Favorite non-instructional golf book?

[matt_puttercup]

Some context for the question: With it being Masters week, I'm recognizing that I love how, because the Masters has always been played at the same place, it has this undiluted clarity compared to other majors -- almost like it's a bit easier to keep tabs on all the moments that have happened there because it's one less thing to have to remember which course was played in a given year.  I was born in 1984 and learned the game from my late grandfather, who was born in 1929.  That meant that in my earlier days of playing (pre-Tiger), I heard a lot about guys like Nicklaus and especially Hogan.  Hogan was (and still is) my favorite player of all time, due in part to the fact that my first set of irons were 1989 Hogan Edge Forged irons, and in part to how I learned the game.  My abilities aren't natural a la Byron Nelson, but require a lot of reps, a la Hogan.

All that to say, I was fortunate to be taught by a man who shared the (American) history of the game with me, and value that history.  And on my bookshelf is a copy of The Match, an immaculate book that weaves together an 18 hole match between the pros, Nelson and Hogan, against top amateurs Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi, as well as their individual backstories, and the overall backdrop of the inflection point where the meaning of pro vs. amateur status was set to change forever.

The Match is my favorite non-instruction golf book. What's yours?

[Dweed]

On 4/10/2024 at 12:07 PM, matt_puttercup said:

 The Match is my favorite non-instruction golf book. What's yours?

Chicken Soup for the Golfer's Soul and a trilogy by James Patterson about golf. All three are great reads.

 

[matt_puttercup]

1 hour ago, Dweed said:

Chicken Soup for the Golfer's Soul and a trilogy by James Patterson about golf. All three are great reads.

 

I've read Chicken Soup, but hadn't heard of the James Patterson trilogy -- will give those a read!!

[GolfSpy MPR]

There are several I could name, but I think topping the list will be Tales From Q School by John Feinstein. I've enjoyed everything by Feinstein that I've read, but TfQS tells what are, in my opinion, the best stories of the most dramatic pivot point in golf. So many of the guys profiled in the book are at the point of their careers in which they either make the Tour or start pursuing a different course of life. A great read.

[Splatt]

I'm currently reading this and it's fantastic!

[golfgunguy99]

My wife recently gave me the James Patterson book, Miracle at St. Andrews. I was skeptical at first but found the book a good read and highly recommend it.

[Hook DeLoft]

That’s a tough question.  I’m going with a short list.

Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy

A Season in Dornach by Lorne Rubenstein

To the Linksland by Michael Bamberger

Golf Omnibus — a collection of hilarious short stories by P. G. Wodehouse who was one of the funniest writers who ever lived. 

[ShaunieBoy652]

Ron Green

Slow Dancing With Bobby Jones

[Dweed]

4 hours ago, matt_puttercup said:

I've read Chicken Soup, but hadn't heard of the James Patterson trilogy -- will give those a read!!

1. Miracle on the 17th Green  copyright 1996

2.Miracle at St Andrews  Copyright 2019

3. Miracle at Augusta.  Copyright 2015