Harvey Penick's Little Red Book

Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime of Golf

By: Harvey Penick, Bud Shrake

Narrated by: Jack Whitaker

Length: 1 hr and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Harvey Penick's life in golf began when he was eight years old, caddying at the Austin, Texas, Country Club. Eight decades later, he is still there, dispensing wisdom to pros and beginners alike. His stature in the golf world is reflected in the wide array of champions that he has worked with, including those featured in this audio program. And it is not for nothing that the Teacher of the Year Award given by the Golf Teachers Association is called the Harvey Penick Award. After sixty years of keeping notes on the things he's seen and learned and on the golfing greats he's taught, Penick lets the secrets in his Little Red Book be heard by the golf world in this classic work. His simple, direct, practical wisdom pares away all the hypertechnical jargon that's grown up around the game, and lets all golfers play their best - whatever their level.

©1993 Harvey Penick, Bud Shrake, and Helen Penick, All Rights Reserved (P)1993 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

A golf essential

I couldn't believe there was no review for this so I had to offer my 2 cents. While the avid reader & student of golf will probably find nothing new, it's still an essential part of your golf library. I own dozens of golf books but find myself returning to this gem time after time. Broken down into pithy little chapters, the uncomplicated wisdom of this man shines through like a break in the clouds as you approach the first tee. It's not clever or sophisticated, and all the better for it. As my game grows, so does my love for this book: I find more and more depth of meaning in the words.

Incomplete book

This book is incomplete. Purchased Audible and Kindle version. They do not match. The chapters of this are in a completely different order, missing full paragraphs from chapters and missing full chapters. I’m not sure if it’s abridged, revised or a technical issue but it’s wrong. Called customer service multiple times with the only option being to return/refund. Save yourself the headache and read this one instead of listening. Great book, bad review for the audio version.

Enjoyment at it’s best if you are a golfer

If you are a golfer and you are a student of the game you will absolutely enjoy this book. I have it in hardcover and the Narrative by Jack Whitaker is wonderful.

The must have

I was golfing with a father and his 11 year old son last summer. While the father was a good player it was evidant that the 11 year old was more consistant and had a better form. Even these duffer's eyes appreciates a great swing. I shared this with the dad who went on to add, "Get them when they are young; find something that will ineterest them; the rest will take care of itself. Wel that was not all. He then added have you read Harvey Penick's "Little Red Book"?. I hadn't. He offered that I should. Everyone should. I found the abridged version here and it now provides me with the best golf lessons I could ever find. Harvey breaks the game down to its manageable parts and provides insights as to how to improve. His understanding of the game was truely amazing. Just ask any emrging 11-year old golfing star.

Steve Tissenbaum
Toronto, Canada

Who Knew Golf Was Actually Simple

A down to earth story written by a down to earth, gracious man. Mr. Penick teaches with a simplistic methodology, and his greatness as a professional golf instructor was due to his love of the game of golf and his endless pursuit to help others experience it.

short and simple

you have to have played golf in order to understand some of the theories (albeit being an obvious comment, this read was suggested to me when I started golf, therefore some suggestions were not as obvious).

Listen listen listen

I listened to this book be read so many times and learn something new every time. Perfect for any skill level.

Timeless Masterpiece

This short book is no doubt a timeless masterpiece not only on golf but on the life a great man. Anyone, pro or beginner can surely relate and benefit from hearing it.

Learning Golf from the BEST!!!

If you are serious about learning golf, learn from the BEST... Harvey Penick and his "Little Red Book."

good stories great man

good learning tools some good technique tools for older golfers and a few for younger

Must read for all golfers

Simple but superbly told from the humblest and greatest golf teacher ever.
I'm listening again and again. My scores will tumble.
Thanks for your little red book Mr Pennick

quite average book. there are better ones.

I have read by now quite a lot of books about Golf and there are many books that are more interesting or useful than this. on the other hand I'm sure you can easily pick several advices for you

It is a classic but may be nothing new!?

It is always difficult to criticise a “Classic”, especially from a respectable person in the history of golf.
But I think most text books in golf might have covered the same thing and may be this little Red Book is more simplistic and therefore easier to understand!
I am glad now I have listening to it after reading it many years ago, but I can’t say I can say I have learned anything new!?
Good luck to people who enjoy it.

Timeless instruction from a master

I read this book when I first started golf over 30 years ago. Listening to it again not only brought me back to it, it reminded me of some of the things I still need to work on today. Is a must read/listen for any golf enthusiast.

Nice Pictures

Great bite sized pieces of information to create mental pictures to help ones game of golf. Recommended.