5 comments about The Downhill Lie.

1. I was thinking I was getting one of Carl Hiaasen's great books of the past. I'm not a golfer and don't understand the terms for golf. He can sometime's be a very complex writter, in this one he truly is. I wish I would have gotten a different book.



2. Mr. Hiaasen hit the tee-shot straight up the fairway with this book. It was a great read and just what I needed in the middle of winter to rekindle my golf itch.



3. If you love golf you will love this story. Full of good humor and full of golf.



4. I got this book for my Dad for Christmas. He picked up the game of golf soon after he retired. He's never read Carl Hiasson, before, but he is one of our favorite authors. I love his quirky style. My Dad enjoyed the book, and sent it on to share with his twin brother.



5. Craving a recent book by Hiaasen and finding none but The Downhill Lie, I eschewed my disdain of most things sport and checked out the audio book from my library. The real bonus to the audio book is that it's read by the author. (I'm certain I would not have finished the book had I been reading it myself - golf, enough said.) My growing concern about Hiassen's ability to reconcile playing golf - a game which greedily levels vast acres of wilderness and continually dumps pollutants into the planet - with his staunch advocacy against the reckless development of Florida, was surprisingly allayed. Turns out Hiaasen can golf and still respect the environment. With Hiaasen in great voice and clever wit, I laughed continuously and learned a thing or two about the game and myself. The loyal Hiaasen fan, the obsessed golfer, and the ardent environmentalist can all find something in this book. Enjoy!

5 comments about How I Play Golf.

1. I enjoyed listening to Tiger Woods` "How I Play Golf". My husband is the golfer in the family and I got this book for him. I started listening to it and was so wrapped up in the book that I finished it before he began it. Tiger is an exceptional player. In this book, he explains many different aspects of how he plays the game. His father taught him to play when he was a young boy. He learned to play in the dark which helped him win one amazing tournament. The book covers a lot of information such as: how to have a great backswing, common mistakes and how to avoid them, controlling the spin of your ball and direction, and how to practice your shots and have fun doing it. There are plenty of photos that support Tiger's text.
   
   Golfers will enjoy this book. Whether you want to improve your swing, learn to choose the right club, perfect your grip, and improve your stance, you will find this book a valuable resource. Learn from the best, Tiger Woods. Highly recommended for all golfers.



2. This book is a must for any golfer wishing to improve his/her game. It is clearly written with great sequential pictures and illustrations. It explains many of the fundamentals in an easy to understand manner. Based on the information in the book, I changed my grip and technique for putting and I am much more consistent. I also changed my grip and swing technique for my drives with much better results. With some practice over the past month using the techniques from this book, I've moved from a 90's to 80's golfer. It is the best golf book I've ever read.



3. Really good car "read." It's funny because the narrator sort of sounds like Tiger too... Really good visualization tool, and the PDF's are pretty helpful in concert with the audio. Couldn't help but laugh, though, when Tiger states, "I like to have fun" when talking about celebrating after a win.



4. I've only read a couple of chapters but from that sample the book is very good.
   
   The book is an easy read- informative without being technical and the right amount of anecdote is mixed in.
   
   The only negative I can find so far is the actual writing style. After hearing him talk & realizing his age at the time of publication the words don't seem to be his voice. It seems that editors style is most prevalent. It's not a problem once you get used to it though it was a disappointment at first.



5. TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf
   with the Editors of Golf Digest
   (Warner Books)
   © Marc Wickert December 27, 2009
   www.knucklepit.com
   
   The beauty of this modern age for anybody into anything is that there are instructional books and DVDs by the best practitioners in the world in every field imaginable - golf, mixed martial arts, tennis... even books on how to grow handlebar mustaches.
   
   The thing is, no matter where you live on the planet, you can hop online and order a book or DVD, then start receiving tuition from the greatest exponent in any chosen sport or interest.
   
   TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf is a perfect example, where you can have the world No.1 for your mentor.
   
   As the cover states: "There is simply no athlete quite like Tiger Woods. His domination of golf is unparalleled."
   
   CONTENTS:
   Preface - How to Start (Yearning to Learn)
   Chapter One - How to Putt (Rolling the Rock)
   Chapter Two - How to Get It Down (Turning Three into Two)
   Chapter Three -How to Escape from Sand (Making the Hard Easy)
   Chapter Four - How to Swing (Building an Action to Last)
   Chapter Five - How to Flag Your Irons (Knocking Down the Pin)
   Chapter Six - How to Nail Fairway Woods (Playing the Versatile Clubs)
   Chapter Seven - How to Smoke the Driver (Going with All You've Got)
   Chapter Eight - How to Handle Problems (When it Starts Getting Ugly)
   Chapter Nine - How to Stay in Control (Managing Your Game)
   Chapter Ten - How to Master the Mind (Winning Psychology)
   Chapter Eleven - How to Get Strong (Surviving as the Fittest)
   Chapter Twelve - How to Play (Enjoying the Journey)
   
   All instructions from Tiger are clearly worded and accompanied by excellent photos to make your lessons with him easy to follow and put into practice.
   
   As with the best of the best in all sports - Fedor Emelianenko in MMA, Roger Federer in tennis, or Tiger Woods in golf - there is more to the player's winning ways than meets the eye. All elite champions have great mental powers. And as mentioned above, TIGER WOODS: How I Play Golf also contains the chapter, How to Master the Mind, which covers some very interesting aspects of Tiger's mental approach to the game.
   
   This is an outstanding publication for any professional or would-be golfer.

5 comments about Dream On: One Hack Golfer's Challenge to Break Par in a Year.

1. A great book about how one man's quest to transform his game from really pretty bad, to really very good, in one year. John tells us how many people inspire him to better golf and the trails and tribulations of the journey from 100+ to breaking par. His amusing anecdotes add to the flavor that this is a real person that could be any of the millions of golfers that pull their stick out of the truck most weeks during the summer and put them back with another card in the 90's. Read it, you won't regret it.



2. Haven't had a chance to finish the book (Dream On) but it is well written and enjoyable, just been too busy but pick it up when I have a few minutes to spare.



3. Well, this book is about golf, so I had to read it. Unfortunately this book is not that good. There are so many similar books out there that are better written and more detailed. One thing I noticed is that every third chapter or so seems to repeat the theme of,"the wife is mad." The fact that the author seems to be channeling Seve, and Hogan is downright creepy at times. But, I happy for him breaking par and hope he his golfing as I write this.



4. For most of us, the dream of playing scratch golf is just that; a dream. Author John Richardson took that dream and made it a reality. He went from barely breaking 100 to breaking par in one year. All this while trying to maintain a happy family life. His inspiration came when golfer Sam Torrence told him it could never be done. Far too many people are told something can't be done and they accept that and move on. Reading how a person took that challenge and made it happen was thrilling. What I enjoyed most about this book wasn't the fact that John got to live my dream of being a hack and then breaking par; it was the profound passion that John showed for the game of golf and his desire to not let life pass him by without accomplishing a life long dream. I found the book far more inspirational in ways I hadn't imagined. Of course it inspired me to play better golf, but it also inspired me to make more of my entire life. 'Dream On' is a must read.



5. I just finished this book and I was underwhelmed. I have read similar type books where the author selfishly decides to undertake making the tour, shooting par, or name the challenge. This one though was not funny and quite frankly as I read on, I wondered why he needed this much practice to shoot par. The course is short and has a par 3 that is 80 yards. He even admits there are 12 par 4 holes he can hit with driver and wedge. I assume there are some par 5 and then this par 3 that one could also use a wedge and well it didn't seem like a big challenge.
   
   Finally, his obsession with talking to make believe friends and I just left the book on the plane when I finished.

5 comments about Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes, Revised and Expanded.

1. Really excellent account of the development of Bandon Dunes. I should have read more than the first 100 pages before actually going to Bandon Dunes and playing the three courses - that would have added even more pleasure to the three days I thoroughly enjoyed there.



2. If you play golf and want to get a flavor for the vision of how a destination like Bandon Dunes became a reality, this is a must read. Bandon is one, if not, the most special golf location in the world. I have played in Scotland and Ireland and Bandon has a purity that few other locations can replicate. It feels like it has been there for hundreds of years and the book explains how it came to be. You will not be disappointed.



