Sampson for me is the consummate golf writer; clever, knows his game and does it all creatively. Witness the way he puts together this chronicle of The Open. Starts with the Morris' and their famed dominance of early golf, then the interest of England and the rest.

Interwoven here are the rest of glorious Open history-Palmer, Player, Nicklaus, Watson, and Hogan. Then the tie with Carnoustie and the wee little iceman.

Boy this author can captivate you while getting it all down. This flows and ebbs till it ends up at the Burn and that 18th. Never Compromise --- great putting with new found friend--- never compromise style -- must go for it!

This is like author's other books (try them out, especially Hogan and Eternal Summer and Masters, they're favorites) this was just excellent reading to the end.

Golf is more than a game. When we can not play the game, we watch it. When we can not watch the game, we read about it. And who is best at capturing the feeling of the game of golf on print than Curt Sampson? He is the story-teller of golf.

a great job of not only capturing the 1999 open, but also giving the reader the feel for the history and passion of the open.

Curt Sampson has ably resurrected the magic of golf in 1960, the famous year in which Palmer became King, Nicklaus loomed, and Hogan and Snead made last runs at majors. Reading this tale one is transported back to what seems to us nostalgically as a simpler time. For a golf nut it is so much fun to relive those dramatic events. I would have given this book 5 stars except John Feinstein has demonstrated what a 5-star golf book is really like (The Majors, A Good Walk Spoiled). Sampson does not quite write with the same level of detail and insight as Feinstein, and lapses a bit more into the rehashing of familiar stories, but he is still quite good.

Only on the fringe of my teenage years in 1960, Sampson marvelously chronicles this year in golf and society. Society we all know because of the revolution that was gaining momentum.

TV is growing and would play a major role in golf's history as well. Along with three individuals, Hogan, Palmer and Nicklaus.

The "y" in the road is the televised Open at Cherry Creek, when Palmer made the celebrated charge. Hogan tries but comes short, and Nicklaus, not knowing for sure his position, didn't really grind, or he likely would have tied. Palmer wins, the sport grows, and as fate seemed to dictate, the game is on the way to the marvelous heights we now see it occupy.

Reading this wonderful book, it gives one more insight and compassion into those early pioneers who made it what it is. Today's pros seemed so pampered, however, the stress is large and looming larger.

Sampson is articulate writer and delivers great insights: Hagen's saying to Sarazen before the shot heard round the world at Augusta: "Come on, hurry up, I've got a date tonight."; and Gary Player calls up Hogan for some advice on his swing, so Hogan asks, whose clubs do you play? When Player answers Dunlop, Hogan responds, "Ask Mr. Dunlop."

Empathy for those like Sampson who wrote passionately about the game and didn't really make a living, let alone get rich. Loved the story about Bob Drum being snubbed by his paper until they hear Palmer is leading The Open, then cable him to send a story. Upon receipt of telegram, Drum crumbles it into ball, and said: "Hope to hell you get it."

This is a must for any serious golf collection of books on the game.

I've read a lot of golf books. This is one of my favorites, and I'm glad to see it's finally back in print--there are a lot of golfers I need to recommend this to. It's more just plain fun to read than almost any one I can name. One of golf's great years, and one of the sport's all-time great cast of characters: Hogan, past his prime at 48 but trying to win one more major; Arnie, the greatest golfer of the 50s, trying to win the Grand Slam; 20-year-old Nicklaus, the chunky college kid; and plenty of other characters, like the irascible Charlie Sifford, the first black player on the tour; the legendary Sam Snead; Chi Chi Rodriguez, who weighed 118 pounds; party animal Doug Sanders; Gary Player, the Man in Black from South Africa; and several others. Reading about these guys is just fascinating, they come alive in this book, and the story of how several of them could have and should have won the Open is one of the best in golf. Sampson has a breezy, highly readable style and has a good sense of humor. I highly recommend this book to any fan of golf.

This book is above the best I've ever read. Not only does Sampson cut through the clutter and hype of the hogan mystique, but brings to light the man himself. Ben Hogan was a hero to many, including myself. However, it becomes easier to understand his faults and pains. As awestruck as we all become as we reminisce about what the infamous one iron shot was like, the same feeling comes to mind when you can discover the personal hardships and psychological strains that Hogan had held throughout his life. Looking from the outside, he was comprised of somewhat an introvert, stubborn, and jealous man. Yet how he broke out of his shell and overcame adds one more dimension to a timeless hero. Not only his ability to overcome the game of golf and his physical handicaps, but overcoming the mental obstacles that it takes to become not only an excellent golfer, but an excellent man. Hats off to Curt Sampson

shawnwellnitz@yahoo.com

The best book iv'e every read. I think every golf lover should have a chance to read this masterpiece! It explains, with help from Curt Sampson how Ben Hogan really lived his life, rather than every shoe brand he bought!. It (the book) desribes Ben's meaning, hope and explanation of his true identity in the world of golf.

I found this book to be one of the best biographies I've ever read. Sampson leads the reader through the pivotal and formative events of Hogan's life, slowly revealing the character and personality of one of the most complex figures in the history of sports. Most people view sports legends as individuals blessed with an abundance of natural ability and instinct. I was inspired to discover this does not describe Ben Hogan. He was not, by any stretch of imagination, the most talented golfer on tour. To read accounts of his early struggles puts the stunning success he later enjoyed - and the work that enabled him to accomplish that success - in clear perspective. To often, sports biographies are superficial tributes that ignore the complexities of a sport and the men who play it. This is a book that digs deeply into the life of its subject, revealing both the noble and the base. Curt Sampson allows the reader to form his own opinion of the man based on a detailed and objectively rendered portrait. Anyone who truly loves the game of golf needs to read this book. Rick Mathes Thousand Oaks, C

There is some good work that went into this book. You really feel like you understand about Steve Elkington's swing. The pictures are great. I've also never had back spasms before until giving Elkington's book a try. Beware the man who advises a violent turn of the abs toward the rib cage...ouch!

