In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing: Chasing the Legend of Mike Austin, the Man Who Launched the World's Longest Drive, and Taught Me to Hit Like a Pro

by Philip Reed

“Can you teach an ordinary golfer like me to drive the ball 300 yards?” With this question sportswriter Philip Reed’s search for the greatest golf swing begins. When Reed met ninety-year old Mike Austin, he knew that Austin held the record for the longest drive ever—an awesome 515-yard shot during a Senior PGA event. What he didn’t know is that he was forging a bond with a man whose amazing life he has now chronicled in a book that is charming, funny, and wise. As Reed’s tutelage under his cantankerous teacher begins, he learns of Austin’s winning wagers on trick shots, sharing a Hollywood apartment with Errol Flynn; giving secret lessons to Howard Hughes; and matching shots against Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. As Reed's drives get longer, Austin’s health worsens. Mike soon suffers a stroke that silences him, but Reed is sure that Mike wants someone to tell his story—of a man who could do one thing better than anyone else, who possessed the most prodigious golf swing ever. This book is not just for golfers, but for all readers who savor heartwarming stories of unexpected friendships and are eager to learn secrets of living life to the fullest.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2004

About the author

Philip Reed is a novelist, playwright and journalist who has been nominated for the top mystery award for his first book Bird Dog, which is currently under an option from Hollywood to be a feature film. He has also written three sports performance books including the popular golf memoir In Search of the Greatest Golf Swing. His other sports books are Free Throw, 7 Steps to Success at the Free Throw Line and Wild Cards, about learning to become a blackjack card counter. Philip has also worked in the automotive industry and went undercover as a car salesman to write the expose “Confessions of a Car Salesman.” Philip’s novels are Bird Dog and the sequel, Low Rider; The Marquis de Fraud, Off and Running and the young adult novel Ponga Boy. Working with the TV icon, he wrote Candidly, Allen Funt. He currently lives in Long Beach, California and enjoys playing tennis and golfing nearly anywhere. Born in the midwest and raised in New England, Philip also spent a year going to school in Oxford, England, where he played on the rugby and cricket teams. He was a poor student but his soccer playing ability got him into the University of North Carolina. Philip started his career as a police reporter in Chicago and Denver and then moved to California and became a playwright. His plays were staged in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. He wrote one of the first episodes of "Miami Vice." His insider knowledge about car buying, and automotive information, has earned him many national radio and television appearances.

Reviews

[Pat Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed tells the story of the varied exploits of Mike Austin, who served in the Canadian RAF, caroused with Errol Flynn, did a lot of wild stuff, and played golf. This book is written during Austin's declining years, and I had the sense that any time I turned the page, I would read of his death. He was a tough guy though and lived into his 90's.

Austin played with or at least knew the great ones of the past--Jones, Hogan, Snead, Nicklaus, Palmer, etc. But for a poor short game, he might have all their records. He definitely had their respect.

If you're looking to become the next Tiger Woods, this book is not the answer. The secret swing is not here although Reed does hint about some parts of it. What is here is a neat story.

Who among those of us that play golf wouldn't like to hit the ball 300 yards once in a while? Or even 270? 250? In 1974 Mike Austin hit a drive 515 yards in a professional tournament using a persimmon driver and a balata ball. He was 64 years old. He bogeyed the hole.

[Niyanta Deshpande · Rating 5 out of 5]

on how he discovered the most violent and graceful action in the universe. on a minor note, the man couldn’t putt for his life and so they called him a motorboat, who went putt-putt-putt. but it’s the holiest text in print i have ever come across.

[JIM SUNDIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Search, such a word...

It's difficult to accept that I found Mike Austin @ 71. Knowing that I've loved golf from about 8 & finding I could "pound it" w/ the men when Daddy bought me the Wilson Patty Berg driver @ 12, I now know I must begin again. A few of the foundations I've grasped at, but most misinterpreted. Here is my new beginning.....