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The Education of a Golfer
The Education of a Golfer is an incredible true story of how a poor kid who, while living in the backwoods of the state of Virginia grew up to become one of America’s most talented and respected professional golf champions of the 20th century. Famous for his straw hat, for playing barefoot at tournaments and for not indulging in hard drinks, Sam’s account of his golfing career comes with many hilarious and not-so hilarious incidents conveyed in a simple and entertaining way.
Sam is honest and forthright about both his successes and his failures. He discusses how other players helped him with his game and about how he had to teach himself to hold both his tongue and his temper. Before golfing became a “big-money” game, he writes about eating oranges for 4 days to survive a tournament and the time when rearing exotic monkeys seemed to be the only way to make more money.
For those who love to get something practical out of a book, each chapter ends with short comments on the various aspects of golf, with simple illustrations and valuable pointers. Sam lays down practical knowledge throughout the book, dealing with major issues like putting, chipping and sand traps that even an experienced golfer would love to read.
Winner of over 140 professional tournaments, Snead was the PGA’s leading money winner in 1938, 1949 and 1950. He won the Vardon Trophy, for lowest scoring average, four 1938, 1949, 1950, and 1955. In 1949, he was PGA Golfer of the Year. Snead was inducted into several golf Hall of Fame and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
Sam is honest and forthright about both his successes and his failures. He discusses how other players helped him with his game and about how he had to teach himself to hold both his tongue and his temper. Before golfing became a “big-money” game, he writes about eating oranges for 4 days to survive a tournament and the time when rearing exotic monkeys seemed to be the only way to make more money.
For those who love to get something practical out of a book, each chapter ends with short comments on the various aspects of golf, with simple illustrations and valuable pointers. Sam lays down practical knowledge throughout the book, dealing with major issues like putting, chipping and sand traps that even an experienced golfer would love to read.
Winner of over 140 professional tournaments, Snead was the PGA’s leading money winner in 1938, 1949 and 1950. He won the Vardon Trophy, for lowest scoring average, four 1938, 1949, 1950, and 1955. In 1949, he was PGA Golfer of the Year. Snead was inducted into several golf Hall of Fame and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 23, 2015
Surprisingly entertaining
Sam Snead describes himself as a hayseed hillbilly who made it on the PGA tour, and he convinced me beyond a doubt that was both a success in life, and that as a young man, he was a proverbial southern hillbilly from mountains of western Virginia. In this first person account, he tells his story. I bought the book because I enjoy reading about golf, love autobiographies, didn't know much about his life, and this book was cheap on Amazon. I was very entertained, throughout the book. I learned a lot about his contemporaries of which the book is loaded with anecdotes. I have to say that because of other books that I have read that mentions Sam anecdotally, I didn't expect such an honest entertaining read. I really have a new appreciation of this amazing character
Sam Snead describes himself as a hayseed hillbilly who made it on the PGA tour, and he convinced me beyond a doubt that was both a success in life, and that as a young man, he was a proverbial southern hillbilly from mountains of western Virginia. In this first person account, he tells his story. I bought the book because I enjoy reading about golf, love autobiographies, didn't know much about his life, and this book was cheap on Amazon. I was very entertained, throughout the book. I learned a lot about his contemporaries of which the book is loaded with anecdotes. I have to say that because of other books that I have read that mentions Sam anecdotally, I didn't expect such an honest entertaining read. I really have a new appreciation of this amazing character
December 18, 2020
This one of my all time favorite books. Sam Snead was one of the greatest golfers of any age and he lived a life full of adventure off the course as well. Each chapter has instructional information at the end which is helpful, but the real stories lie in the chapters. From the backwoods of Appalachia to his greatest victories in golf, you will laugh and enjoy this book.
January 6, 2018
I read this the first time, long ago . Like in the 1970s when I was learning to golf. I bought it at a flea market. I came across it again as an e-book and decided to re-read it. Still very interesting and informative.
July 6, 2014
I am not a golfer and have no interest in becoming one. I've watched golf on TV from time to time, but haven't felt the need ever to go watch someone play golf from the gallery. Yet, I had heard about the "legendary" Sam Snead.
I am glad that this book was a mix of biography, humor and golf insights. It kept my interest, whether Snead was talking about growing up in Western Virgina; making his way as a pro, when finishing in third place often meant much less than $1000 in prize money, or giving insights into the mental portion of the game.
Before Tiger Woods, before Jack Nicklaus, before Arnold Palmer, there was Snead. I learned that even today, Snead holds many records:
The most PGA tour victories;
Having won a single event the most times;
The oldest player to win a PGA tour event; and,
The first player to shoot his age.
We learn why he always felt better if he could play golf in bare feet. How he helps other golfers cure their swings and a lot about his family, and growing up including: his Aunt Maggie who gave birth to 20 children; his great uncle John who stood six foot seven; and a great grandmother who was still shucking corn in the field at 90.
With an easy style and a good sense of how to mix events, instruction and anecdotes, this should be as enjoyable for the real golfer as it was for me.
I am glad that this book was a mix of biography, humor and golf insights. It kept my interest, whether Snead was talking about growing up in Western Virgina; making his way as a pro, when finishing in third place often meant much less than $1000 in prize money, or giving insights into the mental portion of the game.
Before Tiger Woods, before Jack Nicklaus, before Arnold Palmer, there was Snead. I learned that even today, Snead holds many records:
The most PGA tour victories;
Having won a single event the most times;
The oldest player to win a PGA tour event; and,
The first player to shoot his age.
We learn why he always felt better if he could play golf in bare feet. How he helps other golfers cure their swings and a lot about his family, and growing up including: his Aunt Maggie who gave birth to 20 children; his great uncle John who stood six foot seven; and a great grandmother who was still shucking corn in the field at 90.
With an easy style and a good sense of how to mix events, instruction and anecdotes, this should be as enjoyable for the real golfer as it was for me.
June 24, 2014
An interesting biography of a great golfer.
August 21, 2016
Good read, loved the stuff about early life in pro golf
Loved the stuff about the early days of pro golf and his struggles + how he over came them. This book is worth a read.
Loved the stuff about the early days of pro golf and his struggles + how he over came them. This book is worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews