Introduction 1

Part1: Welcome to Golf 5

Chapter 1: Loving a Crazy Old Game 7

Chapter 2: Choosing Your Implements of Destruction 17

Chapter 3: Learning the Right Way 35

Chapter 4: Getting in Golf Shape 47

Chapter 5: Knowing Where to Play and How to Fit In 67


Part2: Getting Into the Swing 77

Chapter 6: Swinging from the Ground Up 79

Chapter 7: Improving Your Move 107

Chapter 8: Teeing Off: It’s Showtime! 117

Chapter 9: Getting to the Green: Short-Game Secrets 125

Chapter 10: Putting: The Game Within the Game 137

Chapter 11: Saving Strokes From the Sand 165


Part3: Nasty Flaws and Easy Fixes 175

Chapter 12: Solving Common Problems 177

Chapter 13: Building a Game You Can Rely On 197

Chapter 14: Mastering the Mind Game. 213


Part4: You’re a Golfer Now! 219

Chapter 15: Getting Into the Game 221

Chapter 16: Understanding Rules, Etiquette, and Scorekeeping 239

Chapter 17: Gambling on Golf: What a Concept! 259

Chapter 18: Stepping Up Your Game 267

Chapter 19: Networking in the Most Social Game 275


Part5: Being a Smart Golf Consumer 281

Chapter 20: Following Golf in Person 283

Chapter 21: Enjoying Golf Media 291

Chapter 22: Hitting the Road Like a Pro 305

Chapter 23: Just for Fun: Playing Golf-y Games 313


Part6: The Part of Tens 319

Chapter 24: Golf’s Ten Commandments 321

Chapter 25: Gary’s Ten (or So) Best Courses 325

Chapter 26: Gary’s Top Ten Male Golfers 331

Chapter 27: Gary’s Top Ten Female Golfers 335

Chapter 28: Gary’s Ten Moments of Golf Insanity 339

Chapter 29: Gary’s Ten Wishes for Your Golf Future 343


Part7: Appendixes 345

Appendix A: Golf Talk 347

Appendix B: Golf Resources 371

Index 377