'The Impact Zone' by Bobby Clampett & Andy Brumer

By: Dr. John Wagner


I found this to be an interesting book that is well-presented and uses pictures to full advantage. It definitely contains a lot of useful golf-swing instruction, with the end of each chapter providing a summary of the highlights (called "Bullet Points").

Clampett and Brumer's book is, to me, particularly suitable for players who are very serious about the games and their swings. It provides a very detailed analysis of the impact zone and how knowing this information will be of value to golfers. The authors provide instruction on all phases of golf, from driving to putting.

In some ways, it tends to read like an academic treatise which, for me anyway, takes some of the pleasure out of it. I found it slow reading due to all the detail and analysis. For one who likes this style of instruction, the book is full of good, solid reasoning on why Clampett believes his technique is the best.

It is a book I'd recommend, but not one I'd buy as it is not my style of instruction. Still, "The Impact Zone" will be useful for more meticulous golfers.

"The Impact Zone" by Bobby Clampett & Andy Brumer; Thomas Dunne Books; ISBN-10:0-312-35481-9

Dr. John Wagner has been a Seattle dentist for 37 years. He's been published in several dental journals as well as had several articles appear in the turf magazine for Pacific Northwest golf course superintendents. John has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington Business School for several years and as a guest lecturer for several dental societies. Dr. Wagner is the co-designer (with Steve Shea of the Berger Partnership) of a golf course in Japan that cost over $120 million and was built by Wadsworth Golf Construction. He's a Past President of the Washington State Golf Association and a Trustee of the Pacific Coast Golf Association. John is currently a Member of the USGA Green Section and a Director of the WSGA.