Golf Books

"Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible" is most likely the best book I've read on golf. In the beginning of the book, Pelz demonstrates, through the use of his extensive data on both tour players and amateurs, just how important it is to be proficient from 100 yards and in. Many golfers think they can just read a book, then go on the course and be successful. This is never true.
If you want to become a better short game player, you are going to need to hit thousands of practice shots, and you are going to have to learn how to hone your distance control with your wedges and the various length of your swing.. (7:30 swing, 9:00 swing, and 10:30 swing)

All in all, I highly recommend this book.

If you're the type that can learn from a book and want to know all the technical aspects of the short game - this is the book for you. Very detailed and very technical but you will learn a lot from it. This is a "must have" book, along with 'Dave Pelz's Putting Bible' and Leadbetter's 'The Swing'.

Bought this book in 2000 just after it came out and immediately read the first 100 pages (it's 400 pages long). Just understanding the concepts of the physics behind his instruction was eye-opening for me (I loved the statistics and explanations). He applies the numbers to real-life results (ie: the pros with the best short game earn the most money consistently year after year). Once I understood the basic concept that distance control was the key and then read about the basic techniques, my index tumbled from a 12.4 to 8.1 in just two months and as low as 4.6 by the end of summer! This in spite of hitting an average of only 5-6 greens in regulation per round.
One nice thing about this book is you don't have to read or understand all the statistics or physics in order for it to make a profound impact on your game. You can use it as a reference for a lot of specialty shots once you get the basic finesse swing down. (I use the technique with most of my irons all the way up to my 5-iron thus extending my distance control game out to about 150 yards).
Definitely a must read if you are serious about improving your golf game.

Don't ask questions. Just get it, believe it, learn it, and use it. You will benefit.

I am the author of Striking It Rich: Golf in the Kingdom with Generals, Patients and Pros

If this book was the 5-star standard, there wouldn't be too many other 5-star books. In other words, its in a class by itself. Production quality, instruction, information, etc is as good as it gets. A tremendous value for your golfing expenditures. Pelz has contributed significantly to our game with the publication of this book.
With that said, allow me to point out a few things that couldn't be right...
1. Pros having a pei of 18% on their wedges and 8% on their full shots. That implies that they get a 200 yard shot closer than a 100 yard one.
2. Also getting your short game handicap by the method near the end of the book is inconsistant (ie self contradictory). (and contradictory to a pei of 18% for these wedge shots as well)

I also don't agree with the method of guaging distances in the book but that is not necessarily an error- just my opinion.

But all things considered, the best book of its kind by far.

My entire family loves this book. I don't think you have to be a golfer to enjoy it but it sure can't hurt. I have given this book to many a golfer friend and everyone likes it. Very funny. Lots of smiles and laughs throughout! I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

I had read this book right after reading a popular "chick lit" book and was struck by how similar the plot line was and how different the details were. In both instances, the characters were trying to meet a particular challenge. In Missing Links the challenge was to be the first to play a round in the elite golf course next door, where, I suppose, the grass is greener on the other side.

This book was a perfect choice for summer vacation reading. Quite entertaining and not too taxing. Sprinkled among the details were allusions to local features that someone from the East and older than 40 would remember.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone seeking light reading and entertainment.

Wow. I'm really surprised at all the positive reviews of this book. Did we read the same novel? I had to force myself to finish this, and I'm a big Rick Reilly fan. Another page, another recycled joke written a much flatter tone than Reilly normally uses. Maybe if he'd gone with a 3rd person perspective instead of a 1st person I would have been more receptive. As it was, I never really got the sense that this was a real person/character telling this incredibly predictable story. There are some nice touches in this book, notably when he's talking about golfing with his uncle and really developing a passion for the game. But, more than anything, those touches are way too few and far between. Unless I'd recently received some sort of lobotomy, I'd move on to different book.

I haven't been reading many golf books lately, but I think Rick Reilly has just gotten my interest to a whole new level. You have to be patient with the book and forget your expectations, especially for those who aren't versed in Reilly-isms. But by the last few pages you realize what golf has really meant to you all these years and he puts the words to what we usually forget to do: get emotional! A great read, has all the characteristics of a classic golf story. Can't wait to read the sequel!

