Embedded Balls: Adventures On and Off the Tour with Golf's Premier Storyteller

by Peter Jacobsen

For nearly thirty years, Peter Jacobsen-player, entertainer, (off-) color commentator, television host, golf-course designer, and entrepreneur (but, no, he doesn't do windows)-has been a favorite of fans and fellow golfers, and when he published Buried Lies in 1993, it was an immediate success. But a lot has happened since then-to him, to his colleagues, and to the game itself—and so it's high time he launched a mulligan. From Jack Nicklaus to Michelle Wie, Tiger Woods to Vijay Singh, Jacobsen takes you behind the scenes of the pro tour like no one else can, as he tells you what it's like to play the PGA and Champions tours simultaneously ("from flat-belly to fat-belly"); how John Daly nearly decapitated a spectator; what players really say to each other in the locker room; why getting on SportsCenter is not always a good thing; how Payne Stewart got back at Paul Azinger for beating him in a tournament ( always check your shoes before you put them on); why loaning your caddy to Tiger Woods can be a mistake; what made Arnold Palmer change his shorts; and how Jacobsen won the U.S. Open (well…kind of). Throughout, it is a book filled with wit, warmth, insight, and just plain a pure delight. So grab your sticks and strap on your nails—let's go another round.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2005

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embedded Balls is Peter Jacobsen‘ no holds barred opinion of PGA Golf and the professional players on tour. I commend him for his frankness and willingness to talk truthfully about what he experienced.

Luckily the stories are five star worthy, because the writing and jokes are three star worthy at best. Peter may be funny on the golfer scale, but not so much on a normal scale. Even though the book was written 14 years ago in 2005, some of the thoughts and opinions feel like they are from a generation ago. The misogyny and flat jokes have not aged well - I’m guessing Peter would have written things differently if he came out with this book today.

If one can overlook the flaws (which are admittedly big), there are interesting anecdotes to hear.

[Jon Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like listening to Jake during one of his shows or interviews. Fun stories and reflections of his time on tour.