Reviews (3)

the bbbbboooook!
I thought the the book was great! Tiger is a great athlete and has a great attitude!The way dat matt writes da book makes it cool. I think u should read it!

On the course with tiger woods
I thought that the book was great!I think that Tiger is a great athlet and has a great attidude. I think the way Matt Christopher puts the book makes it easy for kids to read. I think you should read the book because it it phat!

The book tells you about his life and things that happened.
Tiger is a very fast learner. He even learned when he was 8 months old. He went to many tournaments. His father was even in the Vietnam war. I liked this book because it tells about his cool life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Given golf's sad tradition of relegating women to secondary status in the grill room and non-prime times off the tees, it's not surprising--though hardly defensible--that the wisdom of the game's best women teachers has largely been pushed into the rough as well. And this isn't just a loss for women golfers--it's every golfer's loss. Mona Vold, on her way to becoming a teaching pro herself, seeks to remedy this slight in Different Strokes. In the mold of Harvey Penick's inviting collections, this is a wonderful accumulation of tips, insights, and anecdotes from some of golf's best female instructors. Their names--Gloria Armstrong, Peggy Kirk Bell, Kathy Whitworth, Debbie Massey, and Betty Jameson--might not all sound familiar, but their knowledge and their ability to pass it on are breathtakingly real. This is much more than an instructional, though. Different Strokes is a plaintive and powerful journey--a journey made quite personal through Vold's own quest to meet and learn from these matriarchal masters--into one of the overlooked chambers of golf's heart. "I set out east, west, south and am greeted repeatedly with generosity and kindness," Wisconsinite Vold reports. "'You learn so much by being asked a question,' the great amateur and now 79-year-old pro Betty Jameson tells me. 'Everyone needs a listener--something more than a seashell. We aren't just Proettes. Our days, our swings, our games, our minds are full. We have things to tell....'" And there isn't a golfer alive who won't get something out of listening to them. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A wonderful collection of earthy stories by golf's originals
For those of you who have just begun playing golf and for those of you have already become addicted to the sport, this book is for you. Vold makes women golf legends like Kathy Whitworth come alive with the stories of the hardships and fun of the originators of the LPGA. But this is not just a book of stories. There are valuable, common sense tips that you can use today. (although don't try to use them all at once...you'll go crazy) I will treasure this book and will make it the centerpiece of my growing golf book collection. Read it!

I don't play golf, but I loved this book.
This book captures the essence of people with passion, whether it be golf, music, nature...Vold writes from the heart and makes me wish I could meet each of these legendary women. For those who play gold, i believe there is also technical wisdom that might help any golfer who shares a passion for the sport with the women in the book.

A unique gallery
"If a person has any greatness in them, it comes to light , not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of their daily work." Beryl Markham "West with the Night"

The women Mona Vold writes about in her book, "Different Strokes", are national treasures worthy of any reader's time. And although the common thread of their journeys is the world of golf, the passion of their hearts, the clarity of their minds and the strength of their voices both dig deeply into and transcend that rich and humbling game.

Without reservation, I highly recommend this wise and thoughtful book.

Inspirational reading for all golfers
Fun to hear what the other half has to say about the game. Great stories a good read for any golfer. Not to sure about the technical information. You might want to purchase GOLF IS A WOMAN'S GAME to set you straight on that. Both books really elevate women's golf.

Top Book on Women's Golf
This book has it all....contemporary history of women who love the game and made the LPGA what it is today, nostalgia, technique and lots of food for thought. Any woman who has a passion for golf must read this one. I seldom read a book more than once...I'm on my third time through in less than three months. Do yourself a favor by buying it and keeping it near your nightstand to refer to again and again. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Dead Solid Look At Vintage Pro Golf
Before Tiger, before Jack, before Big Bertha, there was Arnold Palmer and a 40-week season where golf's greatest players paid cost for their wardrobes and counted themselves lucky being able to spend a weekend at the Holiday Inn.

Dan Jenkins followed the sport closely as a columnist with Sports Illustrated, and his work is still regarded as definitive examples of sports journalism. At its best, "The Dogged Victims Of Inexorable Fate" documents what made golf special in the 1960s before it became the superstar circuit it is today.

On Palmer, the King of the sport during that decade, though he never won a major after 1964. Jenkins writes movingly about him in one essay: "He is the most immeasurable of golf champions. But this is not entirely true because of all that he has won, or because of the mysterious fury with which he has managed to rally himself. It is partly because of the nobility he has brought to losing. And more than anything, it is true because of the pure, unmixed joy he has brought to trying."

Most of the time, Jenkins foregoes the heartstrings and settles for the funny bone. Take his lead on the PGA Tour's most august tournament: "It is commonly known among a select group of Masters goers that many of the best shots of the tournament are served in tall paper cups on the upstairs porch of the Augusta National Golf Club." About a freespending golfer of an earlier era: "If Jimmy Demaret had won the money he would have been 8 to 5 to leave it in a bar or blow it on a handmade pair of orange and purple saddle oxfords."

Funny stuff. Jenkins also scores points in summing up the histories of tournaments and eras in ways that are definitive and deceptively breezy. Reading him is to get a sense of how golf writing moved from the stodgy versifying of Herbert Warren Wind to the snarky cool of Rick Reilly and Alan Shipnuck, not to mention the gang in the 18th hole tower at ESPN. For that, and other things, he may well have been the most revolutionary golf writer, and this book offers some prize examples why.

But there's something to be said for stodgy, too. Wind was not a snappy writer, but he was a measured and thorough one, and reading his account of golf's beginnings in America feels more like the real deal. Jenkins too often uses situations and characters as backboards for his zings and one-liners, then moves on, whereas Wind or another writer might linger and find something of value. Jenkins doesn't quote the players so much as channel them through his narrative, and though it is readable, it's suspect, too. He's also an impossibly snobby overdog, focusing on the favorites and ignoring the field. He seems to watch every tournament from the most exclusive part of the clubhouse, in the company of CEOs and Ben Hogan. He doesn't fawn, but he doesn't find a seat closer to the crowd, either.

At least two of his essays, a faux-Runyanesque tale of a freeloader living off Tour luminaries and an account of a round with several Hollywood stars, seem like excuses for hobnobbing and overstay their welcome. But the rest vary in quality from illuminating to awe-inspiring.

The second-to-last piece, "The Glory Game," is considered one of sports writing's all-time best. It's a really great first-person account about a group of compulsive gamblers who play on a Fort Worth muni course that whips through its longer-than-average length. Also terrific is "The Big Window," which details how CBS covered the 1966 Masters by putting the reader in the control room with blustery producer Frank Chirkinian.

Jenkins' book isn't up there on the top shelf of my golf library with Wind's "The Story Of American Golf," Shipnuck's "Blood, Sweat & Tees," or John Feinstein's "A Good Walk Spoiled," but if you like your sportswriting salty and dry, this is a good jar of peanuts to dig into.

my absolute favorite book
This is my absolute favorite book, of any kind, on any topic, by any writer. (And I've written books of my own!) It's simply great, and repays rereading again and again.

The funniest golf book ever written!!!
I first read this book in 1977 as a requirement for my high scool golf team.I was actually sent to the principal`s office because my laughter was disrupting other student`s in the library! The antics of the gang at Goat Hills is a absolute scream. It`s Jenkin`s at his best. I `m buying extra copies for my foresome to read at the 19th hole!! ... Read more

Book Description

From one of golf's funniest, most popular players comes another hilarious look inside the pro sport and the people who play it.

For nearly thirty years, Peter Jacobsen-player, entertainer, (off-) color commentator, television host, golf-course designer, and entrepreneur (but, no, he doesn't do windows)-has been a favorite of fans and fellow golfers, and when he published Buried Lies in 1993, it was an immediate success. But a lot has happened since then-to him, to his colleagues, and to the game itself-and so it's high time he launched a mulligan.

From Jack Nicklaus to Michelle Wie, Tiger Woods to Vijay Singh, Jacobsen takes you behind the scenes of the pro tour like no one else can, as he tells you what it's like to play the PGA and Champions tours simultaneously ("from flat-belly to fat-belly"); how John Daly nearly decapitated a spectator; what players really say to each other in the locker room; why getting on SportsCenter is not always a good thing; how Payne Stewart got back at Paul Azinger for beating him in a tournament (moral: always check your shoes before you put them on); why loaning your caddy to Tiger Woods can be a mistake; what made Arnold Palmer change his shorts; and how Jacobsen won the U.S. Open (well. . . kind of).

Throughout, it is a book filled with wit, warmth, insight, and just plain fun: a pure delight. So grab your sticks and strap on your nails-let's go another round. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Sliced For a Double Bogey
Just like the drive that starts right down the middle, then slices way off to the right, this book is a letdown.

It promises such great things, inside the ropes of the best golfers. It doesn't deliver, but rather just provides collected anecdotes, rather than real first hand observation, interview, etc.

Suggest turn to some great golf writing on the topic, e.g. Lorne Rubenstein's "Links:An Exploration" of which Greg Norman says this is one of rare journalists who understands the tour, and John Feinstein's "The Majors."

There are many golf books better than this one!
Please don't waste your money on this book, while the premise is good, the writer appears to have no real access to the players and/or is very afraid of pissing them off. He doesn't tell anything pithy about any player or tournament and if you know anything about golf you will come away very disappointed. Additionally, the author's writing is lackluster and he appears to rely on second hand information and the anecdotes of others. The best lines of this book are on the back of the jacket cover and after that well... there are just a lot of better golf books!

By the way the 5-Star review (in this section) "Strenge Aces the PGA Tour" is either written by his publisher or his friend. There is not a sign of "meticulous research" in this book and it is not even remotely in the same league as The Majors.

Boring and Trite
Well...I got it...I wish I could return it. Good bathroom book. That's about it. save your cash.

A Good Read Spoiled
This is not John Feinstein. This could have been a great read BUT there is NO substance! I am not sure that I learned a single thing about the tour from reading this book. Golf magazines provide more information than this guy - who seems to have relied on very weak interviews and a lot of soft second hand stories.

Note: the jacket cover has all the substance you are going to find in this book and even then you have heard most of them!

PLEASE NOTE: This guy reviewed his own book as

"exceptionally informative... and insightful", something it is clearly not!

Don't waste your money!

Good Insider Stuff on Tournament Week
Breezy, easy to read anecdotal insights into what goes on inside and outside the ropes at golf tournaments. This is a real light summer read with some new stuff on competitive golf. I liked it. ... Read more

Book Description

Read the dramatic life story of Karsten Solheim, inventor of the PING golf club-the clubthat revolutionized the game of golf. Solheim's rise from shoemaker to world-recognizedgolf club designer and manufacturer is one of American industry's greatest success stories.Understand how Karsten Solheim's faith in God propelled him toward success. His passion forquality and belief in himself and his ideas became the hallmarks of his success and that ofhis business, the Karsten Manufacturing Company. An inspiring read for anyone with ambitious dreams and a love for the exciting game of golf. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wondering how the business aspects of the game have evolved?
Tracy Sumner's Karsten's Way is the fascinating biography of Karsten Solheim who was a visionary pioneer in the design of golf clubs, the founder of PING, and for whom The Solheim Cup was named. Karsten's influence and ideas were to profoundly influence both golf and the golf equipment business. If you've ever held a golf club in your hands, or wondered how the business aspects of the game have evolved, this Karsten's Way will prove to be as inspiring as it is informative.

Hear the PING??
A good book to read when you feel like things aren't going your way....there's a reason why things happen in people's lives (i.e. GOD)...after i read the book i now know why i felt PING golf equipment is the best...never sacrifice what you believe in

I sincerely commend this book.
Friendship and respect are two of the most precious assets in a man's life. Karsten Solheim enjoyed both in large measures throughout the golf world. We shared a very special relationship, owed to my now having played Ping clubs for 20 years. I sincerely commend this book, "Karsten's Way," for it is above all, the story of a far-sighted pioneer, and an essential record of how he revolutionized golf with his exceptional passions.

where is the golf club maker?
If you are looking for a sermon on religion you have come to right place , but if you are looking for a great insight to the mind and workings of the greatest inovator in clubmaking ever....look somewhere else. this book is about 10% golf and 90% religious praise for this beloved man. Don't get me wrong I respect his devout beliefs but that could have been summed up in about 3 pages not 150. I never fealt that I got any info on how he came up with his great club Ideas, the ping website has better information. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fun book
An excellent book and the perfect gift for a golfer.Anyone that appreciates the history of golf will love it.

Good content, a little disorganized.
This book includes anything and everything on Jones, his family, O.B. Keeler etc.And the book itself is divided into several sections for the various stages of Jones' life and career.There is a great deal ofinteresting material presented within.My only criticism is that thebook is frankly a little tough to follow at times.The writing seems tomeander in a stream-of-consciousness manner, somewhat like a "what Idid this year" letter from an aged relative.The photographs (whichare the main reason many will buy this book) are dispersed without much ofa theme, and there is also some repetition of the photos.Many photosinclude no captions, leaving you to wonder what the significance might be. The random arrangement of the photos almost give one the impression you areleafing through a scrap book.Don't get me wrong.There is a lot to behad here, it's just not the most polished piece of work you're going to runinto. ... Read more

Book Description

Biting the head off a bat, peeing on the Alamo, snorting a line of live ants... That's yesterday's news. Get the real dirt on Ozzy and his thermonuclear family in The Osbournes.The Osbournes: The Unauthorized !@#$-ing True Story of the Osbourne Family by David Katz and Michael Robin (Andrews McMeel Publishing, August 2002) is an account of Ozzy's impoverished childhood and adolescence, the birth of his musical career, the rise of Black Sabbath, his marriage to his first wife Thelma, his downward spiral into self-destruction and despair after being thrown out of Black Sabbath, and the unlikely intervention-and salvation-by Sharon Arden, the woman who loathed him at first sight but became the love of his life.The Osbournes also documents the genesis of the MTV series and places it in historical context with insightful observations on its predecessors in the realm of reality and "mockumentary" film and television genres. And of course, The Osbournes includes such vital Ozzy data as:Ozzy's Black Sabbath discography; Ozzy's solo discography; A head-to-foot "thinking man's guide to Ozzy's tattoos"; A "bleeped word count"-by episode-of the first season of MTV's The Osbournes.MTV's smash hit show The Osbournes is just the tip of the iceberg: this book will tell you what Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack were doing before we started watching. The story of the Osbournes before they were The Osbournes is more outrageous and unbelievable than anything you've seen on TV. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very informative !
Well put together and very informative. I have watched The Osbournes maybe a half dozen times and I have listened to Qzzy in my youth. It was very nice learning the little details that could only be found in book form.

(mumble) ozzy (mumble)
The world has been inundated with Ozzy books. This one is the best-looking of the bunch, and the funniest. It treats the Osbourne family as they seem to want to be treated: with humor and (albeit irreverent) respect.