For a long time, I had one favorite golf novel: "Dead Solid Perfect." I bought it in college and laughed so hard while reading it I had tears in my eyes. Since then, I have read scores of golf stories, but none have come close to that level of humor until "Missing Links."

This follows the lives of Ray "Stick" Hart and his buddies at Ponky, the worst course in America, which happens to be next to one of the best and most exclusive clubs in America, the Mayflower. The only chance most Ponky players have of seeing the Mayflower is through the hole in the hedge that separates the two layouts.

From the origins of "the bet" to the conclusion of "the match," this story kept bringing smiles to my face. The ending is perfectly in line with the characters, and as much as I might have hoped for something different, it fits like a golf glove.

Some might see the foul language as a negative, but keep in mind that this is written about a sport that promotes cursing like no other. :)

I highly recommend this book for golf fans, Rick Reilly fans, and just fans of enjoyable light reading! (The sequel is a good read as well.)

Excellent book. Not a how to of golf but rather a how Tiger plays. Helped my game immensely. Espcially my putting. I would recommend this book golfers of all levels.

An exceptional book with good illustrations & bought at a very good price. Postage time was VERY DISAPPOINTING - expected to receive within 3-4 weeks (standard Air Freight) but took 6 weeks!!! This was our 1st purchase on Amazon & we were concerned and had almost given up on it! Expect DELAYS on overseas purchases.

If you enjoy golf and spend enough time to beat balls at the driving range, this book will give you a lot of tips how to improve your skills.

great book that help us to improve our golf...
and also give us a little taste of what is like been tiger

much bigger and better than i realised. he is gonna LOVE this one (It's being kept for christmas)

You'll get the most out of this story if you play golf. If you've watched golf then you'll get something out of it. This story revolves around a game between the two best players in the 30's and a local hero. Golf is a metaphor for life and the story is told brilliantly. Highly recommend.

Very inspirational and motivational. I couldn't put it down, it affected my thinking, made me cry at the end. What more can you ask of a good book? Highly recommend for Teen golfers.

This book is on the shelf in my classroom. I hadn't read it yet and was discussing it with one of my students who was looking for something to read. I had suggested it to him since he is a fan of many sports. He said he'd already read it. I told him I had not, since I am not a fan of golf. He looked at me like I was a small, silly child and said, 'It's not about golf.'

At that moment, I determined to read this book. So, this was my first free choice of a book this summer and I enjoyed it.

First things first. You do not have to understand golf to understand the book. The golf match is merely the vehicle to move the story forward. When Bagger Vance encourages his pupil to find his 'authentic swing' I simply inserted my own experiences with baseball to understand the feeling.

Secondly, the book is full of eastern philosophy. It's an interesting dichotomy - the American South during the Great Depression and Hinduism. Search 'Bhagavid-Gita, Bagger Vance' on the search engine of your choice and you'll find it laid out quite nicely on many, many sites.

So, my final grade: B+. Not Pressfield's best work but still quite interesting and well done.

Steven Pressfield has written one of the most important books of the century. Yes, it has a play-the-game-of-golf theme, but if one is willing to go where few will brave - this is a deeply profound book about love, truth, honor, betrayal, despair, fear courage, hope...and faith in God (that has nothing to do with man-made artifice of law and state). Indeed, the book is the only one I have ever read that perhaps transcends the meaning of time, place and space itself as part of a vast mystical wonderful experience. For many, as children of a Living God - know that He is "with" the least and last of us right now: a confused child in need, a down and out golfer somwhere who can't find his authentic swing, a woman who has lost the only man she ever loved, a husband & father who can't feed his own family. Yet, the book isn't that pat either for me to place in any slot. If anyone has ever faced a blank page in life itself with the hope to create one meaningful thought and/or kindness (perchance even sacrifice for the sake of another soul) encompassing both the human condition and far-beyond what human eyes can see - you will love this book by the one and only magnificent artist & author, Steven Pressfield. Buying ALL of his books (including this one) could be the best investment you make for yourself and your life. Great art does that sometimes....

