There are few sportsmen as charismatic as Seve Ballesteros. Emerging as a blazing young star in the late 70s his passion, flashing smile and fiery brand of golf quickly marked him as a player to watch and he fulfilled that early promise with a career that brought him five major championships (two Masters and three Opens), 50 European Tour titles, 9 PGA Tour wins and five Ryder Cup victories - one as the European Team captain. Sadly his star faded too quickly and in 2011 he died from brain tumour. He was 54. This R&A-supported book, launched to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Seve's passing, is a lavish photographic celebration of his life. Award-winning photographer, David Cannon (the man who took the picture on the cover of the book - probably the most famous image of Seve), has curated the best pictures from Seve's life and career. From unseen childhood pics to commissioned shoots on the beaches of Spain, Seve's story is told with wonderful imagery that is interspersed by thoughtful and reflective essays by golf writer Robert Green. Fully supported by the Ballesteros family - who run the Seve Ballesteros Foundation - this book is a fitting tribute to one of Golf's greatest characters and will appeal to fans everywhere who will remember Seve as one of the greatest players of all time.

This book gives a scientific account of all aspects of the game of golf and answers the questions which occur to all who play the game.
The mechanics of the swing and the impact of the club on the ball are explained. Together these decide the range of the ball - which is shown to be the most important factor for success.
The aerodynamics of the ball's flight has several surprises, including the effects of dimples and spin. Understanding these effects allows a calculation of the ball's flight and explains how the range depends on the clubhead speed and the characteristics of the club.
Putting is analyzed to find the optimum strategy and to understand how winds, slopes, and mud affect the run of the ball.
Handicaps are perhaps the most discussed topic in golf and the book examines the handicaps system to identify their consequences in matches and competitions, with results which will surprise many players.
The famous question - "what is the probability of a hole-in-one?" is discussed and a neat way of answering it is proposed.
Further chapters examine the players, the equipment, and the economics of the game, discussing the aspects of play that determine success, how much the improvements in clubs and balls have affected performance and the remarkable growth of both the amateur and the professional game.

Celebrating 150 years of The Open Championship. The official book produced in partnership with The R&A at St Andrews, to celebrate The 150th Open, which began its journey in Prestwick on the west coast of Scotland in 1860. This beautiful book captures and celebrates the stories and history that make The Open so unique, with a fascinating and lively narrative history of the Championship, including interviews and exclusive content from champions of the game past and present. From caddies to greenkeepers clubhouses to breathtaking courses, through archive imagery and stunning photography, these pages reveal the fascinating sights, stories and characters from this revered Championship’s long and remarkable history.

The hilarious, heartwarming and - unbelievably - true story of Maurice Flitcroft, the World's Worst Golfer 'The story of its greatest anti-hero is just what the game needs' Spectator When 46-year-old crane driver Maurice Flitcroft chanced his way into the Open - having never before played a round of golf in his life - he ran up a record-worst score of 121. The sport's ruling classes banned him for life. Maurice didn't take it lying down. In a hilarious game of cat-and-mouse with The Man, he entered tournaments again - and again, and again - using increasingly ludicrous pseudonyms such as Gene Pacecki, Arnold Palmtree and Count Manfred von Hoffmanstel (more often than not disguised by a fake moustache). In doing so, he sent the authorities into apoplexy, and won the hearts of fans from Muirfield to Michigan, becoming arguably the most popular - and certainly the bravest - sporting underdog the world has ever known 'Hilarious' Esquire

What makes nine-hole golf so extraordinary? What can a shorter course offer an experienced player? How can these courses compare to the Scottish championship-level courses? The beautiful, quiet and often little known nine-hole golf courses offer even the lowest handicap golfer a challenge and with a level of difficulty rarely found on 18 hole courses it's hardly surprising that there are even nine hole courses no one has ever played below par. Walk in the footsteps of golfing legends and find some surprising gems, from the prestigious nine-hole courses which hosted some of the earliest Open Championships to the more unusual, such as Harris where a renovated shipping containter acts as a clubhouse. You can even take on the giants of Gleneagles and St. Andrews and play the nine-hole layouts at these celebrated golf meccas. Helpfully divided into geographical areas, The Nine-Holer Guide includes statistics and contact details for each course. Learn about the history and the rare wildlife that can be seen while playing - and enjoy the unique experience of visiting Scotland's wealth of beautiful nine-hole golf courses. Whether you're the Open Champion or an occasional golfer, The Nine-Holer Guide tells you everything you need to know before you tee off.

