Golf Books

J.R. Boleyn's novel, "Far Way to Even" (an obvious music pun on Stairway to Heaven) is a funny and insightful mystical tale questioning the origins of humanity and the folly of modern man, reminiscent to me of novels akin to Douglas Adams and Tom Robbins. Blatantly jumping literary genres between fiction and nonfiction, Boleyn seemed to be sticking it to every conceived notion of 'how to be a rock god in 3 lifetimes or less.' If it weren't for the fact that his cohort in the book, Chuck Hammer, really did play guitar for Lou Reed and David Bowie, and Shawn Phillips is a real person, I would have found the premise hard to believe. But I did, thanks to the author not taking himself, or rock gods and golfing gods, too seriously. The bit with Jack Lemmon and Bob Hope has me absolutely crawling across the floor. As a lover of the game of golf, I won't spoil the ending for you here because this book deserves a thorough full read. I will say it made me think very hard about 'what is reality' and Mr. Boleyn's careful penetration into higher realms of being is a superb expose on the modern revelations of quantum physics without all the hocuc pocus drivel from accredited scientists. For my own part, I can't wait til the day women do compete in the Master's. After reading this book, Vijay will be prying his foot from his mouth for a long time to come. It's a great read, and for anyone who read the fictional and hard to swallow "Celestine Prophecy", "Far Way to Even" is the real thing. Rock on!

Being neither a golfer or musician, upon recommendation of a friend I purchased Mr. Boleyn's new book. I am however, the proprietor of a winery, and found many points of contact of which I quickly related growth and life of the vineyard to many of the perceptive analogies in this book, especially the chapters concerning quantum theory and manifestation. I recommend this book to any individual seeking self-transformation and reading a good story about acheiving your life goa;s.

I have an autistic son and he loves all of the Froggy books. Froggy's Day With Dad is his new favorite. It is a great book about fathers and sons. I highly recommend this book.

Seriously...the lady at the grocery store recommend this book for our toddler and I can't tell you how much he seems to like it. It's nice to get a chance to read a children's book that doesn't insult children's intelligences.

I first read this gem in 1963, when I was just learning the game. I have re-read it every few years since, and still get something out of it each time.

It is admittedly dated, with the subsequent development of graphite and composite shafts, "metal-woods", hybrids and new ball technology (and other improvements). But the basic principles are still just as valid now as they were then; the grip, the basic swing, the mental game/strategy. The unique last chapter or two, where you literally play a few holes with the author, instilled in me with the belief that I would learn to play well, and quickly. (MAYBE not in the very first round, like I believed then, but, I was 13 !!! )( And I did learn to play well.)

I have taught maybe 20-25 people to play over the years, from scratch. And, with each one, their games soared once they digested the information in this little classic.

I would recommend it to any beginner at any time -- tho' they need to be made aware of the outmoded sections before they rack their intellect trying to find the old shafts, balls, etc., in this day and age.

Still, it is a real little diamond, hidden among a vast array of beginner's texts. Its popularity here on Amazon attests to its value.

I liked this book because it's small and concise and it tells you just what you need to know. As a beginner golfer I learned all the essentials that are valid today even though this book was published back in 1964. I think some things in the book should be updated but I still keep it in my bag as reference. Great all around book for the beginner golfer and for the price.

The final title in "The Tillinghast Trilogy, Gleanings From The Wayside: My Recollections As A Golf Architect is a volume of memorable, insightful, informative essays by professional golf course designer Albert Warren Tillinghast. This was a most remarkable man who traveled across the nation creating recreational paradise with his unique vision. Black-and-white photographs enhance this extensive, thoughtful book merging the love of architecture with the love of golf, Gleanings From The Wayside is fascinating reading for golf enthusiasts everywhere, but most especially for the armchair golf fan who want a glimpse of incredible courses without traveling hundreds of miles to play on them. Also highly recommended are the author's previous two golf architecture memoirs in "The Tillinghast Trilogy": The Course Beautiful (0965181804) and Reminiscences Of The Links (0965181812).