Best Ozzy book
Of all the Ozzy books that have come out with the success of his TV show, this book is easily the best. It is the best written, the funniest, and the authors knew what parts of Ozzy's life would be most interesting to readers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fine exit
This book is the story of the Jack Nicklaus's farewell tour of the 4 majors. After hip replacement surgery, Nicklaus decided that 2000 would be the last year he would attempt to play in all 4 of professional golf's major championships. In a way, the timing worked out great. He was not normally exempt for the U.S. Open, and he assumed that 2000 would be the last year he would be granted a special exemption to play. I guess I am of the age that I really don't quite remember him when he was at his dominant peak of golf in the 70's. I just remember his great wins at the U.S. Open and at the Masters when most people had written him off as being too old. So this book is confirmation of his role as probably the greatest golfer of the 20th century, but is is sort of sad at the same time that it isn't until the age of 60 (!) that Nicklaus has to admit to giving into father time. He admits that he can't apply his ferocious will to get the ball in the hole when he wants to anymore. If you are a fan of Jack or of golf in general, this book is highly recommended ... Read more

Book Description

The editor-in-chief of Golf magazine examines the friendship that took root while he and his son set out to dispel the myth that golf is a good walk spoiled. Teenagers are notorious for differences with their parents, but George Peper has been lucky to share a special friendship with his 18-year-old son, Scott. For the past decade, the two have bonded over a mutual passion for golf, spending hundreds of hours together they would never have enjoyed if not for their love of chasing around a little white ball. Now, Peper examines their relationship, analyzing how their roles have morphed from faultless father and worshipful son to teacher and pupil, dictator and insurgent, and ultimately, target and assassin, as son tries to outscore father over 18 holes. In an endearing portrait, George Peper hits on the universal lessons of life, love, and golf--as he's learned them from his teenage son. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Ace!
For those of us who love golf and have children,George Peper's book, Playing Partners, is a must read. Golf, like children, is a life time endeavor, sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but deeply enjoyable. This book captures all the subtleties of these parallel pursuits and shows that there is no magic formula for success, just hard work and practice. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Inspiration
What an inspiration this book was for me. To travel all over and make people enjoy the game you love after over-coming many obstacles and handicaps...this book can inspire those who love golf, dogs, traveling, the pursuit of a dream! Truly, something I will remember

Horrible book, really awful
This is another of those pity party books. Really, just another poorly written book that has no redeeming qualities.

This is a book for you
This is the first time I have ever felt compelled to write a review on a book that I have read. Please understand that I have known Dennis for over 30 years and that I may be a bit biased, but this is a book that is important for people to read. This is the story of a regular normal everyday person who has soared over what life has delt him. Dennis has found a way to follow his dreams and do the things that are important to him overcoming every obstacle in his way. The book evokes every emotion as you read about his life and his struggles. This is a great read for golfers and non-golfers alike with its lessons on how to deal with life. Buy it and share it with others. ... Read more

Book Description

Arnold Palmer driving the 1st green in the final round of the 1960 U.S. Open.

Hale Irwin sinking a cross-country putt on the 72nd hole of the 1990 U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods hitting a 6-iron from the bunker to secure the 2000 Canadian Open.

All three, the experts say, belong among the game's greatest, most memorable shots. But what do the players who hit them think? Ron Cherney, a California dentist with a lifelong passion for the game, decided to find out.

For five years, Cherney and sportswriter Michael Arkush sent out letters to the best players in the world asking what they felt was the greatest shot they ever hit. Amazingly, the responses poured in. Players sent letters, e-mails, faxes, and, believe it or not, a Post-it -- describing what they were thinking and feeling when they pulled off the shot of their lives.

Some were clutch shots, executed before big crowds in big tournaments, others were hit far away from the spotlight, but provided the confidence the players needed to fulfill their dream of competing at the top level.

Cherney and Arkush have compiled 80 of these accounts complete with brief interviews with the players and highlights of their careers. In addition to Palmer, Irwin, and Woods revealing their greatest shot, the collection includes letters from Amy Alcott, Se Ri Pak, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and many other top players. My Greatest Shot is an irresistible gift for any golf fan.

Reviews (2)

A Unique and Wonderful Book for any golf enthusiast
This book of entertaining and successfully compiled letters from the best golfers in the world, past and present, brings memories and the love of the game to the forefront. A great idea and a special book espcially for those who have been following the game for a long time. This book will be greatly appreciated by any golf enthusiast.

The Dream Shot
This book shares the pros greatest shots that we mortals that play golf can only dream of. It is terrific to hear the pros describe in their own words, the shots that made an impression on these bigger than life performers who routinely make amazing shots every day. Great reading and a great book to give as a gift to anyone who plays, watches, or dreams about golf. ... Read more

Book Description

Life with a Swinger reveals the personal challenges, compromises and quests faced both by husbands whose "day job" is a rare calling and by the wives who choose to supports then through the ups and downs of the game.Ninety-six contributors from the world of professional golf share their stories in their own words."With their book, Kay Davidoff-Ziplow and Leslie Zinberg have filled a dimension long glossed over in the literature of golf-the game's showcase world of the PGA Tours from the perspective of the wives.They play such an important part in the overall picture, and now we have a compilation of their thoughts and feelings as they have lived their unique lives at the sides of their husbands.Most interesting reading indeed."

-Arnold Palmer ... Read more

Amazon.com

Given the sweep of two-time Masters' champion Ben Crenshaw's career,there's an irony to the fact that he'll be better remembered for captaining the1999 Ryder Cup team to its cardiac comeback than for anything he accomplishedbetween the ropes. It's an irony not lost on Crenshaw. He devotes a full fourthof his graceful memoir, A Feel for the Game: To Brookline and Back, tothat remarkable event in which, when all seemed lost, he still professed afeeling for victory. Kneeling on the edge of the 17th green as Justin Leonardprepared to hit that cross-country putt on the final day, Crenshaw had theperspicacity and faith to accept that "the impossible was unfolding in front ofme." And he let it.

But then, there was much in Crenshaw's career that seems, in retrospect,impossible, like the emotional second Masters' crown won just days after thedeath of his mentor, the beloved teacher Harvey Penick. Still, it's the RyderCup captaincy that defines Crenshaw now, and he turns his prodigious grasp ofgolf history and tradition--the Cup's Brookline venue is particularlysignificant to him--into a lively and analytic portrait of the event. In bothbroad strokes and telling detail, he lifts the curtain on his thinking and theCup's mysteries--from player pairings and those wild Sunday shirts to theremarkable phone call a week later from British captain Mark James essentiallyaccusing the Americans of cheating. In reaction, Gentle Ben belies his nickname.Nor is he gentle in his final screed on how advanced technology is threateningthe game. "For centuries, golf has had a strong enough backbone to hold onto itsbeliefs. I hope it continues." With backbones like Crenshaw's stiffening forbattle, there's reason to believe it will. --Jeff Silverman ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A missed opportunity
As a lifelong golfer and Ben Crenshaw admirer, I waited in anticipation for Crenshaw's story, both of his development in the game as well as his version of the 1999 Ryder Cup. After finishing "A Feel for the Game," my first question is: did co-writer Melanie Hauser do ANYTHING on this book? There is no writing style; it's as though Crenshaw simply rambled into a tape recorder and Texas golf writer Hauser merely did the transcribing. The end result is a cliche-ridden effort where friends and associates are described with little more than banal generalities, such as Crenshaw's portrait of former Augusta National Chairman Bill Lane as "a very nice man." Believe me, that's as much texture as you'll get when trying to learn about some of the most powerful and fascinating people in golf.

With a slew of course records as a teenager and three straight NCAA championships, there's no doubt that Ben was a prodigy, as one golf magazine described him, "The College Kid Who Beats the Pros." Left completely out of "Feel for the Game" is HOW Crenshaw became so skilled. Yes, he played a lot at Austin Muni and Austin Country Club, but both Crenshaw and Hauser failed to let even a hint of Ben's ego to come through and the result is a lukewarm history that could have been so very much richer. The result fails to amaze or even inspire. Hauser's voice is nowhere to be heard and while it's certainly not HER book, the "golly gee," and "oh wow" tone that reflects Crenshaw's renowned polite gentlemanliness sadly causes "Game" to sound like little more than a list of happy facts. The potential was there to provide the reader so much more.

Yes, there is the tale of Crenshaw's Ryder Cup captaincy and here he exhibits more backbone than "Gentle Ben" would normally demonstrate by again explaining the burst of enthusiam ignited by Justin Leonard's winning putt at the fateful 17th. I'm with Crenshaw on this one: if had been the Europeans come from behind victory on home soil, that bunch would have acted in exactly the same manner.

Unless one is Jack Nicklaus, you don't have many autobiographies in you and the fact that this is Crenshaw's certainly leaves one wishing there had been a more concerted effort to put some bite in the story of this athlete who has been so affected by fate through his golfing life. Crenshaw admits that a number of writers had initially been enlisted to help him with the tale... it's just too bad that Melanie Hauser brought only a tape recorder and left her reportorial instincts on the putting green.

Not a bad taste but could use more beef
As a lifelong golfer and Ben Crenshaw admirer, I waited in anticipation for Crenshaw's story, both of his development in the game as well as his version of the 1999 Ryder Cup. After finishing "A Feel for the Game," my first question is: did co-writer Melanie Hauser do ANYTHING on this book? There is no writing style; it's as though Crenshaw simply rambled into a tape recorder and Texas golf writer Hauser merely did the transcribing. The end result is a cliche-ridden effort where friends and associates are described with little more than banal generalities, such as Crenshaw's portrait of former Augusta National Chairman Bill Lane as "a very nice man." Believe me, that's as much texture as you'll get when trying to learn about some of the most powerful and fascinating people in golf.

With a slew of course records as a teenager and three straight NCAA championships, there's no doubt that Ben was a prodigy, as one golf magazine described him, "The College Kid Who Beats the Pros." Left completely out of "Feel for the Game" is HOW Crenshaw became so skilled. Yes, he played a lot at Austin Muni and Austin Country Club, but both Crenshaw and Hauser failed to let even a hint of Ben's ego to come through and the result is a lukewarm history that could have been so very much richer. The result fails to amaze or even inspire. Hauser's voice is nowhere to be heard and while it's certainly not HER book, the "golly gee," and "oh wow" tone that reflects Crenshaw's renowned polite gentlemanliness sadly causes "Game" to sound like little more than a list of happy facts. The potential was there to provide the reader so much more.

Yes, there is the tale of Crenshaw's Ryder Cup captaincy and here he exhibits more backbone than "Gentle Ben" would normally demonstrate by again explaining the burst of enthusiam ignited by Justin Leonard's winning putt at the fateful 17th. I'm with Crenshaw on this one: if had been the Europeans come from behind victory on home soil, that bunch would have acted in exactly the same manner.

Unless one is Jack Nicklaus, you don't have many autobiographies in you and the fact that this is Crenshaw's certainly leaves one wishing there had been a more concerted effort to put some bite in the story of this athlete who has been so affected by fate through his golfing life. Crenshaw admits that a number of writers had initially been enlisted to help him with the tale... it's just too bad that Melanie Hauser brought only a tape recorder and left her reportorial instincts on the putting green.

Hey here's a bandwagon lets jump on it
It is a great pity that someone who I have no doubt has the highest integrity and honour should feel the need to jump on the Brookline Bandwagon.

In exactly the same way as Mark James did Ben has chosen to use the degeneration of one of the true last great sports to sell a book. Both Ben and Mark should consider their responsibilities to the game of Golf which is bigger than both of them. The shameful scenes (The USA celebrating and Europe sulking) at Brookline should not have been an opportunity to cash in but a lesson in how not to behave.

The remainder of Ben's book tells of the honour of the great game and the many great people who have played it. The legacy of Brookline let Ben, his contemparies and peers badly down. It should be a lesson to all of how not to continue.

Ben is undoubtedly a gentlemen and a great golfer, it is a pity is reputation is sullied by selling an otherwise great read on something that no-one should be proud of. I am afraid one apology will never be enough!

A Book about Golf and Fate
This book is Ben Crenshaw. It is very conversational and relaxed and makes you feel like you're sitting around in the Grill Room of your club or around the fireplace, listening to this wonderful person who is a prominent, successful golfer.

The editor did a marvelous job letting this book sound like Ben wrote it. His passion for the game, for the people who are important in his life --- they come out in this great read.

His love of the history and sportsmanship and honor of the game is overarching as the book begins and continues. The fate of his amateur days with the Country Club with Francis Ouiment and later Ryder Cup glory is chilling and superb.

This guy is what the game is all about. He admits to not being the best player ever nor at times, but one can easily see by his life and style why so many pulled for him to win.

His association and passion for Jones and Pennick and his wife and fellow pros is very moving.

I appreciated so much his honest comments on the Ryder Cup at Brookline and the behind the scenes events. Having read James' book on the incident, I'm now more convinced than ever this was just sour grapes on the European captain's part.

This is just an outstanding read. Will take its rightful place in my golf library and in the history of this great sport.

I've Just Got a Good Feeling about This.
The title of this review is one of captain Ben Crenshaw's final statements in his media interview on the night before the finishing day of the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The next day, the Americans put on a golfing clinic that became what many consider the greatest team comeback victory in golf. This book does a nice job of recounting Mr. Crenshaw's leadership during that Ryder Cup and the highlights of his fantastic golf career. Anyone who is a golf fan will want to own this book.

The book is not so much an autobiography of Mr. Crenshaw's career as it is a series of related essays that share interesting parts of his history and perspectives.

As a golfer, Mr. Crenshaw will probably be equally long remembered for his two Masters championships and for losing 8 playoffs without a win on the PGA tour. But his captaining of the U.S. Ryder Cup team may well be the strongest memory that most will have of his connection to golf.

I had the honor and privilege to be a marshal on the 10th hole throughout the tournament. Early in the final day, people were estimating that the American team had less than one chance in a hundred to win. Then as the magical day unfolded, the Americans won six straight matches. It was nip-and-tuck with the rest. As the gallery cleared the 10th hole, I followed the last groups around the course. I just happened to find myself standing near Michael Jordan near the 17th green as Justin Leonard made the 45 foot putt heard round the world. I estimated the chances of holing that putt at being less than one in two hundred. It was a tough uphill putt with a lot of break on a very fast green. That day will remain in my memory as the most amazing spectator sport experience of my life. Do you remember where you were when Mr. Leonard sunk that putt? 14 1/2 U.S. - 13 1/2 Europe was the final score.

The book has many interesting details and perspectives on the Ryder Cup match. These date back to Mr. Crenshaw's first visit to TCC when he was a teenager for the Junior Amateur. The book also weaves in the story of how the first American came to win the U.S. Open at TCC.

You will find separate chapters on growing up in Austin, Mr. Crenshaw's relationship with Harvey Penick (the pro at the Austin Country Club who taught both Tom Kite and Mr. Crenshaw), his relationship with Mr. Kite, winning the two Masters (one only 7 days after Mr. Penick died, following one final lesson), his experiences with Little Ben (his putter for decades), the temper that earned him the joking nickname of Gentle Ben, his views on other Texas golfers, his personal problems with a divorce and thyroid disease, his reflections of Payne Stewart's death, and the future of golf. He also includes many lists that help explain his favorites in many dimensions (from golf courses to designers).

Mr. Crenshaw is a "feel" golfer, and he talks about the challenges of getting the right feel throughout the book. But he also acts on his feelings, like sharing his confidence about a U.S. victory in the Ryder Cup (the Americans had almost come back to win in Spain two years earlier after being down by five points going into the final day).

After you read this book, I encourage you to remember that you always have a chance as long as you are still breathing. Too often, we "quit" on ourselves. Let your life be imbued with good feelings, and good results will often follow.

Improve your positive feelings about yourself when playing golf, as well as in pursuing the important parts of your life! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Full of Wonders!
This book has easily accessible information, really interesting stories, fabulous archival photographs, good insights into women golfers, and just the nicest TONE. Would be good for experienced golfers, for those just starting, and for those who might enjoy reading about the history of the sport from the distaff side. A good book to read when you're waiting for someone else to finish a round, or to inspire you to get out there and swing that club! ... Read more

Book Description

Over a career that lasted from the early 1900s to the late 1940s, no other golf course architect is credited with more fine layouts - or is more revered - than Donald J. Ross.

Brad Klein's Discovering Donald Ross: The Architect and his Golf Courses is a monumental work on this monumental figure in golf.The text is rich in detail, and the book is filled with old drawings, maps, and photographs of many of Donald Ross's most famous courses- several of which have been the site of numerous major championships over the years.From Oakland Hlls in Michigan, to Oak Hill in New York.From Seminole in Florida, to French Lick in Indiana.From Interlachen in Minnesota, to Inverness in Ohio.And from Aronimink in Pennsylvania, to Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.And the list goes on and on.

A lot of people who play golf today know the name of Donald Ross, but not enough of them are aware of the effect this modest and unassuming man had - and continues to have - on the game.Discovering Donald Ross is a wonderful way to discover for themselves the life and work of a true artist. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Discovering Bradley Klein's Ross
In "Discovering Donald Ross," Bradley S. Klein has written a book which can be thumbed through and enjoyed as visual entertainment by the casual golfer/reader or closely studied by the ardent student of the old game. Left on the coffee table or the night stand to be used to fill precious spare minutes with golf-related dreaming, the photos and captions alone will captivate and enlighten the reader. Dr. Klein has revealed himself as a talented photo-journalist, equally comfortable telling the story of Donald Ross with pictures or with words. Be prepared to be educated while being entertained. Using wise delineation of chapter headings, Klein walks us through Ross' childhood, family life, and career to the ultimate reason for the book: the author's knowledge of and desire for preservation of classical, especially Donald Ross, golf courses. Anyone who has the blessing of playing one of Klein's cited courses will understand his devotion. Lovers of biography will be fascinated by Klein's stories of Ross' background and personality. History buffs will learn through clearly written text and old black-and-white photos the problems encountered in golf course constuction as well as the societal and economic limitations that Ross faced. Those who get caught up in beautifully photographed golf landscapes will be captivated by the visual journey from windswept Scottish links where Ross was weaned to America's varying terrain where Ross was to be so successful. Klein's book, like a Ross course, represents a value and pleasure for the user, whether casually approached or closely scrutinized.

A golf legend comes alive
Brad Klein has done a superb job in this lavishly illustrarted story of Donald Ross,long recognized as one the original "founding fathers" of the golden era of golf architecture. While it shows dozens of courses in detail,it is much more than a picture book, since it tells the story of Ross right from his earliest days in Scotland. Klein weaves a very readable and interesting picture of the life and accomplishments of Donald Ross.

The book is well named since it a wonderful journey of discovery. There are all kinds of new insights for even the Ross fans who thought they read everything about DJR. But it will hold the interest of any reader who loves to read about a rich, full life told well. About a man who left Scotland for America without enough money to buy his second meal but who worked so hard he became one of the best paid individuals in all of sports.

And it is about a man who never forgot the meaning of family and his employees.

Brad Klein's book is throughly researched, well written and shows a genuine love for golf and for one of the men who made it great. Mr Klein is on his way to join that list.

John Purcell

A Painstaking Much Awaited Masterpiece
There is little doubt of the time and effort it took to reasearch this phenominal book on one of Golf's Great Heroes.

Author Brad Klein gives the reader a inside view of not only who Donald Ross was, what he represents to the game of Golf today, as well as a revealing throwback to an age gone by.

Aerial photos, course diagrams, and other pertinent data show the reader just how much the game's playing grounds have changed, and the effort to hold on to their design critieria as was intended by this soft spoken man from the North of Scotland.

I would highly suggest this book to all who love the game of Golf itself, as well as the courses of Donald Ross; and for those who love golf courses, in general.

Must reading for anyone who has played a Ross masterpiece
I am not aware of any other golf course architect who has a society named after him, but this book is required reading of Ross groupies and non-groupies alike. As a member of Longmeadow Country Club in Massachusetts (which is given ample coverage by the author), I learned to appreciate the subtlety and genius of Donald Ross. It was further driven home after spending 4 days following the best seniors in the world at the US Senior Open at Salem CC, and watching them struggle with a realtively short golf course by today's standards. Par was the winning score. Brad Klein illuminates for the reader how Ross did it. Reading the book is like getting the secret code that unlocks the mysteries of his design philosophy. The only danger in reading the book is that you just might get annoyed with modern golf course design. However, you may learn to appreciate great golf architecture whatever the vintage.

Donald Ross: his life, his style, and his golf courses
My expectations for "Discovering Donald Ross" were reviews of his prominent designs and a lot of color photos of how they look today. This book has that, but also so much more.

My initial response was to be impressed by the respect Dr. Bradley S. Klein commands from others in the world of golf. Jack Nicklaus wrote the comments that appear on the back cover and Pete Dye penned the Foreword. Such heavyweights lend credibility to the journey that unfolds between the covers as you learn about Mr. Ross's life in great detail.

First off, understand this is not a "Confidential Guide" to Donald Ross courses. Dr. Klein has written a comprehensive biography on the individual, which inevitably turns to discussion of his work and design philosophy.

Through exhaustive reserach, Klein makes an attempt to list all of the courses that have been touched by Ross's greatness and determine whether or not he made it on site. An attempt to chronicle all of the courses designed by Ross is beyond the scope of this book, leaving a follow-on sequel a distinct possibility.

Many courses are mentioned, but they tend to be his most significant work in some measure. For example, Interlachen CC in Edina, MN is often cited as one of his best courses, but it isn't profiled here because it was a redesign of an existing course and was already Ross's 7th venue to host the U.S. Open. The courses that are covered can be viewed as milestone works - Oakley was his first, Essex his earliest "great" work, Seminole his last, Pinehurst where he spent the most time, and Teugega located where he had a girlfriend!

You will find just the right amount of old memorabilia and correspondence to satisfy those looking for heavy detail without boring those who are more inspired by colorful photography.

For fans of Donald Ross, Klein's work will serve as the Bible for an examination of personality and design style. It even goes so far as to dispel some of the myths, like saying Pinehurst's crowned greens are the result of years of topdressing instead of architectural intent. ... Read more

Book Description

Jimmy Demaret: The Swing's the Thing tells this champion’s fascinating and untold life story.

Jimmy Demaret was the first golfer to win three Masters, with victories in 1940, 1947, and 1950. His total of 31 wins on the PGA Tour still ranks him among the top 15 golfers in total wins. These records established Demeret’s prominence in golf from the mid-1930s through the 1980s and led to his work as the host of All-Star Golf and Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. An exuberant character, Demaret was known for his flamboyant attire and famous friends. In the year 2000, both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest named him one of the most important players ever in the game.

This book includes photos of Demaret and his friends Ben Hogan, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope, as well as rare images from throughout his career. ... Read more

Book Description

Gary McCord has been playing the PGA tour for the last twenty-three years, and broadcasting for CBS for the last ten.His tournament success has been, shall we say, mixed.But during those years, he admits, "a number of strange and interesting things have transpired."Now, through his unique greens-eye view, McCord brings them to us:the Tour, the personalities, the culture, the very sights and smells of professional golf.Inside you'll find people named Norman, Nicklaus, Pavin, Watson, Mickelson, and Daly.But you'll also find deeply funny tales of terror on everything from Qualifying School to the Masters.In all, Just a Range Ball... is a work of pure delight from Gary McCord, television's number one golf commentator and iconoclast. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I thought it was decent
If you are familiar with Gary McCord then you should know that he is a little off the wall. Therefore, it wasn't a surprise that this book was off the wall. As a golfer, reading this book helped me to relax and enjoy the game more. It also helped in putting a smile on my face. This is not a book that should be taken seriously. Rather, it is a book that can help you find joy in the little things you do.

Entertaining and peculiar
This is an entertaining and somewhat peculiar collection of essays from Gary McCord. I say somewhat peculiar, because I'm never sure whether they are truthful or tall tales. Probably somewhere in between. But what does it matter whether they're literally true or not--it's not as if I have some kind of personal reference what life on the PGA TOUR is like.

McCord has been funnier and is funnier when he's speaking. This book has a weird, atmospheric style. More deadpan than you'd expect. It's as if he's speaking parables to you and you're never quite sure which parts are supposed to be funny. There's something else about the style ... as if he is trying to stay one notion ahead of the reader, which he accomplishes by leaving out a thought or two from time to time. I can't say it's bad, but it's not what one would expect.

I'd rate this 3-1/2 stars but I'm stuck with whole numbers. It's definitely better than average ... but not great. If you want side-splitting, colorful tales, you'll want to check out Peter Dobereiner's work. This book provides a stranger, more meditative experience.

Don't quit your day job
I have always enjoyed the light humor and spontaneous comments that McCord brings to television commentary. However, this is a boring, and disappointing book. Gary would do well to have someone else edit his transcripts for literary flow. The choppy sentences and introduction of too many characters in each chapter, makes the book difficult to read. I got through the first two chapters then tossed it back on the shelf to collect all the dust it deserves.

He's no Dan Jenkins
Gary decided to write a golf book that has neither the wit nor the accuracy of his usual on-camera comments. Loosely strung together stories, non-stories and poems (apparently concocted with the help of the Oxford Standard Dictionary at his side)leave this reader wondering what the author was striving for. Be prepared for repetitive references to Fairway Louie and be sure to overlook the typos the editors failed to catch. Or, in the best case, avoid the book altogether ... Read more