For those of us that adore the sport of golf but fully acknowledge that it can be the most maddening exercise on the planet, it’s always nice to stumble on a memoir that is both fun to read and useful. Carl Hiassen’s book may not win any great awards like the Pulitzer, and at times, it can be a bit stuffed with fluff, but for golf lovers everywhere, his story will resonate loud and clear.

Hiassen’s a good golfer and there are times you might want to wring his neck as he describes his perfect shots and great scores. However, these are peppered with plenty of amusing stories and just enough failures at the sport to redeem him. After a thirty-three year hiatus from the sport, Hiassen decided to pick the game back up again and this book tells of his journey. He had originally used the sport as a way to bond with his father, and now that Hiassen’s son is of age, they are now doing the same thing.

He has a great no-nonsense way of looking at things, from popular books on golf to the equipment we all need. If you’ve ever been lured into buying a Big Bertha only to feel empty inside later, you’ll feel right at home as Hiassen regales you with the tales of the equipment he’s wasted money on. The book is a true memoir style book and at times, it falters a bit. You end up wondering if he was trying anything he could think of to pad the book at times, but at the end, it’s still enjoyable.

There are a few parts you can skip, such as the tournament tale. If you don’t really love the sport, this section will be more than a bit dull and full of strange terminology. That was probably our biggest complaint for the book. While it is fun to read and entertaining, it really is only for those that truly understand the game and its terminology. Someone who has never played golf before could pick the book up and think that it was written in a different language.

A truly great book is able to reach across cultural, age and yes, even sport divides and this book just did not manage to do that as well as it could have.

Overall, if you really love golf, or you are looking for the perfect gift for a golfing buddy, this is a great title. It is fluff, but it is good fluff. You can look at the book like a big serving of cotton candy. There isn’t much there, but it tastes good and it’s fun to eat. If you’re looking for a hard hitting instructional manual, this isn’t the book for you, but it may change the way you think about golf. As golfing memoirs go, it’s one of the best. If you already own every book on golf ever written, this one deserves a place alongside them.

Originally posted 2008-09-12 05:27:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Related Posts

• 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......
• The Art of the Swing Review In every aspect of our life, we strive to learn from the best. We want to know that we are taking in information from those who know exactly what they are doing. The Art of the Swing does just that, as it is written by one of the top professionals......
• Golf Ball Anatomy There is actually a lot of science that goes behind the anatomy of a golf ball. The science of aerodynamics actually contributes to the way that golf balls are made and how they perform as well. Aerodynamics and golf ball science are responsible for the dimples on the golf ball,......
• My Life in and Out of the Rough (The truth behind all that bull**** you think you know about me) - John Daly with Glen Waggoner 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......
• Around the World in 80 Rounds By David Wood 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......

Related Websites

• Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Whether you are a lifelong fly fisherman, or someone that has been intrigued by this sport, the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide is one of the single best resources we have ever come across on fly fishing. This new edition contains more than 400 photos and illustrations and offers some of......
• Review of the Martha's Vineyard Diet The Martha's Vineyard Diet rocketed to success and the author, Dr. Roni Deluz is already well known for her other diet book, 21 Pounds in 21 Days. This book is an extension (more of a second edition) of the first book (the title is even very similar). While the book......
• Review of Ty's Tricks by Ty Pennington Since tomorrow is July 4th, I've decided to take it off. There will be no blog post tomorrow which is why the book review is today instead of Friday. Have a great weekend everyone! If you're into do it yourself television, you've undoubtedly heard of Ty Pennington. He's been on......
• Boating 101: Essential Lessons for Boaters by Roger Siminoff Before you think of buying this book, it's important to note that it is really meant for true beginners. If you're looking for help getting started, or you need a refresher course, this is a great book. If you're an experienced boater, it will probably be a disappointment. It is......
• Book Review: Outdoor Survival By Garth Hattingh The author of this book is one of the most respected outdoor enthusiasts, experts and authors and this latest effort is truly spectacular. If you are planning on doing anything outdoors, whether it's boating, fishing, camping or hiking, this is the book that you need to read before you go......

Online Stores

• Travel Bags & Cases Golf Bags Golf
• Edward VII UK (Great Britain) Stamps
• Pro V1 Titleist New Golf Balls Golf
• Eragrostis Purple Love Ornamental Grasses Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Carl Geyer French Horn Brass Acoustic Musical Instruments

If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.

Categories:

Book Review

Tags:

amusing stories, carl hiassen, exercise, fluff, game, golf lovers, hiatus, journey, memoir, money, popular books, pulitzer, strange terminology, style book