Review of “The Golf 100”

Having read many books over the years of “the greatest” whatever, I found this one a little different, mainly due to avoiding saying how one era was better than another. This is explained in my review of this book, “The Golf 100” 

Title/Author: “The Golf 100: A Spirited Ranking of the Greatest Players of All Time ” by Michael Arkush

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: Anytime a book will try to list the greatest athletes or teams in any sport, it will generate debate by readers. Many will disagree with the author and many will argue amongst themselves about who should be ranked where. This book by Michael Arkush, an accomplished golf writer, is one of the better ones that takes on this task.

What I like best about this book is that Arkush bases his rankings and opinions on how each golfer fared against their competitors during their era and their gender. He didn’t try to compare Tiger Woods against Bobby Jones or Anika Sorenstam against Babe Diedrikson. If the golfer was great during their time and won major tournaments (this was Arkush’s main measuring stick) they would make these rankings. 

Why he used this logic in grading these legendary golfers was best said by one of the all time greats, Bobby Jones:  “I think we must agree that all a man can do is beat the people who are around at the same time he is. He cannot win from those who came before any more than he can from those who may come afterward.”

Of course, this book would not be as good as it was without the excellent stories told about each golfer. Whether it was about Old Tom Morris and the early days of the sport, Mickey Wright’s swing that many consider to be the most pure one ever, or some of the biggest errors of judgement made that cost some of these great players even more major victories. Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson both rank fairly high on this list but Arkush would often refer to their bad moments, especially Norman. He also would mention when he felt golfers actually were underachieving despite all the wins they racked up. 

Even with these criticisms of golfers, this was one of the best books on ranking athletes I have read. Between the avoidance of comparing different eras, the excellent stories on eac one and the conversational style of the writing, it is one that is recommended for any golf reader.

I wish to thank Doubleday Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. 

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Golf-100-Spirited-Ranking-Greatest-ebook/dp/B0D8KBRHHR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 

 

Review of “Together We Roared”

Another bus ride to a game meant more reading time - in this case it was this book co-authored by a former caddie for Tiger Woods. Here is my review of “Together We Roared”

Title/Author: “Together We Roared: Alongside Tiger Woods for His Epic Twelve-Year, Thirteen Majors Run” by Steve Williams and Evin Priest

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review: As a reader who has read several books about Tiger Woods, I was quite interested in this one given the special relationship that Woods and caddie Steve Williams had during Woods’ incredible stretch of greatness at golf’s four major tournaments. The book did not disappoint as Williams and co-author Evin Priest share some great stories during that special era of golf. 

Some of the stories are known by golf fans, such as the time when the Woods-Williams team nearly ran out of golf balls in the bag. Some are not as well known, such as Williams meeting Woods in the parking area of courses as Woods would change to his golf shoes there with his upbringing at public courses where this is the norm. Whether the information is well-known or Sun known until being read here, a reader will be well informed and well entertained by reading them. 

While the book certainly goes into details about Woods’ major victories and the statistics (which Williams kept meticulously), what really makes the book a special one is the bond between Woods and Williams. From Woods supporting Williams’ auto racing hobby to signing the flags Williams took from the last hole when Woods won a major, each story and conversation between the two of them was great material. That made the end of their working relationship even tougher to understand but it did seem inevitable.

A reader does not have to be a golf fan to enjoy this book on a great relationship, both personal and professional, between arguably the greatest golfer ever and his caddy during the years when he played his best golf.

I wish to thank William Morrow for providing a copy of the book. The reviews expressed in this review are strictly my own. 

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Together-Roared-Alongside-Twelve-Year-Thirteen-Majors/dp/0063418703/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 

Review of “Rory Land”

 Remembering that this book had recently been sent by the publisher to my NetGalley list, I immediately opened it after Rory McIlroy finally won his first Masters. This book is an excellent look at one of the most popular golfers today.

Title/Author: “Rory Land: The Up-and-Down World of Golf’s Global Icon” by Timothy M. Gay

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:  Rory McIlroy is a name instantly recognizable to golf fans. He burst onto golf’s scene in the 2010’s by winning four majors, but until his recent win in the 2025 Masters, he was stuck on that figure for 11 years. This book (completed before that Masters victory) by Timothy M. Gay, tells the complete and complicated story of one of the most popular golfers today.

The cover shows McIlroy with colors from the Irish flag. However, he hails from Hollywood, County Down in Northern Ireland and Rory, to this day, has conflicting emotions on which country he represents. His great uncle was killed during The Troubles, the long war between Catholics and Protestants that ravaged Northern Ireland. This is just part of the extensive picture Gay includes of McIlroy and his family in his formative years. 

