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.
Originally posted 2008-11-18 14:19:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Understanding the Golf Swing By Manuel de la Torre 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...... - How I Play Golf By Tiger Woods When you have a book written by the undisputed superstar of golf, it's a pretty good chance that it will demolish the competition, whether it deserves to or not. Luckily, Tiger Woods' book is a great read and although it may not have delivered what a lot of readers......
- The Long and the Short of It By Andy North with Burton Rocks 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......
- Caddie Sense By Michael Carrick and Steve Duno Caddies are often an overlooked part of golf, but without them, many of today’s pros would not be where they are. If you have ever wondered what the game of golf looks like through the eyes of a caddie, this book will open up a whole new world to you......
- A Lifetime of Lessons: More Than 50 Years of Expert Instruction to Help You Play Your Best Golf Now By Marshall Smith with David Denunzio Marshall Smith is one of the most recognizable names in golf instruction, and if you’ve ever wished you could get a lesson with him, this book has the whole experience down to a tee. You’ll feel just like you’re right with Smith, learning and growing as a golfer. If you......
Related Websites -
Book Review: Wisdom & Wealth I visited our local Christian bookstore last weekend primarily to to pickup a copy of Larry Burkett's Debt Free Living, as I had sold my previous copy accidentally in our most recent yard sale. As usual though, I can't help but spend time looking at other books and checking...... - what do you think of this book review that I will send today to the local newspaper? Can i make it better? PS. I'm 14 My very short book review on.... Book: Grave Dirt By: E.E. Richardson Published: 2008 Do you like the sound of late night trips to the graveyard, the undead and haunted, abandoned houses? Of course you do. And if you don’t then look away now - as this......
- The Complete Yachtmaster: Sailing, Seamanship, and Navigation for the Modern Yacht Skipper by Tom Cunliffe This week I am posting the book review early as Friday is a holiday. Happy 4th of July all! Although this book was written primarily for the UK market, there is still plenty of great advice for boaters around the world and it can easily be adapted for owners in......
-
Review: A Marquis to Marry By Amelia Grey by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer A Marquis to Marry exemplifies the very essence of what a romance novel should be. It was superbly written and I’ve added Amelia Grey to my list of top authors. This is a novel I’ll read time and time again! I recommend this book...... -
Review: The Courtesan by Susan Carroll By: Marcia, guest reviewer The Courtesan is the second novel about the Cheney Sisters, wise women from the Faire Isle. It takes place against the backdrop of sixteenth century France with Catherine de Medici and Henry Valois playing significant roles as antagonists. Primarily it is the story of the......
Categories:
Book Review
Tags:
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment