3 comments about Golfers.

1. 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.




2. "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.




3. 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.

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.

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 Tommy's Honour: The Extraordinary Story of Golf's Founding Father and Son.

1. Absolute great book. It may be a bit one sided on the founding of golf as we know it, but it tells a great story of a father and son, and the game they loved. A must read for anyone who is interested in the history of golf or for anyone getting ready for a golf trip to Scotland.

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 Maybe It Should Have Been a Three Iron: My Year as Caddie for the World's 438th Best Golfer.

1. I thought I was going to read about golf..Wrong..I am not interested to hear Mr Donegan's opinion's on world leaders.. Unfortunately I purchased it at an airport so can't return it and get my money back..



2. This is a very intelligent and witty book that all of us who understand golf's struggles must surely appreciate. But beyond a golfer's perspective, this should also be enjoyed as a story about any passion in life that proves to be extremely challenging or unattainable, and the humor of brushing aside all obstacles and pressing forward no matter how ridiculous the circumstances become.
   
   True, this isn't a book about Tiger Woods or Madonna or Bill Clinton, so if you are looking for pop culture, you'll need to look elsewhere. But if you are someone who cheers for the underdog and if you also like golf stories from an insider's point of view, I don't think you will be disappointed!



3. but this one is readable if only because it is a take on the Euro tour. It takes you to golfing venues and places that others dont. If you want a book about a player you know or courses and tournaments you are familiar with, then this is not your book. That, however, is the redeeming factor of this book. It does get dry because of that though, as it does the usual, painful breakdown of all of Ross Drummond's (Ross who?...exactly)shots and putts. This of course it what drops its rating down. A book like this on Tiger might rate 5 stars as we would all like to hear the inside scoop from his caddy. Where it does excel is with Donegan's wit, humor and exploits. When their relationship starts to sour Donegan takes more of an interest in his social life, and in places like Morocco you know it will get interesting. Chapter seven on his experience in Rabat is pretty dang funny.



4. Period. And I have read them all.



5. I read this book because I loved Donegan's other book 'No News At Throat Lake', which was both moving and hilarious.

   I don't play golf but know enough about it to enjoy the humor in this book, which kept me amused while I traveled around Ireland for three weeks. Donegan has a great ability to capture well the itinerant lifestyle of the B-grade pro-golfer, the emotional ups and downs of losing more than winning, the little triumphs and pleasures of golf, and the mental stamina needed to be a pro-golfer.

   I recommend this book to golfers as well as anyone who just wants a very funny read.

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

3 comments about A Fairway to Heaven: My Lessons From Harvey Penick On Golf And Life.

1. A good book for all golfers. Tom's relationship with Harvey Penick is obvious and he learned a lot from Harvey and it shows in his golf game. It's a great book.



2. 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.




3. 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.

1 comments about Chasing Tiger: The Tiger Woods Reader.

1. Da Capo Press present a collection of sports stories chronicling the career of the phenomenal "Tiger" Woods. As a player, icon and astute businessman, Tiger has captured the hearts and minds of sports writers. As much as they have written about this great champion of the links, the more he suprises them with new records. They are chasing Tiger but he is not so easily to be captured and defined in words. Thus this collection gives us an over-view of those writers fascination with their young prey as he launches his career.

   Jaime Diaz's profile of Tiger in 1991 kicks off the beginning of this collection. It is significantin that it set the pattern for Tiger becoming more than just a name in the crowd who happened to be a good golfer. Diaz warns Nicklaus to watch out for a new young man is in town (Tiger was fifteen)who will surpass him.

   A decade later, Michael Wilborn from the Washington Post bemoans the fact that being great isn't good enough in golf anymore. Why? The answer is simple, Tiger Woods. The young man has changed the stakes of the game to the point where being great isn't enough to win. Even in his "slump" periods, Tiger is still at his peak. He has raised the stakes and game to a much higher level that forces his opponents to play better.

   The rest of the articles touch on issues about his deal with Nike, his refusal to be baited into "race" issues, his golf career at Stanford and his becoming a cultural icon. All of these articles are informative and enlightening as you see Tiger develop over the years. Truly this young man has changed the face of golf in many ways. Chasing Tiger:The Tiger Woods Reader is an essential book to have in seeing how the sports world has kept its eye on one of golf's greatest champions.