The 5 Best Golf Book Gifts
Here’s the list:
- Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump
by Rick Reilly
*Cliff Note: Reilly nails Trump in so many ways in this must-read book for the times. I am not surprised by any of Trump’s on-course, or off-course behavior, to be honest, so the fact that he kicks it back in play doesn’t really get me. What is surprising to me? I don’t understand how any golfer worth any salt could read this book and ever back Trump in any endeavor. - The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever
by Mark Frost
*Cliff Note: If Reilly’s book were not so prescient, this drama by the sea would be #1 for so many reasons — the era (1956, when amateurs were as highly regarded as pros); the cast of interesting people involved; Cypress Point and the Hogan legend; the state of the game of golf at that time; Cypress Point; the stellar play of the actors involved in the match— all of it combines into a perfect storm, told beautifully by Frost. - The Secret of Golf: The Story of Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus
by Joe Posnanski
*Cliff Note: I love this book. Posnanski threads the stories of Watson and Nicklaus together in a way that keeps the reader on their toes and fully engaged. The spirit of competition at the highest level and the resulting rivalries has been documented before with Magic vs Bird, etc., but not complete with lessons for the average junk ball player, for example. Golfers who read this book will walk away with a lesson.
4. His Ownself: A Semi-Memoir
by Dan Jenkins
*Cliff Note: It sounds corny, but if I could live anyone’s live over for them, Dan Jenkins’ would be high on the list. Like top-5. This book is the story of the life of the guy who is not only one of my writing heroes and the author of books turned movies like Semi-Tough and Dead Solid Perfect, but he also served as ‘the guy’ at Sports Illustrated during the magazine’s heyday where he ran up stupid expense accounts, and rubbed shoulders with golf’s elite on a regular basis. His Ownself is gluttonous, voyeuristic and fun view into that life.
5. Getting to 18
by Tom Doak
*Cheat Code: Doak walks readers/fans through his first 18 golf course designs in a beautiful, coffee table style book, of which there are only 150 left, so if you want to get one step on it. As with his golf courses, these books are not only exclusive, but expensive to access at $350 each.