There is also a lot of good material about McIlroy after he becomes a PGA member off the course. His romantic interests, including the very public engagement and subsequent break-up with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, his current marriage to Erica Stoll and other flings that kept tabloid reporters very busy. Also well documented by Gay was McIlroy’s public denouncing of the LIV golf tour (before they and the PGA came to an agreement), his changing of his management company and his great love for his parents. No matter the topic, if it involved McIlroy, Gay made sure to include it.

Of course, the writing about McIlroy’s successes and struggles on the course are quite good as well. McIlroy’s game is great off the tee but his putting issues are practically legendary in a not-so-flattering way. Whether it’s a major tournament, on of the other non-major events or his representation on the European Ryder Cup team, the description of the action on the course is great. The last few chapters of the book are heavy on this content and it does feel fitting to do so. This book really show the complexity of the character that is Rory McIlroy.

I wish to thank Regalo Press for providing a copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. 

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rory-Land-Up-Down-Global/dp/B0DMM3WRT8/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 

Review of "Race and Resistance in Boston"

This was a book that was outside of my usual comfort zone, and it was well worth the time to read.  It took careful reading to fully grasp the various messages being sent in the variety of essays, but it was certainly worth it.  Here is my review of "Race and Resistance in Boston." 

Title/Author:

“Race and Resistance in Boston: A Contested Sports History” edited by Robert Cvornyek and Douglas Stark 

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Trying to write a review of this book can be a challenge – just like describing the history of racial issues in Boston, especially in the world of sports.  This collection of essays is a very noble attempt to describe how various sports played a role in this discussion and how the full history can be best described as “complicated.”

Just the well-known facts can send a mixed signal to the average person – Boston teams were the first ones to draft a Black player in the NBA (Chuck Cooper, Celtics), to have a Black player appear in an NHL game (Willie O’Ree, Bruins) and the first Black coach to win an NBA title (Bill Russell, Celtics.)  Yet, the Red Sox were the last baseball team to integrate, they held a bogus “tryout” for three players in 1945, including Jackie Robinson, and the city as a whole held Black athletes to different standards.  Even legends like Russell felt that the city was less than welcoming toward them. 

This collection of essays tries to bring to light some of the lesser-known matters of the issues, challenges and successes experienced by these athletes. One excellent example is the rich history of semi-pro baseball in the Boston area by many Black teams. They not only played excellent games, some of which are described in great detail, they also faced many white or integrated teams and received praise for their play.  This was the best chapter for one of the main goals of the book – to shine the light on lesser-known athletes and their accomplishments.  That goes for their work toward civil rights and equality for all people as well as their athletic achievements.

The variety of sports covered in the book was also impressive – baseball, hockey, basketball, cricket, tennis and golf are just a few of the sports in which Boston-based Black athletes made contributions to both their sport and the fight for equality.  That was the biggest takeaway I had with this book – the sheer number of unknown athletes whose contributions have been lost in time.  It should also be noted that the subjects of equality for women, non-binary athletes and the LBGTQ+ community are also addressed in the book as well as racial issues.

The book is a more scholarly one in nature, has many notes and references and is one that a reader must read carefully to fully grasp the message being sent by the writer.  However, that time will be well spent after learning the amazing work done by these athletes.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Race and Resistance in Boston: A Contested Sports History: Cvornyek, Robert, Stark, Douglas, McCourty, Devin: 9781496232687: Amazon.com: Books

Review of “The Tiger Slam”

 Like so many other golf fans (and even non-fans), I was mesmerized by the dominance of Tiger Woods in 2000-01. A book will be coming out about this stretch of golf by Woods this December and I was fortunate enough to obtain an advance copy. Here is my review of “The Tiger Slam.”

Title/Author:

“The a Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played” by Kevin Cook

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: At the dawn of the 21st century, an entirely new generation was becoming entranced with an ancient game, golf. The reason for this surge of interest can be credited to one man: Eldrick “Tiger” Woods. The sheer level of dominance he had over the sport in 2000 and 2001 was punctuated by him winning golf’s four major tournaments consecutively in that time frame. How he did it is captured in this very good book by Kevin Cook.

Cook is an accomplished writer about other sports such as football and baseball and this is his first foray into golf.  He does a fine job of bringing the reader on the course during each of those majors, starting with the 2000 U.S. Open at one of golf’s famous courses, Pebble Beach. From there, the reader and Tiger takes in St. Andrews (2000 Open), Valhalla (2000 PGA Championship) and Augusta (2001 Masters). The level of detail captured in Cook’s accounts of Tiger’s play in these tournaments is the best aspect of the book. When a key shot was made by Woods or one of his closest competitors, Cook gave readers details down to the club selection, spin on the ball, the curvature of the flight and its eventual landing spot. For golf enthusiasts, this level of detail is an excellent feature. 