Loaded with helpful hints and easy-to-understand examples -- and now with 20 percent more content -- this book covers the type of mathematical problems that golf course superintendents face every day. You'll learn how to handle budgeting estimates and figure how much fertilizer or pesticide you should buy. You'll also find guidance on the ordering of topdressing, irrigation volume and coverage, area and volume calculations, and many other aspects of golf course operation that require a thorough understanding of basic mathematical principles. Whatever the management calculation may be, this book has the solution you need! Example problems and answers help you get the job done right.

It is a great truism of golf that the game cannot be learned from a book. Yet it is equally true that there are some things every golfer must know before setting foot on the course or risk making an utter ass of himself. These are things your local golf pro can't or won't tell you.
In this humble little volume is gathered together a collection of the wisest counsel and advice on the Noble Sport in all its forms. Included here are fantastic original photographs and illustrations from the 1880s through the 1920s, the rules and etiquette of golf as described by the wittiest classic sources, an old-school guide to the very best (and worst) of the world's golf courses, and golf fashion at its vintage best. The ball will not land always on the fairway, the wind will sometimes blow against you, there are times when those natty plus-fours will end the day so besmirched and bespattered by sand and grime that you know in your heart of hearts they will never be the same again, but despair not For this book will ensure you come off with top honors even when the odds are against you.

Golf has been around for over 600 years, its origins tracing back to the links in Scotland in the fifteenth century. Since then, the game has spread worldwide, with millions of fans and players from all walks of life. Born on the Links: A Concise History of Golf encompasses the entire history of this popular sport, from the fifteenth century up to the present. It covers the development of golf equipment, rules, and playing fields, and shows how the game changed from a pastime exclusively for the rich to a sport that is played by millions of people of all classes, ages, and backgrounds. In addition, this book details the lives and accomplishments of the many iconic players of the game-including Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Ben Hogan, Charlie Sifford, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam, and Tiger Woods-and their greatest moments on the golf course. Additional chapters focus exclusively on the history of African Americans and women in the sport, recognizing their distinct struggles for equality and recognition, as well as their ultimate triumphs. A comprehensive yet readable resource, Born on the Links also features a timeline of golf history, lists of the winners and runners-up of every major professional and amateur golf championship held since 1860, the winner of every major international team and cup competition held since 1922, and more. The most up-to-date history of golf, this book will entertain and inform all fans and historians of the game.

Fire-up your swing with the hottest new technique to hit the fairway!

If your shots are off target and your swing needs improving, you simply won't find a better fix than the powerful breakthrough techniques of Jim Hardy. Jim's smash bestseller, "The Plane Truth for Golfers," introduced the revolutionary one-plane and two-plane swings to golfers and teaching pros around the world. It changed how players think about golf and how the game is taught.

In this exciting master class follow-up, he takes your swing to the next level, giving you in-depth instruction in how to execute both of these swings perfectly for on-target shots every time.

Jim shows you how to: Assume the proper stance and posture for each style Position and move your hips, shoulders, and torso correctly "Feel" the difference when you correct the faults in your swing Gain proficiency in your swing with detailed drills for both styles

He begins by giving you a review of the basics, outlining the one-plane and two-plane swings as he emphasizes his most crucial lesson: " All swings are either one- or two-plane actions, and to become good at golf you must work towards being a fundamental purist, only learning and employing those elements relative to your swing type." With Jim's guidance, you'll first determine which swing type is right for you, then master your specialized swing. It's a powerful feeling when your body and arms are moving in total coordination with the club, and it can only happen once you master the art of the swing.

