Book Review | Golfing Books, Clubs, and Courses

One part travelogue, one part golf diary, the result is a book that is all fun. If you enjoy reading humorous accounts of both travel disasters and golfing nightmares, this is a definite must read. The author is a well known standup comedian and has the rare gift of being able to be truly funny in print. This is an amazingly quick read that will have you wishing Wood would take a second trip.

The author decided that he was going to sell everything he owned and head out on a golfing journey of mega proportions. He found the southern most golf course in the world, and the northernmost and resolved to visit 78 courses in between. His journey took him to every continent except Antarctica, but golf really isn’t that big there anyway. The trip begins in South America as the author struggles to adapt to the high altitude in Chile.

From there he visits a few more courses before heading off to places like Nepal (they actually have two courses) Australia and even the Ukraine, where he was unfortunately escorted out of the country by armed guards. Each chapter is a funny diversion that immerses you in the scene - you’ll literally feel like you’re taking this incredible journey along with the author.

He does a great job of mixing in anecdotes about dealing with the local culture and struggling with languages to the actual playing of each course. It’s completed by amazing pictures that really set the tone for the entire book. If you have always wanted to travel to golf courses around the world, but don’t have that kind of cash, this is a mini vacation that will leave you feeling refreshed.

We found the humor to be honest and refreshing, but it was a little bit forced at times. That may be due to the fact that there really isn’t all that funny material to come by when you’re crammed into a coffin sized hotel room without the proper currency for the city you’re in.

It’s little things like these mishaps that endear the author to the reader and bring out the human side of the journey. There are many books dedicated to the courses of the world, but few provide this kind of humorous yet real look at what it takes to stay there and play there.

We appreciated the fact that the author didn’t take the easy way out by visiting the most well known courses in the world. He looked for the out of the way courses that are inevitably more fun to play and in many cases, more stunning than their famous competitors.

This is a great book that belongs on any golfer’s coffee table. Undoubtedly you’ll want to read it again and again, especially during the off season when you’re itching to get back on the links. A great read by a great author. Let’s hope he does it again real soon.

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Whether you are a die hard golfer, or just someone that likes to dream big, this is an incredible book. Inevitably, when you’re dealing with a book that lists the “50 Best”, you’re going to have a lot of controversy. Instead of getting bent out of shape that perhaps your favorite courses weren’t included, this is a book to be read for fun, not for critiquing. When you’re done, take some inspiration from the book and make your own list of 50 courses that you must visit before you die - now that is a lot of fun.

The author is well known for his previous title on Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die, and he is also a fanatical golfer. We liked the approach of asking several people, such as Donald Trump, where they would love to play golf. The result is a great list, but one that not a lot of golfers will be able to attain. For example, there are a few courses on the list that are simply too expensive for the average golfer, or shut to the public.

However, if you’re just reading for fun, the book takes you on a fantastical journey literally around the world. You’ll be seeing courses in the most exotic locations and the accompanying photographs are worth the cost of the book alone. This can serve not only as a dream book, but as a wonderful conversation piece among friends. Our main complaint was that pictures were not included for every single course in the book. That would have bumped the book up a lot further in our estimation, and it seems almost silly not to include at least one picture for every course.

That aside, this is a terrific book that belongs on every single golfer’s coffee table, if for nothing else than the inspiration it can bring. The next time it’s a rainy day and you can’t get on the links, open this book and prepare to travel around the world in style. The overall style of the writing is well suited to a book of this type and it’s all too easy to get swept away and wonder where the hours went.

As we mentioned previously, this type of book usually generates quite a bit of controversy, simply because everyone has a set idea of what the best courses are. However, this works in the book’s favor and while there are those that might criticize it, this is an inspirational read that really made us love the game even more.

The one thing that would have made the book better is perhaps steering clear of being “safe” with some of the more well known courses. We would have liked to have seen more out of the way courses that are real diamonds in the rough so to speak. But, then again, this isn’t our top 50 list.

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When it comes to playing golf, many of us wonder just how dangerous it is. Statistics have shown that heart attacks frequently occur on the course and countless people, including celebrities die every year. This book by Ed Palank seeks to remedy this problem and provide golfers with tips on how to play properly and stay healthy while out on the course.

One of the main issues with golf is that it is typically played in summer in very warm conditions. The sun is beating down on you and it is all too easy to get dehydrated and overheated. This book addresses ways that you can stay cool on the course and reduce the risks of dehydration. There are some very solid tips here that absolutely any golfer can put to immediate use. For example, sports drinks really don’t do that much for you and water is truly the best medicine. Golfers should also avoid alcoholic beverages while playing, since these can also contribute to dehydration.

Whenever you combine physical stress with mental stress, you’re bound to have a game that can result in some health issues. In addition to heart attacks, strokes are quite common on the links. Many attribute this to the frustration and anger that can build up while you’re playing. The author provides the reader with some great tips on how to minimize this kind of stress while improving your game.

This is a sport that requires a lot of physical strength and endurance. Players should never attempt to overexert, especially if the conditions are particularly bad for that day. The author stresses knowing your own limits and finding ways to play smarter, not harder. For example, a cart may be necessary on very hot days to reduce the risks of heat stroke by walking around the course. The importance of proper clothing is also addressed, since this is another contributing factor to a lot of health problems that occur on the course. For example, it is important to wear light colors, especially during hot and sunny days, to avoid getting overheated.

The book also covers dealing with allergies and the small injuries that can occur while playing. Advice is offered for all types of players, including those with disabilities. This is truly a great read that is absolutely necessary for all players, regardless of how often they head out for a round. The book provides warning signs that can help you determine whether you’re overexerting or in danger of falling prey to a healthy problem while you’re playing or practicing.

We highly recommend this book to all golfers, especially those that play in hot climates. The advice here is sound and medically proven. In addition to all the health tips, the author also provides exercises that you can do at home to help improve your swing and the rest of your game. We found the book to be very well rounded, easy to read and incredibly useful.

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It is said that the game of golf is 90% mental and every year, numerous books come out that are geared towards mastering the mind game. While some are good, most fall into the category of “it might work for someone, just not me.” This book by Dr. Parent is an interesting read and unfortunately, it really doesn’t rise above this old cliché. It’s a good read and most golfers should be able to get at least something out of the book, but it’s not one that will change your life.

The Zen way has become increasingly popular throughout the years. From the Tao of Pooh, to Zen Golf, numerous books all preach that if you can find your inner center, you’ll unlock your potential. While golf is largely mental, it’s tough for a lot of players to adopt an Eastern philosophy and sense of calm when they’re at the bottom of a bunker. If you’ve got a naturally laid back personality, than this book is probably well suited to your needs. Type A personalities however probably won’t be able to get much from it. It’s a bit frustrating at times, and although there is a lot of truth to the advice, it’s just not advice that everyone can use.

The book uses a lot of parables to illustrate the exercises that players can use to overcome mental blocks and start playing an enlightened round of golf. While they are very cute, sometimes too much so, they are not very helpful if you have a consistent problem staying focused. Some of the recommended exercises will work, but there is no one cure for fixing any one golfer’s game. We all have issues, and chances are, they are unique to your own personality. There is no one-size-fits-all approach that works to fix a mental game, and this book tries a bit too hard to get into this category.

All of this said, it still is a worthwhile read and you should be able to get at least a few tips out of it that can help you tweak your game. At the end of the round, it’s all about mastering YOUR mind, not someone else’s. No one can simply use techniques from one book, there has to be a balance of several methodologies that can all be put together to form the desired result.

We appreciate the effort that went into this book and while it’s not one of our favorites, we would still recommend it to golfers. Novices might find ways to overcome a few common problems and those that are still struggling with their mental game can also walk away with a few tips. Many golfers literally swear by these methods, so it is worth the time to give it a try. If you go into the book with the right mindset, realizing that there really is no magic bullet when it comes to working on your mental game, then you should be able to glean at least a few tips out of it.

