The fun and easy way to get into the swing of things and take strokes off your game - fastWhether you're a total beginner or you've clocked a few hours on the links, Golf For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the only guide you need. Packed with expert tips and techniques for everything from mastering your grip, stance and swing to shaping up with golf-specific exercises, this updated and expanded edition of the international bestseller features new, step-by-step photos, tips for women players, seniors and lefties, and loads of fun golf history facts.* Learn your ABCs - master the basics, from golf lingo and choosing your clubs, to who to play with and where* Watch your step - get the lowdown on golf rules, how to keep score, and take a crash-course on gamesmanship and the do's and taboos of golf-course etiquette* Get into the swing - delve into the art and science of the golf swing, including how to blast your way out of bunkers and how to develop an effective putting stroke* Tackle the tough shots - finesse difficult shots like a pro and deal with bad weather and bad luck with grace and skill* Fine-tune your play - zero in on common faults and bad habits and learn time-tested techniques for easily fixing them once and for all* To school or not to school - decide whether formal lessons are right for you and find out how to select a great teacher'If you've ever wanted to know more about golf or improve your game then this is your guide' - The Fairway, from a review of the 1st edition'Does exactly what it says on the tin!' - Today's Golfer, from a review of the 1st editionOpen the book and find:* Tips on choosing golf balls and clubs* Exercises for getting and staying in golf shape* How to develop your own swing* Putting, chipping and pitching* Mastering grip, stance and swing* Simple fixes for common faults* Golf rules and etiquette* Advice on taking advantage of high-tech equipment* Where to play in the UK and EuropeLearn to:* Master your grip, stance and swing* Improve your game with tips from the pros* Overcome the game's mental challenges with tricks and exercises

Introduction 1Part I: Welcome to a Great Game 7Chapter 1: Why Play Golf? 9Chapter 2: Choosing Your Weapons Wisely 17Chapter 3: Taking Golf Lessons (and Other Sources of Help) 35Chapter 4: Getting in Golf Shape 49Chapter 5: Where to Play and How to Fit In 77Part II: You Ain't Got a Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing 87Chapter 6: Getting into the Swing of Things 89Chapter 7: Improve Your Move: Refi ning Your Swing 121Chapter 8: Chipping and Pitching: Short-Game Secrets 131Chapter 9: Putting: The Game within the Game 143Chapter 10: Bunker Play: It's Easy (Really!) 173Part III: Common Faults and Easy Fixes 183Chapter 11: Did I Do That? Solving Common Problems 185Chapter 12: Beating Bad Breaks and Bad Weather 207Part IV: Taking Your Game Public 227Chapter 13: Step Right Up and Play! 229Chapter 14: Rules, Etiquette and Keeping Score 247Chapter 15: Gamesmanship and Sportsmanship 267Chapter 16: Stepping Up Your Game 279Part V: How to Be a Smart Golf Consumer 287Chapter 17: Watching Golf in Person and on the Telly 289Chapter 18: Getting Your Golf Online 303Chapter 19: Screen Gems: Surveying the Best of Virtual Golf 311Part VI: The Part of Tens 315Chapter 20: Golf's Ten Commandments 317Chapter 21: Ten Excellent Courses for Beginners 321Chapter 22: Ten Great European Courses 329Chapter 23: Gary's Top Ten Male Players 335Chapter 24: Gary's Top Ten Female Players 339Chapter 25: Ten Immortal Golf Moments 343Part VII: Appendixes 347Appendix A: Golf-speak 349Appendix B: Golf Organisations 365Index 369