Driven to Extremes

Compiled by Jeff Wallach, Driven To Extremes: Uncommon Tales From Golf's Unmanicured Terrain is an impressive and memorable collection of personal anecdotes about golfing in unusual and unique courses. From teeing off atop a 2,000-foot granite wall in British Columbia, to battling for tee-time at St. Andrews, to encountering Chuck Hogan (perhaps golfing's most mercurial instructor), to experiencing the "spiritual path" of golf at the Esalen Institute, Driven To Extremes is an extraordinary journey of mind and spirit, as well as feet, golf clubs and small white balls. An enjoyable memoir, Driven To Extremes is especially recommended reading for dedicated golf enthusiasts.

Let's start with the notion that there are an awful lot of golf books out there these days--many of them a lot alike. Thankfully, Jeff Wallach's new book stands out from the pack. It is a totally fun, quick, yet absorbing read about out-of-the-ordinary places, people and events in the game we all love. The tone is perfect--smirky, but never condescending. It's clear that Wallach is enamored with his topic, yet he manages to avoid being overly reverential, something that plagues so many modern golf books. Yes, there's a place for philosophy and introspection in golf, but hey, ultimately, it's still just a game--to be played! Wallach skillfully taps into exactly how we ourselves might react if given the same opportunity to design an actual golf hole on a real course, or in trying to sneak onto a super-private club. He makes us smile with some of his measured descriptions of kooky characters and funky golf holes. We pause to reflect on--and enjoy--his good-natured tweaking of some of golf's most hallowed shrines--a refreshing take on ground that's well trod. Wallach's writing style is light, but authoritative. I really enjoyed the journey.

Wallach's latest is wonderful collection of profiles, insights and observations. He uses golf as a prism for gleaning the hidden parameters of life -- from why we need wilderness to why we travel to why we play "inner" games. This book is will be relished by anyone who seeks to understand how and why golf has such a strong hold on so many. A great read!