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Review:
The Impact Zone: Mastering Golf's Moment of Truth - by Bobby Clampett
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To start with, let me explain who I think this book is for, and who it isn't for.
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If you're somewhat new to golf and looking for a basic instruction manual, then you may want to look elsewhere.
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And if you're an intermediate player working with an instructor to develop your swing mechanics, this probably isn't for you either.
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But if you've been playing for a while, are a student of the golf swing and searching for some insights on how to sharpen your ball striking, then
The Impact Zone
is a book you should look into.
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I came across it about 7 months ago and finally had a chance to thoroughly go through it. I've always been something of a left brain player when it comes to understanding the golf swing, and Clampett's scientific approach always appealed to me.
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The golf swing has just one purpose - to hit the ball solidly...
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The Impact Zone
doesn't cover a "method" for swinging the golf club, and Clampett isn't advocating a particular swing theory; what the book excels at is in its examination of the crucial few inches at, and just beyond impact. A golf swing's moment of truth.
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One problem most traditional instruction books have is in the use of known PGA tour players to illustrate a particular method. Anyone old enough to remember the Square to Square golf swing will understand the following example.
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Maybe it was me, but none of the popular players used to illustrate the Square to Square swing seemed to follow its principles in any way. A fault I've found in more than few instruction books. So it's refreshing to find a book that manages to help sharpen your swing without a religious devotion to a particular swing style.
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In
The Impact Zone, Clampett is purely interested in the moment of impact and what a golfer needs to do the effectively move the swing bottom about four inches in front of the ball; something that's critical for achieving crisp, solid contact, and that all accomplished players do.
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Easy to follow drills that help you move of your swing bottom forward are presented to help you get the feel for the right impact position.
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The book also explains impact in such a way that you'll begin to understand why certain moves you've incorporated into your swing work so well. And
The Impact Zone will enhance any instruction you're currently working on.
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Not to over simplify things, but the book stresses several dynamics that are the hallmarks of an effective swing: a flat left wrist at impact, a swing bottom forward of the golf ball, properly loading the shaft, the body pivot and lag, and a straight plane line. Each area is covered in detail with chapters on equipment and the mental side of golf as a bonus.
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One point you may want to pay particular attention to is his concept of the "aiming point" as it relates to the forward swing bottom. It took several readings before I was comfortable with the concept and the way to incorporate it in my swing.
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The only knock? It can seem a little dry if you compare it to Gary McCord's Golf for Dummies, but it's well worth the effort for anyone wanting to refine their ball striking.
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You can find out more, or purchase The Impact Zone here...
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