3. I have not read this book, but my Dad is raving about it. He is reading it prior to his trip to Bandon Dunes and he has never thanked me more for a gift. For the golfer in your life who is impossible to shop for--this is the gift for them.



4. Fantastic story, very well written. A must read for not only golfers, but for environmentalist and landscape architects also.



5. This book is the perfect gift for your favorite golfer. Even non-golfers and golfers who don't normally read will enjoy this story of dream golf.

5 comments about Swinging from My Heels: Confessions of an LPGA Star.

1. What great insight into this world - and fun to read, even for the non golfer. My golf addicted husband bought this for my 12 year old daughter who is a great golfer, but was advised to have parent read it first. She won't read it for a long time, but I absolutely LOVED this book and LOVE Christina. Even though I don't golf, I felt all the drama of the ups and downs in this book and loved the emotional perspective. I will be watching Christina and will recommend this book to many...Thanks..



2. I'm sure that I appreciated Christina Kim's story all the more because I'm from where Christina grew up. It's always fun to follow the success of a local person.
   Christina Kim does a great job of telling her story of the 2009 year on the LPGA tour. As a casual golfer I came to understand just what a grind it is to go out and play each week, living out of a suitcase, and then try to have some semblance of a life. We keep hearing how mental the game of golf is and through her eyes the reader really gets an appreciation of that fact.
   If you enjoy golf I heartily recommend this book.



3. Was never a fan of Christina Kim and in fact, found her extremely annoying. This book doesn't entirely change my perception of her being annoying but I've definitely become a fan. Never before has a book on a current (not retired) professional athelete been so honest and poignant in the athlete's struggles with life and career. Her honesty is freshing and at times endearing. The vulnerability that Christina Kim expresses will make anyone that reads this book a devout fan.
   
   Go Christina!!!!!



4. I enjoyed reading this book because I am a Christina Kim fan having seen her at several tournaments and the 2009 Solheim.



5. Christina is definitely a personality, and Alan has a great writing style. I enjoyed this book, but I found that when it was over I wanted more. It certainly wasn't a tell-all, even though some "punches" were thrown, they were "full force". Enjoyable, and worth the read, but "gimme more!"

5 comments about Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son.

1. Tommy's Honor is well written. It is the heartbreaking story of the immense familial tragedy that Old Tom Morris suffered. Though the title focus's on Tom Jr. Old Tom is the main protagonist. Old Tom's story includes the beginnings of the Open Championship which is explored in great deal. If you would like to know more about the history of golf, Buy This Book!



2. If you are interested in golf, I guarantee you will like this book. I loved it. The writing is good, and the content is superb. It is a treasure trove of insight and information on golf, Scotland and, of course, Tom and Tommy Morris.
   
   The author covers an incredible range of topics including golf ball making, the sociology of Scotland, the early days of the British Open, the emergence of professional golfers and a host of other fascinating information. He also enlightens the reader on the personalities and the many accomplishments of Old Tom and Young Tom Morris while putting into perspective their importance in golf history.
   
   I had many takeaways from this book. The early golf ball making process and the transition from the featherie to the gutta percha was both interesting and informative. The physical evolution of the St. Andrews Old Course from "goat ranch" to world class course under Old Tom's long tenure as greenskeeper was well told. The descriptions of Scottish life from gentry to working class to the coal fields of Northern Scotland were interesting and valuable. And there is much, much more.
   
   One of my biggest impressions was a simple one....that of Old Tom Morris taking his morning swim in the chilly firths every day of the year. And he lived into his 80's.
   
   This book does for the Morris era what Mark Frost's "The Match" did for the transition from the amateur to the professional era in American golf. I can't recommend it enough.



3. I have not yet read the book, but it arrived in perfect condition and does not appear to have been read. Jacket in mint condition. Friends have read it and have raved about it. A must for serious golfers who love the history of the game.



4. I was fascinated by this very interesting book. I have heard of the Morris' over the years but had no idea of just how much they were involved in the ancestry of the game of golf. The book furnished fascinating details about the family, St Andrews and the game of golf.
   A must read for every golfer and history buff.



5. I initally purchased this book as a way to learn about the Morrises, in same ways it ended up giving me a new perspective on my own life. Seems dramatic, well this book pulls you and allows to be part of the story. Books don't usually make me cry, but this one did. Cook is a genius....

5 comments about Unplayable: An Inside Account of Tiger's Most Tumultuous Season.

1. After the barrage of media coverage following the shocking implosion of Tiger Woods' once-impenetrable personal life, Robert Lusetich's book, UNPLAYABLE, proves to be an extremely pleasant surprise. Well-written and well-researched, the book follows Woods throughout the 2009 playing year leading up to late November Escalade crash, which ultimately proved to be only the tip of the iceberg in a story far more salacious than anyone might have expected.
   
   To his credit, while Lusetich incorporates this angle to the story, he does not dwell on it. In fact, he presents a very even-handed account of the man, one that shows a far more likable version of Woods than we are ever allowed to see in his obligatory and clearly-loathed moments with the media - and Lusetich does so with a nice serving of insider stories and snippets of his own, often-lighthearted dealings with the sports star.
   
   Among these are insights to his ever-thorny relationship with Phil Mickelson, whose own ego and "hidden sides" often fuel the problems between them more than one might initially believe. Also, there is much insight regarding Tiger's relationship with caddie Steve Williams, whose candor both with the author and with the world in general are refreshing, but also serve to again reflect well on Tiger, who stays loyal to Williams even when the Kiwi's mouth gets them both in trouble. Another interesting throughline concerns Tiger's relationships with his various swing pros, and and reveals a shockingly unanimous opinion by fellow and pros and caddies alike that Tiger's game has suffered greatly under superstar swing doctor Hank Haney's tutelage. Finally, there is Tiger's relationship with other pros, which is almost Machiavellian in its ruthlessness during tournament rounds, while sometimes surprisingly tender in other moments - and Lusetich does a nice job of revealing whose company and work ethics Tiger appreciates (often surprising) and whose he doesn't (not so much).
   
   Meanwhile, during the book's largely chronological detailing of the fateful year, Lusetich also entertains with details regarding the various courses, and tournament sights, and the histories of same. For a loyal golf fan who has read no shortage of golf-related books, this is yet again a treat that deserves recommendation.
   
   Overall, Lusetich does a tremendous job with a difficult assignment and subject, and the reader will be the one rewarded for his hard work.



2. If you follow professional golf, you will probably enjoy this book. It kept my interest from start to finish and reminded me a bit of a book about the pro golf tour published in 1999, called A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein.
   It's not exclusively about Tiger, giving insight into other players, the press, sponsors, caddies and the interrelationships.



3. Good read and interesting inside stories about Tiger. i would give it a four star rating except that they took the "l" out of every word that starts fl.. It's really annoying to come upon fag and fagstick and other words that dont make sense. I want to get the corrected version download.



4. Not earth shattering, but a decent book. Appears to be written objectively and definitely a fair assessment, not tabloid writing. A major issue with this title (at least the Kindle version I bought) is a terrible flaw in which every, and I mean every, occurance of the "fl" has been replaced with with "f". Thus "flag" reads "fag", "flew" reads "few", etc. This is bad enough for any title, but for a golf book it is disastrous. Flag and flew are used copiously. I am sure the author cannot be happy with sentences such as, "he fired at the fag". I would chalk this up to a bug in the OCR software of converting a print book to digital, but as this is a brand new title that was released straight to digital format, the original manuscript was most likely created in a digital format. I cannot imagine the author did a global search and replace on a couple of valid "fl" to "f" typos, but even if he or someone else did, the editor should have caught it. So it must have happened post editing.



5. I could not put this book down. If you love golf and are curious to know the thinking of a great champion this writing gives the clearest insight I've ever read about any great player and their highly competive nature! Before you finish it you will certainly have a much better understanding of all those who surround him, especially his caddy Steve...priceless info. You will make no mistake buying this book. This is the real deal.
   
   LM

5 comments about The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story.

1. This book is a very good compliment to the movie 'The Greatest Game Ever Played'. Mr. Frost did his homework. He included background information, history on all of the players, and follow through. I actually wondered if the book was going to turn out the way the movie did. I'm not into golf but still enjoyed it, if you are into golf you'll appreciate the technicalities (some of which I skipped through). The movie was a little different than what really happened so it was interesting to know the real story.
   
   Well done Mr. Frost, thank you for taking the time to follow up on what happened to all of the players in the game after the 1913 Open, and for the history on Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.



2. This book came in great shape, looking just like new. It also was shipped and received in a timely manner.



3. This is one of the best sports books I've ever read. Mr. Frost paints a vivid picture of the world of professional golf at the start of the 20th Century, and how a single tournament put golf on the map in America.
   
   But even more important, Mr. Frost he brings compelling, likeable characters to life - characters who had to overcome adversity - so to me this book is also for people who are not golf fans.
   
   This is an inspiring story, almost a fairy tale that comes true.



4. The 1913 US Open. Young Franis Quimet takes on the games greatest players - this story gives me chills each time I recall it. If I could go back in time to any sporting event and see it in person, this would be it. Awesome!



5. I guess I'm swimming against the tide on this one, but I found this book to be a badly written, superficially researched effort. It's a shame that an amazing story has been told so badly. It's a credit to the material the author has to work with that the book garnered so many 5-star reviews even from people who noted the many weaknesses of the storytelling itself.
   
   The book covers the early days of competitive golf in England late in the 19th century and in the U.S. early in the 20th century. For anyone who's watched Tiger Woods on TV, calmly making his way around a technicolor, manicured course (with everyone reverently watching), the tales of life on the links 100-plus years ago is fascinating. It was a gentleman's game played in lovely settings, but the equipment and the upkeep of courses barely resemble today's standards. Even the rules have been changed to smoothe the game's edges.
   
   Into this chaos entered a 20-year-old American who had only once played in a tournament outside of his home state, Francis Oimet. First, Oimet tied the two greatest golfers in the world after four rounds, and then he beat them in a playoff on the next day. He remained an amateur the rest of his life, eventually becoming a stock broker. Oh, and by the way, Oimet became fascinated with golf because he grew up literally across the street from where the U.S. Open tournament was held: The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., which waw the club that literally gave us the term "country club."
   
   The champions that Oimet beat were British citizens: Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. Vardon was the greatest champion of the game's first 50 years, and his fascinating and tragic story has been told in several books. Vardon basically introduced competitive golf to the U.S. public by barnstorming for six months in 1903 and beating all comers. Ray, the other Brit, was a friendly-but-intense contender for the heir to Vardon's crown. Together, Vardon and Ray had barnstormed across the country in 1913 and beaten every single one of the best players in the U.S. head-to-head.
   
   Oimet, age 20 at the time, was a complete unknown, and not even considered one of the better amateurs in the country (yet). His caddy was a 12-year-old who had trouble carrying his clubs without having them scrape along the ground. But Oimet overcame nerves, bad luck, an angry father, and a dozen other hardships to win a stunning victory that propeled golf into the pantheon of spectator sports. He literally walked across the street to get to the tournament each day.
   
   It's a mind-blowing story, and full of fascinating asides, such as the physical and psychological hardships endured by both Oimet and Vardon, and the inequal treatment of pro and amateur stars, even when they were playing in the same tournament. So, there's a lot that's memorable about the book.
   
   However, the book is so flawed that I have to recommend that people find other books about the early days of golf and its stars, and read them instead. A few observations might suffice. 1. The book recreates conversations and thoughts that couldn't possibly be known to the author. There are literally hundreds of direct-quote conversations that are impossible to verify, and the only apology for the fiction is an oblique reference at the end of the book. 2. Those alleged conversations are generally stupid and cliched -- which isn't a surprise since the author cut his teeth by writing for television. 3. There's no bibliography. With a bibliography at least, we could read some of the original books that undoubtedly had the snap of originality, even if they were unreliable, too. 4. Most annoying of all, the author apparently has never found a stupid metaphor that he can resist, and he usually stacks them together, two-per-paragraph. They contrast badly with the more interesting analysis or more affecting writing about players' personalities and hardships. Just cutting out those "there was enough electricity in the crowd to light up all of Boston" would improve the book immensely.
   
   In summation, if you are dying to find out the story of Francis Oimet, the first amateur to win the U.S. Open, read this book. If you want a well-done book about the early days of golf, find something else.

5 comments about Paper Tiger: An Obsessed Golfer's Quest to Play with the Pros.

1. As an obsessed golfer, this book grabbed me from the start. I loved it! Gave it to a couple of other buddies to read, and they loved it too.



2. If you're a golf nut you'll love this book. If you've ever dreamed of becoming a PGA player you'll see what you face each step along the way. In the end it takes more than just hard work. You have to have lots of raw talent, determination and a great support structure aroound you. This is an easy read..great when you have some time to kill.



3. If you have been playing golf for any length of time you probably understand the love/hate relationship that develops between you and the game, the agony and ecstasy of thrilling shots and pull-hooked drives. This book captures one man's adventure incredibly well. He is a top tier golfer, rusty from years of less than top tier golfing, and he dedicates a year to trying to compete on the main stage again. His tale is eloquent and funny, heartbreaking and endearing. Great stuff. If Tom Coyne's golf was on the level of his writing he would be Tiger Woods.



4. I will say Tom Coyne got me from the jump; I was intrigued from the beginning upon referral from a friend.. I bought in, settled in, and gave the book a go.. The first couple chapters flew by, I thoroughly enjoyed the "hacker's ascent to respectability" portion of the book.. I enjoy his writing style, the self deprecating humor and everyman's take on golf..
   
   Then it all fell apart.. In my opinion, there is much more fantasy than reality in this book.. The constant failure to post legit scores combined with a GHIN lookup of Mr. Coyne made me doubt the author's recollection. But I plodded on, hoping for a dramatic finish.. It never came..
   
   In my opinion this was a golf odyssey failure turned marriage proposal; a writer moonlighting into his hobby, the end game not happening, and turning to Plan B, true love...
   
   If a better golfer wrote this, it would have been more believable that he was a +HCAP.. But then, that better golfer probably would have been an awful writer..
   
   For me, I just couldn't buy in 100% because I just don't believe Coyne posted the HCAPs he claims.. This is proven time again in his failure during public qualifying events..



5. I have to agree with another reviewer that it would seem highly unlikely that a person could carry a plus-handicap and RARELY be able to break 80 (and sometimes 90) in the tournaments. That said, the book is full of insight into the PGA and the enormous effort it takes to qualify for "the show". Mr. Coyne is an excellent and oftentimes very funny writer who finishes his story on a high note.
   
   This book would make an excellent gift for the golf fanatic in the family!

5 comments about To Win and Die in Dixie: The Birth of the Modern Golf Swing and the Mysterious Death of Its Creator.

1. Wow, great story, great book. This book is well written and tells a very interesting story about the era. I honestly did not enjoy this authors other book, but this one is worth reading. I enjoyed how he combined all the different threads of the story and organized the chapters.



2. I thought this was a wonderful read. I have read many books about Bobby Jones and golf in the 1920's but did not recall ever hearing this name, J. Douglas Edgar. Saw this book as I thumbed through my Kindle and am so pleased to have read it. A great read that gets going and is difficult to put down. If you are interested in what golf was like at the beginning of the 20th century, this is a good start. Once read, you may be intersted to return back to other books about golf 100 years ago. The names of Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, McDermott, etc. come into this story as well. Very well worth the read!



3. Who knew golf and Atlanta could weave such a great read?? The weaving of both golf history and Atlanta cultural history were woven with the care given a fine length of silk. The characters were amazing in their depth and dialogue. Eubank's work was simply timeless. "To Live and Die in Dixie" would be a great read for either a history buff, golf buff, or anyone who enjoys a great read!! Of course, it must be enjoyed with a Coke, as they're both "The Real Thing!!"



4. As a fan of the game of the golf, I could not put this one down! Steve Eubanks, who is the author of my favorite book about "The Masters/Augusta National" really digs deep into a historical golf story that most big golf fans have heard nary a word of. The story of J. Douglas Edgar proves to be about much more than just golf. Steve's ability to intertwine history, golf, and mystery makes for a must read. This story is destined for the big screen!



5. A friend recommended this book to me, and I wasn't sure I would like it, but, man, am I glad I opened it up. This is one of the best stories I've read in years. I literally could not put it down. Not only is it a great true-crime mystery, it's a history lesson and social commentary. This is the best book about a southern city since "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Don't let the cover or subtitle fool you: it's a golf book the way "Seabiscuit" was a horse book. Go get it. You'll love it.