Avid Reader, but of golf books?

[tsped83]

As per the title, I read a lot of books, almost always fiction and certainly preferable to the telly. Combing this passion with golf however has never been that successful. I'm not into biographies, but I keep persisting with golf books of another kind to a) satisfy my obsession with this infernal game and b) I enjoy reading.

However, I have struggled to pick up a golf book that is practical, interesting or void of any "mind guff". To this end I have just purchased Raymond Floyd's "The Elements of Scoring", hoping it'll be something I can enjoy and benefit from. Anybody read it and have comments good or bad?

Other golf books I've tried are as follows;

Ben Hogan Five Lessons - a good book which helped me get the fundamentals sorted.

Putting Out of Your Mind by Bob Rotella - insufferable mind guff. In my opinion.

Unconscious Putting by Dave Stockton - useful parts but padded.

One Putt by Ken Brown - stick to TV Ken, a bit too simple and obvious for me.


So, readers, anything out there you can recommend?

 

[louise_a]

There are a couple of books by James Patterson, better known for crime thrillers, that are quite readable; Miracle on the 17th and Miracle at the Masters.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Even though you aren't into Biographies I'd recommend giving Jack Nicklaus' autobiography (My Story) a try. Also Tommy's Honour (about Old and Young Tom Morris) by Kevin Cook and Sir Walter (about Walter Hagen) by Tom Clavin. All cracking stories as well as giving great insight into the development of the game. John Feinstein is also very good - A Good Walk Spoiled is a classic.

 

[Maninblack4612]

Some good recommendations here http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?79767

Must reads are "No Hiding in the Open" & Ben Hogan's authorised autobiography.

 

[dankiz]

Purely a golfing novel but John Niven's 'The Amateurs' is a must! Haven's enjoyed a golfing book as much in ages! 'the Greatest game ever played' is also a cracker

 

[Maninblack4612]

Just realised read the OP & see you don't like biographies but still think you'd enjoy the ones I mentioned.

Try Jim Hardy "The Plane Truth" a unique view of how there are two distinct ways to swing the club. Also, by Stan Utley, "The Art of Putting", The Art of the Short Game" & The Art of Scoring" All great, short, commonsense books.

 

[jamielaing]

Purely a golfing novel but John Niven's 'The Amateurs' is a must! Haven's enjoyed a golfing book as much in ages! 'the Greatest game ever played' is also a cracker

The amateurs was great. Gave us all a glimmer of hope!

 

[dankiz]

The amateurs was great. Gave us all a glimmer of hope!

Still think he could have shot at least an 8 on the last hole though lol!!

 

[LincolnShep]

Four Iron in the Soul by Lawrence Donegan is a good read. Donegan was a sports journalist who decided to caddie for a year on the European Tour. It was quite an eye-opener for me about how badly caddies are treated - it was written in the mid-90s so thing may have improved now.

Shep

 

[Tongo]

Even though you aren't into Biographies I'd recommend giving Jack Nicklaus' autobiography (My Story) a try. Also Tommy's Honour (about Old and Young Tom Morris) by Kevin Cook and Sir Walter (about Walter Hagen) by Tom Clavin. All cracking stories as well as giving great insight into the development of the game. John Feinstein is also very good - A Good Walk Spoiled is a classic.

Yep. Read it for a second time last summer when in Spain and got through it in just over a week. Superb book. The Majors and One Moment in Time by Feinstein are also good reads. Looking forward to Iain Carter's book on this year's Majors, hoping it will similarly be good.

I'd also recommend A Course Called Ireland by Tom Coyne

 

[Tongo]

Four Iron in the Soul by Lawrence Donegan is a good read. Donegan was a sports journalist who decided to caddie for a year on the European Tour. It was quite an eye-opener for me about how badly caddies are treated - it was written in the mid-90s so thing may have improved now.

Shep

I didnt know that was what the book was about! May get a copy now.

 

[Bratty]

In search of the Tiger: a golfing odyssey, by Ian Stanford.

 

[daverollo]

Four Iron in the Soul by Lawrence Donegan is a good read. Donegan was a sports journalist who decided to caddie for a year on the European Tour. It was quite an eye-opener for me about how badly caddies are treated - it was written in the mid-90s so thing may have improved now.

Shep

I enjoyed reading that a few years back, he also did another one about his exploits as a marshal at the 2002 Ryder Cup, Quiet Please.

A decent read is also:
"Every shot must have a purpose" - How Golf54 can make you a better player.
Written by a couple of Swedish coaches who worked with Annika Sorenstam among others.

 

[LanDog]

Anything by Tom Callahan is good

Dan Jenkins is hilarious, Unplayable Lies is very good

Brad Klein does good stuff on course architecture

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Phantom of the Open
An American Caddie in St. Andrew's
Tommy's Honour
Preferred Lies
Caddie for Life
Four Iron in the Soul
No Hiding in the Open

...all cracking books.

 

[huds1475]

Phantom of the Open
An American Caddie in St. Andrew's
Tommy's Honour
Preferred Lies
Caddie for Life
Four Iron in the Soul
No Hiding in the Open

...all cracking books.

+1 for Preferred Lies. One of my favourite books.

 

[nickjdavis]

Three Mark Frost books...

The Greatest Game Ever Played
The Match
The Grand Slam

Tom Cox...

Nice Jumper
Bring Me The Head of Sergio Garcia

John Hoskison...

No Hiding in the Open