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Tom Watson is know for having an effortless golf swing that has helped him win eight major championships and 68 professional victories, over the last 40 years. It’s the golf swing that all golfers admire and wish they could replicate, but struggle with grasping the fundamental concepts of the golf swing.

The Timeless Swing by Tom Watson, sets out to showcase Watson’s effortless swing, in a no-nonsense easy to understand  straight-forward instruction, that is beautifully illustrated and photographed by award-winning Golf Digest photographer Dom Furore.

Each chapter has images that are clear and concise, with just the right amount of instruction, that is easy to grasp. The Timeless Swing is broken down into seven chapters: Key Concepts, Pre-Swing Basics, The Swing, Be A Shot Maker, Swing Younger, Drills for a Better Swing, and The Timeless Swing.

Peppered throughout the book are personal anecdotes to emphasize the concepts to the reader. These “Watson Moments” will give you the insight into when his  was challenged and what he did about it.

One of those moments was at the ’86 Masters, where Watson had to hit through a narrow slot between two pine tree,  similar to Phil Mickelson’s 6-iron shot from the 2010 Masters.  Watson, needed to make run to try and catch up, and instead of  laying up, he hit a 4-wood out  of the trees off of loose pine needles. The key for hitting such, keeping a steady head throughout the shot.

The Timeless Swing is an excellent book for beginners who want a great reference for learning the fundamentals. The more experienced player, will also benefit from the advanced  techniques, like separating the upper and lower body, learning to control and work the golf ball, drills, and more.

If you’re looking for a last minute holiday gift or just want probably one of the best golf instruction books to come out, since Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons, pick up a copy of The Timeless Swing.

The Timeless Swing $23.99 (Hardcover 224 pages)

Fathers Day is June 20th, 2010 and we have got you covered with our picks for the perfect golf gift for your dad at any budget.

Books

Moment of Glory The Year Underdogs Ruled Golf by John Feinstein

After winning 6 of the 12 Majors from 2000 to 2002, Tiger Woods struggled in 2003. Four unknown players would seize the day, rising to become champions in his wake.

Mike Weir–considered a good golfer but not a great one–triumphed in The Masters, becoming the first Canadian to win a Major. Jim Furyk emerged victorious in the U.S. Open. In the British Open, Ben Curtis became the only player since Francis Ouimet in 1913 to prevail on his first time out, and Shaun Micheel came from nowhere to prevail at the PGA Championship. How does one moment of glory affect the unsung underdog for years to follow?

Feinstein chronicles the champions’ ups and downs, giving readers an insider’s look into how victory (and defeat) can change players’ lives.

Moment of Glory $26.99

Bad Lies A Field Guide to Lost Balls, Missing Links, and Other Golf Mishaps By Charles Lindsay

In Bad Lies, golf’s wittiest observer, photographer Charles Lindsay, celebrates the hazards and pitfalls of the game. Lindsay stakes out the diabolic border territories that encroach on golf courses–moon-crater bunkers, waist-high fescue grass, murky lake bottoms–to capture the unbelievable my-ball-went-where? moments that make the game so infuriating and so addictive for so many.

This hilarious follow-up to Lindsay’s popular Lost Balls (Little, Brown, 2005) features inspired and gorgeous color photographs, plus larger-than-life pictures of some of the world’s rarest–and oddest–golf balls. Texts include a foreword by outspoken golf commentator Gary McCord, definitions of the game’s offbeat terminology, and a meditation on the golf ball and the immortal soul.

Bad Lies $29.99

Golf Balls

Srixon Z-Star Tour Yellow Golf Ball

Srixon Z-STAR Tour Yellow Golf Ball

The Z-STAR Tour Yellow is the same Z-STAR ball but in this visible color of yellow. The Z-STAR is the ultimate multilayered golf ball, designed for the player looking for a tour proven ball with great feel and distance control. The high-performance standard found in Srixon products is evident in every detail of this ball, from the 324 aerodynamic Invisiseam dimple design to the thin, ultra-soft urethane cover, this ball is the next standard against which all balls will be measured.
Srixon Golf $39.99

Bridgestone Tour B330-RXS

The First Tour Performance Series Designed for Amateur Swing Speeds.Tour B330-RXS for Extra Spin Control: Added Control and Feel, Tour Distance, Soft Multilayer Urethane

• Optimized for AMATEUR AVERAGE < 105 MPH Swing Speeds
• Very SOFT Urethane Cover for players seeking extra greenside spin control
• Large & SOFT Gradational Compression Core with a soft feel and added forgiveness
• Mantle layer for high repulsion and workability

Bridgestone Tour B330-RXS $42.99

Accessories

Sumi-G Head Cover

Innovative design makes this smart head cover a must for serious golfers. Easy to take on and off or pick up off the ground using a club – this head cover will be used. Rigid construction and a long neck protect the shaft as well as the club. Extend the life of valuable clubs and shield them from damage. A new classic, the Sumi-G head cover asserts style and confidence on the course.

