If you love golf, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve got at least one best golf books sitting somewhere in the house.
Maybe it’s an instruction book you bought when you were convinced you were finally going to fix your swing. Maybe it’s a biography of one of the game’s greats. Or maybe, like me, you just enjoy reading about golf, the people who play it and all the weird, wonderful stuff that makes the game what it is.
There are thousands of golf books out there, so we’ve picked some of our favourites covering instruction, psychology, history, humour, biographies and the general joy of playing the game.
And yes, I’ve included one of my own.
I’ve updated this list for 2026, removing some of the older recommendations and adding books that we think golfers will genuinely enjoy.
Click the links below to check the latest price and availability on Amazon.
Our 10 Best Golf Books
1. You’re Playing the Wrong Ball – The No-Bullshit Guide to Choosing the Right Golf Ball for Your Game by Craig Barnard
Let’s start with the obvious one.
You’re Playing the Wrong Ball is my attempt to answer a question that most golfers have probably asked themselves at some point:
Does the golf ball I’m playing actually make a difference?
The answer is yes — but probably not in the way you think.
There is an enormous amount of marketing and misinformation around golf balls. You’ve got tour balls, distance balls, soft balls, hard balls, premium balls, cheap balls and an ever-growing number of brands telling you that their ball is going to transform your game.
This book cuts through a lot of that noise.
Rather than simply telling you which golf ball is “best”, it looks at how golf balls actually perform, what’s inside them, how different constructions affect performance and, most importantly, how to work out which ball makes sense for your game.
It’s written in a straightforward, conversational style without drowning you in technical jargon.
If you’ve ever stood in a golf shop wondering whether you should spend £50 on a dozen balls or whether a £25 ball would actually do the job, this book is worth a read.
And if you’re the golfer who has a drawer full of half a dozen different types of golf ball because you’re still trying to find “the one”, you might find it particularly useful.
Buy You’re Playing the Wrong Ball on Amazon
2. The Complete Golf Manual by Steve Newell
If you’re looking for a book that covers pretty much every part of the game, The Complete Golf Manual is a good place to start.
Steve Newell takes you through the fundamentals of the golf swing, from the tee through to the short game and putting. It also covers common faults and ways of fixing them.
One thing we particularly like is that it isn’t just about swinging the club. There is also plenty around course management, decision-making and dealing with pressure.
That’s important because improving your golf isn’t simply about hitting the ball better. Sometimes it’s about making better decisions with the swing you’ve already got.
A useful addition to any golfer’s bookshelf.
3. The Uncorrupted Pleasure of an Old Bladed Putter by James Ellis-Caird
Not every golf book needs to help you hit the ball further.
The Uncorrupted Pleasure of an Old Bladed Putter is much more about the enjoyment of golf itself.
James Ellis-Caird writes about the beauty, humour, friendships and simple pleasures that come with playing the game. It is a refreshing reminder that golf doesn’t always need to be about handicaps, swing speed, launch angles and statistics.
Sometimes it’s just about being outside, playing with friends and enjoying the ridiculous game we’ve all chosen to spend our weekends playing.
Whether you’re a beginner, an experienced golfer or someone who has temporarily fallen out of love with the game, this is a lovely book to pick up.
It would also make a great gift for a golfer.
4. The Little Green Book of Golf by Richard Cartwright
This isn’t your typical golf instruction book.
PGA Professional Richard Cartwright combines instruction with his own experiences and lessons learned from years of coaching golfers.
One of the things we particularly enjoyed is the honesty. Cartwright doesn’t pretend golf is easy or that there is one magic swing that will suddenly turn you into Rory McIlroy.
He also tackles some of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding golf instruction.
It’s practical, honest and written with a genuine enthusiasm for helping golfers enjoy the game and improve.
And ultimately, that’s what golf should be about.
5. Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr Bob Rotella
If you’ve ever hit a brilliant drive on the range and then immediately hit your first tee shot into the trees, you’ll understand why the mental side of golf matters.
Dr Bob Rotella’s Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect is one of the best-known books on the mental side of the game.
The central idea is simple: golf isn’t about playing perfect shots. It’s about developing the mindset that allows you to play your best golf without getting destroyed by every bad shot.
Rotella covers confidence, preparation, dealing with mistakes and playing under pressure.
It’s particularly useful if you find yourself overthinking your game or allowing one bad hole to ruin the next six.
6. Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf by Ben Hogan
Few golf instruction books have had the influence of Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons.
First published decades ago, the book breaks down Hogan’s ideas about the golf swing and fundamentals.
The illustrations are particularly useful and the book is remarkably straightforward considering how complicated golfers have managed to make the swing over the years.
Whether you agree with every element of Hogan’s approach is another matter, but this remains an important piece of golf literature and a fascinating look at how one of the game’s greatest players understood the swing.
If you’re interested in golf history and instruction, it’s well worth having on the bookshelf.
7. Seve: The Autobiography by Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros was one of golf’s great characters.
His autobiography tells the story of his journey from growing up in Spain to becoming one of the most recognisable golfers in the world.
Seve’s creativity around the golf course was extraordinary, and the book provides plenty of insight into his career, his battles and his love of the game.
It’s also a reminder of just how different professional golf was during Seve’s era.
For anyone who grew up watching Seve, this is a brilliant trip down memory lane. For younger golfers, it’s a great introduction to one of the game’s most charismatic figures.
8. Peter Alliss – My Life by Peter Alliss
Peter Alliss was one of Britain’s best-known golfers and commentators, and My Life provides a fascinating look at his career and life in golf.
Alliss won three British PGA Championships and represented Europe in eight Ryder Cups before becoming one of the most recognisable voices in golf broadcasting.
His career spanned an extraordinary period of change in the game.
There’s plenty of golf history here, but also the stories and characters that made Alliss such a popular figure.
If you remember listening to him commentate, you’ll probably hear his voice in your head as you read it.
9. 501 Excuses for a Bad Golf Shot by Justin Exner
Finally, something for the golfer who has absolutely no intention of accepting responsibility for their poor shots.
501 Excuses for a Bad Golf Shot is exactly what it sounds like.
A funny collection of excuses for everything from topped drives to missed putts.
My personal favourite from the original list was:
“I thought we were using the green over there.”
Let’s be honest, most golfers don’t need 501 excuses. We’ve already got plenty of our own.
But this makes a fun gift for a golfer and is the sort of book you can pick up for five minutes and have a laugh with.
10. Golf Tips – How to Improve Your Golf by Craig Barnard
Yes, another one of mine.
Golf Tips – How to Improve Your Golf was my earlier golf book, covering everything from club selection and the golf swing through to chipping, fitness and some of the common mistakes golfers make.
It’s aimed at golfers who simply want to understand the game better and find ways to improve without making things unnecessarily complicated.
If you’re looking for something straightforward and accessible, it’s still worth a look.
What Golf Book Should You Read Next?
The great thing about golf books is that you don’t necessarily need to be trying to improve your handicap to enjoy them.
Some teach you how to play.
Some teach you how to think.
Some tell incredible stories about the people who have played the game.
And some simply make you laugh.
Our list covers a bit of everything, from classic instruction books and golf psychology to biographies, humour and the increasingly complicated world of golf equipment.
And if you’re particularly interested in golf balls, I’d obviously recommend starting with You’re Playing the Wrong Ball – The No-Bullshit Guide to Choosing the Right Golf Ball for Your Game.
What golf books have we missed?
About Craig
Craig is the creator of Up Close Golf, where he’s cut open and reviewed over 300 golf balls to help average golfers find the right ball for their game.
He’s been playing golf for more than 30 years and previously spent several years working at a top-ranked UK golf course. He’s also the owner of Fun Golf, a top-ranked UK golf blog, and an Amazon best-selling golf author.
Pingback: The Best Birthday Golf Gifts - Non-Golfers Buying Guide (2022) - fungolf.co.uk