Cook does a good job when writing about Tiger’s life away from the course or the practice range. For fans of Woods who have read other books on him or have watched documentaries, there won’t be much new information to be gleaned. I fall into this category but there are some elements that aren’t published much. One of those is how much his mother Tida played in his upbringing and his success in golf.  Much has been written and recorded about his father’s role in Woods’ success but little about his mother. 

Cook also touches on the argument of whether this accomplishment counts as winning the Grand Slam since the 4 wins did not come in the same calendar year.  Because of this controversy, many in the media dubbed the accomplishment the “Tiger Slam”, hence the title of the book. Most of the players Cook interviewed (there were many, another plus for this book) and who expressed an opinion on this say that yes, indeed, Woods accomplished the Grand Slam. While I agree with that sentiment, one doesn’t need to do so to enjoy this book on the most remarkable stretch of golf played by one person in the history of the game. 

I wish to thank Avid Reader Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. The views expressed are strictly my own. 

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Slam-Inside-Greatest-2000-2001/dp/1668043645/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

Review of "The Wee Ice Mon Cometh"

With October starting, that means several new releases for the fall season are out, and this was one of those copies I have received.  While I and any other golf fan would be familiar with the comeback story of Ben Hogan, I learned a lot about his spectacular 1953 season in this book. 

Title/Author:

“The Wee Ice Mon Cometh: Ben Hogan’s 1953 Triple Slam and One of Golf’s Greatest Summers” by Ed Gruver

Rating: 

4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:

Ben Hogan is one of most legendary golfers the game has ever seen.  Most noted for his comeback from a near-fatal auto accident, he put together one of the most magnificent seasons in 1953 as he won three of the four “Grand Slam” event in golf.   His three wins in those major tournaments is the subject of this book by Ed Gruver.

After Gruver gives a mini-biography of Hogan (with an excellent account of the auto accident), the book has an easy-to-follow format of Hogan’s three victories to make up his Triple Slam.  Gruver starts with a description of the course where the tournament takes place.  For the Masters, which is of course Augusta National.  Then for the U.S. Open in June, which took place at the Oakmont Country Club.  Finally, the third major win for Hogan, the Open (formerly known as the British Open) took place at Carnoustie.  For all three of these courses, a great explanation of the layout is given where the reader can feel himself or herself walking the course.

In these sections there is also information on Hogan’s main competitors in the tournament and here is where it was a bit of an issue for me as a reader as it was difficult to keep the golfers straight. That, however, wasn’t an issue when Gruver would get to the actual golf as his accounts of each tournament were excellent.  The descriptions of Hogan’s shots, his demeanor on the course and even the agony of his competitors was all captured in a manner that puts the reader right in the gallery.  Because of these sections, I genuinely enjoyed the book and would recommend it for any golf fan or historian.

I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book.  The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Link: Amazon.com: The Wee Ice Mon Cometh: Ben Hogan's 1953 Triple Slam and One of Golf's Greatest Summers: 9781496238986: Gruver, Ed, Williamson, Trevor: Books

Review of “Tiger, Tiger”

 With a recent trip to Minnesota to see family, that meant more reading time during the flights. This was the book I started on trip out and finished on the return home. 

Title/Author:

“Tiger, Tiger: His Life As It’s Never Been Told Before” by James Patterson

Rating: 

3 of 5 stars (okay)

Review: 

Having read multiple books on Tiger Woods before, I was curious to see the “never been told before” tidbits James Patterson could share with readers. I was disappointed in that there really wasn’t much in the book that I at least had passing knowledge about Tiger, but I did find the book easy to read and despite its length, a fairly quick read.

It was good to read more about aspects of Tiger that weren’t strictly golf or scandal. Such as the relationship with his mother Tida. Even non-fans of golf or Tiger are aware of the influence his father Earl had on Tiger. But for me, it was nice to read many passages about the influence Tida had on him as well, especially on his mental health.

The more salacious and scandalous parts of Tiger’s life are not glossed over, but once initial details are covered, it felt like Patterson was saying “nothing to see here, let’s move along.” That May leave some readers wanting more but for me, it was fine. Everyone with any interest in Tiger knows the intimate details (pun intended) so there really wasn’t a need to include them. However, it just seemed to rush through them too quickly.

This also includes the chapters on his golf accomplishments. Some wins, especially in major tournaments, have some details but not many. Others just seemed like high-view summaries of moths or an entire season. Just like with Tiger’s personal life, this isn’t bad and makes for quick reading - but it feels incomplete.

Having read this book in two sittings while flying, I can’t say it’s a great book on Tiger as I enjoyed Jeff Benedict’s book on Tiger better as well as the book on Tiger’s 1997 win at the Masters. However, if a reader is more familiar with Patterson and his writing than anything about golf, this would be a good introduction to the most successful golfer in the history of the game. 

Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Untold-Story-G-T/dp/031643860X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 

Review of "Feherty"

As one who enjoys reading John Feinstein's work, especially books on golf or college basketball, I was surprised to see this one.  One, I didn't know he wrote another golf book and two, I had never heard of David Feherty until seeing this book in my local library.  So I gave it a shot and it was good.  Here is my review of "Feherty"

 

Title/Author:  “Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty” by John Feinstein

Rating:  4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review: Sometimes the life of a celebrity, even those who were very popular in their media shows such as television or movies, is not well known.  David Feherty could be considered to be one of those celebrities and this book by best selling sports author John Feinstein uncovers many aspects of the life of this golfer and television personality.

The overriding theme of the book is Feherty’s humor.  Whether it was from his popular show on the Golf Channel (abruptly cancelled in 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic) or from family members such as his second wife Anita, readers will not only learn about his funny side but will be laughing at his many jokes.  A reader will also learn why Feherty uses his humor as he does and what makes him a person that so many will learn to overlook his shortcomings.

Wanting to become a professional golfer even though he was at best good, but not excellent, at the game as a youth, Feherty nonetheless achieved that goal and also had a small amount of success, but where he really made a name for himself in the sport was on television.  Whether it was the aforementioned talk show, his reporting either on the ground with golfers or up in a tower or even as the subject of an interview himself, the personality of Feherty shines through in the book.

While I am a big fan of Feinstein’s books, this one didn’t quite have the same level of excellence that one finds in his other works, especially his golf books. While it is very good as a way for a reader to learn about Feherty, especially those who may not know much about him (as this reviewer), it gets repetitious at times and also seems to throw out opinions at inopportune times.  This isn’t to say that there shouldn’t be any political or social commentary or opinions – they are just shown at some awkward times.  This is not to take away from the overall enjoyment one gets from reading the book, just that this one wasn’t up the usual very high standards of a Feinstein book on golf.

Whether or not one watched his show, is a fan of golf, or just wants to read about a very interesting character, this book is one to pick up.

Link: Feherty: The Remarkably Funny and Tragic Journey of Golf's David Feherty - Kindle edition by Feinstein, John. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

Review of "The 100-Year Golfer"

I enjoy playing golf and while I cannot say that I hope to still be playing when I reach 100 years old (first, I hope to make it to that age!) this title made me stop and request the review copy - it was all that I had hoped for.  

Title/Author:

“The 100-Year Golfer: 7 Arts for a Lifetime with the Game” by Ilchi Lee

Rating: 

5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:

Golf is a sport that is enjoyed by many of all ages as it is not as physically demanding as some other sports.  However, that doesn’t mean that one who doesn’t keep themselves healthy in both body and mind can play for the rest of their lives.  This book by best-selling author Ilchi Lee gives great tips and exercises that one can do to ensure they continue to enjoy the game for a long time.

The book will hit the reader right away as Lee shares the story of a 102-year old man who still plays the game regularly and walks the course instead of using a golf cart.  From there, Ilchi will intersperse more stories with his exercises that will help both the mind and the body.

There is nothing over-strenuous in the book for either the physical or the mental aspects. If there is more information about one or the other, it would be the mental portion as Ilchi does emphasize that mental focus is so important in the game. There are plenty of examples of what one can and should do to clear the mind of the golfer and help them concentrate on the course.  While Ilchi realizes that is easier said than done and mentions so several times, he does provide assistance so that this part of a golfer’s game can be as enjoyable as it can be.  The reduced stress and anger, he believes, will help the golfer live longer as well as improve their score.

The physical exercises, what he calls “quigong” exercises, are also very good.  No matter the physical fitness or strength of the individual, these can be done by anyone for any amount of time in which one feels comfortable.  He does compare the movements to tai chi as they are smooth and fluid – the same type of movement that is advised for the best golf shots.  Both of these sections are organized into short chapters which helps the ease of reading and also allows for putting the book down to try out the exercises.

It isn’t often that I will re-read review copies of books, even just sections, but this one is an exception.  As one who enjoys playing golf for exercise (I never use a cart) and relaxation, I plan on using these to keep enjoying the game as I grow older.  Anyone who enjoys golf will want to pick this up.

I wish to thank Pen & Sword History for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Link: The 100-Year Golfer: 7 Arts for a Lifetime with the Game: Lee, Ilchi: 9781947502222: Amazon.com: Books