1 comments about Passion For Golf: In Pursuit of the Innermost Game.

1. This splendid little book is a double-edged Christmas gift: any intelligent golfer will love and benefit from it--and any gift-giver will appreciate having such an easy choice. "Passion for Golf" is not an instruction book, a how-to about better grips and reading greens. Instead it is a gracefully written (Merullo is a novelist) exploration of what golfers really battle on the course--not just the lies and bunkers and crosswinds but themselves and their demons: Ego, Anger, Fear, and others. Merullo writes of how to the game, and he doesn't need to draw on any Tigers or White Sharks to enlighten you. Indeed what is most appealing about this book is the he writes from the perspective of a pretty-good amateur playing a no-name course in western Massachusetts. And if you step back a bit for some perspective, you see that this is really a book about life. MBA's who have worn out their copies of "The Book of Five Rings" will find it worth their while, but any passionate golfer will enjoy a round in Merullo's company.

No comments about Thirty Years of Championship Golf: The Life and Times of Gene Sarazen (Golf Classics).

5 comments about Lifelong Looper: The Story of a Caddie Legend.

1. As avid golfers, my husband and I looked forward to reading this book -- and what a treat it was. We've never met Cotton and never been to Bethlemen PA, and certainly never to the hallowed halls of Saucon. But there is really something in the soul of the man, Ross "Cotton" Young, that is both inspiring and intriguing.
   
   We could hardly put the book down and loved every touching, hilarious and uncommon moment that the author so skillfully lays at the readers feet. Not a "famous" man, not a man of means, but truly a man of high spirit, principles, devotion to the game and a gentleman, in the best sense of the word.
   
   If you enjoy stories of bygone eras, and people from a time of ethics, values and true American spirit, you will find it all in Lifelong Looper. This would also be a great gift for any golfer on your list.
   
   We highly recommend it.



2. Life Long Looper: The Story Of A Caddie Legend by Cindy O'Krepki is the intriguing tale of one man's seventy-seven year career as a golf caddie at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Readers will be enthralled with the caddie's stories of comedy, drama, and intimate relationships between golfer and caddie as O'Krepki superbly details the history of the long lived caddie. Life Long Looper is very highly recommended to non-specialist general readers who appreciate biographies of interesting people leading interesting lives (and most particularly those readers with an interest in golfing) for its involved and personal telling of every given aspect of an inspirational life.



3. Although I've never golfed, I thoroughly enjoyed "playing it" through the eyes of a legend. I personally know this man and the author and can attest to their character and the amazing life story that is told. What a heart-warming look into the extraordinary life of a very humble man!



4. At 28 and being the old soul that I am... It's hard to find the depth of character found in this book in my generation -- I thoroughly enjoyed being taken back to such a simple time, through such a legendary game and visiting the life of such a heroic man. I don't know much about golf, but this book allowed me to see it through Cotton's eyes, a 'behind the scenes' look at what it takes to play, live and breath this game. I would recommend this book to anyone from a Pro Golfer to the soul who loves being touched by the integrity of heart and passion Cotton possessed.



5. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the journey that Cotton Young undertook in his many years as a caddie. I also really enjoyed the writing style of the author and how she wove the history of the times within Cotton's story. And, of course, it was a real pleasure to experience a part of golf that I will never personally see; the world of exclusive clubs, professional tournements and famous personalities. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in golf lifestyles, golf history or the courageuous story of a working-class hero.

1 comments about The Architects of Golf: A Survey of Golf Course Design from Its Beginnings to the Present, With an Encyclopedic Listing of Golf Architects and Their Courses.

1. For anyone who is interested in golf course architecture, this book is a must for your library. Contains a complete index (a continuous work-in-process) of architects and their courses. Essentially every course in the world (including those which are no longer in existance), is listed including its location, date of orgin and the architects who created it also the provider of any known substantial (professional) renovation work. It must take a tremendous effort for the authors to keep this book up to date. I hope the fact that this book is no longer in print indicates that the authors are hard at work. If you do not have a copy find one, if you have to go the the library and photocopy theirs (but bring a stack of dimes its very long).

No comments about Tiger Woods: Photo Tribute to a Champion.

1 comments about Byron Nelson: The Most Remarkable Year in the History of Golf.

1. The book is an interesting chronicle of Byron's 1945 season, however the writing is rather dry. I think it could have been much more interesting if the author had more of a flair. I have read a lot of golf books, and this just left me slightly underwhelmed.

5 comments about Out of the Rough : An Intimate Portrait of Laura Baugh and Her Sobering Journey.

1. Only someone who does not suffer from alcoholism would question the ability of a small woman to drink insane amounts of alcohol. I have no doubt that Laura Baugh drank every drink she says she did - I have been there. I, too, abstained during my pregnancies, it was the one time when I didn't struggle with myself over drinking or not drinking. This is a great story and I admire Laura for pulling herself out of the despair she felt - I know, I have felt it also.



2. I find it very, very hard to believe that anyone, especially a small woman, could drink to the degree that Laura Baugh did and not sustain liver damage. She also says she abstained during her pregnancies...did she know the instant she was pregnant? I think not. I guess writing is an easier way to make a buck than playing golf.



3. THIS IS THE STORY OF LAURA BAUGH, RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC, PRO GOLFER, AND MOTHER. SHE DOES A GREAT JOB DESCRIBING HER LIFE AND CAREER. HER STRUGGLE WITH INNER DEMONS, BROKEN MARRIAGES, AND PRESSURES IS VERY INTERESTING. HER STORY IS A MIRACLE. AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE 12 STEP PROGRAM OF AA AT WORK. LAURA HAS BEEN BLESSED BY GOD AND THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR ALL RECOVERING AND PRACTICING ADDICTED PEOPLE. I REMEMBER WHEN LAURA FIRST CAME ON THE PRO TOUR IN THE EARLY 70'S, SHE WAS THE HOTTEST HOTTIE IN SPORTS. GLAD TO SEE SHE HAS CONFRONTED HER ADDICTION AND DEALS WITH IT ONE DAY A TIME. SHE IS STILL HOT AND CERTAINLY PROVEN TO BE A BABY MACHINE. MUST READ.