Improve your swing with the teacher the pros trust:

"(Jim Hardy) was the one person who really had the greatest influence on me in terms of my teaching. Jim hadsuch an incredible mind for the game of golf."
--From "The Only Golf Lesson You'll Ever Need" by Hank Haney, Tiger Woods' golf coach

"Jim Hardy is the most knowledgeable teacher in golf. No other instructor has his understanding of golf swing techniques and what makes them work."
--Peter Jacobsen, Champions Tour player and winner of seven PGA Tour championships

"Jim Hardy's theories and explanation of the two distinct swing planes used in golf are perhaps the most important instructional book any golfer could ever own."
--"Inside Golf"

" In my book, Jim Hardy is at the top. His information is the best. His presentation is logical and unique. He has discovered, through original thought, new information that will help every golfer. I have seen it at work and the results are amazing."
--Carol Mann, LPGA Hall of Fame member

Ever wonder whether Tiger Woods in his prime would have beaten Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, or Jack Nicklaus in their primes? And could any of them have beaten Babe Zaharias? Obviously, if Bobby Jones were returned to life and health and then given his old hickory-shafted mashie, persimmon-headed driver, and rubber-core ball in a match against Jordan Spieth, the outcome would be foreordained. But what if the impact of the training, equipment, courses, and traveling conditions could be neutralized in order to create a measurement? Now for the first time, questions are answered about the relative abilities of the greatest players in the history of professional golf. In The Hole Truth Bill Felber provides a relativistic approach for evaluating and comparing the performance of golfers while acknowledging the game's changing nature. The Hole Truth analyzes the performances of players relative to their peers, creating an index of exceptionality that automatically factors the changing nature of the game through time. That index is based on the standard deviation of the performances of players in golf's recognized major championships dating back to 1860. More than two hundred players are rated in comparison with one another, more than sixty of them in detail with profiles providing context on their ranking. For the dedicated golf fan, The Hole Truth is an engaging way to see in the numbers where their favorite golfers rank across eras and where current players like Rory McIlroy and Inbee Park compare to the game's greats.

John Montague was a boisterous enigma. In the 1930s, he was called "the world's greatest golfer" by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. He could drive the ball 300 yards and more, or he could chip it across a room into a highball glass. He played golf with everyone from Howard Hughes and W. C. Fields to Babe Ruth and Bing Crosby. Yet strangely, he never entered a professional tournament or allowed himself to be photographed. Then, a" Time" magazine photographer snapped his picture with a telephoto lens and police quickly recognized Montague as a fugitive with a dark secret.
From the glamour of 1930s Hollywood, to John Montague's extraordinary skill and triumphs on the golf course, to the shady world of Adirondack rumrunners and the most controversial, star-studded court trial of its day, " "The Mysterious Montague captures a man and an era with extraordinary color, verve, and energy.

While golf has a popular following among casual fans, it has become popular among another passionate yet unlikely group: scientists. Beyond the caddies, carts, and clubs, the game of golf is an applied science. The seemingly simple act of striking a golf ball invokes a wide range of processes, including physics principles such as energy transfer, kinetics, launch angles, spin, and momentum. However, in spite of the growing interest in the fledgling field of "golf science," few books thus far have provided a comprehensive introduction of the subject. In The Science of the Perfect Swing, mechanical engineer Peter Dewhurst offers a full treatment of the science of modern golf. Based on three decades of experience in the physics of golf, Dewhurst examines topics such as the interaction between club face and ball, various aspects of trajectory and impact, and the physics of putting. Rich in illustrations, graphs, and charts, Dewhurst presents physics-based discussions in an accessible format. Each chapter also contains a substantial "Findings and Consequences" section, which draws conclusions based on the science, and makes recommendations on ball-striking and other facets of the game. From the mechanics of club design to modeling the trajectory of the ball once it leaves the club face, The Science of the Perfect Swing unravels some of the elusive mysteries about what it takes to play a great game of golf. Interesting and informative, The Science of the Perfect Swing strikes a perfect balance between hard science and an accessible tone that will appeal to golf enthusiasts, engineers, and general readers of sports science.