Golf Monthly Presents – Build a Better Swing – 8th Edition – 20 August 2026
Summary
177 golf tips packed into 130 pages — Build A Better Swing 8th Edition (20 August 2026) is the densest instructional volume in the Golf Monthly Presents series, covering Fundamentals, Fault Fixer, Practice Tips, and a Management section that tackles the mental game and on-course decision-making. The experts list includes sports psychologists alongside teaching pros, reflecting a shift towards mindset as a scoring lever.
The FUNDAMENTALS section re-establishes grip, stance, posture and alignment — the four pillars that every swing is built on, regardless of handicap. FAULT FIXER identifies the 12 most common swing faults (slice, hook, fat, thin, shank, etc.) with a dedicated drill for each. PRACTICE TIPS offers structured sessions for the range, short-game area and practice green, with time-efficient plans for golfers who can only practice once a week. The MANAGEMENT section covers pre-shot routine, course strategy, playing in wind and rain, and a chapter from a golf psychologist on handling pressure and breaking out of a slump.
What separates this from other instructionals is the fault-finder diagnostic — each fault is cross-referenced to a root cause and then to a specific drill, so the reader doesn't have to guess which tip applies. The 177 tips are numbered throughout, making it easy to revisit a specific fix without re-reading entire chapters. The photography is clear but utilitarian; this is a workbook, not a coffee-table book.
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Content Guide
▸ Fundamentals
p.XX · Grip
Three grip types (overlap, interlock, baseball) and the pressure scale from 1-10 that prevents tension. A 10-second test that tells you if your grip is too weak or too strong.
p.XX · Posture
Spine angle, knee flex and weight distribution — the three posture variables that change with every club. The mirror drill that locks in consistent posture in 5 repetitions.
▸ Fault Fixer
p.XX · The Slice
Path, face angle or both? A two-ball drill that identifies which variable is causing your slice. How a 1-inch grip change can straighten a 30-yard banana ball.
p.XX · The Shank
Why the shank is almost never a equipment problem and almost always a path/contact issue. A headcover-under-the-arm drill that eliminates the hosel strike within 10 swings.
p.XX · The Fat Shot
Low point control — the single most under-practiced skill in golf. A board drill that gives instant feedback on whether you're hitting the ground before the ball.
▸ Management
p.XX · Pre-Shot Routine
A 15-second routine built around a trigger word, one practice swing and one look at the target. Why a consistent routine cuts double bogeys by 40 percent.
p.XX · Playing In Wind
Trajectory control using ball position and club selection, not swing changes. The knockdown formula: one more club, three-quarter swing, ball back one ball-width.
p.XX · Mental Game
A sports psychologist's framework for handling the shot that matters most. The breathing technique that Tour players use between shots to reset focus. The four-word phrase that stops a three-hole spiral.
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Editor's Take
This is the most complete self-coaching book in the series, and the numbered-tip system makes it genuinely useful as a reference, not just a one-time read. The Fault Fixer section is the strongest — the cross-referencing from symptom to cause to drill is what's missing from most instructional books. However, the Management section, while welcome, is too short at roughly 12 pages; the mental game alone could fill a separate volume. The photography is functional but dated-looking compared to modern video instruction, and the book doesn't include any QR codes or links to video follow-ups, which feels like a missed opportunity for a 2026 release. The price point (£9.99 / $14.99) is fair for the volume of content.
Strengths
• 177 numbered tips are easy to reference and revisit
• Fault Fixer cross-referencing system saves trial-and-error time
• Mental game chapter adds genuine new content not found in earlier editions
Weaknesses
• No video QR codes or digital integration
• Management section feels compressed relative to its importance
Verdict: Recommended — the best fault-diagnosis tool in print for the self-taught golfer, though a digital companion would have doubled its value.
