Jim McLean

  • 6

    Catalog books

  • 4

    Works

  • 1987 to 2009

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Jim McLean writes practical, technique-focused golf instruction rooted in years of coaching. His books — from The Eight-Step Swing to The Slot Swing and Complete Idiot’s Guide to Improving Your Short Game — break down mechanics into clear steps players can practice and measure on the range and course.

McLean combines swing theory with on-course strategy, addressing full-swing fundamentals, short-game fixes, and movement patterns. Jousting with Giants and his coaching manuals emphasize repeatable positions and drills, offering straightforward ways for amateurs to diagnose faults and build reliable shots.

Best Place To Start

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Practical short-game instruction • Step-by-step swing mechanics • Drill-based coaching • Accessible tips for everyday golfers

Genres and themes: Golf instruction • Swing mechanics • Short game • Coaching methods

Who this author is best for: Good for golfers and coaches who want clear, drillable techniques to improve shots around the green and overall swing consistency.

Start with his short-game guide or The Eight-Step Swing to see his coaching style, then use Jousting with Giants and The Slot Swing for supplementary approaches.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Complete Idiot's Guide to Improving Your Short Game

    Alpha Books • 2000 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 352 pages.

  2. Golf School: The Tuition-Free Tee-To-Green Curriculum from Golf's Finest High-End Academy

    Bantam Dell Pub Group • 1999 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 288 pages.

  3. The Eight-Step Swing: A Revolutionary Golf Technique by a Pro Coach

    Harpercollins • 1995 • quick commitment

    It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

  4. Jousting with Giants

    Mainstream Publishing • 1987 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1987 • 192 pages.

  5. The slot swing

    John Wiley & Sons • 2009 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2009.

How The Picks Compare

  • Golf School: The Tuition-Free Tee-To-Green Curriculum from Golf's Finest High-End Academy is the easier short commitment, while Complete Idiot's Guide to Improving Your Short Game asks for more reading time up front.
  • Golf School: The Tuition-Free Tee-To-Green Curriculum from Golf's Finest High-End Academy gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Complete Idiot's Guide to Improving Your Short Game leans later in the catalog.
  • The Eight-Step Swing: A Revolutionary Golf Technique by a Pro Coach is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Complete Idiot's Guide to Improving Your Short Game.

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