"Gleanings from the Wayside" gives us a further glimpse into the times and to read his observations from a pure artist's standpoint. His influence was far reaching indeed.

I am ... and I love the short stories about golfer's oops, smart-alic caddies, and funny sayings. I golf weekly and this book will always be in my bag! Thanx for the great book of golf history Mr.Herrington.

What a fantastic book. Everyone should have one. Written by my old college roommate at Michigan! GO BLUE

It is difficult to assign any true rating to this book, as its value goes beyond measure. It is a treasure trove of information on golf strategy, and well as insight into construction which anyone even remotely interested in golf architecture will benifit from reading.

Alistair Mackenzie wrote that most golfers know whether they like or dislike a hole, but not why. Thomas goes a long way to explaining the why. Variety, equity, challenge: the things we hope to find on every course.

Even if you are simply a fan of the Riviera CC, site of the LA (Nissan) Open every year, reading this book will help illuminate why this course is what it is.

This book is a must for all golf historians and want-to-be golf course architects. It gives you in depth insight on how to build a strategic and rewarding golf course. George C. Thomas has the courses to back it up as well. A perfect example is The Riviera Country Club, which I have worked at and played many times. It is the epitomy of a strategic course that this book exemplifies.

if you want to get the real feel, this is the book.. old and new.great course descriptions of all holes and how to play them which i will do on apr 4th. all the trivia and little known facts. amaze your friends astound your buddies. this is all you need.

If you yearn to play there someday, this would appear to be an excellent introduction. Each hole is described in detail and the history is clearly recited. The book also describes the several other courses (beyond the Old Course) that they might try to shuffle you off to. One of them (the NEW Course) is older than all but 2 or 3 courses in this country. One of the most enjoyable golf books I've read.

For anyone who is struggling with their golf game, this book reminds us that the game can be simpler and more enjoyable. Let John Toepel show you how to get the maximum performance and enjoyment from your own natural talent. This book was a breakthrough for me.

Before buying and reading this book, I urge you to read John Toepel's other book "Golf Can't Be This Simple - The Swing". Follow the concepts and techniques in these two books and you will probably not want or need to purchase another book on golf instruction. I'm an average golfer and I cannot believe the improvement after a couple of weeks. The book is about developing your swing and your game for life, not a shoppling list of quick fixes.

I found the book to be well written and well organized. It showed me how important the old man in the white beard was to the game of golf. Not only was he instrumental in establishing 18 holes as the standard number of holes in a round, but he also had a hand in starting the British Open, the first major golf tournament. I enjoyed reading about the many courses he designed and I would like to play some of them when I visit Scotland. I think anyone going to play golf in Scotland or Ireland would benefit from reading this book.

I enjoyed reading this book about Old Tom Morris who, I discovered, sculpted golf into the game we play today. I always thought that the Old Course at St. Andrews was created by nature, but Kroeger's book showed me that Old Tom did a lot of design work to it in his 40 year stint as greenkeeper. I would highly recommend this book to anyone traveling to Scotland to play Old Tom's courses or to those interested in the history of golf or golf course architecture.

If you have ever been to the Monterey Peninsula and played just even one or two of the famous courses there, this book will be that stimulus to allow you to relive those rounds or to think ahead to new ones on those most famous (and exclusive) courses.
Nearly every hole at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Cypress Point are pictured and a good amount of the holes at Poppy Hills, Monterey Pennisula CC, Spanish Bay and Pacific Grove are included as well. You can practically feel the damp and crisp morning air or hear the seals barking offshore through the pine forests as you flip through the pages of this book. If ever there was a great bedtime book for golfers who want to have pleasant dreams about one of the world's best (if not the best) golfing venues, this would be that book.

A beautiul book although the first copy I ordered had a defect from the publisher. Half of the pages in the book were upside down.