Playing a Round with the Little Pro

Playing a Round with the Little Pro
Author: Eddie Merrins
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2006-04-25
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0743299213

In the world of professional golf, everyone knows "the Little Pro" -- Eddie Merrins, the head professional at the Bel-Air Country Club. A living bridge between the Golden Age of the sport and the greatest champions of today, his experiences and friendships reach back to Bobby Jones, Sam Snead, and Ben Hogan, and all the way forward to Tiger Woods, Amy Alcott, and Vijay Singh. Both on and off the course, he's an embodiment of the highest principles of the game. In dozens of short, personal anecdotes told with his trademark wit and modesty, Merrins invites readers to share the decades he spent in the very good company of famous Hollywood stars, celebrated athletes and coaches, and countless lovers of the game seeking his advice and encouragement. In these pages, Merrins generously offers for the first time all his insights on the mental, physical, technical, and even spiritual aspects of the sport. Ranging from swing fundamentals to setting goals to shotmaking, this advice is relevant to players at every level of experience. Playing a Round with the Little Pro celebrates a wonderful life lived in and for the great sport of golf, and it is destined, like its author, to be a classic of the game.

From the Inside Out

From the Inside Out
Author: I. B. Nobody
Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2018-04-24
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1633383172

This is an instructional manual covering the fundamentals of the golf swing, the short game, putting, and routine development. The mental game; right brain versus left brain thinking, creating a feeling storehouse, concentration in its purest form, temperament and a historical look at the greats and not so greats of the game-circa 1920 to the Tiger Woods era. Included are the individuals who influenced my development as a golfer, a caddie's view from inside the ropes, and a look at the world of golf from the inside out. Any player-no matter the skill level-hitting a golf ball does so in three steps: * sets up to the ball * swings at the ball * creates an impact This sets up this framework . . . I. Setup II. Swing III. Impact Within those roman numerals are eight fundamentals, obtained from Ben Hogan's book, Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. The book, which began as a series of five articles that first appeared in the magazine Sports Illustrated on March 11, 1957, evolved into a book that was published in the latter part of 1957. You are encouraged to read or reread Five Lessons as Hogan's swing theory will become that much clearer. Each of the aforementioned eight fundamental is supported by quotes from some of the masters-Bobby Jones (who held degrees in English literature, engineering, and law), Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Bryon Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan (Snead, Hogan, and Nelson were all born within seven months of one another in 1912. Collectively, they won almost 200 PGA tour events!). Countless players were inspired by these greats-Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson; Northern California products: Tony Lema, Ken Venturi, Bob Rosburg, John Brodie, George Archer, Dick Lotz, John Lotz, Ron Cerrudo, Bob Boldt, Jim Wichers, Johnie Miller, Ray Leach, Ross Randle, Roger Maltbie, Forrest Fezler, Eric Batten, transplanted golf professional Shivas Irons, and many, many other great players. Let's not forget one who competed with Jones, Hagen, et Al.: Olin Dutra. From the Inside Out also includes quotes from one of golf's finest instructor, Percy Boomer. For those that learn visually, the pictures and diagrams alone will give you a greater understanding of the golf swing. The best part of purchasing this book? Eighty-eight percent of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be evenly distributed to the Ben Hogan Foundation, the Jim Langley Scholarship Fund, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship fund and the First Tee Program. The other 12 percent will go to the publisher, lawyers (of course) and what's left will go to green fees and gratuities. On a personal note, this book is worth the price of admission as it will give you a real glimpse at the crown prince of Golf, Walter Hagen.

Every Shot Must Have a Purpose

Every Shot Must Have a Purpose
Author: Pia Nilsson
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2005-09-22
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9781592401574

Two legendary coaches give golfers a powerful new approach to the game... and to life. As coaches to some of golf’s top players, Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott have designed and refined a revolutionary way of teaching the game, with phenomenal results. They don’t believe in prescribing the same stance, grip, and swing to everyone, followed by hours of purposeless drilling. They don’t even believe in beginning with physical technique. Their success has proven to them that a great game begins with a great vision. Unlike any other golf book, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose offers cutting-edge techniques for integrating the physical, technical, mental, emotional, and social parts of a player’s game. The book’s revolutionary pre-shot routine will improve your focus, leading to a golf swing that is not only successful but can be repeated under extreme pressure. Emphasizing the individual golfer rather than a rigid set of mechanics, their VISION54 method takes the frustration out of the game. Why 54? Because they believe it’s possible to shoot a 54 (making a birdie on every hole of a par-72 course) if you have the right mind-set and well-honed intuitive power. An engaging read for the beginner or the seasoned golfer, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose is inspiration for life, not just the links.