4. Isn't that the question since we were chldren? Who's in control here? Some figure it out quicker than others and learn the lesson better. For others, like Laura, it takes time and pain. But in the end, gain.

   Her pain and gain, here exposed for all the world to see, is for the comfort and strength she gives through this book to those who find themselves or loved ones in -- out of control.

   Frightening and shocking is the realization that such substances take over and dominate such intelligent, talented people. The fight will always be there. Close by though, more powerful than those unrelenting enemies are Laura's strengths she's learned to rely upon and live for, God and children. May both bless her.

   She's a winner in more important events than just LPGA championships.




5. Laura Baugh's openness and candor makes her story a must-read for anyone in recovery, or anyone who knows someone in recovery.

5 comments about Tin Cup Dreams: A Long Shot Makes It on the PGA Tour.

1. We often get a quick blurb by anouncers whenever an unknown makes it into the top running during a tournament. Some kid who has done nothing put play golf since he could hold a club, or some underadvantaged caddie who figured out how to beat a few of the best. We don't tend to hear much more than that, though.
   
   Esteban Toledo, like many of the figures on (and off and on...) tour that we admire rarely get such a closeup. Hogan's story brings inspiration, Bobby Jones brings awe. Neither tale, however, gives any of us much to relate to. Esteban's story does. He is far beyond a weekend hack, but like most of us who seem to spend more time on the range than at home he is a grinder, ever looking to improve and maintain himself. His motivations are different, but the goal is the same: attaining a dream.
   
   Reading this story will stir something in any golfer, I imagine, making it a good addition to your library. I do hope if the book is reprinted, though, that the numerous typos will be fixed.



2. To simply put it, this was a very good book and an easy read too, however many typos and errors. But other than that i loved the book.



3. Itýs hard to know what part of this sweaty fairy tale to like the best.
   First there was Esteban Toledo the boy. He was the driven young Mexican kid whose family in Mexicali was so poor that having nothing would be a step up.

   But the boy was also unique. He was a scrapper. He was a boy with nothing who taught himself to play a rich manýs game and he worked at it fulltime. So, just at the right time, some rich gringo from California offered the boy a miracle.

   Then, there is Esteban the man. It took a while until he adjusted to the first miracle: Going from the streets to living in a mansion. But he goes on to a new struggle, the hugely difficult quest to play on the PGA tour and just when he seems doomed, he creates a second miracle.

   Finally, we have the millionaire, a man who plowed fields behind a horse at age 8. Jon Minnis the self-made man doesnýt care about a charitable tax deduction. He prefers results to tax deductions. He and his wife, Rita, would rather pluck a poor kid out of the Mexicali slums, just because the kid deserves a shot. Then, of course, they will love him and suffer with him. Youýll thank God they didnýt just write a check.

   Tin Cup Dreams by Michael DýAntonio is a true, painful, inspiring tale in which suffering leads to miracles. These miracles demand huge investments in sacrifice, and enormous, unlikely leaps of faith before the ball falls into that tin cup at just the right moment. But when that ball really does fall, you still know it is a miracle and you still wipe the sweat off your brow and rejoice.

   If youýve never bet on a long shot, or even if you have, this is a great, fast read that pays off in inspiration and motivation. Meet PGA Tour pro golfer Esteban Toledo and the people who are there with him in his dream. Itýs worth it.




4. This book contains an excellent story and very well paced.It follows Esteban Toledo from his PGA tour qualification to the tour as he plays in a variety of tournaments, covering his practise habits, his earlier life, his caddy, the playing partners and family. The year seems to pass in front of the reader giving insights into variety of aspects of professional golf players.

   A hard to put down book.




5. This book was simply sensational! Anyone who has ever touched a golf club should read this book, because it makes anyone a believer that the "impossible" can happen. I could not put this heartwarming book down after reading page after page of Esteban's trials and turmoils on his path to greatness on the PGA Tour. What a great book for anyone who's been told that they cannot do something. Esteban Toledo silenced all his critics and proved that he could!

4 comments about The Captain: George C. Thomas Jr. and His Golf Architecture.

1. A wonderful book if you like golf courses and design. The author's other book, The Golden Age, is even better and I enjoyed both.



2. The Captain is Geoff Shackelford's brilliant bouquet to the memory of one of America's legendary golf architects, George C. Thomas Jr. Using little known details and newly discovered illustrations, Shackelford thoughtfully analyzes the might captain's course architecture with the same loving attention that Thomas himself gave to both his course designs and his hybrid roses.



3. I was extremely disappointed in this book. Mr. Shackelford didn't know whether to write it as a biography of George C. Thomas or as a summary to George C. Thomas' book "Golf Architecture in America: Its Strategy and Construction". Neither was written well enough to finish 5 chapters.



4. The Captain, though not destined for any bestseller lists, is typical of the recent high-quality books from Sleeping Bear Press. Publishers of several interesting golf books of late, The Captain is another feather in their cap. A biography of famed golf course architect George C. Thomas Jr., the author looks at his life and analyzes Thomas's fascinating design work, including the world renowned Riviera in Los Angeles. The Captain is a must for any serious golfer who loves the history and architecture of the game

No comments about Greg Norman: The Biography.