Last winter in a philosophy class I was assigned to read a book called the Legend of Bagger Vance. At first, I rejected the entire idea of the book. Golf and philosophy? he had to be kidding right? And the main people in the book - Bagger, Junah, Hardy, Michael - how could they all take a silly game of golf so seriously? (I am not really much of a sports fan.)

It took a few class discussions, but I quickly realized my error. The Legend of Bagger Vance is a rare gem. Packed with religion (it is, after all, based on the Hindu text the Bhagavad-Gita), philosophy, and a rare kind of literary magic, Pressfield has rewritten and submitted a doctrine for the ages in the guise of a book about golf.

Most of the book focuses on a famous game played at Krewe Island between a local has been golf hero, Rannulph Junah and his caddie Bagger Vance, and the two best players of the day Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. (The latter two men did actually exist). The story is retold by Hardy as an old man, who was a young boy at the time of the game, to his young friend Michael. Michael recently quit med school, which Hardy can understand. He is a doctor himself and understands the stress and pressure of pursuing such a career. But when Hardy hears that Michael also quit golf - he decides to do something to bring his young friend back to the game. Through his retelling of the story, an excursion to a local friend, and a few other things I'm not mentioning, lest I spoil it for you, he tells us a magical story about duty, struggle and doing what you were meant to do.

I would suggest this book to anyone, but more specifically certainly any golfer (may you find your authentic swing), anyone who has an affinity for Eastern wisdom, and any person who is searching for meaning in this very confusing world. The movie, which I will not get into here, I would not suggest seeing, simply because it distorts a beautiful story. Main characters are deleted and romances are added - maybe you'd likeit, but I know I wouldn't.

But the book is marvelous. I'm what you could call a book worm, reading 10-20 books a month, but a semester has passed since I closed Bagger Vance, having read its final pages, and it still impacts me daily. The wisdom, philosophy and magic in this book are almost too powerful to convey on paper. But I have tried. Please, give this book a chance. It doesn't look like much, but it is.

I know myself and my friends have all enjoyed it immensely. Maybe it could change your life too.

If you are interested in the Mental aspect of The Game all of Doc Rotellas books are a must!

The saying that goes "golf is 90% mental" cannot be more true and revealing after you finish reading this book. Granted you have to have the physical ability and a few golf lessons under your belt to be able to put a good round of golf together, but what this book does is help one put aside, or dismiss, those negative thoughts that somehow show up in your mind just as you set up to hit the ball. This book teaches you to think positive, it gives you good tips and great advice. I have implemented many of the tips given and I can say it has positively helped my golf game. I would say reading this book probably help me shave 5-6 strokes of my handicap.

How may of us leave the course ready to give up this crazy game? This book helps you put a smile on your face and actually enjoy the game. It's a must read for the golf lover.

Excellent book that gives true insight into the mental game. A "must have" for any serious golfer looking to improve his game. Lessons on the practice tee will not give you this information.

Dr Bob Rotella is extremely well known in golf education for his advice on how to train your mind to play your best golf. He has helped some distinguished players including Tom Kite.

His basic philosophy is:
1. Believe you can achieve your golfing dream.
2. Have no swing thoughts or any thoughts about swing mechanics when you play.
3. Focus on a target for the ball: the smaller the better.
4. Stay in the present: forget previous shots (good and bad), don't think about the score for the round (good or bad). This will only distract you.

I have awarded this a one star. This is perhaps harsh, perhaps a three star would be appropriate but here is why I did:

My average handicap is 25 (27 in competition). I have been playing for three years and in the past 7 months as much as 5 or 6 times a week. I eat, sleep and dream golf. I devour new books and DVDs from the big names and some of the less well known.

I regularly watched the golf channel UK (RIP) and read Golf Digest online. My best rounds are around 85. My theoretical best (best scores per hole on different days) is 63.

In spite of starting this great game of golf at the age of 40, I've done well in many other sports and activities (squash, snowboarding, fencing, motorsport, aviation) and believe I should be able to play at a good level: regularly in the 80s and why not, with training and perseverance, in the 70s.

In short, my profile matches that of the target reader for this book. I had high expectations of this book and was hoping to discover new information and techniques on how to train my mind to get the best from my golf.

