Golf Books

I would recommend this study guide to any golfer that would like to take their Game for both Golf and Life to the next level. Jim and Wally did a wonderful job of showing us how the foundations of life and golf are so similar. I am excited to share with you that we are now using the study guides in our church to reach out to golfers and help them take their game for life and golf to a whole new level. Well Done!

Why Not Benefit Your Life?

This book can improve your life in a thousand ways. Jim Shead and Wally Armstrong take the bible and apply it to the game of golf and to life in manner that is unobtrusive and realistic. For Christians and non-Christians alike, this book competently teaches the reader the benefits of living in God’s Word.
Shead and Armstrong have divided this book into chapters, with each chapter relating a message of Christianity to a specific aspect of golf, which is then related to a specific aspect of life. Some examples of the chapters are; balance, timing, perseverance, and power sources. The chapters work in a progressive order, the following one expanding or adding to the preceding chapter.
Perhaps the most effective aspect of this book is the way the reader is kept from becoming lost as they learn about Christianity. The progressiveness of the chapters allows the readers to grasp or understand a concept before they are introduced to more. As well, Christianity can be confusing, and Shead and Armstrong reduce the confusion with the quality of examples they use. Each and every example is realistic and most likely been experienced by the reader. In other Christianity books, examples may seem to come from fairy tales, where only a few have ever heard or have themselves experienced the examples being used. For example, most golfers have found themselves at one time or another facing a shot out of a sand trap. This example is something that most people can identify with. “In His Grip” explains how life can also put you in a bunker, and uses God’s Word to explain how to get out or prevent you from going in.
The bible passages that accompany every page also provide a means for the reader to expand upon what they have just read and learned. What makes this unique is the availability of secondary sources that go into greater detail and may provide further insights. If the reader was sufficiently impressed with “In His Grip” and wanted to know more about living with God, they would only have to look in a bible (which is not difficult to attain).
Shead and Armstrong also did a good job of keeping it light enough so the reader does not get discouraged. This book was written in a manner that provided the reader with both encouragement and hope. The wholehearted encouragement leaps of the page, creating the impression that the authors’ goals are to help you instead of writing to make a buck. The only drawback is the length. A book that makes you feel this good should be longer.
So before you spend money on a book, stop and think what you’re getting out of it. Entertainment from a book is one thing, lifelong self-fulfillment is another. “In His Grip” is an incredibly solid read. Anyone (golfer or non) looking to find themselves and sincere happiness could learn a lesson or two from this book.

A terribly dull subject made truly exciting and amusing. The best book on
the rules of golf ever.

This book is a fun way to lookat the rules of golf. The stories also help clear things up. I really like this book and highly recommend it.

After playing Poppy Hills in June 2001 I found this book to be both fascinating and exciting. The book brought back both fond memories of great shots and the disapointment of not so great shots. After reviewing the pictures and learning of the history I'm already planning our next trip! I recommend this book to anyone with a smattering of appreciation for a beautiful golf design.

Udo Machat, who previously brought us a terrific book (The Golf
Courses of the Monterey Peninsula) about golf on this fabled
landscape, has here concentrated on one of the three courses used for
the annual AT&T Pro-Am. Poppy Hills is a tough test of golfing
skills and Machat amply displays both in story and photographs the
subtlety and dimension of this world-class course. While the photos
are not of top professional caliber, they nevertheless complement and
offer good balance to the text. The excellent forward is by the
course's architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. I recommend this book to
anyone interested in golfing literature. It's a good read and looks
great on the coffee table.

Whittaker will also remain in my memory for his outstanding sports essays given in summary fashion at major sporting events, especially those he gave at golf.

This book is full of a broadcasting career rich in its breadth and depth of sport at the highest level.

Among my favorite Whittaker sampling are: Japanese guest asking for directions from pro George Fazio to the first tee and his response: If he can find Pearl Harbor, he can find the first tee The time in Stuttgart when the rent-a-car place gave him a new Porsche he had trouble shifting the gears, the citizens screaming and whistling in protest of his violation of such a vehicle and his writing: "In total disgrace, I managed somehow to get up the hill and, at long last, gratefully onto the Autobahn before the citizens laid hands upon me." The story of Bob Rossburg and the man telling him that he kicked Tony Lema's ball inbounce, and Rosburg's reaction.

