Golf Rules Illustrated: The Callaway Golfer (series)

Description

This book clarifies and simplifies the rules for all players -- from beginners to club champions -- using original illustration to illuminate all the key points. Focusing on common situations that occur during most rounds on most courses, Golf Rules Illustrated describes major rules and explains how to apply them during play. Having mastered these rules, golfers can navigate friendly and competitive rounds alike with confidence and greater enjoyment.

As if it weren't hard enough just to hit fairways and greens, the rules that encumber golf have so mutated from the original crisp 13 that today's rule book is about as clear, concise, and free of jargon as a set of Defense Department specifications. Even seasoned tour pros shake their heads before seeking the counsel of the rules committee. Golf Rules Illustrated presents an attractive and convenient alternative to setting up a direct hotline from your golf cart to a USGA official. It breaks down the entire rulebook into 10 subject areas. Easy-to-follow subheads connect you directly to the situation at hand, be it order of play, loose impediments in a bunker, abnormal course conditions, or when to hit provisional balls. Greg Clarke's lovely illustrations provide the right accent--decidedly brogue--and light touch, and the book is the right size for stowing in one of the pockets of your golf bag, so--like that telescoping gizmo you carry to fish balls out of the water--it'll always be there when you need it. --Jeff Silverman

Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2001-04-23
Summary: "golf rules demystified"

Golf Rules Illustrated was written with both beginners and low handicappers in mind. Browsing through its pages you can see that unlike the Rules of Golf, technical terms are seldom used, and it doesn't follow the legalistic manner on how rules are defined by the USGA, which usually leaves us scratching our heads.

Instead what we get are simple, straightforward explanations of the rules, and to make things even easier, illustrations (featuring Scottie IV, the rules terrier, drawn by Greg Clarke) are provided. I especially liked the way the book is arranged. Situations golfers are most likely to end up in are the first to be given priority. So right off the tee you'll have discussions on four areas: Out of bounds, lost balls, water hazards, and lateral water hazards. If you find yourself in a water hazard, these are the options available to the golfer according to the book:

A caveat to the reader: this is a book presented by the Callaway Golf Company, embroiled bitterly with the USGA, because of...well, the rules. The USGA wants the rules to be followed no matter what, whether you are Tiger Woods playing at Augusta or a weekend hacker playing at a rinky-dink golf course in the middle of nowhere. On the other hand, Callaway seems to support the notion that the rules can be a little flexible when golf is played for fun. In fact there is a section in the book where it actually says it's okay to ignore the rules in certain situations. Now this can get you into a lot of trouble, depending how serious your playing partners are about their golf game.

Aside from that, I think any golfer will find this book insightful and find it a handy reference on the golf course.