R Blog: Paper Tiger

This is mostly for golfers. There are lot of golf books but not many worth reading. Author Tom Coyne (who also wrote the novel which became the movie A Gentleman's Game) has come up with a very Plimptonesque memoir of his year trying to get as good as the pros. This is a fantasy that most golfers have. The short version is: how good could I get if I spent all day long for a year working on my game with the help of a top golf teacher, sports psychologist, trainer and nutritionist? In Coyne’s case, good enough to move his handicap from a 9 down into the minus range. His goal was to try and make it through Q School and get his card. So, he packs up his stuff, heads to Florida where he’s rented a condo, leaving his girlfriend of nine years and bears down on his golf game and his conditioning. Although he alleges that he used his savings to finance this effort, I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that he had an advance from Penguin to help out. And, the fact that he was a published author of a golf-themed novel and the screenwriter for the film version which starred Gary Sinise must have helped open doors. For example, a very big time teacher Dr. Jim Suttie took him on and traded his services for editing help on articles Suttie was writing. Suttie hooked Coyne up with Mizuno Golf and they furnished him with fitted clubs and bag. Titlest provided golf balls and shoes. Country clubs offered playing privileges. And well known sports psychologist Dr. Bob Winters also came along for the ride. Even with all the help and improvement of his game the year didn’t go smoothly, interrupted midstream by an unexplained tumor that mysteriously appeared then disappeared. Coyne’s handicap improved, his weight dropped, new muscles appeared and he shot a few good rounds. He also wrote a real page turner of a book which I gulped down in two sittings. Coyne is a skillful writer and gives us an inside look at high quality golf instruction, training methods and sports psych. He weaves his personal story through the golf and is engaging, entertaining and often funny. Since he failed so miserably to accomplish his goal it’s a wonder that the book is so good. He ratifies what all golfers know. The game is not easy. And the boys that play on the PGA Tour really are good, as are the fellows on the European Tour, the Nationwide Tour, the Australasian Tour and even the mini-tours. Having a minus handicap at your local club is one thing. Taking that to a tournament course in tournament situations is something else entirely. This conclusion does come through loud and clear. The real dramatic high point of Paper Tiger comes about three quarters of the way through when Coyne, visiting his father’s country club, reaches a 600 yard uphill par five in two shots and sinks the putt for an eagle, the second eagle on that hole in the history of the club and the only time it had been done by an amateur. Coyne’s father was duly impressed and proud which probably made the entire experience worthwhile.

Comments

Never mind the handicap stuff. He needs to write a book on how to keep a girlfriend on the hook for 9 years -- and then making it out alive when leaving for a year-long golf junket.

Posted by: Lew | October 25, 2006 at 08:08 AM