Sumi-G Head Cover $38

Adidas Golf Tour360 4.0 Sport Golf Shoes

Adidas Golf Tour360 Sport 4.0

Progressive, athletic-styling and TOUR360 DNA combine to create the ultimate in climate control, stability, and comfort.2 year warranty

• 50/50 Protect surrounds the foot with a water and debris-resistant lower half and a lightweight breathable mesh upper half for improved comfort and versatility
• Unibody construction connects the heel counter and 360WRAP technology to the outsole creating the most stable adidas Golf shoe ever
• FitFOAM polyurethane sock liner provides support, cushioning and comfort from heel to toe
• Advanced THiNTech low-profile technology brings you even closer to the ground for improved stability, better overall footwork and ultimately more consistent ball-striking
• Re-engineered POWERBAND CHASSIS delivers extraordinary lateral stability to secure the foot and provide more power and better control
• adiTUFF technology features an abrasion-resistant material to protect the toe from excessive wear and keeps the shoe looking better longer
• X-STATIC silver filament fibers woven into the lining helps regulate temperature for optimized comfort
• ion-mask nano-coating technology protects the shoe by providing water repellency and stain reduction without sacrificing breathability and comfort
• adiPRENE cushioning technology provides enhanced impact absorption in the heel for long-lasting comfort

Adidas Golf Tour360 4.0 Sport Golf Shoes $120

Training Aid

Hank Haney Swing Band

Hank Haney's Swing Band

The ultimate golf instruction aid brought to you by golf instructor and inventor Colby Huffman. Hank Haney’s Swing Band is the easiest way to keep your wrists aligned perfectly during your golf swing.

Use Hank Haney’s Swing Band while on the driving range to get better control of your drives. Wear it during your next practice session to keep your swing in line. Take it to the putting green and practice your short game. It’s the closest thing to taking a lesson from Hank Haney

Hank Haney Swing Band $29

Golf Clubs

Nike Method Putter 001

Adopted on Tour and proven by two Major victories in 2009, the revolutionary new METHOD putter was born of innovation and fueled by the demands of our Tour athletes. The Polymetal Groove Technology provides a faster, positive forward roll at impact for the kind of accuracy and consistency Tour professionals demand.

Nike Method Putter $299

Cobra Golf Baffler Rail Hybrid

The new Cobra Baffler Rail is a sleek-looking hybrid club that is loaded with technology. Its 17-4 steel clubhead features a thin, high strength 465 maraging steel face that is designed to increase ball speed, and combined with stronger lofts, will bolster distance. The new four-way rail sole is designed to help the club move through turf effortlessly – regardless of the lie. It also comes standard with a lightweight 65-gram Fujikura Motore shaft that is designed to help increase clubhead speed. The Baffler Rail Hybrid is ideal for all players seeking the ultimate in long-game performance.

Cobra Golf Baffler Rail Hybrid $149

Golf is one of those sports that can bring sheer enjoyment one moment and in another instance so much frustration, that you question why you’re playing in the first place. One of things that we often overlook or are not aware of is the life lessons we can takeaway from playing this game and how it applies to our everyday lives.

Jeff Ritter, the author of Your Kid Ate a Divot! 2010 PGA Merchandise Show

When I was visiting the Sligo Wear booth at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show, I ran into this guy holding a book with a funny book title, Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links. I was automatically intrigued by the funny title of this book and I had to learn more. This is how I met Jeff Ritter one of the world’s most prominent golf instructors known for his unique coaching style that incorporates creative concepts from all walks of life to help teach that crazy game of golf to his students.

About Your Kid Ate a Divot!

In his book Jeff tells a humorous collection of tales sure to add inspiration to your game and your life! These true stories deliver the valuable life lessons within the game in a manner never seen in the world of golf. You’ll find yourself thinking about how these lessons not only apply to the game of golf, but in your personal life or career for that matter. I was really amazed by the level of insight and how simple some of the lessons were.

