Amazon.com

Many have written lyrically about the wonders of golf in Scotland and its inherent magic, which is the focus of the second half of Michael Bamberger's lovely ode to the game. But it's the book's first half that makes it as essential as a putter for anyone willing to go deeper into golf's heart. Here, Bamberger explores the eternal mystery of golf: "More than any other athlete, the professional golfer looks normal; his physical ordinariness is a ubiquitous reminder of our limitations. So what makes him so special?" He searches for his answers the hard way: he lugs a golf bag around for a season as a caddie on the European tour. Even if the golfing grail he sought remains elusive, his narrative drives straight into the game's psyche through a colorful, witty, and poignant portrait of his months on the fairways with Peter Teravainen, the practicing Buddhist, Yale-graduate journeyman grinder whose bag he toted. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A pleasant surprise...
This is a very well written book that is as much about people who love the game as it is about the links courses referred to in the title. The author takes us on a pleasant 7 month journey that includes his experiences as a caddy on the European professional tour, and subsequently an extended vacation in Scotland where he plays numerous linksland courses.

We are introduced to numerous acquaintances, most of whom claim golf as an important part of their lives and heritage. As a result we learn a good deal about the early history of the game, the modern game (as of 1991), the differences in the casual golfer's approach to its play in Scotland/Europe and the U.S., and personal glimpses of some of the players who have had an impact during the past 150 yrs.

We are also introduced to a number of golf courses in a way that includes not only the usual topical descriptions (length, greens, hazards, flora etc.) but also Bamberger's emotional response and evaluation after having played them.

I don't usually enjoy this type of odyssey but the author's relaxed style, the people he meets, and his experiences at play in golf's homeland made this a thorougly enjoyable read.

The antitype to Golf in the Kingdom
As many have already reviewed, this book overcomes the temptation to do the mystical thing with golf. Most of us aren't into that (maybe that's the reason we're not scoring those low numbers). This book is about caddying on the European tour and life on that tour we're not exposed to as much as our own here in the states. As Crenshaw wrote about this book: "joyously reflective of why and how we play the game of golf." Must read for golfers!

Required Reading for Golf Enthusiasts
To the Linksland has something for everyone: a look inside a pro tour, an intimate view of Scottish golf, and, most of all, an accurate depiction of the never-ending quest for improvement and the associated cycles of hope and despair that all golfers experience. Bamberger manages to evoke these weighty themes without crossing over the line into contrived mysticism or gross sentimentality. I re-read it every spring, when it's still too cold to play but I need a golf fix. My favorite golf book, it captures the true spirit of the game!

For all who genuinely appreciate The Game
Informative and thoroughly entertaining. Read it 5 or 6 years ago and I still take the time to offer my view. Apart from the interesting insight into the trials and tribulations of Teravainen and the "off course" life of the caddies, Bambereck pays a visit to the home of golf, which is bound to inspire any golfer to follow suit. Read the book and listen to the sound of your golf shots. You`ll know what I mean!

Half of GOod LiFe is golf
This is a sheer joy to read. It makes you want to hit the road, to hit the ball, and very far. This book convinces you that golf is the game born between the land and the sea. The linksland. It links us back to the elements. Do you remember a memorable passages on mental golf in Knowlson's superbe biography of Samuel Beckett? Bamberger's book is the best companion for mental golfing on a sleepless night, too. I enjoyed every line of it. It also contains a miracle. The books anti-hero, Peter Teravainen, won the Japan Open! I translated this book into Japanese. It was the high moment of my life. ... Read more

Book Description

This popular reference book has been fully updated and expanded to include the latest international tournaments and celebrated names as well as new championship courses. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of spectacular full-color photographs and with a new introduction focusing on the modern game and its players, this is the perfect companion for anyone with a passion for golf. Walk the Greatest Championship Courses: Spectacular photography and specially commissioned maps transport you to the most challenging and beautiful courses in the world. Walk-the-course commentaries highlight the significant features of each course so that you feel you are actually standing on the fairway yourself. Meet the World's Most Talented Players: Leading golf journalist Malcolm Campbell has interviewed many of the legendary names in golf, as well as today's greatest players. Featuring 100 golfing champions, the updated Hall of Fame profiles acknowledged masters such as Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, and Jack Nicklaus as well as the modern superstars--Tiger Woods, David Duval, Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia. A Unique Visual History: A comprehensive, richly illustrated section brings golfing traditions vividly to life. Embodying the spirit of the game over the centuries, The New Encyclopedia of Golf will have long-lasting historical values as well as being an irresistible read for all lovers of golf today. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Ultimate Guide to Golf
This is not a guide to technique, it is more of a reference book. This newly updated and expanded version also includes the latest international tournaments and elebrated names as well as new championship courses.