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For those of us that enjoy the lighter side of golf, this is a definite must read and chances are you’ll be rolling on the floor in no time at all. Too often, golfing books are so serious that it is difficult to wade through them. The industry seems to be addicted to dry tomes that are either dissecting a swing to infinite pieces or carrying on about historical figures and past events that may not be helpful to today’s golfers. If you love the game and just want to have a little fun, this is the perfect book for you. That’s not to say that the other types of books don’t have their own unique purpose, but this is truly the lighter side of golf.

The entire book reads like one big inside joke and pretty much only golfer’s will understand the humor. If you’ve ever made it out of one bunker only to land in another, this is definitely the book that will appeal to you. In fact, that’s the title of one of the 72 tips contained in the book. The list gets even more humorous as you go and without a doubt, every little problem that golfer’s face today is addressed in a funny manner.

However when you strip all of this humor away, you end up with a book that really teaches you how to improve your game. The author’s approach is a unique one - by showing you what not to do and joking about it, he’s actually teaching you the techniques you need to use to improve your swing, get past hazards and finally get the scores you really want to be getting.

I like this approach and it’s incredibly useful. The tips are not only funny but they really do work in the real world. You don’t get the impression that the author spends his life behind a desk and never really gets out there to enjoy (or not) the game. You really feel akin to him since most of us have gone through the exact same struggles. It’s a matter of feeling like you can really connect with this person and through this, the author opens the door to some really effective teaching techniques.

You’ll get the feeling of being on the 19^th hole when you read this book. It’s very relaxed and very laid back and it should not intimidate any reader. The author manages to establish a rapport with the reader almost instantly and that is carried through the entire book. If you haven’t read the first edition of this book yet, we highly recommend that one as well for even more tips and plenty of jokes.

Overall, this is a terrific book and it would make a great gift for any golfer. Whether you’re just starting out or you are a seasoned pro, there is something here for everyone to enjoy and get more than a just a few laughs.

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Manuel de la Torre is a legend in golf and he also happens to be the son of a golfing legend. When you put this together in one book, you have an incredible resource that you will want to turn to again and again. Although the book tends to wander a little bit in places, it is a very enjoyable and quick read. Novices to the game will find it extremely enlightening and pros should be able to walk away with more than a few hints that will help them improve their game.

De la Torre’s father learned golf from a man who lost a leg in World War One and went on to become a champion with a killer drive. It’s from this tradition and foundation that de la Torre went on to become one of the most skilled golfers in present time. His book is a wonderful look at the philosophy and skill that went into perfecting his own game and of course, the most important thing - the swing.

Numerous books are written every year that try to dissect the swing and figure out how everyone can turn into a powerhouse over night. Millions of dollars are spent every year by golfers that are seeking that magic bullet, either in the form of a can’t miss system or a special driver that promises the moon. All of these things add up into one lucrative cash cow but usually leave the recipient with little more than a few tips and no improvement in their swing.

De la Torre’s approach is much different and you’re not left feeling as though you’ve been ripped off after reading it. His tips can be put into immediate use by any player and although they may not work for everyone with the same results, they are certainly tested remedies for fixing common problems. The book is an incredibly enjoyable read and never once did it wander into dry territory.

This is considered a classic in the golfing industry and there is a reason. By far, when it comes to books about the art of the golf swing, there simply is no competition. It’s concise, helpful and very engaging. The reader never feels overwhelmed or intimidated, and most end up feeling as though they can go out and hit the course and actually improve their swing. The author is considered one of the top 100 teachers in the world and it’s easy to see why he earned that distinction after reading this book.

Overall, we highly recommend this book and it deserves a place of high honor in any golfer’s bookcase. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read that is also incredibly useful and packed with real world advice. It is an older title, but the book is a timeless read that is just as helpful now as it was when it was first released. Sometimes, the old ways really are better, and if you don’t work on the fundamentals, no special driver is going to give you the results you want.

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This week I am posting the book review early as Friday is a holiday. Happy July 4th everyone! Enjoy the BBQs!

Andy North has won two US Open titles and went on to become one of the most respected commentators on the game. It was pretty much a given that someday he would write a book and although there was a lot of hype surrounding this volume, it’s sad to say that it was undeserved. There are many mistakes throughout the book that make you wonder whether the editor was asleep or was simply lulled into a stupor by the content. The mistakes are glaring, such as misspelling Callaway, and I wish I could say that they were forgivable. But, when you add in the other problems with the book, it was really hard to get past these most basic errors.

If you’re looking for a book on how to become a better golfer, than this is definitely a title you can miss. However, if you’re a fan of Mr. North, you’ll probably get at least some enjoyment out of reading his anecdotes. The book reads more like a biography that was thrown together from a bunch of little snippets, and at times, a lot of the content reads as though it was simply filler that was brought in to keep the book from falling into the category of a novella.

While it’s nice to hear that the man always traveled with two pairs of pants, it’s not really useful information that you can turn around and put into action, unless of course you hate wrinkles. It’s best to keep the right mindset when reading this book and focus on the fact that it’s really about packaging North and has little to do with the game itself. When you keep this in mind, it’s a lot easier to wade through the book, but I’m not sure it’s a read that shouldn’t be missed.

The author himself admitted in the beginning of the book that he really didn’t know why he was writing it. He considered it to be a “where’s the beef” situation and this turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. There’s just a lot of air here when you get right down to it and the tone feels forced throughout the majority of the book. While North is an incredibly talented man, he may not want to quit his day job to become an author.

It’s always tough to pan a book, especially when you were really hoping for a good read. I cannot however recommend this book, unless you’re simply looking to find out more about North. Most of us can do without anecdotes of his many surgeries however, and sometimes that air of mystery should never dissipate.

While it would be too harsh to call this book a waste of time, it just isn’t a title that you have to read. If you already have every golfing book under the sun and enjoy collecting titles, than perhaps this would be a good fit. Otherwise, there are far more interesting titles out there that will provide you with much better information.

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This is a book that has been the subject of countless discussions and although it’s lack of availability has hurt its success (it’s available only from the publisher, Storytrend and not in bookstores) it is still an interesting read that is well worth the time it takes to get a copy. Although it is incredibly expensive at $60, this may be a book you want to save up for. Countless books are written every year about the myth of the perfect swing and a lot of them are nothing but meaningless drivel. This book however takes a different angle and gets into the technical aspects of what makes a swing great.

For those that are constantly trying to figure out how to improve their game, this is a definite must read. Instead of focusing on players like Tiger Woods or those who are thought to have the “perfect swing,” the author looked at actual machines to discern the elements that make up this technique. By taking the human element out of it, the author hoped to break down the mechanics of a swing so that every player can duplicate it.

The book is filled with helpful diagrams and illustrations that break apart how a machine swings and what we can learn from it. Unfortunately, we are not machines and although we may have a great swing on the first tee, it’s hard to keep consistent. This book strives to help golfers discover how to get into their own groove and become a bit like a machine when it comes to hitting the ball.

That’s very hard to do for many people, since there is a lot of mental activity going on when you play golf. It’s difficult to focus on those individual components that make up a great swing when you’re focusing on avoiding the bunker, paying your bills and what you’ll be having for dinner that night. However, with time, by employing these methods most players should begin to see a change in their swing. Soon, becoming a machine will seem like second nature and that swing that many thought was unattainable will become ingrained into your being.

This is a book that we highly recommend, simply because it has a completely different approach. This isn’t a hype book that offers no real useful information. It’s definitely on the scholarly side but the author managed to keep it readable by everyone and it’s actually quite fun to go through. If you’re looking for real advice that you can put into action, no matter how new you are to the game or how good you think you may be, this is a book that is well worth the investment.

Overall, while the price and availability hurt the title, golfers should at least consider adding this title to their libraries. There is no silver bullet that will magically transform your swing, but this advice comes pretty close.

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Out of all the characters the game of golf has produced, few are as vitriolic or misunderstood as John Daly. Many have compared the man to a car wreck, it’s simply impossible to want to turn away. Luckily, his book has the same effect on the reader and this is an incredibly engaging look into the mind of a man that man have called crazy, wild, disturbed and odd. At the end of the day, Daly is just a man, but he definitely does have some quirks that make him unique.

Although most of us became familiar with Daly when he was in his early twenties, he actually was a rising star far before that. His teens were riddled with victories and disqualifications, much like his later career. This is an interesting look at the childhood and formation of this player and what made him become the man he is today. If you’re interested in golf or in pop psychology, this is a literal study in how a golfer thinks - even if it is at the extreme end of the spectrum.

The read is entertaining at times and heartbreaking at most junctures. It is sad to see someone with this kind of talent have such a self destructive streak. At times, the reader wonders whether Daly revels in this. It’s certainly not a book about apologies. Daly is who he is and the chances of him changing are pretty small. He’s an interesting man that is certainly plagued by his own demons, but none of them are as powerful as what he ends up doing to himself.

When you step back, you can actually learn quite a lot about the mental game of golf when you read this book. Daly is a textbook case of what you shouldn’t do, even though those brief shining moments of triumph break up the heartbreak. He’s a trainwreck plain and simple, but you’re left wondering if that doesn’t please him.

This is an interesting read, but it’s not very inspirational. If you’re a fan of Daly’s or you just want to understand the man better, it’s certainly a good read. By the end however, you’ll probably end up not understanding the man completely and it’s clear that he really doesn’t understand himself.

This is a great book for young golfers on what they need to avoid on their path towards becoming a professional. If for no other reason, this book can serve a great purpose in this vein. Daly has so much potential and it’s a shame to see him wallowing in his past and present when he could be putting it behind him and reaching for the future. It’s a good book that is puzzling at times and will most likely leave you wanting to slap Daly and tell him to snap out of it, take control and achieve his true purpose.

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Over the past few years, the amount of new courses in America has been dwarfed by the amount of courses that are closing. While the sport isn’t close to dying anytime soon, many are starting to see some warning signs that the industry may be struggling. There is a lot of finger pointing, but the majority of it seems to be centered on the manufacturer’s of golf equipment. While this may seem a bit odd, many believe that since new clubs that promise better scores come out every year, consumers are hesitant to plunk down a lot of cash on something that may be outdated within a few months.

This raises another big issue in the sport - do these clubs really work and can you buy hope? The answer is usually a no. While these clubs may help improve your game a little bit, you’re not really addressing the problem and all too often, the results are nothing by disappointment in more hype. This leaves many players the choice of either becoming better or just quitting the sport. As this title of this book indicates, the author wants consumers to just forget all about this hype and hit the ball.

When it comes down to it, the only thing that can make you a better player is practice. Sure, you can buy that fancy new driver, but if you think it’s going to turn you from a 150 yarder to a 400 yarder overnight, you are sadly deceived. We are all limited by our physical make-up and prowess, and no club is going to be able to change that. However, with time and practice, you can become a better player and at the very least, a more consistent one.
This book does a good job at addressing the new kinds of equipment that are being released and their strengths and weaknesses. New materials and designs are discussed as well as how they will affect our games. The author covers the evolution of the new clubs and in some cases, proves that the old stand-bys were actually better for our games. Also on tap is a discussion on the evolution of the golf ball and whether or not this is also a contributing factor in the way we play.

The author’s viewpoints, statements, and actions as the former USGA technical director have even resulted in litigation (now resolved) by the golf equipment manufacturers. We recommend this book simply because it offers an interesting viewpoint and some much needed discussion into the phenomenon of golf club evolution. You may not agree with the author, but it is an interesting read. He certainly has a gift for making even complex issues easy to understand and the book is very well written.

If you are interested in golf equipment and finding which materials and clubs really do deliver on their promises, this book is well worth the purchase price.

Golfing Books, Clubs, and Courses

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