The book is broken up into 19 Chapters or holes on a golf course and each hole starts out with a story related to the chapter, followed by Jeff’s insight called Ritter’s Tip. For example, in chapter 3 (referenced as 3rd Hole in the book) Whistle While You Work. The story is about a student who wanted to become a good golfer and was taking lessons from Jeff.

When we are learning something new, it takes time for it sink-in and repeat consistently. So when the golfer would struggle with hitting his shots, he would simply begin to whistle his favorite tune to loosen up. After doing this, the golfer would begin hitting his golf shots consistently again. Ritter’s Tip for this is called Letting Go.

Learning to Let Go
We’ve all been there when we become frustrated and get all in our head, because we can’t hit a shot, etc. Letting Go, is the key to mentally freeing up your mind and relaxing your body so you can execute. And Whistling is a great way of doing it, because it distracts you, but also puts you in a different frame of mind. This is something I plan on trying out and doing more often, when things don’t go the way you expect them too.

As you read the other chapters titled, “The Duck of Death,” “Squirrel Boy,” and yes…..a kid who really ate a divot, you will experience a new found enthusiasm for the game and the uplifting messages a life on the links brings! What you’ll also get from reading this book is a genuine sense of who Jeff Ritter is as an instructor and a person. Which in my opinion is not easy to do.

At only 176 pages, Your Kid Ate A Divot is quick and enjoyable read, that will leave you wanting more great stories and life lessons. I know that’s how I felt after finishing the book. Hopefully, Jeff will write a sequel, because I’m sure there are more than 18 lessons we can learn from golf.

Overall, Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links is in my opinion one of the best golf books I’ve read in quite sometime. The book will resonate with golfers of all abilities and you’ll come away looking at the game differently and more aware of yourself.

Your Kid Ate A Divot! Eighteen Life Lessons from the Links $14.95

Golf, Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed, is a book by PGA member Greg Rowley that attempts to strip down all the pomp and circumstance of the game of golf, and make it easy for the new golfer to understand why you do certain things on the golf course.

Golf, Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed by Greg Rowley

I’m sure at one point you’ve wondered Who should I tip on the golf course? When and how to gamble? How do you calculate a handicap-and why? These are the questions that get answered in this easy to read and entertaining book.

The 276 page book is divided in to five sections that go over topics like Golf 101 (the game, equipment, the golf course), preparing like a pro (how to practice, types of golf courses, dress code), what to do when your arrive at a golf course (difference between caddies and forecaddies, the handicap system), and golf instruction (full-swing and short game instruction/tips).

Golf, Naked will give you confidence. It offers the understanding that no one cares how well you play, because everyone is worried about their own actions. No one ever remembers your score. They will remember how you look and act. These tips and techniques will help you master the rest of the game – the real stuff that truly demonstrates experience, comfort, confidence, class, humility and ultimately, golfing grace.

Golf 101

As you read the book, you’ll notice a few recurring themes throughout the book, that are intended to help make certain points more clear. Rookie Mistakes: are common errors everyone has made or seen at one point or another in their golfing career. Pearls from the Pro: are words of wisdom and insight from Greg. Story Time: Stories and anecdotes that Greg has experienced or heard. History Lesson: Perspective on the game, equipment, and the rules of golf. Face Plants: We all fall on our faces and have a lousy golf performance, but somebody has probably done worse. If I ruled the world: Wishful thinking by Greg on how he would change the some the customs or rules.

How Not to Dress for the Golf Course

One of my favorite stories in the book had to be Chapter 6 Rookie Mistakes story about what Troy Blood wore to the club’s Pro-Am tournament. Troy who had no prior knowledge on what is appropriate to wear on the golf course wore an outfit we’ve all seen at one point or another and thought to ourselves, “Are you kidding me? Nice outfit.” Troy wore a see-through Seattle Seahawk coach’s shirt-unbuttoned to his mid-sternum, with haystack plumes of black chest hair. A camouflaged hunting cap, which only Boo Weekley can pull off in my opinon. A tattered pair of khaki cargo shorts, that would have been better served in the trash, than on the golf course. A brown belt, knee-high black socks (the Pièce de résistance of the entire outfit), and black shoes.

The point of the story is that golf fashion does matter and no matter what your skill level, don’t leave the house without looking in the mirror. You can’t control how people perceive you, but you can control how you present yourself. And in golf and any other endeavor, first impressions are the most important. And get this, while Troy looked ridiculous, he did manage to win the tournament.

