Golf is a most social game, giving us more time to talk and get to know someone than any other sport. It’s also the best game to play alone, when we need a bit of solitude to sort life problems, or to escape them or avoid them for just a few hours. It’s also a game that connects generations. Some of our fondest memories of golf involve playing with our fathers and other family members.
And while golf teaches us many lessons, some of them come through observing the actions and behaviors of those we play with. It's a cliché, but true: any time spent on the golf course is better than in the office. And bad shots are better than no shots at all.
Sometimes it’s an escape from the monotony of daily life. A moment of tranquility on a particular hole, observing some deer courageously exiting their home in the woods, or ducks or turtles sending themselves or at play together, or listening to the sounds of birds or crickets.. I think there’s something innate that makes us look for these moments, and there’s so much of modern life that denies us them.
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT GOLF seeks to capture all of what golf gives us, through 19 different viewpoints, each giving us a unique perspective on why we play golf and keep playing.
Honestly, I'm not such a super fan of golf that I would normally pick up a book on the topic. But this book by Craig J Gill is about so much more than golf! It's a fascinating, and also challenging, deep dive into the lives of Black caddies in the South. It's a book about American History, Black History, the South, White Supremacy, the human spirit, and factors driving societal change, as well as an entrée into the worlds of the premier golf clubs in the South. This is such a valuable and deeply researched book, and I highly recommend it to anyone even vaguely interested in golf, or those who want to learn more about the complexity of America.
Caddying On the Color Line
Justin Tobe
Wonderful addition to any golfer’s book collection
Great content and photographs, quick shipping, wonderful addition to any golf book collection, especially those who love Seth Raynor courses
The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor
Dennis Weber
Great combination of travelogue, sports book, human interest and business intrigue. Well crafted and well written.
Playing Dirty
Brian Hickey
Playing Dirty
I enjoyed how the author weaved the evil influence of money and power (the LIV vs. PGA struggle) with the beauty of the role of golf in Scottish life. The simple virtues of the golfer interacting with what nature has provided will hopefully survive, while the divide within the professional golfing ranks is not sustainable in the long term.
Playing Dirty
Christine C.
Interesting, well written, and relevant
I wish more people knew the history of black golf caddies - and how relevant it is to understanding golf today! I learned so much reading this excellent book and it struck the hard to find balance between informative and interesting. I hope to see more from Dr. Gill!
