The Mystery of Golf

First on the list of the Wall Street Journal's "10 Books that Every Golfer Needs," The Mystery of Golf, is a seminal text for golfers and non-golfers alike. Haultain's focus on expected outcome verses earned results not only showcases the physical and psychological difficulties of golf but also makes his method eminently applicable to anyone who desires to excel at any skill that requires dedicated practice. Haultain centers his musings on the frailty of the human body when presented with the stress of physical and mental exertion. In a sport like golf, which Haultain describes as pitting, "yourself against the world," body and mind become the athlete's premier competitor and are often at odds with one another. Haultain delves deep into this disconnect, leading the reader along the balancing act between assumed potential and real achievement that is central to every world-class golfer's psychology. He does not, however, get lost in the particulars, frequently explaining how his lessons from the golf course can be applied to daily life.