Overall, Golf Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed is a fun book that anyone who plays golf will enjoy reading, and those new to sport the book will serve as a great primer to this sometimes confusing and frustrating game.

Golf, Naked: The Bare Essentials Revealed [Affiliate Link]

One of the main reasons I started this blog was because of Gary Vaynerchuk and how passionate and charismatic he is when he talks about wine on Winelibrary.tv or social media, business, life, etc on Garyvaynerchuk.com. I knew that if I could figure out what I was passionate about, that I could start a blog and hopefully be just as successful.

That’s what Gary Vaynerchuk’s new book Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion [affiliate link] is about helping you discover what is it that drives you and passionate about and turning it into a real business.  Crush It! is such an excellent read, that I really think everyone could benefit from reading this book and learn a lot about themselves in the process.

Watch the video to find out what I thought about Crush It!

For more information about the book, tour dates, special offers and more visit http://www.crushitbook.com

Your 15th Club: The Inner Secret to Great Golf

We all know the legal number of golf clubs you can carry in your bag per round is 14 clubs, but did you know that we all have 15th club we carry all the time? That’s the premise for this great book by renowned golf psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella of “Your 15th Club: The Inner Secret To Great Golf” (Free Press;Pub. Date” May 13, 2008;208 pages;$24.00), gives golfers the insight they need to improve their game by honing the mental attitude and confidence that will allow them to perform consistently at their peak-before they ever step up to the tee. All great golfer’s of our time, Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington, and Trevor Immelman all utilize the 15th club consistently and that’s what makes them stand apart from the rest of the field.

“Your 15th Club”, is the follow up to Dr. Bob Rotella’s previous best seller, “Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect“, which talked about how to play under pressure and the mental aspect of the golf game. “Your 15th Club” is not a rehash or iteration of “Golf is Not a Game of Perfect”, rather it stresses the importance of developing confidence to perform in all types of situations, and once you get there, you have to continue to work on your mental game. If you don’t continue to work on your mental game, you run the risk of slipping back into your old ways of lacking self confidence and breaking under pressure. Two time (2007,2008) British Open Champion Padraig Harrington, didn’t achieve this type of success, until he started utilizing his 15th club and continue to develop it, even after winning his first British Open in 2007.

In the book “Your 15th Club”, Dr. Rotella layouts a game plan that any level of golfer can follow and implement to become the very best golfer possibly, by developing confidence in their game. It’s not about perfecting your swing or using the latest titanium golf club, it’s about developing and building our mental game through positive thinking.  By providing tips and techniques such as how to learn from a better golfer, how to overcome fear in pressure situations, and how to keep your head no matter what, “Your 15th Club” exposes the real truth about the mental side in golf under pressure. In the book you get to read some great anecdotes from Dr. Rotella’s longtime client Padraig Harrington, on how his 15th Club helped him progress the ranks of the European Tour, and ultimately win the 2007 British Open.

What are some the tools and techniques you can use to develop your 15th club?
It all starts with your own self-image and how we see ourselves as a golfer. In chapter 4 How Your Subconscious Sees You, Dr. Rotella talks about how the subconscious mind rules our golf game and we are unaware of how it influences our self-image. The first step, is to stop remembering or dwelling on all that went wrong in your golf game, but focus on what went right. Having positive thoughts in your head is key to developing a positive self-image. Your probably thinking, that being positive all the time, is not being realistic at all, because your not being honest with yourself. In actuality, your hurting your own self-image by constantly bringing up the negative images of your game and ingraining that negative self-confidence in your subconscious. You instill in your subconscious the idea of something bad is going to happen, which is the basis for the phenomenon known as self-fulfilling prophecy. How many times have you stepped up to the tee and thought to yourself, please don’t top this shot with my driver? I know I have quite a few times. And the results were almost always a topped tee shot.

Keep a journal of all the great things that happened when your playing golf, and review these items daily. By keeping a journal of positive events on the golf course your helping build that positive self-image and ingraining it into your subconscious, by reliving those positive moments. What do you do when your not playing golf? To continue to build your confident self-image, you need to feed your subconscious positive affirmations. A positive affirmation is a simple, positive thought about your golf game. The more specific your affirmation is, the more helpful it will be. For example, writing “I’m a good golfer”, is probably not the best affirmation. A good positive affirmation is written in the present tense, “I always hit my irons pure from the fairway and tee.”

