Mr. Wind is the finest writer of golf in America and perhaps
the world. His stories bring the events to life and make you
feel as if you were there.

I recommend that you pick up as many of his books as you can
(it will take a lot of searching in used book websites and
stores, but it is worth it)

*on a side note, a couple of months ago, after writing Mr.
Wind a letter, it was a great honor for me to recieve a letter
back from him which is now framed and hanging on the wall"

Wind has written about golf in the way we think it should always be. In the days of golf carts and seven minute tee times it is refreshing to read about golf the way it should be played. In the unhurried country of Scotland or the demanding bunkers of Oakmont - it doesn't matter. Wind takes you there with his words. From Bobby Jones to The Putter Tournament Mr. Wind writes with such description and heart that it is hard to put this timeless classic down. It made me want to read all of Wind's classics and go across the pond to play the game in the old country.

If you're interested in Jack Nicklaus, and in the way his life and family are interwoven with his golf career, you can't miss this book. One of the great sporting lives in history, a picture of the whole person, an uncommonly intelligent and balanced person who happened to become the greatest player of all time. Even the requisite chapters on instruction (standard among golf biographies) are terrific, reflecting Nicklaus' focus on a few fundamentals, his uncomplicated approach to the game. What you see in this book is an attitude, a mentality, that ought to be a standard for any great athlete, and one that reflects the nature of golf and golf competition at its best--and more than that, an aspiration to greatness that never got out of perspective, never overwhelmed Nicklaus' commitment to his own family and friends. The book was written when his pre-senior-tour career was not even a third finished yet, but it's an early look into the mind of perhaps the most focused, and yet balanced and unassuming, great athlete ever.

This is such an enjoyable read, which reads much like what one would think after hearing Gene do the color on Shell's Wonderful World of Golf.

There is just one delightful story after another about Sarazen's life in golf, which began as many others did of his day in caddying. He didn't come from country club family. Italian immigrants, he changed his name"Saraceni" eventually to Sarazen. Great story about initial caddy experience, where he didn't even know about the tee (which the caddy was supposed to take care of.)

From his infamous double eage at Augusta to his touching story with the elderly caddy Daniels and their win at The British, this book is jammed packed with golf told through the eyes of a man who played alongside the like of Vardon, Cotton, Armour, Snead, Hogan and Hagen, among others.

What a fascinating insight into not only this wonderful champion and his life and development, but the development of the game so many of us receive such great enjoyment from ourselves.

Golfing lost a true champion when Gene departed several years ago. Classy man.

Summary: This 5th edition of The World Atlas of Golf belongs in the library of every golfer who wants to appreciate more of the game's rich history . . . and have a Walter Mittyish look at courses that will probably never be seen in person. Over 70 courses get the deluxe treatment of looking at the course layout, the score card, and an in-depth evaluation of the most famous holes. Thorough essays recount the history of the course, including the most memorable golf moments there. Beautiful color photographs capture the holes, and famous historic shots share the winning and losing. Afficionados will appreciate the pin-point descriptions of how to play the world's most demanding holes. The book also boasts a brief gazetteer of over 100 courses providing a one-third page thumbnail sketch of their layout and history. The book also boasts excellent, brief essays on the development of golf course design.

Review: This book will appeal to those who have played these wonderful courses and want to relive the experience, those who wish to know more about the rich history of the world's most challenging holes, and those who are curious about why golfers everywhere rave about certain holes and courses. The material is so rich and detailed that any golf fan could happily spend days with this book and just scratch its surface. A fan could easily extend enjoyment of the book by getting videos of famous championships to see the live action that is captured here in photographs and essays.

The courses are selected from around the world, but are primarily from Europe and the United States. Reflecting the game's heritage, the courses examined start with those in Scotland and proceed from there throughout the British Isles and Eire. From there, you transfer to the European mainland. Next, you go the North America. Asia, Africa, and South America are your final stops.

Naturally, the courses include such standards as St. Andrews's Old Course, Royal Troon, Carnoustie, Royal Dornoch, Muirfield, Turnberry, Loch Lomond, Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale, Ballybunion, Valderrama, Shinnecock Hills, Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, Oakmont, Baltusrol, The Country Club, Olympic, Winged Foot, Pinehurst No. 2, Seminole, Merion, Pine Valley, Medinah, Oakland Hills, Dorado Beach and the Mid Ocean in Bermuda. But you will also get exposed to courses that you may not know as well like Sotogrande in Spain and Banff in Canada.

As an example of the hole-by-hole analysis, the book early on looks at the famous 17th on the Old Course at St. Andrews. A hotel cuts off the right side of the hole of this tough par four, also referred to as the Road Hole. In 1995, John Daly won the British Open there in part by hitting a tremendous drive around the hotel and into the fairway. He was able to hit onto the green from there with a 7 iron. The book shows the outline of the hotel, where Daly's ball went, and where most players shoot. Naturally, this looks easy on paper. When I tried the same thing with my drive, my ball went just a bit too far right and disappeared into an area near the foundation of the hotel, out of bounds. I came away much more impressed with Daly's feat.

With the knowledge this atlas can give you, you will find yourself able to take on challenges that great golfers have lived up to before you. You may not match them (and probably won't), but you will enjoy the feeling of trying on the challenging swings of the greats. It'll be a great thrill when you do!

After you finish enjoying this book a few times, think about where else in life you would enjoy reliving great moments of those who have gone before. How can you use those experiences to inspire you to try more, accomplish more, and have more fulfillment in everything you do?

"Take dead aim."

the biography part is entertaining to read--especially the parts about him fainting at the births of his kids. The real meat of this book, though, was the instruction. This was written when jack was at the top of his game--when he was "fat jack" (his words). Back then HE was the monster off the tee moreso than Tiger today. Hearing what his keys were, and how he approached the game then was enlightening

Worth finding just for the illustrations! I obtained my copy and purchased more for presents at a real discount!

Even if you have to pay a little, this book is worth it! Magnificent, unique illustrations by world renown impressionist Ray Ellis! I love his shot of the "Practice Area at Augusta." His watercolors of renown courses and other golf sketches are just fantastic! You won't see much like them elsewhere and some are available to purchase, at some galleries and from his website.

Added to this great art is commentary by Ben Wright and a great Intro written by that dean of golf writers, Herbert Warren Wind.

Great addition to golf afficiando!