It's all here: horse racing, auto racing, tennis, golf, track and field (great stories behind the Iron Curtain), boxing, etc.

This is a true joy to read from one of the greatest and most articulate, passionate commentators of the game. Truly enjoyable read, which I'm sure I'll do again. You should as well.

Jack Whitaker spins stories not only about exotic people and places; he also reveals a great deal about himself. His content and style clearly communicate a man who deeply appreciates the important things in life, a perspective that allows him to keep his long professional career, with its legion chance-of-a lifetime experiences, in perspective. Whitaker's book is a testimony to gratitude, not ego. "Preferred Lies and Other Tales" is, ultimately, stories less about sports, and more about life. In a culture flooded with hype, Jack Whitaker is a voice of hope.

This book was great and took many strokes off my game thank you Dr. Lampert ! This book was excellent

This book has changed my game. I've tried everything, bought all the gadgets. Nothing helped. Your book was simple to follow and I especially liked the eye dominancy test. I can understand why the pro's line up at your door.

This is a very useful book with 340 different course descriptions and easy-to-read, color maps showing where the courses are located. In addition, it lets you in on how to obtain discounted greens fees so you can play a lot of courses--at least come of the time--for less than $25. And it fits in your pocket or golf bag.

This is an easy to use reference guide packed with information on golf courses in central Florida. It includes maps and detailed information on the courses, cost, the names of the golf pros etc... A must if you are a golfer planning a trip to Florida.

John Morris, the 1974 Associated Press sports reporter, is on the way to the Bing Crosby Pr-Am tournament accompanied by his long term companion Julia Sullivan. Both look forward to the event and a chance to renew old friendships. The Crosby is an invitational only tournament, consisting of the crooner, his friends, pro golfers, and Hollywood celebrities. It is also a time when old resentments rise to the surface, manifesting in fisticuffs between two senior citizens.

Morris breaks up the combatants before anyone is hurt, but moments later one of the fighters begins to foam at the mouth and ultimately dies. While trying to revive the man, Morris smells almonds on his breath, leading him to suspect cyanide poisoning. The subsequent autopsy confirms Morris' suspicions. Morris and Julia decide to help their good friend, the local sheriff, on his investigation. When the second combatant turns up dead, a victim of cyanide poisoning also, the sleuths realize a killer is on the rampage and needs to be stopped.

Fans of golf, historiography, and amateur sleuths will want to follow the latest escapades of Morris and Sullivan. Though 25 years have passed since the events described in A RAIN OF DEATH took place, readers will be shocked at how much the world has changed. Through his two protagonists, John Loque has captured the essence of the early seventies. The story line and the two likable lead characters make this novel enjoyable for non-golf buffs, but it is the fan of the hole in one who will devour this birdie.

Harriet Klausner

If you like golf, you'll like this book. If you like to readwell-written mysteries, you'll like this book. If you like books thatdrop names of famous persons all over the place, you'll like this book.

All in all, it's almost totally satisfying, even to this non-golfer, and who doesn't even watch it on TV! Although I do read about it in the daily paper. Because what I do like is reading. On almost any topic, as long as the book is well-written, craftily plotted, with some wit and characters I wish I could meet, in person. There are a couple of small and annoying editorial glitches, plus one habitual trick that I almost wish the author would have left out. Set during the Crosby Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Pebble Beach in January, 1974, the author, AP golf writer John Logue, continually writes " . . . would in future years . . " or " . . . would win this tournament (or some other one.)" It's nice to know what would happen in years to come, but it might have been better had he made it contemporary, and looked back, rather than all that looking into the future.

That's a minor niggle, though. Much can be forgiven for writing of this high quality; there is a serenely poetical walk-through of each of the holes of this famous course, carved as it is out of cliffs and ocean, and exceedingly vulnerable to the whims of Mother Nature. On its own, this chapter could send you heading for a travel bureau - or an instructor in golf, so you could experience it firsthand.

Bing himself plays a minor role, finding himself in the hospital. His brother Larry, plus entertainers Phil Harris and Clint Eastwood, rub shoulders with all sorts of major golfers of the time (and earlier) - Nicklaus, Weiskopf, Bolt, Strange, Snead, Hogan - who wander through the pages along with the eventual winner of the rain-shortened tourney - Johnny Miller.

This is the fourth of a series about golf writer John Morris and his lady, Julia Sullivan. I'd not read any of the previous ones, but this one sent me to my library for the first one - FOLLOW THE LEADER, from 1979.

The editors, Rick Wolffe, Bob Trebus and Stuart Wolffe have produced their second of a three book series on A.W. Tillinghast. This book, "Reminiscences of the Links" is even richer than the first ("The Course Beautiful") with terrific photographs, revolutionary writing and astonishing admissions. Like Tillie taking a 17 on the closing hole at the Garden City Invitational, the incident regarding Johnny McDermott at Shawnee, or his suggestion that someday Bethpage will rank as one of the great golfing meccas of the world. It may have taken awhile for that prediction to come true but by the time the Open rolls around there will be few who will dispute it. And where else can you find the original routing plan for all the courses and such early photos of play on the Black? Good job, fellas! -- Bob Labbance, Editor for The Golf Collector's Society.

Having restored and modernized more Tillinghast layouts than any of us Rees Jones states in an introductory paragraph "A.W. Tillinghast was pure genius" while Ben Crenshaw in a companion paragraph says "he was an individualist to say the least. American golf was fortunate to have him around in the early stages."

Our profession (golf architecture) is indebted to the editors for their second volume of Tillinghast essays. It is to be followed by a third title within two years entitled GLEANINGS FROM THE WAYSIDE. (I think the first, THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL is still available.)

Frank Hannigan says in the foreword that golf architecture is an art form requiring engineering expertise mixed with 19th century principles of landscape design. Vision is also required in the creation of golf courses as it was in the creations by Olmstead and other 19th century landscape architects.

Somehow Tilly's essays demonstrate this. Reading them and studying the descriptive illustrations one reaches that conclusion.

REMINISCENCES...... IS A WORK WORTHY OF STUDY AND A PLACE IN ALL OUR LIBRARIES AND AS A GIFT TO CLIENTS AND OTHERS. We urge members to obtain it and if still available THE COURSE BEAUTIFUL. This trilogy will live and could influence our profession far into the future, because the three volumes will be studied by all seeking the upward progress of our profession which must be one of the most intriguing ever practiced. As Rees and Ben indicate, Tilly ranks among its most unique practioners.

-- Geoffrey S. Cornish, Historian, American Society of Golf Course Architects

This book is at once engaging and informative. It's packed with practical advice and step-by-step instructions for planning a course - something that I haven't found in this kind of detail in any other book. And amidst the practical information are terrific stories about bad routings (a civil engineer who designed a dog-leg 180 yard par 3!), stories about how a routing preserved an archaeological treasure (The Moundbuilders Country Club), and stories about the author's own successes and failures. Interviews with Bob Graves, Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Pete Dye and a host of other golf course architects shed light on their routing experiences and highlight just how critical the routing phase is to the success of a course. Really well done.

What a terrific book: I am a golf nut who just happens to live in Australia, and although I have never designed a course other than doodles, I have certainly pondered the nuance of the layout of some of the games great courses that I have had the honor to play: Cypress Point (the final chapter is all about this one gem) and Pebble Beach, The Old Course at St Andrews are all thoughtfully explored. I particularly liked the "templates" and I feel I have a much better understanding of the science of course design. Its a good read, and very thoughtfully done. I want to build a three hole "amen corner-of-the-world" course in my backyard now.

I would highly recommend it to anyone, but if you are actually having a course built, its a must read! And buy one for your course architect as well!

A great book to read at the beach!

The Saga of Joe Monk is an enchanting story that people of all ages will enjoy. It was a perfect read for my weeks vacation on the coast. No only did it refresh me spiritually, but the golf scenes are riveting. A must read for golfers and non-golfers alike.....