What You See Is What You Get
The art of visualization is another key to developing your 15th club. The subconscious mind cannot distinguish between what is real and what hasn’t happened, but it can be influenced by this positive imagery. Great golfers all visualize their shot before they even attempt it, they know exactly what they want the ball to do, where to go, and land. It’s positive visualization that helps subconscious develop a positive self-image about ones own abilities as a golfer. If you visualize correctly what you want to happen, tells your subconscious mind that the shot your about to hit is nothing you can’t handle. To you subconscious, you’ve already accomplished this. This is something I’m continuously working on getting better, visualizing my shots during my pre-shot routine and before I play.

If you follow Dr. Rotella’s  year-long plan which includes some of the mental routines described above, you can begin the journey to becoming a positive and confident golfer. I know that reading this book gave me a better understanding about my own self-image as a golfer, and it allowed me to gain a whole new perspective on developing my 15th club. You may not go on to win the British Open or the Masters, but you will improve your ability to take your game to the next level.

“Your 15th Club: The Inner Secret To Great Golf” By Dr. Bob Rotella With Bob Cullen $24.00

Golf Rules Quick Reference 2008-2011

Have you ever tried reading the “Rules of Golf”? I have and I find it to be quite a daunting task and difficult to use. Who has the time, to sit down and try and interpret the rules, let alone find the one that is applicable to your situation? I think a lot of golfer’s feel the same way and probably don’t even bother with learning the rules or carrying the rules book. I think that’s about the change, with the completely revised edition of the “Golf Rules Quick Reference 2008-2011. A practical guide for use on the course” by Yves C. Ton-That. The author has entirely revised and updated “Golf Rules Quick Reference” to include the new rules that taken effect on January 1, 2008. The “Golf Rules Quick Reference” is based on the “The Rules of Golf” and “Decisions on the Rules of Golf,” which are published by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the USGA.

“The fact is, most golfers, including many tour professionals, don’t have a thorough knowledge of all of the Rules of Golf, other than the basics,” says Yves C. Ton-That, “Golf Rules Quick Reference 2008-2011” author and an international rules official for more than 10 years.

The “Golf Rules Quick Reference” provides quick answers to rules questions thanks to its 170 illustrations and easy-to-understand language instead of dry, legal verbiage nobody understands. Storing “Golf Rules Quick Reference” in your golf bag will enable you to avoid embarrassment and arguments, and will also allow you to take full advantage of the various relief procedures and free drops you weren’t aware of before.” The book is very compact and measures 4.1 x 5.8 inches, which makes it easy to fit in your golf bag. The handy, plastic-coated flip guide answers every rules question at a glance, as each rules situation is illustrated. This is a great feature, because when your on the golf course, you don’t have the luxury of time to find the proper ruling and the “Golf Rules Quick Reference”, does an excellent job of explaining the rules in plain English and avoids the use of dry legal language that you find in the “Rules of Golf.”  And it has over 170 illustrations, that make using this book a breeze to use. I’m a visual learner and love being able to see an illustration next to rule being described, like they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” What I also liked about The “Golf Rules Quick Reference”, is the fact it’s organized into eight sections, just like how a golf course is layed out, among them “Tee,” “Fairway and Rough”, “Bunker,” “Water Hazard” and “Green.” In fact, one of the most innovative features of this booklet, is the overview chart on the back of the booklet, which answers 80 percent of golfers’-questions without ever having to open up the book. I think you’ll find this to be invaluable, because you don’t have to waste time trying to look up a rule to resolve those relief procedures. In the event you need you need to consult official rule book, the official rule number can be found  in brackets after each heading, thus making it easier to find. Gotta love, the foresight and consideration by Yves C. Ton-That, to make this booklet so simple to use.

The 2008 edition’s most important changes include:

• Conforms to the new 2008-2011 Rules of Golf

• 48 pages (the original edition had 40)

• More than 170 illustrations (previously 36). Every scenario in the book is illustrated for solutions at a glance

• Includes the rules for both stroke and match play (previously only stroke play)

You really have no excuse, not to carry the “Golf Rules Quick Reference” in your golf bag, even I carry a copy in my bag and so should you.Golf Rules Quick Reference 2008-2011. A practical guide for use on the course” by Yves C. Ton-That, 48 pages, 170-plus full-color illustrations, plastic coated, spiral binding, Artigo Publishing, 1 edition 2008, ISBN 978-3-909596-16-4, $9.95.

