Review of "The Masters: A Hole-by-Hole History of America's Golf Classic"

Soon the eyes of the golfing world will be on Augusta and the Masters golf tournament. It has a very interesting history and this book takes a different look at that history, describing it at each hole on the course.  Here is my review of "The Masters: A Hole-by-Hole History of America's Golf Classic"

Title/Author:

“The Masters: A Hole-by-Hole History of America’s Golf Classic, Third Edition” by David Sowell
 

Tags:

Golf, history, championship

Publish date:

March 1, 2019

Length:

304 pages

 

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (outstanding)

Review:

Anyone with any level of interest in golf knows about the Masters tournament.  Played on the course designed by Bobby Jones, it has been the site of many memorable shots, charges to a championship and the awarding of the green jacket to the winner of the prestigious even held every April. These memorable moments, both good and not-so-good, are captured in this excellent book by David Sowell.

 

Using a unique format in which the history of events that happened at each hole is described, Sowell will inform readers about golfers in every era.  Just about any great golfer - course designer and founder Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth – will be mentioned on at least one of the holes. Whether it was a memorable eagle or birdie or the highest stroke total on one hole, 13 (“accomplished” three times, most notably by Sergio Garcia), the reader will enjoy reliving some memorable tournament moments.

 

The basic layout of each hole is described in great detail at the beginning of each chapter.  A map of the hole, followed by a description of the layout starts the chapter. Other details such as pin placement, slope of the green and the fairway, and the shrubs or trees surrounding the fairway are also included. Between the detail of these layouts and the minutia of many of the famous shots made by players, the book is not a quick read but instead one that is best digested slowly. This detail also makes the book geared toward the avid golfer or fan. As a reader in this category, this information was very helpful for me to learn the complete history of the tourney and to understand just HOW some of those great shots were made. This book is recommended for readers who fall into this category.

 

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Book Format Read:
Hardcover

Buying Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Hole-Hole-History-Americas/dp/1496212835/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

 

https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/university-of-nebraska-press/9781496212832/