Get Yourself in Golf Shape

Get Yourself in Golf Shape
Author: Cindy Reid
Publisher: Rodale
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2005-09-25
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 9781594861888

Presents stretches and strength training exercises designed to improve a golfer's swing, and provides sample training schedules.

Commander in Cheat

Commander in Cheat
Author: Rick Reilly
Publisher: Hachette Books
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2019-04-02
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 031652784X

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Reilly pokes more holes in Trump's claims than there are sand traps on all of his courses combined. It is by turns amusing and alarming."-- The New Yorker "Golf is the spine of this shocking, wildly humorous book, but humanity is its flesh and spirit." -- Chicago Sun-Times "Every one of Trump's most disgusting qualities surfaces in golf." -- The Ringer An outrageous indictment of Donald Trump's appalling behavior when it comes to golf -- on and off the green -- and what it reveals about his character. Donald Trump loves golf. He loves to play it, buy it, build it, and operate it. He owns 14 courses around the world and runs another five, all of which he insists are the best on the planet. He also claims he's a 3 handicap, almost never loses, and has won an astonishing 18 club championships. How much of all that is true? Almost none of it, acclaimed sportswriter Rick Reilly reveals in this unsparing look at Trump in the world of golf. Based on Reilly's own experiences with Trump as well as interviews with over 100 golf pros, amateurs, developers, and caddies, Commander in Cheat is a startling and at times hilarious indictment of Trump and his golf game. You'll learn how Trump cheats (sometimes with the help of his caddies and Secret Service agents), lies about his scores (the "Trump Bump"), tells whoppers about the rank of his courses and their worth (declaring that every one of them is worth $50 million), and tramples the etiquette of the game (driving on greens doesn't help). Trump doesn't brag so much, though, about the golf contractors he stiffs, the course neighbors he intimidates, or the way his golf decisions wind up infecting his political ones. For Trump, it's always about winning. To do it, he uses the tricks he picked up from the hustlers at the public course where he learned the game as a college kid, and then polished as one of the most bombastic businessmen of our time. As Reilly writes, "Golf is like bicycle shorts. It reveals a lot about a man." Commander in Cheat "paints a side-splitting portrait of a congenital cheater" (Esquire), revealing all kinds of unsightly truths Trump has been hiding.

Dave Pelz's Damage Control

Dave Pelz's Damage Control
Author: Dave Pelz
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 525
Release: 2009-11-09
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1101665106

A paradigm-smashing instruction book on recovering from trouble and avoiding ?disaster shots??the three or four errant shots in each round that lead to blow up holes and ruin golfers? scores Over his three decades of working with pro and amateur golfers, Dave Pelz noticed some definite differences between the two, particularly in how pros and amateurs handle trouble shots. Seeking quantitative evidence for his hunch, he used his analytical tools to look at thousands of scorecards from a wide range of amateur players. The data showed that the majority of golfers play at or below their handicap most of the time but are done in by a few ?disaster holes??double bogeys or worse?each round that ruin their score. In Damage Control, Dave Pelz teaches all the techniques necessary to recover from trouble and avoid disasters. He explains the golf fact that you will hit errant shots?into deep rough, into sand, into shallow water, or near obstacles that inhibit your swing. The key is being able to recover from these shots and not make a bad situation worse by hitting the ball into deeper trouble. The book is filled with full-color photos and drills on how to make all the shots you might encounter on a golf course using five skills specifically designed to minimize the chances of making your life worse. Revealing methods for shot-making never before seen in an instructional book, Damage Control is a groundbreaking new look at the game from a master instructor.

Earl The Pearl

Earl The Pearl
Author: Earl Monroe
Publisher: Rodale
Total Pages: 450
Release: 2013-04-23
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1609615611

The personal story of the Hall of Fame NBA star traces his upbringing in a tough South Philadelphia neighborhood and his statistic-transcending career, offering insight into his "playground" competitive style and his views on the game today. Co-written by the co-author of The Pursuit of Happyness. 75,000 first printing.