Do you ever find yourself during a round of golf, wondering why you always hit your fairway woods or hybrids fat? Or why you keep popping up your tee shots? When Bad Things Happen to Bad Golfers by Gary Pearson and T.J. Tomasi, looks to answer those questions and the 150 most troublesome shots in golf. Unlike other golf books, that focus on shots and techniques, this book provides proven solutions to specific problems that are easy to understand and execute. The book is a golf survival guide meant to carried in your bag, and help solve your golf problems right on the course-before your next shot.

Five Faces
The book shows you the “Five Faces of the Perfect Club,” a concept that helps you hit the ball out of any lie, from anywhere on the course, even if you don’t have a world-class swing.  What are the “Five Face of the Perfect Club”? The Five Faces is an instructional concept developed by T.J. Tomasi, that refers to combination of clubface positions (Square, Open, Closed, Hooded, and Laid Back), plus 3 ball positions (Forward, Middle, and Back), and 3 shoulder positions (Open, Square, and Closed). You can use any one of the forty-five positions to get you out of any predicament on the golf course. Once the five-faces concept is understood, the golfer can move to the second part of the book, which is a situation-by-situation description of just about everything that can go wrong on the golf course.  The rest of the book is divided into four parts, each representing the four main sections of the golf course: the tee, the fairway, the short game, and the putting green.

One thing you’ll notice is that many of the problems and solutions in the book do overlap with one another, which can lead to repetition and referencing of previous solutions to the problem at hand. While I did find this to be annoying at times, it does provide an advantage of providing a variety of solutions to problems that are similar, but not identical. For example, if your hitting your irons fat, but also topping your drives, you most likely have a weight shift problem. As mentioned earlier, the book is meant to be carried in your bag, I found the book to be a little to big to carry in my golf bag. On top of that, you’d probably get a few strange looks, if you pulled the book out of your bag after you hit a bad shot. I know I’d feel very self-conscious about using this book on the course. It would be nice if they offered a pocket sized version of the book that would fit in you shirt pocket or better yet have flash card version of the 150 scenarios that you could easily take with you. Overall I enjoyed reading the book and found some great tips for some troublesome scenarios I encounter often when I play golf. I’d recommend picking up a copy, even as post round reference and make your own flash cards to carry in your bag.

When Bad Things Happen to Bad Golfers $22.95

The Downhill Lie A hacker’s Return to a Ruinous Sport by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf) is part memoir and part diary of his return to golf after a thirty-three year hiatus from the sport he used to play with his father every Sunday.

The last time Carl has played golf was 1973, when Richard Nixon was still in the White House, Hank Aaron was one home run shy of tying Babe Ruth’s home run record, and the Who had just released Quadrophenia . So what posses a man to return to a game in midlife, that he did not excel in his prime, and has dealt him a lot of frustration and failure? According to Carl Hiaasen it’s because “I’m one Sick Bastard.”

What makes this book so good is that you can relate to what Carl writes about and laugh about those moments, as an experienced or beginning golfer.

Carl’s foray back into golf begins with trip to Barbados, to write a fictional piece on The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot.  But little did Carl know that this was just the beginning of a long journey of getting back in the game, from joining the local country club, playing Toad Golf, sinking a golf cart, buying multiple infomercial products, to ultimately playing in the Quail Valley Member-Guest Invitational.

For instance, when Carl is looking to update his golf clubs, his long time friend tells him to purchase a rescue club, because they are so easy to hit. Carl laments, “The equipment can’t save you from yourself. On a good day, a good golfer will shoot lights-out using any set of clubs. On a bad day, a bad golfer will butcher the easiest course in the country with $2000 worth of plasma-welded hardware in his bag.”

Golf, like many sports has its own rituals that we all partake in one fashion or another, but Carl takes it to a new level.Don’t say the dreaded “SH___ word, The Swing Disorder That Must Not Be Mentioned By Name. ” If uttered you will Shank the golf ball. This is borderline being a little crazy and superstitious, but nonetheless amusing

In the end Carl learns a valuable lesson about the game of Golf from his son Quinn. “When the sport is new,every crisp shot is a wonder and a thrill. I believe this is how you’re supposed to feel with a golf club in your hands: Full of heart free of mind.” This in my opinion really captures what the game of golf is all about.

If you play golf, left golf, or coming back to golf, you’ll find this book entertaining and true to life.

The Downhill Lie A hacker’s Return to a Ruinous Sport by Carl Hiaasen $22.00