I Call the Shots: Straight Talk About the Game of Golf Today

by Johnny Miller, Guy Yocom

Johnny Miller’s brilliant golfing career, which includes winning the U.S. Open and the British Open, has been matched by his success as America’s most respected television golf analyst. Known for delivering both criticism and praise in a colorful tone matched by none, Johnny takes on such issues as:
o The rise of “Smackdown Golf” and the decline of manners in a game that was once a bastion of decorum
o The truth about choking, and how to tell when pros are succumbing to pressure
o How mega-long “courses for horses” are driving everyday hackers—the heart and soul of golf—away from the game
o Johnny’s “Fields of Dreams”: the Top-10 courses he’s seen and played
o The reason PGA players tremble when they see Tiger Woods step on the first tee—and how they’re now mustering the courage to take him on
o The role of teaching “gurus,” and why they sometimes hurt players more than help them
o Johnny’s analyses of the game’s best players, from Nicklaus to Woods to Sorenstam, and why the 1970s was golf’s Golden Age

Full of quips, anecdotes and ideas that will enrich every reader’s appreciation of the game, I Call the Shots promises to be the most talked-about book on the links this year.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2004

Reviews

[Mark Noonan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Miller did not disappoint. However, I think he needs to write another book, because this is from 2004,and he needs to update and/or correct some of his predictions. Other than that it was a quick, fun, and easy read.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, easy read by an insightful golfer and broadcaster. Hes honest, about others and about himself. Now that hes retiring from broadcasting I hope has time for a follow up book.

[William D Jempty Jr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of factual errors and Miller's outrageous claim to how have won the SF City Championship. Which he didn't. For a non-fiction book, I call the shots is full of fiction. Save your money.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnny Miller is truly a love-him or hate-him kind of golf analyst. I tend to appreciate his honesty and no-holds-barred commentary. Offers some interesting insightson the game. Includes an interesting reflection on his abrupt fall from the top of the golf world.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Johnny makes a big deal about being the one who identified choking by golfers in pressure packed situations during golf tournaments. I wonder if he had the balls (of the testicular kind) to ever call his own golfer sons "chokers" when they couldn't handle the pressure of tournament golf.

[Elizabeth Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Johnny's golf commentary on NBC, and I like this book quite a bit. I'm OK with his personality, which some find less than perfectly humble. The fact that he doesn't hold back fair criticism is something I appreciate.

[Tom Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mr. Miller cannot hide his gigantic pride, and a better title would have been, "I Choked.' Such has happened to every golfer, but he takes such joy in pointing out the failings of others - which became a constant point of contention between he and fellow pros.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found his take on todays game and players very interesting. All in all, a very good read to kill some time and for anyone interested in golf today.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Miller loves the game of golf...so much he wants to preserve what is great about it, and change what might be wrong with it. Good stuff.

[Willie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly good, but I contemplated not finishing this one.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Johnny Miller is a butt hole

[Charley Duschen · Rating 4 out of 5]

John has always been my favorite golf commentator.