In reality, I found nothing new here. Most of the advice really is common sense and common place in all the golf related material I've encountered. Bob spends too much time covering what not to think. In the audio version, Bob drones on so much he sent me to sleep. Sadly, I have to say, the book is not worth the money and I can not recommend it.

Whether you are a novice or an accomplished player, this book gives an excellent perspective on the golf swing. Of particular value is the simplification of the swing into 2 types with specific associated fundamentals that apply to each type. WJWeeks

Wow! After reading Jim Hardy's The Plane Truth for Golfers I immediately realized that I was mixing fundamentals for the one plane swing and the two plane swing. This was causing my ball striking to be very erratic. After practicing the drills set forth in the book for my style of swing (one plane), I began striking the ball much more consistently and more shots were on target. After about 6 months of utilizing the information from Mr. Hardy, my handicap has gone from an 8 to a 5 (I still can't putt) and I am striking the ball more solidly than I ever have in the 49 years I have been playing the game. If you are serious about improving your golf game and are willing to utilize the information and drills in this book, you will not be disappointed!

This is the golf mechanics info. I have been looking for for years. Breaks down the "mystery" of the golf swing into two simple sets of mechanics so that you can try both and choose the one that is more natural for you. Has helped my game immensely. As a companion book read "Extraordinary Golf" by Fred Shoemaker.

For over 20 years, I had been confused about the golf swing. After reading this book, for the first time ever, I feel there is a simple, solid, fundamental swing I can work towards. My handicap's been all over the board- Everywhere from single digits to as high as fourteen. It seemed the more Golf Digest tips I read, the more confused I became, and the more my swing suffered.

While most of the fundamentals you learned growing up- steady head, weight on inner right foot, consistent spine angle, chin up, good tempo, balance etc.. are also fundamentals in Hardy's two swings, there are some major differences. I've battled with getting 'stuck inside' and pushing/hooking since I was 16. Absolutely every part of my common sense and intuition, not to mention almost every teacher, book, and magazine tip, would tell me my takeaway was too inside and to overcorrect by getting outside early on (or at the very least on the target path) on my backswing and downswing.

I now learn from Mr. Hardy that that thinking couldn't be more wrong for my swing type. With the set-up for the one plane swing, he actually suggests what amounts to coming much much more inside on the backswing- I've tried it and it works. If you buy into the one plane swing theory, you best quit your subscription to the golf rags. They'll most likely contradict Jim's thinking (their own tips often contradict each other.) While I haven't looked as deeply into his two plane thinking, it's clear he has debunked a lot of swing myths, contradictions and confusion for that swing type as well.

This is Jim Hardy's fist book on his revolutionary, but simple approach to the golf swing. I would HIGHLY recommed this book to EVERY golfer, no matter what level. Through much hard work and research, Jim Hardy HAS found the "Rosetta Stone" of the golf swing. His analytical but easy approach is by far the best golf video and book series that I have ever seen. It explains and packages the contradictory golf instructional information that we have all been getting throughout the years. This video series is jam-packed full of instruction; there is no advertising here. I only wish that this was available long ago. This will befit ALL golfers, including my eight year old son. The differences between the one and two plane swings will be the main teaching aid for years to come. The whole DVD set is well organized and through; Jim Hardy has found the answer to many of our problems. Thank you Jim!

Tour Tempo is a very useful instructional book for someone who has an intermediate level of golf ability/experience. It may be the only golf book that deals with how fast one should swing, as opposed to the detailed positions and mechanics that also make up a golf swing. Tempo is indeed important in a golf swing, because a golf swing is not a static event.

This book is the perfect complement to another terrific instructional book, 'The Keys to the Effortless Swing' as Amazon noted.

As a coach and instructor I am allways looking for information that helps to explain aspects of the golf swing to my students. Tour Tempo has provided me with just another way of explaining what the effect of taking the club away to slowly will have on distance and direction. Thank you
John Novosel for your insite. Coach H.Turk Walker

Great product as everyone else points out. Such a simple idea, yet so remarkably capable of fixing your swing. I didn't realize just how mush I was trying to muscle the club, rather then let my natural tempo and fluidity carry it. I'm the kind of person who needs a swing thought, but at the same time they make me stiff and awkward. But if my swing thought is tempo, i.e. proper speed back and through, I become much more free loose and less timid, the club glides along rather then feeling like I have to reroute it and muscle it back to the ball. Truly a great book.

Novosel's book makes an excellent point about how having good tempo in your golf swing will produce many benefits. Many golf instruction books give lip service to the concept of tempo, but I don't think anybody has ever explained it like this before and provided a rhythm track for you to practice with. He debunks the old saw about "swing slow" or "slow down your swing" etc. and shows how a slow swing actually allows a lot of counterproductive and inefficient movements to creep into your swing. When you swing with good consistent tempo every time, as do most PGA players, you improve the efficiency of your swing and you improve the likelihood of hitting the ball the same way every time. Of course, you have to have decent swing mechanics as well, and this book does not purport to teach mechanics.

Tour tempo is easy to read, the concept is very simple to adopt and more importantly works! The downside is my wife thinks I have lost my mind walking around saying swing, set, through!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the American Revolution, and the movement leading up to it; and desires to find authors who bring it back to life for us, who make us feel we actually know the people who have given so much of themselves for the rest of us, allowing us to make it to this century where we now live in comfort and liberty due to the extraordinary motivation that paved the way for us. Accurate historical account, but aided by vivid narrative rather than structured text, it's a read that's hard to put down. I want to relive the moments, feel the rush of what must have driven them, sense the night air, the position of the moon, and the countryside moving by in the same way they must have. History written without those basic human emotions is not the same as that which is, so that is the type of book I look for and not all authors are created equal.

The amazing aforesight of advance planning and fruitation of those plans coming from those without the aid of cell phones or other modern methods of communication seems all but impossible when you consider the personal danger, the distances between, the knowledge that there was no room for error in carrying out those plans in the dead of night once they were launched, the meticulous coordination and teamwork of the Pre-revolutionists; the ability used to carry it out with but rudimentary tools, even melting down materials for their bullets in their back rooms, in the knowledge that more would surely be needed and how was that to happen.

The book gives an accounting of the Old North Church signals, the climbing of the tower on a stairway far less sturdy than what current OSHA regulations would permit, I daresay, in the dark for fear of discovery, carrying lanterns to be lit with candles after arriving at the window. It describes the wild ride to Lexington spreading the warning, the capture by the British, all written in vivid detail. It gives insight into Paul Revere's life and his importance in the pre-revolution planning and intelligence system, not simply his "midnight ride". It describes the events leading up to it, the cat and mouse games played with the British that I had all but forgotten. What passion must have moved within them to suffer such discomfort in carrying out immense acts of courage.

I hope this review will aid others in their search for wonderful books regarding the Revolution, and I myself made use of such reviews before I made the selection, so many thanks to those who took the time to do it.

I happened to grow up on the road that Paul Revere road down -- well, one of them. My family spent a few years on Virginia Rd. in Lincoln, Mass. We lived right across the street from Hartwell Farms, where the Minutemen apparently stopped on their ride. Every year on April 19 we would get out of bed (this was the early 1960's) and watch the re-enactment of Paul Revere and The Minutemen. Down the road, at Rte. 2A there's a stone marker in a place that used to be an ice cream stand (might still be) where Revere was captured. When I picked up this book, I thought: what else is there to learn? Turns out...quite a bit. This is detailed, rich history. If you read "1776" and enjoy books along those lines, you'll relish in both the broader context of the build-up to the war and you'll savor the details of Revere, the pursuit and battles to Concord and the bloody, ugly return. This is a wonderful book. Period.

Seldom does an academic book reach across the aisle and become a classic of popular history as well. Mr. Fischer's "Paul Revere's Ride" does just that. "Ride" captures the reader with incredible little known anecdotes as well as flawless research and a smooth narrative flow. The theme of Fischer's book was that Revere's ride far from being a singular achievement was in reality a collective effort of a multitude of revolulutionaries throughout the colony. Simply put, in reading history, Americans must sometimes put the proverbial `rugged individualist' on the shelf and look at history as how it developed, rather then how we would like to see it happen. What attracted me to this book in the first place was Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" in which Mr. Fischer's book is cited. Revere was a man who knew everyone in Boston and moved in many different circles. We often forget that great changes are not accomplished by the sole recluse theorist writing in his study, but rather as Mr. Fischer points out by "collective responsibilities of the group dynamic." In this, Revere and his fellow Whigs rejected the sort of individualist credo that would later find it's prophet in Thomas Jefferson.

