January 19, 2022
Absolutely loved the authors previous book The Inner Game of Tennis. This one was way more specific to golf than tennis was to tennis - less relatable or broadly applicable to the general public, but perfect for someone like me with a newfound interest in golf
February 19, 2024
In golf, mastering the "inner game" is just as crucial as perfecting your swing. It's about mental focus, visualization, and staying in the zone. Speaking of honing skills, I've found that cultivating a strategic mindset extends beyond the green. That's why I highly recommend exploring platforms like https://1xbet-ar.biz/. Much like the precision required in golf, navigating the array of games and betting options demands strategic thinking and calculated decisions. It's not just about chance; it's about understanding the game, assessing risks, and maximizing opportunities. So whether you're fine-tuning your golf game or enjoying the thrill of online gaming, embracing the inner game mentality is key.
December 30, 2017
Tennis is more his forte, but I thought he covered golf nicely.
February 6, 2020
Whew! I don't think I will ever master a golf swing, or perhaps any other activity, but Gallwey's points for keeping the mind quiet have application far beyond the fairways.
January 24, 2021
I gave up half way through. Yes we get it. Relax, think of something else, and this works really well for tennis. How many different ways can you say the same thing?
February 23, 2021
what i needed
this book reinforced what i have been doing on my own. my pro has been teaching me this as well
this book reinforced what i have been doing on my own. my pro has been teaching me this as well
February 1, 2022
Applicable to the mastery (or pursuit) of so many things beyond golf.
March 31, 2022
good learned some stuff for golf season about your mental game
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May 8, 2022A good book on the positive mental side of golf.
December 8, 2022
A simple theory for golfers who over think every move. Just have fun and let it all flow naturally. Can't wait for spring to try out his ideas.
May 1, 2023
one of the most inciteful golf vooks ive read and its already helped my inner game
August 29, 2023
It is such a mental game. Inner Game has improved my approach and understanding of it.
September 18, 2023
Inner game of tennis was suggested to me by a two time Indiana state pool champion who I’ve helped peel off the floor of the bar a few times. Good man. Golf version more applicable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews