what is your favorite classic golf book?

[PEZGolf]

By classic, I mean it was written prior to 1950. Here are some of my 'great reads:

1. "Down The Fairwayl' by Robert Tyre Jones, Jr and O B Keeler---a classic in every sense of the word. What else would you expect from someone who earned a Masters in literature from Harvard?
2. "The Walter Hagen Story" by The Haig himself-----since the Rochester, NY native waged many epic battles  against Bobby Jones---the #1 Pro vs. the #1 amateur, it seems only appropriate that their books top the list!!
3. "The Complete Golfer" by Harry Vardon-----the all time leader in the Open Championship with 6 wins is still relevant as an instruction book.
4. "The History of Golf" by Robert Browning----the origins of the greatest game are fully revealed. However, we do know the game was started in POLAND------just ask the Pezdeks, Furgols, Krolls, Stankowskys, Grygiels, Zembriskis, etc.  We let the Scots and Dutch fight to claim the title, but we know the truth!
5. "The Gene Sarazen Story"----a great autobiography by The Squire.

Fittingly, the great game of golf has a rich history of GREAT books!

[DaveP043]

For a classic, I still read parts of Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons...".  Its so much the mechanical specifics as it is the general approach.  for a non-classic, I really enjoyed "the Green" by Troon McAllister.  Its a fiction about what might happen if a golf hustler was invited to play on a Ryder Cup team.  There are some interesting scenes involving match play partnering and strategy.

[PEZGolf]

3 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

PFor a classic, I still read parts of Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons...".  Its so much the mechanical specifics as it is the general approach.  for a non-classic, I really enjoyed "the Green" by Troon McAllister.  Its a fiction about what might happen if a golf hustler was invited to play on a Ryder Cup team.  There are some interesting scenes involving match play partnering and strategy.

 

PEZ SEZ---thanks for the post. I have read "Five Lessons", but not "The Green". I will read it now.

[ZappyAd]

"Paul Hahn shows you how to play trouble shots"

I read this as a kid and it was a great encouragement to experiment with hitting all kinds of shots.  Got myself a used copy this year when I started up golf again.

[Patch]

Prior to 1950? I have a few but the one that stat stands out for me is Earnest Jones and his Swinging Into Golf book. It's pretty informative on the golf swing. 

I have another note book on golf that I purchased at an estate sale. From the dates in it, it was written in the 1920s.  I only mention it because it has some notes on keeping one's weight on the front leg. Also some other stuff and drills still viable 95 years later. 

 

 

 

 

[ZappyAd]

22 minutes ago, ZappyAd said:

"Paul Hahn shows you how to play trouble shots"

I read this as a kid and it was a great encouragement to experiment with hitting all kinds of shots.  Got myself a used copy this year when I started up golf again.

Doh - I thought this book was older than it actually was!  Just looked at it and it was published in the 60s so scrub it from the list!

[PEZGolf]

I do apologize BUT I am breaking my own rule that the book has to be published prior to 1950. The book "Golf's Golden Age" was published by the USGA in 2005 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Bobby Jones' Grand Slam. It beautifully covers ALL of the players of the 10's, 20's and 30's. It is a real classic!!

[PEZGolf]

One of the reasons that I named "Golf's Golden Age" to this list is the incredible photography of George Pietzcker, who covered golf tournaments in the 10's,  20:s, and 30's.

 

 

[PEZGolf]

Add "The Grand Slam" by Mark Frost to the list.

 

[The Recreational Golfer]

On Learning Golf, by Percy Boomer