Final Round

Final Round
Author: William Bernhardt
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2002-05-07
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 034545507X

In the glamorous world of professional golf, one match is synonymous with excellence, tradition, and prestige. The Masters is played on the sweeping fairways of Georgia’s exclusive Augusta National Golf Club, drawing its annual pilgrimage of Lear-jetting international superstars, the spotlight of the media, and throngs of fans. But this year, the tournament has attracted something else. A killer is coming to play a deadly game of his own. For Connor Cross and John McCree, two pros who share a long friendship and a passion for golf, the April competition is a chance to catch up on old times, joke around, make some ill-advised bets, and generally calm each other’s nerves before the play turns serious. But while John has always been able to get a grip on his game by tee time, Connor has never quite figured out how to throw the switch and focus. Then a killer strikes–and for the reigning bad boy of the PGA tour, everything changes in a hurry. The victim’s wife begs Connor to try to find a murderer who threatens not only to kill again, but to destroy the Masters. And as Connor is drawn into the intrigue, a most remarkable phenomenon occurs. This maverick player shoots a sizzling round of golf. Suddenly, Connor is conquering a vicious slice, cleaning up his short game, and even listening to his caddie as he uncovers some jaw-dropping personal secrets of his fellow pros. But as Connor–in the company of an alluring female cop–unravels a mystery of murder and uncovers the mystery of his inner game of golf, he also faces the greatest hazard of all. For with one round left to play, and the body count rising while his scores drop, Connor Cross is the next in line to die. A gripping thriller set against the elite world of pro golf–the way it looks when the cameras aren’t turned on–Final Round is the ultimate novel for anyone who has ever suspected that while golf may be the greatest game ever invented, playing it well can be murder.

Ben Hogan's Five Lessons

Ben Hogan's Five Lessons
Author: Ben Hogan
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 136
Release: 1990
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0671723014

You can shoot in the 70's!Ben Hogan has long believed that any golfer with average coordination can learn to break 80 if he applies himself intelligently -- and here, with Herbert Warren Wind, and artist Anthony Ravielli, he tells you, step by step, just how to go about it.The greatest golfer of our generation has distilled his experience as teacher, player, and observer of golf into a series of richly illustrated "visual instructions" that not only can improve your game and lower your score, but also can help you get even more fun out of what many people already think is the most enjoyable game in the world.Each chapter, each tested "fundamental" is explained and demonstrated with amazing detail and clarity. It's as though the master himself were right there at your elbow, giving you a personal lesson with the same thought and care that has gone into his lifetime of golf.The Modern Fundamentals of Golfis no instant and easy shortcut. There is none. But with Ben Hogan as your pro,you can master these basic movements very quickly.And then you can go on to develop a correct, powerful swing that willrepeat.As Ben Hogan says, it's only then that you'll "discover golf for the first time."

The Pro

The Pro
Author: Butch Harmon
Publisher: Crown
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2007-05-22
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 0307338045

Butch Harmon is the world’s number one golf coach. He taught Tiger Woods through one of the greatest stretches of victories in golf history (and, perhaps even more conspicuously, did not teach Tiger Woods following his unprecedented run), as well as superstars like Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Fred Couples, Darren Clarke, Natalie Gulbis, and Davis Love III. How did he become such a legendary teacher and mentor? The answer is simple: He learned from watching his father. The Harmons are the First Family of golf, and Claude Harmon, Sr., was the greatest of them all. His skill as a player, an innovator, a teacher, a devoted father, a loyal friend, and a peer of giants such as Ben Hogan has gone largely unappreciated by all but those who knew him best. In this book by his son, he finally gets his due. In The Pro, Butch Harmon paints a compelling portrait of an era in sports before the emergence of big media and bigger money, and shows how the lessons he learned about life and golf at his father’s knee made him the man he is today. The Pro is both a family and a golf memoir, as well as an inside look at what it takes to teach the Tigers of the world. It describes how Butch and his brothers, who are also teachers, transfer their father’s unique wit, wisdom, and philosophy to the next generation of golfers. Sometimes their advice relates to the game, sometimes they simply offer words of encouragement and motivation, sometimes they make pointed criticisms intended to shock their students into focus, and sometimes they try to impart simple advice about “walking around through life.” The Harmon brothers are teachers who share a special quality: All of their lessons are passed down from their father. Millions of golf fans know Butch Harmon; many are even familiar with his father and brothers. But never before have we been given such an intimate look at life among the legends of golf. The Pro is the story of an extraordinary father and son that will resonate with anyone who has ever looked back on life and recognized the wisdom of their parents’ teachings. "Golf's hard," Dad would say, pointing a meaty finger at me as if he were about to reveal the secret of the Rosetta Stone. “Good golf is damn hard, and championship golf is something only a few will ever see. But that’s how it should be. If it were easy, everybody would do it. And where’s the fun in that?” From Butch Harmon, the world’s number one golf coach, comes the inside story of how he learned everything he knows about golf and life from his father, Claude Harmon, Sr. Both a family memoir and a reminiscence of growing up among the legends of sport, The Pro is a portrait of one extraordinary family and the game that will carry their legacy for years to come.