Top 10 Instructional Videos and DVDs for GolfersThere are hundreds of different titles available to golfers searching for instructional videos or DVDs. Which ones are the best? We surveyed some of the top golf instructors who have contributed to About.com Golf for their opinions on that question, and we also consulted the results of similar surveys done by other publications. The results are below. (Also see links at bottom for recommendations on tapes that focus specifically on putting/short game and tapes geared to women golfers.) This series of tapes, based on the Golden Bear's famous instructional book of the same name, was selected in a "Golf Magazine" poll of Top 100 instructors as the best golf instructional video of all-time. Hey, who are we to argue? It's a multi-volume series. If you can't find the full set, the volumes on "Hitting the Shots" and "Playing the Game" are considered the best. Phil Ritson is co-founder of Ritson-Sole Golf Schools, considered one of the top golf schools in the U.S. This series includes 11 volumes total, covering all facets of the game. Ritson's co-founder, Mel Sole, is a contributor to About.com Golf. Mel told us that this is the only instructional video ever given a 10-star review by "Golf Magazine" - 5 stars for instruction and 5 stars for production value. This 80-minute video breaks down the golf swing into eight steps. Think of each step as a point to stop and check your swing - is your swing in the right position at each checkpoint? Although this is one tape, it's best treated as eight 10-minute tapes: Master Step 1, then advance the tape to Step 2, and so on. In the 1930s, Bobby Jones created the first golf instructional tapes. They were short films that were shown in theaters. They had been long neglected when The Golf Channel began late-night airings, and now they are being rediscovered by golfers of all skill levels. Sure, golf teaching has advanced quite a ways since the 1930s, but you can't go wrong learning from Bobby Jones. You can buy the tapes individually, but also look for gift packs. There are more than 10 tapes in this series, in which uber-instructor David Leadbetter covers all facets of the game. The series of lessons on this tape is geared to recreational and amateur golfers, not the best golfers among us. That means Leadbetter is discussing flaws found in "regular" golf swings, and helping us "regular" golfers figure out what to do. This multi-volume set of tapes came out in the late 80s and features the King going over fundamentals, the "scoring zone" (short game) and the right way to practice. "Fred Couples on Tempo." That title alone makes me want to watch the tape. Sweet-swinging Freddie is the coolest customer on the course with a tempo that can't be topped. This three-volume set includes DVDs on short shots, long shots and course management. Harmon focuses on fundamentals and basics, making this a good choice for less experienced golfers. The video version of Penick's "Little Red Book" features his longtime pupils, Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite, demonstrating the simple, straightforward tips found in the book. | 
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