Fine Green Line: My Year of Golf Adventure on the Pro-Golf Mini-Tours

Rating:
Summary: Read it Even if you don't golf!
Review: Okay, it would help to know a little bit about golf--even though you kind of can figure things out eventually. Maybe tack a glossary on the back in future editions? Because golfer or not, this is a great book. The premise is smart: over 50% of American men believe that, if things had just worked out right, they could have been a professional athlete. John Paul Newport gets specific: could have been a GOLFER. So he puts that hypothesis to the test, and designates a year of his (and his wife and kid's) life "The Year of Golf." This is an honest, funny and smart book. Newport is a wonderful reporter. Nice to know he's got a writing career to fall back on, whatever happens with the Year.

Rating:
Summary: This Could be You or Me
Review: The author, John Newport, a very good amateur (handicap 3) spent a year taking lessons, practicing, and competing on the mini tours, trying to improve enough to make it through PGA Q-School to the Nike/Hooters/Whatever Tour. The book is a good read for us amateur golfers, including those who are not as talented as the author but aspire to be. I could relate to the main character and his experiences more than I could relate to the PGA Tour heroes in other books about golfers. Newport tried hard. But it seemed that every step forward was followed by a step back, with occasional joyful exceptions. Ultimately, Newport was undone by his inability to play his best under the pressure of formal competition. And that is the fine green line that separates the best golfers from the rest of us: the ability to play well under pressure. The book was entertaining, with Newport's personal, sometimes hopeful, often agonizing reminiscences, and his descriptions of fellow mini-tour travelers and their exploits. Most of us amateurs like golf tips, and there are some good ones here as Newport passes on what he learned in his golf lessons. The book is a good read. And it reminds us that no matter how much we love golf, we should keep our day jobs.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling, witty, and soulful
Review: The book is wonderful on two levels. First, it is fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Secondly, it presents an interesting philosophical viewpoint on golf and life in general.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: This book was a wonderful read -- it draws you into the author's world and his struggle the way good fiction does. I got this book as a gift and was a bit skeptical at first, thinking the premise sounded a bit self-indulgent. But Newport is anything but self-important -- he has a self-deprecating way and is brutally honest with himself and very funny, a good combination. A lot of the book, the best parts in my opinion, are the portraits of the people around him and the life they live in the trenches of golf. Anyone who loves golf will love this book and learn a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: This book was a wonderful read -- it draws you into the author's world and his struggle the way good fiction does. I got this book as a gift and was a bit skeptical at first, thinking the premise sounded a bit self-indulgent. But Newport is anything but self-important -- he has a self-deprecating way and is brutally honest with himself and very funny, a good combination. A lot of the book, the best parts in my opinion, are the portraits of the people around him and the life they live in the trenches of golf. Anyone who loves golf will love this book and learn a lot.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible Golf Tale
Review: This book was absolutely wonderful! This book shows all serious golfer's dreams. His journey in a year is humorous, heartbreaking and fun. Helps so much with the mental side of golf. A must for any golfer.

Rating:
Summary: Funny, enlightening, poignant, entertaining...
Review: This is a great book! I didn't expect much but I was truly blwon away by some of the insights this guy writes about. This is not a book for non-golfers, although I'm sure that some of them would enjoy it. Bottom line: If you are an avid golfer, pick up this book! Great Job J.P.!