Another fascinating portrait is General Thomas Gage, the largely ineffectual and philosophical libertarian leader of the British in Boston. One is tempted to think if Gage had a little more command and control structure that he could have countered the quickness of Revere and the minutemen especially in the late night of April 18, 1775 and the early morning hours of the next day. Throughout the book, the reader may wonder why Gage chose not to have Revere and co. arrested, but Gage felt he was bound to the Constitution just as any British overseer would be. Of course, Thomas Gage did not know the ending to this story and neither did any of the Colonists. In this General Gage and his governance was just one in a long line of ineffectual imperial military forces brought to their knees by a united, close knit community. Fischer concludes his book with a variety of appendices and fascinating data about how the burgeoning revolutionaries really worked. Of note is the author's historiography of the "Ride" taking it from the Whig's attempt to suppress it for being against the myth of "national innocence" to the 1960's revisionists attempt to destroy the "Ride" as one of the most well known symbols of the dead white male. Perhaps, the last word should belong to that shining beacon of the American political landscape in the 1920's: Warren G. Harding who said: "I love the story of Paul Revere, whether he rode or not."

David Hackett Fisher should be praised for his mid 1990s work on Paul Revere. The book was written years before "Founding Brothers" and bios of John Adams and George Washington made it acceptable again to study and revere our nations' founders. During the 1960-1990s most university historians focused on debunking any patriotic constructions of the American Revolution. and instead focused on the underlying social and economic factors that drove the conflict.

The author bravely presents a rebuttal that individuals do matter in the course of history. While Paul Revere's role clearly became an iconic symbol of American independence following the war, his actual contributions should not be tossed aside as pure myth. By ignoring most original scholarship and instead relying mainly on hundreds of original accounts of the events of 1775, the author presents a vivid and analytical retelling of the opening shots of the American Revolution and the intimate role of Paul Revere.

While Paul Revere did not lead the Revolution, he did do more than ride a horse late one night. The complex layers of the American insurgency against British occupation are wonderfully described. In, addition to the telling of Paul Revere's ride, the book contains a lengthy discussion of the Battles of Lexington and Concord from both the British and American perspective.

While this is not "thee" book on the American Revolution, it never tries to be. Instead it is a deeply researched, highly readable narrative of the early days of the American Revolution and the actual events of the famous midnight ride. Well worth you time for anyone who enjoys American history.

I wish I could give it 10 'stars'! It is an entertaining read. It is unusual among history books in that the maps are actually useful, easy to understand and related to the text. The author writes the story so well, it almost reads like an entertaining novel. I definitely have a much greater appreciation of the events that sparked the American Revolution. I strongly urge everyone in America to read this book. It will change everything you never learned of American History in school.

Oh, by the way, I liked the book!

Frost is an incredibly gifted writer ... perhaps the most gifted of any sports book author. This comes from an obvious formal and dedicated writing background, and an exceptional understanding of the game of golf. Add to that social awareness and historical depth, and you easily have the best author of golf books.

In this instant classic, Frost details how an impromptu match between legendary pros Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan, versus top amateurs (at the time) Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward, would present a fork in the road for the future of golf: would it remain the gentlemanly game of well heeled men playing only for honor, or would the best players come from the pro ranks where commercialism and money were also part of the incentive? Eras and egos collide, but in the end the participants celebrate the match with laughs over drinks in the Cypress clubhouse.

Frost captures all the important shots with expert delivery of the risk/reward calculations involved, to the delight of readers that are also better players. All 4 played inspired golf shooting in "the 60's." Magical golf like this from everyone in the group is almost always the product of intense match play and, fittingly, the difference in the match was a truly perfect shot.

The lives of the 4 participants plus the 2 men that sponsored the match are seamlessly weaved into the golfing tale, to the point where it's impossible to determine where the golf story ends and personal stories begin. You'll be on the proverbial "edge of your seat" wanting to know how both the golf and personal histories conclude.

When Arnold Palmer burst onto the professional scene thereafer, it was clear where the future of golf was headed. And he's rightly credited with bringing golf to the masses. But importantly the stage had been set for the arrival of an Arnie-like character as a result of "The Match" played several years earlier.

* Beyond "The Match" the history of the making of Cypress Golf at the book's end is worthy of special note. The visionary behind Cypress was an accomplished woman golfer from Long Island striking out on her own, and the original architect was Seth Raynor, associated with legendary Long Island courses The National and Shinnecock. When he died prior to laying out a plan, he was replaced by Alistair MacKenzie. The Englishman MacKenzie had been a battlefield surgeon in WWI, and he drew upon the "camoflouge" aspect of that battlegound experience and others in his golf course design philosophy. Although this resulted in highly difficult courses, his artistry meant players were too caught up in the visuals to even notice. Through Cypress, Bobby Jones met MacKenzie and subsequently commissioned him to design Augusta National. And the rest, as they, "is history."

Though I am wary of contributing to the incessant, effusive praise for just about everything in contemporary life, I must admit that The Match is the finest sports book I have read in many years. Mark Frost's prose is enjoyable and balanced - not too simple; not overreaching. The structure of the book leaves the reader in a state of wonderful anticipation throughout. Finally, the true sports fan gains newfound appreciation and respect for the evolution of the game of golf and the men who contributed so greatly to bringing it into the mainstream. These were not great golfers; they were great Americans. Frost has written a masterpiece. Do not hesitate to pick it up.

Frost's trilogy is must reading for every golf nut. The Match is much shorter than his finest work, The Greatest Game Ever Played, and his essential biography of Bobby Jones, The Grand Slam, but it is nonetheless a gripping, page turning tale of 18 holes played by four of golf's outstanding personalities on one of the nation's most beguiling courses, Cypress Point CC. Historical facts concering the men and the state of the game of golf in that era are accurately and entertainingly woven into the story of a single match. Each stroke in the match is described, while concise biographies of each character are woven throughout. Frost is a master at transporting you to 1954 and the Monterrey Peninsula, you can see the ocean, feel the breeze, and smell the fresh cut grass. I especially appreciated the thoroughly researched afterward which included a short history of the Monterrey Peninsula and Cypress Point CC in particular, as well as the bios of the players following the Match. Read this book if you love the game.

Another great book by Mark Frost. The Match ranks right up there with Mr Frosts other book "The Greatest Game Ever Played".This book gives wonderful historical perspective on golf in the Monteray Bay area.

Those of us who love golf- its traditions and history, will ove this true story of a match that was arranged as a wager, and turned out to be one of the best of all time

Dave Pelz is a scientist who has studied the art of putting. I don't know if reading this book will improve my putting; that has yet to be proven. The text is well written. There are abundant illustrations and the quality of the paper, the binding, the illustrations and photographs are excellent. This is not the kind of book one reads in an evening. There are practical exercises, and one must go to the green and apply what has been read. It is a joy to read, and I have a better understanding of why I am missing those putts. It is my hope with persistence I will improve my game, but lets face it ... the ultimate test is one that involves athletic ability, perception, and the ability to convert intellectual understanding into action.

Outstanding book!!(I have already read it cover to cover!) It was delivered in a timely manner!! At a fairly reasonable cost!! I'm a very satisfied customer who will indeed order other items in the future!!!

This book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to improve their putting. It is not a, "Putt like me" book as so many golfing books tend to be.

I have found the experiments and the science basis for the putting methods recommended to be fascinating and very enlightening. There are things addressed that I have not even thought of. I have a good science background and I can't remember any of the basic premises that I disagree with.

My only regret is that I am not privy to the more recent information the Dave Pelz has collected in the years since the book was written.

If anyone knows of a better book on putting let me know about it.

Don't expect a quick fix but reading this might give you some basic insight which, combined with the required hours of practice to ingrain what you have learnt, could last you a lifetime.

I first read the Short Game Bible and found this really improved my game. I did not find the putting book to have that dramatic an input but it was still very insightful and helpful.(21 handicap)