The Story of Golf

• Color

Volume 1, The Early Years, examines golf's mysterious and almost mythical beginnings, with commentary and speculation from some of today's top historians of the sport. Beginning with early stick-and-ball games, the episode delves into the history of the equipment and early evolution of the game. We are given great insight into the types of clubs and balls used and hear the stories of long-ago golf legends such as Tom Morris, Charles Macdonald, and Harry Vardon, the sport's first superstar spokesman and commercial endorser.

The second chapter, Golf Comes of Age, introduces us to the growth of the game in America. The beginning of serious tournament play, along with ever-changing technology, created more of an audience for the sport. Golf stars such as Sam Snead and Ben Hogan revitalized the game, and the overwhelming support of women's participation was only pushed forward with the founding of the Ladies Professional Golf Association and the rise of Babe Zaharias.

The Modern Game is the third and final installment of the series, and it follows golf into the television age, right up through the triumphs of Tiger Woods. With Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus taking the reigns, golf evolved from a pastime into an industry. Golfers became course designers, and the sport found its biggest audience ever.

The Story of Golf is a definitive history of a grand sport and instills in any viewer an intense attitude toward the game. As both education and entertainment, this three-tape set hits a hole in one. --Zachary Lively