A Difficult ParJames R. Hansen, Gotham, 500 pages, $32.50A Difficult ParThe English-born course architect Robert Trent Jones created a global empire of about 500 courses. Using papers from the Jones Collection at Cornell, Hansen's textbook-like study gives excellent insight into Jones' methodology.More information on this book ⇒
Two Good Rounds SuperstarsElisa Gaudet, Skyhorse Publishing, 225 pages, $19.95Two Good Rounds SuperstarsThese "golf stories from the world's greatest athletes," feature Wayne Gretzky, Charles Barkley, Kelly Slater, Tony Romo, Michael Phelps and others who explain how golf is such an attraction to world-class athletes in other sports.More information on this book ⇒
18 Ways to Play a Better 18 HolesJohn Steinbreder, Taylor Trade, 131 pages, $17.9518 Ways to Play a Better 18 Holes18 top PGA club professionals provide tips from specialty shots to putting and bunker play; plus there is a section on some of the best 19th holes in America.More information on this book ⇒
Great Golf Collections of the WorldDick McDonough and Peter Georgiady, Saron Press, 219 pages, $49.95Great Golf Collections of the WorldThere are many incredible golf collections around the world, and this book showcases 36 of them with more than 600 images of unique collectibles that tell the history of the game and a little bit about the collectors.More information on this book ⇒
Teeing Up for SuccessEdited by Lisa Mickey, EWGA Foundation, 230 pages, $14.95Teeing Up for SuccessThe Executive Women's Golf Association pulled together the stories of more than 30 women, ranging from Alice Dye to Judy Rankin, who provide insights into why golf made a difference in their lives.More information on this book ⇒
The Poetics of GolfAndy Brumer, University of Nebraska Press, 224 pages, $16.95The Poetics of GolfSubtitled "meditations on the meaning and beauty of a game," the book reveals what the games of various great players can teach us about character and courage.More information on this book ⇒
Johnny's U.S. Open: Golf's Sacred Journey 2David Cook Ph.D., Sacred Journey Stories, 164 pages, $29.95Johnny's U.S. Open: Golf's Sacred Journey 2One of the top 10 mental game experts in golf, Cook's sequel to Seven Days in Utopia, which was made into a 2011 movie starring Robert Duvall, goes deeper into a faith walk and explains a new teaching method called the Utopia Pre-Set.More information on this book ⇒
Golf from a Different PerspectivePaul R. Ostuni, Prost Publishing, 153 pages, $19.95Golf from a Different PerspectiveThe subtitle to this instruction book says it will help you "score better and enjoy it more even if you don't". In plain speak that refers to the author, a nonprofessional or teacher, who talks about what has worked for him as a student.More information on this book ⇒
The Legendary Evolution Of PinehurstRichard Mandell, T. Eliot Press, $75The Legendary Evolution Of PinehurstPinehurst, that pillar of American resort golf, has been treated lovingly in book form, whether by Lee Pace in the past or in this effort by architect Mandell. With the men's and women's U.S. Opens coming to the No. 2 course in June, this update to his 2007 book is a perfect reminder of Pinehurst's timelessness and the aura of Donald Ross.More information on this book ⇒
Every Shot CountsMark Broadie, Gotham, $35Every Shot CountsGolf stats have been kept ever since pre-1900 golfers started figuring how far over par they were. Columbia professor Broadie has gone several layers deeper by explaining how today's hot analysis game—analytics—helps golfers better pinpoint areas needing a fix. Be warned: If Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time confused you, analytics might take you down the same path.More information on this book ⇒
His Ownself, A Semi-MemoirDan Jenkins, Doubleday, $26.95His Ownself, A Semi-MemoirThe main character is a Texan with a gift for sportswriting, ranging from serious historian to irreverent novelist, who gets Hogan for a friend, Arnie and Jack for their careers, trips to 220 majors, Tiger's best years, finds refuge in convivial bars with writing brethren, and crashes the World Golf Hall of Fame. It's not Bobby Joe Grooves but the creator His Ownself.More information on this book ⇒
The Magnificent MastersGil Capps, Da Capo Press, $25.99The Magnificent MastersThe classic 1975 Masters won by Jack Nicklaus has aged with some admirable chronicling (see five-star pick "Freeze-framed Forever," by Guy Yocom, April 1995, Golf Digest). Capps' effort is a straightforward revisiting that doesn't so much enhance previous reflections as it does stir up the nostalgic charm of one of the greatest Masters ever.More information on this book ⇒