I'll let you guess who's picture is on the first page.

The Contents Include:

The Early Game
The Modern Game
Championship Courses of the World
The Hall of Fame
Records and Reference

If you want to know about the history of golf, where championships are held and who is famous in the game of golf, there is absolutely nothing like this book!

Some of the great features include:

Modern Club Design
Women in Golf
The evolution of the Golf Ball (Featheries and Gutties)
How Clubs are manufactured
Championship Records

I imagine Tiger Woods has a copy of this book for sure! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Most golfers know the great teacher Harvey Penick, longtime pro at the Austin Country Club in Texas, through the lovely epigrammatic writings of his Little Red Book and the sequels it spawned. Tom Kite, the former U.S. Open champion who captained the 1997 American Ryder Cup team, knew Penick more intimately. He was Kite's instructor, coach, confidante, and touchstone for three decades. His memoir of life with the master is warm and touching, an engaging tribute to a man whose life was the game and whose devotion to the game absolute. Kite also tees up a moving examination of his longtime friendship and rivalry with Ben Crenshaw, Penick's other star pupil. Ultimately, writes Kite, "Penick wasn't meant to be explained or analyzed. He was meant to be enjoyed." In Fairway to Heaven, Kite "takes dead aim"--as Penick always counseled--and the enjoyment is contagious. (Penick fans take note: The Wisdom of Harvey Penick: Lessons and Thoughts from the Collected Writings of Golf's Best-Loved Teacher is also available.) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

About A Life of Golf
Kite (as Crenshaw in his new book) were so closely attached to Harvey Penick. His calm, relaxed approach to golf and life certainly produced two of golf's finest in Kite and Crenshaw.

Here Kite adoringly relates his life and the influence that Penick had, "take dead aim." As Kite relates, it meant to him to be calm yet aware, to focus on what one is doing at the time, blocking out all the rest.

This guy is so consistent! One learns much here from this book about practice, persistence and taking dead aim.

Onlt those who truly love the game can appreciate this.
This book really touches that special feeling that comes with really loving the game. There is so much that goes along with the words in this book, if you can read between the lines, you can learn an immense amount about life. ... Read more

Book Description

An educator, top-ranked college ball player and Green Beret who served in Vietnam, Earl Woods reveals the instruction and training secrets that went into raising a child who might be the greatest golfer ever. His teaching method starts with the simplest swings: Putting, chipping and pitching, and doesn't introduce the full swing until the basics have been mastered. The book includes dozens of games and competitions to make golf fun and interesting, teaches mental toughness and emphasizes skills, posture, balance, set-up and grip.

There are also some subtler points for parents to consider: when and how to introduce golf (or any sport) to their child; how to lay the groundwork for open communication; and how to cultivate the right attitude toward competition. Through an intelligent mix of instruction, humor and common sense, Training a Tiger helps parents everywhere lead their kids to love the game, and to play it with confidence, patience, proficiency and passion. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Interesting portrayal of the life of a rising superstar
When you here about a superstar like Tiger its natural to wonder where this incredible talent came from. The book is a bit of a mix of golf how to, parent child relationship and history of Tigers early years. If you are raising kids and want a perspective on what went into developing such a great talent the book offers some interesting insights. The book lacks the level of detail or story telling that could of showed us more of Tigers character and made the book a more interesting read. If you love Golf and want your kids to get involved with the great game this book is a must read. ... Read more

Book Description

For 26 years, Dr. David Perrin served as a country veterinarian in the rural (but never quiet) Creston valley of southern British Columbia. Don't Turn Your Back in the Barn is his engaging and entertaining firsthand account of his rookie year on the job in the early 1970s. Reminiscent of the beloved books of British veterinarian and writer James Herriot, Perrin's book is by turns heartbreaking and hysterical. In 22 stories, he relays his encounters with an eclectic group of two-legged clients and a roster of four-legged patients that range in size from a newborn kitten to a 1,500-pound pregnant heifer. Perrin's honest account of veterinary life includes his mistakes, successes, and frequent searches for answers to problems that most of us will thankfully never have to consider (for example, how does one discourage the advances of an amorous billy goat?). Passion, pathos, adventure, humor-Don't Turn Your Back in the Barn has it all. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Hilarious and a must read for any animal lover!!!!!
These books take you through hilarious and moving stories, real life stories of new veterinary in a little town. It inspires you to reach for your goals and never take no for an answer, great for inspiring vets or any animal lover!

Interesting but wooden writing
This book is fascinating--stories from a rural vet in Canada, treating everything from cats to cows. The sad part is that Perrin isn't a very fluid writer, so it is sometimes a chore to get through.

I had the sense that if Perrin had just dictated these stories and had worked with a good editor, it would have been a much better book. ... Read more

Book Description

Real-Life Reader Biographies present the lives of contemporary role models for young readers. These are the stories of real men and women who, dispite many obstacles, followed their dreams.

Tiger Woods was destined for greatness. Right from the start he was unique. His father Earl was African American and his mother Kultida was from Thailand, meaning that Tiger was a rare combination of black and Asian. Tiger has always been proud of both his parents’ culture and heritage.

Practically born with a golf club in his hand, Tiger was such a good golfer at the age of two, he appeared on the Mike Douglas show putting with Bob Hope. At the age of three, he shot an incredible 48 for nine holes at a local golf course. By the age of five, he was being featured in Golf Digest. He was a celebrity before he knew what the word meant.

It should not have come as a surprise, then, that by the time he was 24, Tiger had established himself as one of the all-time greatest golfers. And he is a true hero—a role model for all. ... Read more

Book Description

The United States Golf Association was an organization dominated by men before Judy Bell took the helm in 1996.Elected by her peers, Judy is the first and only woman to preside over golf's governing body, and, with a style all her own, her term served as a climax to a remarkable career before the public eye. ... Read more

Book Description

Foreword by Sidney Matthew Preface by Charlie Yates.

Considerable Passions is one of the most significant books ever published on the world's most influential golfer.Featuring an array of never-before seen photographs from the personal archives of the legendary Bobby Jones tracing back to the early days of American golfing, Considerable Passions takes us inside the personal and professional life of this beloved golfer and the game that he helped make great.The companion volume to the permanent exhibition at the prestigious Atlanta History Center, Considerable Passions is the definitive work on Bobby Jones and his legacy.

When Robert "Bobby" Tyre Jones Jr. won the four major golf tournaments (the British Amateur, the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur) all in the same year (1930), he became a worldwide hero and the first to achieve golfing's "Grand Slam."

Considerable Passions leads us "down the fairway" of Bobby Jones's life and golfing career, from his days as a competitive golfer, through his early retirement in 1930 at age 28, to his phenomenally popular instructional books and newspaper columns and his involvement in club and course design (such as the most revered American course, the Augusta National Golf Club).Jones's charisma, talent, and foresight shine through, and it's easy to see why he is considered the greatest of them all.

"The story of the man considered to be the most important golfer in the history of the sport, Bobby Jones.Photographs and personal artifacts follow his life through his incomparable number of tournament wins, family, successful business career and ongoing dedication to the game." - about the exhibition, "Down the Fairway with Bobby Jones." At the Atlanta History Center

About the Permanent Exhibit -- Hosted by the prestigious Atlanta History Center, "Down the Fairway with Bobby Jones" is the first and only permanent exhibit on Bobby Jones and the history of golf. Featuring rare archival photographs and personal artifacts, it traces Jones's life through his incomparable number of tournament wins, family, successful business career - spanning the early history of the game through the modern era.

Book size is 10" x 10", with 4-color photographs throughout book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Gift - Beautiful Book
A delightful telling of Jones' life and his contributions to golf. Jones' career and his times are documented in powerful fashion. The pictures are amazing the scope and breath really are incredible. If you or your loved one love's golf this is the book for you. This one looks great on the coffee table and will have your guests wanting their own copy. ... Read more

Book Description

At age 24, Tiger Woods is the dominant figure in professional golf. This newly-revised behind-the-scenes biography introduces young readers to Tiger¹s spectacular achievements and chronicles his unprecedented rise to the top of the pro golf world. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Don't Miss This If You Like Golf!
Tiger Woods An American Master by Nicholas Edwards

Have you ever been interested in golf?Well if you have this is the book for you.

I like this book because it tells me all about Tiger's career. Another reason is I love golf.

The author's main idea was to tell us how much effort and confidence Tiger needed to play golf. The author also taught us to use perseverance.

Tiger Woods An American Master by Nicholas Edwards
Have you ever wondered how Tiger Woods became famous?Well in this book Tiger Woods An American Master by Nicholas Edwards you will find out everything. Tiger got started at golf from his dad.Every day when Tiger's dad went to play golf, Tiger would watch from a hightchair.At 11 months old Tiger took his first shot.He used a putter his dad cut down for him.At eighteen months old Tiger learned how to putt.At three years old Tiger already had perfect form.At five years old Tiger already has shelves filled with trophies.He loved golf and knew it would be his future.Tiger signed up for a golf club as a senior.In the golf game he made his way through the beginning.He almost got a record of 62 but only got a 63.As he went farther in the tournament he could be a master.Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to read Tiger Woods An American Master by Nicholas Edwards.

i like it because tiger woods is the best
tigerwoods is the best ever i got all of his books.i love this one the best,it had the most info in it.tiger has meat my freinds sister befor because she is a pro girl golf.

Good book with a lot of info on Tigers career
Tiger Woods: An American master was a great book with almost everything you would want to know about Tiger and his lifetime of golf. The only reason why this book didn't get 5 stars is because the author, NickEdwards, kind of over-did what he was sayin about Tiger, and believe it ornot, made Tiger sound better than he really is (my personal opinion,although some of you may think you cant say enough about the man). But awell- written book that deserves to be read.

What I think about Tiger Woods:An American Master
This book is very well written and tells lots of information on Tiger.Nick Edwards did a good job in putting this book into a format where kids can read this book very easily.I think this book deserves 4 stars because ithad a lot of information but it kind of over did what they said aboutTiger.But Otherwise it is a fantabulous book. ... Read more

Book Description

With more than 65 beautiful black-and-white phots accompanied by entertaining essays and observations, renowned photojournalist Dick Durrance truly captures the magic of this game.This book reflects the magnificent range of people, places, and particulars that make golf such a passion and celebrates the deep feelings experienced by those who play the game.Golfers will treasure this book because of its all-encompassing look at the world's most fascinating game. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great, even for non-golfers
I am surprised that this book was the source of so much enjoyment for me, since I had originally bought it thinking it was about Dick Dastardly from the Wacky Races (my youngest wanted it for Christmas). Suffice to say, come Christmas Day, Jeffrey was in tears and the whole household was looking at me reproachfully.

But when I locked myself in the lavatory for the rest of the afternoon to escape the sarcastic commentary from the assembled throng, I was absolutely rapt with it. Really good. I'm still not quite sure of the author's name, though.

Hole In One
"Golfers" is an inspiring collection of photographs and essays that brilliantly captures the addictive allure of golf- a game that Dick Durrance presents as a metaphor of life - an elusive search for excellence, a test of personal values, a source of enduring friendships.

Durrance take us on a fascinating journey from Chelsea Piers in New York to "The Chilly Open" on a frozen lake in Minnesota to "Wild Golf" in the foothill pastures of Colorado. He surrounds stunning photographs with moving essays that reflect the diversity of the game, and he balances reverence with an eye for the absurd - that creative club in the American golf bag that keeps us on course when life and recreation get too serious.

You don't have to be a golfer to appreciate the wisdom and humility that come with the game or the artistic hole-in-one that Durrance has shot with this book.

Amazing Gift Book: A True Golfing Revery
Durrance has struck gold with his poignant look at the people of golf. His hallmark photography is stunning but only a step ahead of the funny and touching description of his brief time with each subject. He is to be commended for such stellar work completed in such a short period - three months. The range of characters - from professionals to the most rank amateurs - presents a sweeping view of the golf world that will find resonance in anyone who enjoys the game. This book is the perfect gift for any or all of the golfers in your life. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of golf's more outsized characters, Norman is a true sporting enigma: an athlete whose enormous defeats are far more dramatic--and interesting--than his considerable victories. Despite two British Open titles and more than 50 tournament wins worldwide, his legend--built on a go-for-broke playing style--has been cemented by his painfully unforgettable collapses in the three majors played on American soil. St. John, the golf correspondent for the London Sunday Times, works hard to get a grip on Norman's charismatic personality and how his inability to check that personality defines his game. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Interesting, but not an in-depth analysis
Greg Norman is a great golfer. He has an incredible fascination for many golfers and his fans. I haven't found in this book in-depth analysis of his character, his passion for the golf, his competitive drive, and why he is so charismatic for many of us.A detailed biography is yet to come.

Interesting book & a man who's never boring
Ms St. John's book is a fascinating look at a man who is extremely complex. Much like his approach to the green, Greg Norman is bold, aggressive, and sometimes to his detriment, brutally honest. I found interesting the people who do and do not like him. I for one, find him to be refreshing and never boring as so many PGA players are today. Keep breaking the mold, Greg! We need to be kept on our toes!

great for shark fans
You'll now understand the arrogant, egotistical man you watch on television - and have confirmed the attitude he portrays. It's no wonder he never looks happy despite his wealth, Greg has put himself first at all costs to arrive at where he is. I can see now why he has no real friends, and you will see too. A complex individual, and must reading for Norman fans. ... Read more

Book Description

Golf is a sport that transcends generations. As each flickers from one era to the next, golf itself continues to grow timelessly. Players like Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer established a tradition and Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and others helped forge a bridge to the next generation fueled by awesome skills and competitive desire. And now, the younger players on the PGA Tour are emerging as the new heroes of the next generation. These players are electrifying galleries on the tour and taking the tradition-filled game to a new audience. Find out how twenty-something players Justin Leonard, David Duval, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are changing the way the game is played as week after week they etch their names on the leader boards. Hear how they respect the players who walked the fairways before them and find out why they hold the future of the game in the next millennium. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Must" reading for all golf fans and players.
Masters Of The Millennium tells the story of how "twenty-something" players Justin Leonard, David Duval, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson are changing the way the game of golf is played as they etch their names onto the leaderboards week after week. These superstar golfers are electrifying galleries on stops all over the tour, and taking the tradition-filled game of golf to an entirely new audience that had not previously followed golf as passionately as they do now. Masters Of The Millennium provides insights from these young players and enables the reader to learn how they respect the players that walked the fairways before them, and why they hold the future of the game into the new millennium. Masters Of The Millennium is "must" reading for all fans and players of the game of golf.

The young guns - a great read!
I tremendously enjoyed reading about the young players that are ready to challenge just about everyone on the PGA tour! I read the book yesterday , just before watching Duval battle it out w/ Tom Lehman- with the other guys just behind him- TIGER, and Leonard! This is a great , fun book to check out! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FORE Y'all!
I am truly grateful to my dear friend, Dan Cruse. Frankly, I was unaware of this book until he recommended it and then lent his copy to me. It provided one of the most entertaining readings I have experienced in recent years. Yes, it is about Texas golf and golfers but I think that non-golfers will enjoy it as much I did.

Hauser has assembled and skillfully edited 52 articles, a few of which she wrote. The material includes profiles of some of the greatest players (Bolt, Couples, Crenshaw, Demaret, Hagen, Hogan, Kite, Nelson, Rawls, Trevino, Wadkins, Whitworth, and Zaharias) as well as others who also made significant contributions to competitive golf, notably Harvey Penick ("Golf's Coach of the Century" and bestselling author) and Dave Williams (whose University of Houston teams won numerous N.C.A.A. championships). Some of the finest sportswriters contributed to this collection, notably Mickey Herskowitz, Dan Jenkins, Jim Murray, Grantland Rice, and Dallas' own Blackie Sherrod. Because there is a such a rich variety of subjects, each reader will have her or his own favorites among them. My own include Jenkins' "Hogan," Herskowitz' "Golf's Teacher of the Century" (i.e. Penick), all of Part III in which several authors discuss the unique relationships between Penick and his students, Crenshaw and Kite, David Cassstevens' "Bolt's Life Is His Curse," Peter Dobreiner's "A Tribute to Demaret's Greatness," Skip Bayless' "For Merry Mex, the Laughter Only Hides the Tears," Penick's "Betsy Rawls," Nick Seitz's "Houston's Odd Couple" (i.e. Demaret and Jackie Burke, Jr.), and Gary Cartwright's "Hustle Park: Where They Ship the Pros Home C.O.D." (i.e. Tenison Parkin Dallas), a public course where Dick Martin and "Titanic" Thompson (among the predatory local "amateurs") won so much money from their opponents (i.e. victims) that they could not afford to turn pro.

Those who enjoy this book are urged to check out Harvey Penick's Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings from a Lifetime of Golf, Harvey Penick's Little Green Golf Book, and And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend: Further Reflections of a Grown Caddie; also Michael Arkush's Fairways and Dreams: Twenty-Five of the World's Greatest Golfers and the Fathers Who Inspired Them, the Sporting News' 50 Greatest Golfers : A Celebration of the All-Time Best, and The Ultimate Golf Book: A History and a Celebration of the World's Greatest Game, edited by Charles McGrath and David McCormick. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FUN, LIGHT, WELL WRITTEN, MAKES ANYONE ENJOY GOLF.
THE HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF THIS CADDY/AUTHOR ARE WRITTEN WITH THE WIDE EYED INTEREST OF A YOUNG MAN ENTERING A WORLD WHERE HE ONLY HAD DREAMED. ... Read more