A Golfer's Life

Biographies by old warriors and old jocks usually are just not that good. This one is different. I have followed Mr. Palmer's career from the start, and after reading this work, felt I knew him much better. It was pure Palmer. The book is well written, informative and actually rather inspiring. As I suspected, I could not find one line in the book to lead me to a different opinion, one I have held for years, that this is a true gentleman. Wish there were more like him in the world of sports today. On the other hand, as hinted at above, Mr. Palmer has been one of my "heros" since I was eight years old or so, so, in my eyes, he could do little wrong, including writing his autobiography. Recommend the read for anyone.

Palmer deserves his reputation as one of the most respected figures in professional sports. This book, with its down-home style is far above the mind-numbing blow-by-blow accounts of careers hardly justifying the ink and paper which clog the sports book shelves. For this, his collaborator, golf writer, James Dodson, must be due for a large share of credit. Arnold Palmer looks back over a fantastic career with no lack of humility, but with personal glimpses in sufficient depth to maintain the interest at all times. But more than this, Palmer gives fascinating insights to his business life and associations with the famous in other fields, from presidents to show business personalities, to his fellow-golfers over six decades, always making it clear that his first love is his family. Palmer may be a little old-fashioned in his outlook for some of today's readers and indeed the schmaltz might be a little thick at times, but this still rates as a sports book of excellent quality.

Arnold candidly describes his life-long love affair with golf and its great traditions. Even a non-golfer will enjoy his lessons about sportsmanship and life in general. I especially savored the stories about his friendships with the U.S. presidents since Ike. His aviation adventures are surprisingly hair-raising at times. The book shows us why he was named "Sportsman of the Decade" in the 1960s.

Arnie's book is well-written, entertaining, and great reading. It unveils the nuances that enabled Arnie to be the man who hoisted TV golf on his shoulders and elevated the game to the status it enjoys today. The book is well-balanced in that it reveals Arnie's roots, both golf-wise and developmental, growing-up in Latrobe PA and his conflicted relationship w/his father, Deacon Palmer. Arnold's love of life, fierce competitiveness,and his charsimatic personality are all thoroughly revealed in this terrific book.

Not often does the sporting world produce a gentleman like Arnie Palmer. I am an avid sports fan and a casual golf fan. But, the real reason why I bought this book is that I also am a native Latrobean. I knew that Arnie, who is deeply devoted to his hometown, would give a nice memoir of his life which would include that small little spot in Western PA. What a joy it was to read about little Latrobe and many of the families in it. I graduated from high school the year before Deken Palmer and from college around the time Cori Britt graduated. Both, young men Arnie mentions in the book which is a nice tribute. I was at the ceremony when Arnie recieved an honorary degree from the Saint Vincent College, my alma mater! All of these were motivating factors in buying the book and I wasn't disappointed. I almost wanted to move back to that sweet small town. (Something I never thought I would want to do!) I also learned a great deal about the game of golf and find myself watching with a different perspective and greater understanding. Arnie tells his tale in an unassuming manner. He never tries to be more than he is. He is honest with his readers and more importantly, he is obviously speaking with them as if you were out on the course doing a casual 18 holes. Arnie's story is one of those where someone who has very ordinary start achieves great things and its nice to know that isn't a fairytale, but a reality.