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 Old Post Promoter
Related Posts - Short Game Bible By Dave Pelz Your short game is the key to a good score in golf. No matter how well you can drive, if you can’t chip or wedge your ball onto the right spot on the green, you’ll never be able to improve your score. Many golfers make the mistake of focusing on......
-
How to Pick the Right Golf Clubs If you are new to this sport, or ready to take it to the next level, club selection has a lot to do with how well you will end up playing. While there is no substitution for technique and skill, having the right kind of golf clubs can have a...... - 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......
-
Salmon Run Golf Course, Brookings, OR Salmon Run Golf Course is located in: Brookings, OR Phone: 877.423.1234 Website: http://www.salmonruninfo.net/ Course History: This is a truly beautiful course that has won many accolades since it was first built. Most recently, Mike McAllister of Sports Illustrated included it in his special feature, Oregon: 72 Holes in 72 Hours...... - Golf - The Best Instruction Book Ever! Are you looking for some simple golf tips that will help you smash the ball farther and harder than any of your pals? Are you looking for a way to generate the most power from your swing, or to stop three putting? The book "Golf - The Best Instruction Book......
Related Websites -
Get into Bed with Hellen Hollick (Author Interview) Hello readers! I'm delighted to announce that Hellen Hollick has agreed to answer a few questions. Keira: What inspired you to tell Arthur's legendary tale? Hellen: I have never been very keen on the Medieval tales of Arthur which are set in the 12th - 13th Century, but when...... - 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......
-
linklings, too old for the factory edition Another week goes by and another spate of bad job news. I'm beginning to suspect that I may be in the "old enough to be difficult to hire" category - many of the manager positions I've looked at quickly turn me down. I doubt it can be my qualifications...... -
Book Review: The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman I have been reading The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman these last few days and at 200 pages in I knew it was going to be a disaster. This review contains a lot of spoilers so be warned. I think many readers will find it helpful to read...... -
The Freakonomics Blog Maybe you haven't read it yet, but Freakonomics is a great book. The sequel, SuperFreakonomics, should be out in the near future — so you better hurry up and read the first one. Never has Economics been so interesting. Anyway, if you don't want to go and buy (or check......
Categories:
Book Review
Tags:
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment