The Majors: In Persuit of Golf's Holy Grail

The year was 1998 and the winners were Mark O'Meara (The Masters at Augusta National and The British Open at Royal Birkdale), Lee Janzen (The U.S. Open at the Olympic Club), and Vijay Singh (The P.G.A. Championship at Sahalee Country Club). Although all four Majors are conducted under the collaborative supervision of the U.S.G.A. and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club organizations, each has its own terms and conditions for participation as well as stages of qualification to compete with those who, for various reasons, are automatically eligible. For me, one of this book's most fascinating subjects is the qualifying process to which many are called but few are eventually chosen. Perhaps only the annual process to earn a P.G.A card creates greater tension and frustration for those involved. To the extent that space allows, Feinstein examines wannabes as well as perennial and promising contenders for each of the championships in 1998. He includes hundreds of vignettes and anecdotes about them, thus giving human significance to the names on the scoreboard. I also appreciate having historical information which creates a context for each Major, three of which have a different course location each year. Only the Masters has a permanent site.P.G.A. golf competition is unique among professional sports in that players are essentially self-regulated, personally assume all costs of participation (travel, accommodations, caddy, etc.), and earn nothing if they fail to make the 36-hole cut. It is not uncommon for one player to prevent another from inadvertently breaking a rule as Tom Kite once did near the end of the final round when he was in contention. Later, Kite was astonished that anyone was surprised by his initiative which probably denied him victory in that tournament. (The player he assisted won it.) Feinstein skillfully captures the flavor and nuances of what can be ferocious competition but also the fact that it is (with rare exceptions) conducted with dignity, style, and grace as well as with exceptional skill.For those who love the game of golf and especially for golfers who are eager to know what it is like to compete in the Majors, this is the book to read. It reads more like a novel than an almanac. It reveals "the joy of victory" for some and the "agony of defeat for others" while celebrating certain values which seem to have become less common each day...except on a golf course. For whatever it may be worth, over the years I have played probably 500 rounds of golf on several dozen different golf courses (both public and private) and do not remember a single "ugly" encounter with another player. Having said that, I feel obliged to point out that "golf" is "flog" spelled backwards. On numerous occasions, it really has been for me "a good walk spoiled" but my passion for the game and my respect for those who play it so well remain undiminished.Beginning in 1960, Theodore H. White wrote several "The Making of the President" accounts. I was reminded

This book is notable for its ability to get inside a professional golfer's head & inside a PGA Tour locker room. It's typical of all of Feinstein's work in that his subjects have provided him with unfettered access to their professional and personal lives. For any anyone interested in golf - or simply in competition at its highest level - the story that Feinstein has pieced together around the 1998 major championships is an absolute delight. One seldom-mentioned aspect of the book that I really enjoyed: Feinstein tags along for the US Open Regional and Sectional qualifiers, as well as for a British Open qualifier. The qualifiers may represent golf in its purest form, and he builds a gripping tale as various strugglers try to fight their way into the big show. It's a thrill to hitch a ride on Larry Mize's back as he tries to qualify for the British. Here's one shining example that it's truly not always about the money.Make sure you go for the paperback version of this book. It has a sizable 'Afterword' that summarizes the 1999 season, especially Payne Stewart's redemption at Pinehurst & untimely death, plus a recap of Tiger Woods' breakout campaign.One small complaint: the cover. Okay...Duval, Stewart, Furyk and Woods were a compelling storyline in the book because they each played a significant role in one or more of the majors. But where are the winners? How about using shots of O'Meara, Janzen and Singh instead? Especially O'Meara, with two majors and Player of the Year honors. You'll telling me that Jim Furyk (Q Rating = statistical noise) is going to sell more books that Mark O'Meara? Feinstein does justice in his work to O'Meara's quest to wipe away his reputation as "King of the B's," but this cover is a real slap in his face.

John Feinstein is a fantastic writer, and while this book is great, it is not without some flaws. He does show a lack of courage by not taking enough players to task. We're all aware that there are head cases and spoiled brats on the tour. Unfortunately Feinstein focuses on the upsides and glamorous aspects of the tour players. That being said there is no one, bar none, that gives the armchair coach a better sense of what goes on behind the scenes of collegiate and professional sports. No, it's not Tiger throwing childish temper-tantrums or players cheating on their wives, but that's ok. The book should be appreciated for what it is, not what it's not. With regards to Feinstein's other books I place this one ahead of A March to Madness, but behind the gems A Civil War, Good Walk Spoiled, and A Season On the Brink. Five stars yes, but not on a scale of 1-to-Feinstein.

I once had the opportunity to tell the famous sports author, Roger Kahn (of "Boys of Summer" fame) that for some reason, baseball and golf seem to bring out excellent writing by top authors. For some reason, these two sports (as opposed to the others) spawn very fine literature. Well, John Feinstein showed how truly literate golf wrting can be in "A Good Walk Spoiled" and he does it again in "The Majors." Rather than merely cover the events, he gets into the psyche of the golfers involved. This book does much more than merely cover the four major tournaments in men's professional golf. It makes you feel as though you are in the locker room with the major actors. It makes you feel that you are walking side by side with them on the course. The 1998 golf season was particularly exciting, as demenstrated by Mark O'Meara's wins in the Masters & British Open, and Lee Janzen's miraculous victory as he overcame Payne Stewart in the final round of the US Open. Feinstein captures all of the excitement, not just from the fans' perspective but from that of the players too. This is a really fine sports book.

If you've read "A Good Walk Spoiled," you have to follow it up with this Feinstein gem. He once again takes you inside the game like no one else can. Feinstein puts a great deal of focus on the men behind the Masters, and gives you a good idea of the pressure at the U.S. Open. You also see that most Americans who put the British Open a step below the first two majors are clearly uninformed about what major championship golf is all about. Finally, you realize that the PGA is the least important of the four majors, searching to find an identity to distinguish itself. Some of the more interesting storylines are the close detail in which Fred Couples' season was followed, the improvement in Payne Stewart's attitude, the unbelievably rock-hard nerves of U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, and the love the Brits showed Open qualifier Larry Mize. However, the most intriguing information comes from the in depth discussion of the career of David Duval. Before I read the book, I despised Duval and thought he was nothing but an arrogant jerk. However, after reading the book, I came to respect him for his no excuses attitude. Overall, I obviously recommend that anyone who follows the PGA tour read this masterpiece.