American Triumvirate: Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and the Modern Age of Golf

by James Dodson

In this celebration of three legendary champions on the centennial of their births in 1912, one of the most accomplished and successful writers about the game explains the circumstances that made each of them so singularly brilliant and how they, in turn, saved not only the professional tour but modern golf itself, thus making possible the subsequent popularity of players from Arnold Palmer to Tiger Woods.   During the Depression—after the exploits of Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones (winning the Grand Slam as an amateur in 1930) had faded in the public’s imagination—golf’s popularity fell year after year, and as a spectator sport it was on the verge of extinction. This was the unhappy prospect facing two dirt-poor boys from Texas and another from Virginia who had dedicated themselves to the game yet could look forward only to eking out a subsistence living along with millions of other Americans. But then lightning struck, and from the late thirties into the fifties these three men were so thoroughly dominant—each setting a host of records—that they transformed both how the game was played and how society regarded it.   Sports fans in general are well aware of Hogan and Nelson and Snead, but even the most devoted golfers will learn a great many new things about them here. Their hundredth birthdays will be commemorated throughout 2012—Nelson born in February, Snead in May, and Hogan in August—but as this comprehensive and compelling account vividly demonstrates, they were, and will always remain, a triumvirate for the ages.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, History, Biography

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

James Dodson is the author of seven books, including Final Rounds and Ben Hogan: An American Life. He lives with his family in Southern Pines, North Carolina."

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, and the Modern Age of Golf

The following quote should provide the essence of this book:
"“So how,” I asked bluntly, “do Sam, Byron, and Ben rank in terms of trios of rivals?” He looked up at me, glanced out the window at the emerging tulips, pursed his lips, and gently shook his graying head, his spoon hovering midair. Every year, I knew from his caregiver, Herb’s brilliant mind was a little more fragile. But his eyes had a sympathetic, alert look in them, and his mind seemed to be happily roaming the fairways of his glorious reporting days. It would be the last lunch we ever had together. “Perhaps I’m not the most neutral of observers on this subject, but I always felt there were never three better players who came along at the same moment—and did so much to propel the game forward. Any one of the three would have made that time remarkable. But the fact that Sam, Byron, and Ben all three appeared at the same moment and effectively changed how golf was perceived in this country—not to mention launched it into the modern era in terms of equipment and the many things they innovated—sets them apart, at least in my judgment, as the finest trio of any time…Equally important, I think, is the fact that their individual personalities, playing styles, and personal values couldn’t have been more different. That’s why each generated his own large group of die-hard followers. They shaped the game and influenced every generation of players that followed them. They introduced practices and ideas that are commonplace today.”"

The rest is either biographical or selected anecdotes. Dodson writes well and makes his case. If you know little about these three, and you are interested in golf history, this is a great read. Otherwise, all you need to know is in the above quotation.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without, doubt it frustrates me to know end to do a review of a book and not have it post on Goodreads.

I said I enjoyed the book. I said it told the wonderful story of three great men in a time that literally made golf what it is today.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golf has usually had three stars as the main headline. Some may be familiar with the trio of Nicklaus, Palmer and Player, but before them was this trio who electrified crowds. The book itself is loaded with great information but gets bogged down with some minute details. Really could be classified as three biographies in one book. 3 1/2 stars, rounded to four for Goodreads

[Harriett Milnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended, but only if you like golf.

Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, and Ben Hogan. I'd heard those names, growing up, a lot, but the only one I recognized was Sam Snead, who wore a straw hat on the course. James Dodson has written a stellar tome of the three golfers lives. They WERE a modern American Triumvirate in golf. Their swings, their childhoods, their careers; it's just amazing and interesting. I will never confuse Ben Hogan with Walter Hagen again. (I think my dad had Ben Hogan clubs).

[John Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read books and stories about Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson, but I thoroughly enjoyed how the author told these players' lives in the context of how they interacted and related to each other. These are three of the greatest golfers who ever played, and their lives on and off the golf course makes for fascinating reading. Through the author's writing I felt their pain and their glory in the tournaments they played in and the winning moments as well as the times they finished farther down the list. Each of these men made an everlasting mark on the game they loved, as well as on the lives they touched.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book and I greatly enjoyed it -- learning a lot about Nelson and Snead in particular (I've read a lot more about "Mr. Hogan" so not as much of his bio was new to me). It's a great way to learn about the earliest part of golf as a professional sport and the way these three came up together and fed off of each other. It often felt a bit more like a history book than a compelling biography or something similar, hence the lower score. Still, it's a must for any golf fan.

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big golf fan but love good biographies. This is a really 3 biographies of the 3 great golfers of the 40's and 50's (and beyond) and their interactions. A really good history of golf besides. Much has been written about Hogan, Snead and Nelson and this book brings them together.
A must read for the golf fan.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. It’s an interesting read, a little dry at times but if you’re a golf nut and follow its history it’s a must. The story of three golf hall of famers all born in 1912 and of modest means is intriguing as they trace the infancy of the pga tour through the depression and WWII and the tremendous contributions and talents of arguably three of the greatest.

[Dan Bartfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I learned a lot more about three players that really shaped the modern world of professional golf.

The only criticism I'd have is that I feel that Hogan got most of the attention and Snead was a bit shortchanged. Maybe the book should have been packaged a different way then.

Overall, worth the read!

[Richard Walden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and often fascinating, but with a bit too much Hogan worship. Despite never having won a US Open, Snead had a more productive career and enjoyed himself, as well as being a very generous anonymous benefactor to his home region. Hogan's comeback from severe injuries was incredible and a testament to his determination, but he was a pretty sour guy.

[G Tonks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and informative book.

A good read for any one that enjoys golf history or wants to know more on the origins of the game. Good writing style by the author and a very easy read.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like golf history, you'll like this. Triple biography and well written.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight to three outstanding golfers ever to step foot on a golf course.
Their struggles and determination is truly admirable.

[Gary Mendelblatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

[Maximiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tres golfistas. Tres vidas. Tres personas que le abrieron el camino al Golf Moderno

[Michael Stetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough book. A little dry at the beginning when their early lives were discussed but got better when they started golfing and winning tournaments.

[M C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libby. Great book

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson and this book chronicles these three amazing golfers, their careers and their development into three of the post famous golfers in the 20th century. I had heard of all three and I knew Hogan had been in a terrible car accident, but I really did not know much more about them, but I found it fascinating that all three were born the same year, two from Texas and one from Virginia, and the lives they led. If you like golf and the history or golf, this is a definite read.

[Wally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book that is American social history from the perspective of the development of professional golf. By reading about the legends of the formation of the PGA, we learn the growth of travel, WWII, development of golf courses, the beginning of television and sports broadcasting all as we are reading about 3 very remarkable men and their families.

[Jason Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golf is a dumb sport, but one that I enjoy. Reading about these three lions of the game was amazing. Dodson gives us the personal and the entertainment news of the day as he unfolds the history of the three dominating the sport for two decades -- and revolutionizing the golf swing in the midst of a world war.

[Dan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like golf then this a great read for you. I knew the names ot the golfers but never had read their back stories. The author does a great job of telling all three stories in one. Sometimes the book gets a bit long winded on the history of golf prior to this trio but the story gets more interesting as you read.

[Jimmy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book for anyone interested in the history of golf. I've gained a much deeper appreciation for the greatness of Nelson, Hogan and Snead. Also enjoyed learning a bit more about guys like Jimmy Demaret, Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. Dobson can get a bit long winded at times, but this is recommended reading for all golf nerds out there.

[David Longo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plain and simple, this is a fantastic read. James Dodson writes a lot of golf books. This one does him proud. A triple biography of Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead that is honest and very even in length and scope, Dodson teaches the reader a lot about the post - WWII generation of golfers who brought the game to new heights.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story has a lot of basic potential. It weaves the lives of the US Trinity -- "Slammin'" Sam Snead, "Lord" Byron Nelson & Ben "The Hawk" Hogan -- whose rivalry created modern Golf and announced the rise of US dominance of the sport. Sadly, the tale suffers at the literary ineptitude of James "Hands of Stone, Ears of Tin" Dodson.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three very different men, born in the same year (1912), who approached golf and life differently and who changed not just professional golf, but golf for the average hacker, immensely. A book that anyone who's interested in the history of golf would love.

[Mark Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an outstanding golf book, a real deep insight into 3 legends of golf. One book that I will keep and read over and over. Loved all the inside stories about Nelson, Hogan and Snead. Could not recommend a book more.

[Jay Resnick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although i liked Dodson's biography of Ben Hogan, this book did not grab me. Perhaps because he was trying to tell three stories and those stories did not jell, it read as a somewhat tedious summary of tournaments played.

[Don Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for sports fans, and especially golf fans. Dodson is a premier golf writer and he really shows his chops here Great insights into Nelson, Hogan and Snead. A not too boring chronology of their on and off course achievements and failures. As a golf nut, I really liked it.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you golf and appreciate its history of traditions, this is a great book. Dodson previously wrote an excellent book about icon Ben Hogan (An American Life) and he outdid that book with American Triumvirate. A New York Times 2012 top 10 book and well worth the read

[ken whitsitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three gophers

Three golfers who put the game on the map. I am looking forward to reading more about these three great men in sports. I love the game of golf and my license plate on my truck is 1GOFNT.