Steve Elkington is not only a marvelous golfer but he is an accomplished horticulturist and a great family man. His approach to the golf game is one of extreme intelligence. He can improve a golfer's game tremendously if they follow his advice on the fundamentals outlined in this book. I only wish I had read this book 40 years ago! Now he needs to write a book on "course management".

This is one of the best instruction books I have found. I found this book to be easy reading with excellent swing instructions.

I don't think there's a better golf writer, or for that matter sports writer, in today's book world than Mr. Sampson. He can turn a phrase as well as John Updike, and he's the kind of writer who could write about paint drying and make it fascinating. His profiles of the men involved in making the Masters what it is today--weirdo Cliff Roberts, tragic golf great Bobby Jones, and even Dwight Eisenhower--are great. There's a good balance of behind-the-scenes power broking and great golf throughout the years. But what makes this book even better, what raises it to a higher level, is its examination of the relationship of the town of Augusta to the elitist Augusta National Club. It's fascinating to read about what the townspeople think of the club, and how some of them--like singer James Brown, and boxer Beau Jack--have interacted and been affected by the racist Club. There's a tremendous amount of texture in Sampson's descriptions, enough to justify the comparisons to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Sampson also, by the way, wrote another classic golf book entitled The Eternal Summer: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Hogan in 1960, Golf's Golden Year. It's out of print but one of the most enjoyable golf books I've ever read.

Someone should also reprint Sampson's insightful book on pro basketball, Full Court Pressure (a lousy title for the best book on the NBA since The Breaks of the Game). It came and went a few years ago and deserves to be more widely read.

Author Curt Sampson captures the birth and life of one of the most famous sporting events in the world, The Masters golf tournament. Played annually in Augusta, Georgia, this prestigious golf tournament has become the new face of golf. Mr. Sampson shows us how this once unknown place, turned into a sanctuary for some of the greatest golfers of all time. He gets deep into how it was started by a group of New York business men, only 68 years after the Civil War. He shows us how although, one of the most famed golf course in the world has always been dampered by the reputation for being a racist society. He explains how that when Tiger Woods won the Masters in 1997, Augusta and the Masters had come full swing from what it once was. This book goes well into detail about things the common person would have never known or been able to find out. Although, occasionally drags on about the birth of this event. this book has solid content and gives information that you would have never known otherwise. I recommend this book to any golf enthusist.

If Sampson's probe is anywhere near the truth, it surely smudges the high place we give to Augusta and The Masters.

Certainly, it still revolves around Jones, and it always has. The legend of this amateur and supposed gentleman is tarnished by his association with Roberts and his seizure of power and control of what has become golfing legend.

Without the champion's name and backing and tournament, The Masters and Augusta would be just another club and tour stop. But from the outset it was Bobby who kept it together. Then the illness and pulling away, and the inroads of Cliff and the rest is history, here well documented by one of the great golf writers. Sampson again weaves his literary magic with different piercing vignettes of the personalities and events which have led to Augusta lore and legend.

Story upon story from various facets permeate this fluid read--from club caddie to townfolk to neglected member and player -- one is given much to contemplate.

The tales are superb, sampling but a few: the caddie deliberately overclubbing Robert's opponent on a Par 3 course contest; Dave Marr's respone to Arnie that even his divot cleared Rae's Creek on 15; the asst. pro's wife being offered big money for the rope marker that only quandred off souvenir sales.

Augusta appears to be the premier "ole boys" club. If you want scoop about it's past and insights possibly into its present, this read will begin that path.

I have enjoyed Sampson's writing in the past, but this book disappointed. As advertised, it really is a book about the chasing of Tiger Woods -- by competitors, fans and media. One can enjoy the "behind the scenes" looks at the tour, and if you are interested in Charles Howell III, you will get a bunch of info here. I felt the book headed off in too many directions, the metaphors were WAY overblown, and the lack of focus was frustrating. If you are interested in the peripheral insights to be gained, or simply love Sampson -- wait for the paperback!

Beyond the aggrandizing sports articles and simplistic examinations of Tiger's stroke or sheer ability lies the story of his effect on the PGA.
Woods has changed golf the same way an eathquake can change a small, extraordinarily inclusive, community.
The landscape is different. Familar direction markers no longer exist and are replaced by new totems of accomplishment and mountains of greatness.
Instead of toeing the party line of Tiger's perfection Sampson examines Tiger's effect on the PGA community.
Anyone curious about the innerworkings of the PGA, with all its glory, success, and abject drudgery, should READ THIS BOOK.
Anyone interested in Tiger Woods and his permanent effect on golf SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.
This book tells you what he has done to the game and how the playing field has changed for every single player who picks up a club.

I read this book straight through! "Chasing Tiger" is not yet another Tiger Woods biography, but an inside look at Tiger Woods through the eyes of other professional golfers, groupies, media people, caddies, etc..Curt Samspon tells a truthful, and sometimes shocking, account of what it's like to be on the tour with Tiger. This is a great book, not just for golf fans, but for anyone who is interested in more than what they read on the sports page. Curt Sampson has great style, and you should read this book.