And if You Play Golf, You're My Friend: Further Reflections of a Grown Caddie

by Harvey Penick, Bud Shrake

Since the publication of Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, the world has almost literally beaten a path to Harvey Penick's door. Hardly a day goes by without a stranger arriving at the Penick home, book in hand, hoping for more pearls of wisdom, an autograph, or just wanting to say, "Thank you." Bud Shrake, Penick's coauthor, noticed that Penick usually inscribes the books, "To my friend and pupil." How could he do that, Shrake asked him, when he didn't know these people? "Well," replied Penick, "if you read my book you're my pupil, and if you play golf, you're my friend." And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend picks up where the Little Red Book left off. It features the same blend of simple wisdom, sound golfing instruction, and good common sense that has made the Little Red Book so popular with golfers of all ages and levels of ability. And, as in the previous volume, Penick's deep love for the game and his delight in teaching shine through on every page. Penick tells the story of his son-in-law's first golf lesson, a story with a twist right out of O. Henry. He relates the tale of a player from Houston who had only one flaw in his game -- that his scores were too high -- and who exploded with anger when Penick told him so. He gives advice to parents on how to help their children learn golf, shows how to overcome a slice by "playing baseball," and shares the pride and joy he felt while watching his pupil Tom Kite win the U.S. Open. Warm, witty, and wise, And If You Play Golf, You're My Friend shows why Harvey Penick has become America's best-loved teacher of the great game of golf.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Memoir

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Dino Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Penick's other book, "Little Red Book of Golf," really helped me appreciate both golf and life, so I had to read more. Since I read the last one, I have begun teaching at a high school. This leads me to say that all the teacher quotes stood out to me, and I'll leave some below. I really enjoyed this book because it’s very quick and incredibly easy to understand. The trick I’ll keep practicing on the green is “chipping under the bench.” That will help me roll the ball to the hole rather than land it next to the hole. It’s also nice to learn that Mr. Penick is a fan of The Great Teacher. His paragraphs on Him were my favorites.

Man, golf is like life indeed! I’m excited to golf with my brother and father in a few days. No matter what, I will have a happy attitude and maintain “dead aim.”


“When I go to the doctor, all I ask is for him to have my interest at heart. I try to do that as a teacher. First of all, a teacher must try to understand what is going on in the pupils mind. The teacher must be simple. Don’t get technical. Put yourself in the pupil’s place.”

“Teaching is a teachers best advertisement. Caddies are good advertisers. They will watch you and copy you if they see that your teaching is good.”

“Be friendly. Forget yourself. Stop thinking about “I.” Listen to other people, keep interested in everyone else—caddies and members and all. Find out what they are doing and what they care about.”

“All people like to be important. Criticism from a teacher can kill the pupils ambition to improve. Be anxious to praise and slow on fault-finding.”

“You just have to take the attitude that you have done all the training that is required and if you’re not going to trust it, why do all the training?”

“Call me, old-fashioned or starchy or whatever you will but two things in this world I just can’t grow accustomed to are a man and a woman living together, without being married—and taking a mulligan at golf.”

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and reread Harvey's books on golf through the years. To be truthful I don't think they have done a lot to improve the way I play golf, at least not from a technical standpoint. What I enjoy is his simple telling of tales and how he manages to entertain us with a little subtle humour, a great deal of modesty while spicing each tale with a little of his wisdom, which in deed, he has a lot of.

The one very important thing he has taught me is to keep it simple and to be grateful for the opportunity to play and enjoy a simple game. I am sixty-six years old and every morning during golf season I start each day by walking nine holes of golf. And, every morning I wake up full of optimism, happy to be alive, with the heart of a kid, walking out the door getting to play a game he loves.

And I will reread Harvey's books every year just to remind myself again, why I love golf.

[Ogdolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “If You Play Golf, You’re my friend” caught my attention for a few reasons. First of all, golf was a sport that I played and enjoyed. When I was younger I participated in the Flushing Valley Skills Camp and Flint Junior Golf league. The book is different in its format than many other golf instructional books that try to teach the mechanics of the game through description and pictures. Harvey Penick’s book is full of personal stories of people he either knew or ones he has just met and then throws in some simple lessons that help the individual improve their game. The stories that Mr. Penick tells makes it an enjoyable read. The story format in this book is easy reading and helps turn an instructional book into an enjoyable read. Not all the stories are told from the viewpoint of Harvey Penick, they are also told by the people that came to learn from him. Here is one example from the book that stood out to me. The account was by a woman named Paula Granoff. Playing golf was becoming a chore for her. She talked about seeing almost every famous golf teacher at the time except Harvey Penick. While driving one day she heard that Harvey had written a book. She bought the book and read it from cover to cover. Then she went out to the barn and got a weed cutter, just like Harvey suggested in his book, and started swinging it like a golf club. She felt something wonderful right away. She started swinging her golf clubs like the weed cutter and understood how the golf swing should feel. Paula won the Rhode Island state seniors championship. Reading about his interactions with people or how he affected them kept me reading this book. The only issue I had with the book was that it would have been nice if some of the stories were about Harvey Penick's personal life. As a member of the Golf Hall of Fame, it would be interesting to find out his background and the circumstances that led to him becoming a professional golfer and well known instructor. I would recommend this book for people to read whether you are a good golfer, an average golfer at all. Mr. Penick’s pieces of wisdom that are spread throughout the pages with not only help someone to be a better golfer, but possibly even a better person.

[Chuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the game of golf was a major part of my life in years past, it was never important enough to pay attention to this type of coaching. As I understand it Harvey Penick was one of the most highly regarded people and golf instructors in history. But if you follow the advice given in this book you will stand at the first tee saying keep your left arm straight, don't forget the strong grip, narrow your stance, tuck in your elbow, stay inside the ball, make certain the "V" of your thumb and index finger are pointing to your right shoulder and then they have the nerve to say clear your mind and just swing naturally. The truth is that all these guidelines would lead to the finest 42 piece swing in history and also a hernia. 'Nuff said, Harvey I love you, but the little gems you shared in this book have made certain that I will take up darts.

[Randy Corn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book which is a follow up to Pinick's Little Red Book. I got it as inheritance from one of the best golfers I ever played with, Garnett Reid. In fact, Garnett was instrumental in my golf education. I was in my late 20's when I took up the game and asked him for help with my game. Since he was a lefty, it was easy to line up opposite of him and try to mimic his swing. I feel like this book is my final lesson from him.

The book itself is a collection of thoughts from probably the greatest teacher of the game who has ever lived. If you have even a passing interest in the game, you should read this volume and his earlier work. I can't guarantee that it will make a better golfer of you, but if you take its lessons to heart it will make you a better person.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be necessary reading before each summer golfing. Maybe alternate between this and the Little Red Book. To remember:

- a golfer rarely needs to hit a spectacular shot unless the one preceding was pretty bad;

- no one will notice how poor a player you are if you keep up - keep the game moving in a good humor;

- golf is a game of honor - leave it to the other sports for guys to take every advantage they can.

[Peter Romão · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in the other two reads, the red and the blue, this is a gem too.

To be read regularly as a reference book every year. That is: until one almost knows it by heart.

That is what I am going to do.

[Matt Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wisdom from a legend of the game

This book gives the reader timeless tips,humor and lessons on life. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn about how to play golf.

[Cody Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, another joyous read. The tips mixed in with the life stories kept me captivated and transported me back to the old days of the game. I only wish I could’ve met Harvey, even if it was to say “thank you”.

[Wes Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every bit of this book, not only are there crucial and simple golf lessons, there are very strong life lessons in this book as well. Penick truly was one of a kind and his impact being a swing coach and teacher is still felt today.

[Emile M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! My favorite type that combines knowledge, stories, and life meaning all into one. Learned about the game of golf and life insights. Harvey Penick is now going on my list of “if you could have dinner with any person, deceased or living, who would it be?” Love!!!!

[Brett Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for even the most novice golfer. A lot of life lessons as well as the occasional game-changing tip. This, along with The Little Red Book, is a must read for any fan of the wonderful game of Golf

[super secret sexy bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written from the perspective of a golf teacher who works with a varied range of students. The writing is a reminder to think more about what is best to impart with others. It's a neat novel and was a personal reminder to value good teaching.

[Carlos Hoyos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harvey Penick is a master. This is a great follow-up to my all time favorite golf book: Little Red Book. This book is witty and full of simple advice that any golfer may follow.

[William Shippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

have i only played golf once? yeah. do i have any interest in playing again? no. but was this little book full of vignettes mildly entertaining and interesting? yessir

[Micaiah Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book on golf and life. Would have been a pleasure to meet harvey back in the day. There are slight tips on golf but a bigger tip on life.

[Natalia Wipf-Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I surprisingly really enjoyed this

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A companion book to Penick's classic Little Red Book. As a newcomer to the game, I’m struck by the depth of a sport I once dismissed as the aristocratic pastime of bored old men.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in 2001 and almost immediately trimmed 10 strokes off my golf game. Almost overnight. The book is really a collection of short stories, lessons, and musings of one of golf's great coaches. I refer to it often and should study it more, as I am always re-discovering some bit of wisdom in there, whether it be about golf or about life.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harvey Penick reminds me of John Wooden with his gentle demeanor, matter of fact storytelling, and wisdom. In this book, Penick narrates dozens of short tales from his years as a pro in Austin that reveal golf tips, humor, and a lot of life lessons.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I would love to have a golf instructor like Harvey! He gives great tips in this book. I took a TON of notes to help me remember. He includes some wonderful stories too. Perfect vacation read - golfing vacation, of course! Torrey Pines, here I come!!

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you could combine memoirs with advice for life, you might end up with this book. You do not need to be a golfer to enjoy it. I would also recommend this book to educators for it reinforces the concept that simpler is better.

[Anthony Tenaglier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penick's books are my favorite amongst the golf books I have read. They are simple. There is no need for the technical, scientific reasoning and logic to a golf swing. There's an art to teaching and he was a master at it.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

More tips on golf and a number of personal observations on well known golfers. If you have the first book, you need the second one, too.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picks up where the Little Red Book left off. Simply a must-read.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite as good as Little Red Book but still excellent. Great title too

[Willie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy has a simple approach to golf and life. I think I would like him.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick book of his wisdom and stories. Entertaining and potentially useful as well.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st time read - just after its publication
Second time read - 9-14-15

[Christian Hubbard]

I thought this book was a very good quick read, it was very informative. I learned a lot from this book, whether it was about golf, or just overall having a better mentality when doing anything in life. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the game of golf, or anyone that wants a very informative quick read.