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 Old Post Promoter
Related Posts - 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......
- 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......
- Player Profile: Tiger Woods Tiger Woods may be out of commission for the 2008 season, but he is never really out of mind. When he first burst onto the scene and turned golf on its ear, no one really knew what to expect. This upstart kid went on to numerous championships, endorsement deals and......
- Review: The 7 Laws of the Golf Swing by Nick Bradley Nick Bradley is regarded both for being a coach, and a course designer in addition to his work as an author. He has taught every different category of golfers, including players who have shined in the Ryder Cup and the Walker Cup alike. He has also frequently guest starred on......
- The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing: Curing Your Hit Impulse in Seven Simple Lessons by Michael McTeigue Michael McTeigue is a well known instruction in California that has built up quite a following. One look at his book will tell you exactly why. If you are looking for a complete resource to help you fix your swing, this may be the perfect answer. The illustrations were superb......
Related Websites - Review of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad A week ago my wife bought me a book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki. This book has been around for many years, but I didn't read it until my wife literally threw it on my lap. My first reaction was inspired and mesmerized -- the book got......
-
Review: Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis By: Cara Lynn, guest reviewer I was visiting friends, and this book was sitting on the coffee table. In spare moments I picked it up to read. I had not heard of the author before, yet the book jacket intrigued me, telling that Jill Shalvis' books are well received...... -
Geisha by Liza Dalby In the mid-1970s, an American graduate student in anthropology joined the ranks of white-powdered geisha in Kyoto, Japan. Liza Dalby took the name Ichigiku and apprenticed in the famed Pontocho district, trailing behind "older sisters" bemused by this long-legged Westerner intent on learning their arts and customs. Some time ago...... -
Book Review & Giveaway-Revolution in a Bottle: How TerraCycle Is Redefining Green Business. This giveaway has ended. It's time for another giveaway, and this time it is for a copy of the new book from the founder of TerraCycle, Tom Szaky. Back in August of last year, I wrote a post about a few of the products that TerraCycle makes out of...... -
Review: Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas This story by Kleypas is an exciting adventure from start to finish. It all starts with a manhunt… or should I say a woman-hunt? Nick Gentry is looking for the wily Charlotte Howard. He has a small portrait of her in his pocket and his brother-in-law’s backing to get......
Categories:
Book Review
Tags:
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment