Breakthrough in Golf – Reviewed by Rob Errera for IndieReader

Golf is a lot like life. It’s a game of self-improvement, always trying to beat a personal best. It’s about second chances; there’s always another round, another hole, another shot. But bad habits can lead to ruin. For golf pro/author Curtis Elliott, good golf is all about the hips. Elliott’s BREAKTHROUGH IN GOLF (Building a Winning Golf Swing with the Hip to Hip Method) teaches readers how to drive a golf ball with strength and accuracy using the hip-to-hip method of swinging the club. The idea of twisting the hips to generate torque and power is common among athletes, from baseball power hitters to Olympic discus throwers. It’s a technique golfers use too, but they might not realize the importance of it. Elliott contends that a proper golf swing begins and ends with the hips. Crank the right hip back, and the shoulders and arms will follow. Swivel the hips evenly, and the flat part of the club head will hit the ball squarely. Follow through and pop those hips open to the left; the arms and shoulders will drive the ball with power.

Golfers who follow Curtis Elliott’s method will find their game much improved. Elliott’s advice is good, and he does an excellent job explaining the concepts and breaking down the mechanics of a golf swing. Like many “how-to-books,” BREAKTHROUGH IN GOLF is a bit bloated. The core concepts could have been condensed into a chapter or two. But that would make for a very short book. Elliott extends the page count by touching on golf philosophy, history, and going pro. The most valuable chapters include stretching exercises and clearly explained drills to get the most out of the hip-to-hip method. Illustrations by Peter Birren are adequate but look unfinished and could be more clear. Overall, Elliott balances solid info and actionable exercises with philosophical theory in BREAKTHROUGH IN GOLF. His descriptions of what it’s like to play the game — on both good days and bad — are spot on. Follow Elliott’s advice and golfers should be on the green in two.

While author Curtis Elliott spends a lot of time on his credentials and the physics of swing theory, his hip-to-hip method is excellent, and the drills and exercises he outlines in BREAKTHROUGH IN GOLF (Building a Winning Golf Swing with the Hip to Hip Method) will help golfers of all levels improve their game.