Wanna’ trade a banana for a powerful draw?  If so, here’s the book to help you do it.

Brian Crowell ‘s Slice-Free Golf  (Donelson SDA, Inc., 2011), is dedicated to helping golfers replace annoying, right-side-spinning slices with swings that produce just enough  draw to deliver extra distance and accuracy.  And he says those who follow his three steps will achieve fast results – guaranteed. 

Well, yes, considering each ‘step’ is a series of checkpoints on good golf swing fundamentals, he’s right.  Yet along the way, he does more.  He has some fun with his instructional prose, focuses in on key elements, and adds a myriad of interesting range and ‘backyard’ or indoor practice exercises, which make Slice-Free Golf a good read and golf aid.

Crowell is an NBC sports commentator and PGA Head Professional at Glen Arbor Golf Club in Bedford, N.Y.   In his 20-plus years of teaching, he has seen some recurring themes – the slice being among the most frequent of golf swing ailments.  Hence Slice-Free Golf became his ‘first solo gig’ as an author.

In the book’s introductory pages, Crowell asserts that 82 percent of golfers regularly slice and that its root cause is “a glancing blow of a golf club that results in a ball with side spin.” 

So Crowell’s mission is to not only help players eliminate their slice, but to replace it with slight draw, noting that “the average USGA handicap of those who draw the ball is 15 strokes lower than that of those who slice.”  He also says writes that a draw “produces up to 30 percent greater distance than a slice swing using the same amount of effort.   And, “by reading and practicing Slice-Free Golf, those who struggle to drive a ball 200 yards, can pick up an additional 50 yards.”

It’s hard not to be a bit skeptical at first, when you realize Crowell’s ‘Three Steps’ cover the first 70 pages and are focused on good golf swing fundamentals.   Step One, “Get Set,” includes stance, upper and lower body alignment, ball position, squaring your club and the grip.  Step Two, “Swing,” includes a centered turn, swinging ‘under the foam’ and ball impact.  Step Three, “Release,” comprises ‘letting it happen’ and a balanced finish.

But as Crowell said in our interview, he really had to cover the basics to ensure a baseline among his readers.   “The real meat is at impact,” he said. “A lot of students understand the mechanics, yet I felt I had to cover all the bases.  As you may know, you can’t fix just one thing in a person’s swing.

“In addition, as an instructor, you try to...