This Golfing Life

by Michael Bamberger

Reflections on the game by the Sports lllustrated writer and national-bestselling author of The Swinger.   Michael Bamberger has lived the game of golf as few others have—from his experience as one of the first white, college-educated caddies in 1985, to hanging out with Arnold Palmer at the Masters. This Golfing Life brings together Bamberger’s acclaimed, intimate profiles of stars (Tiger, Jack, and Annika to name a few), as well as the behind-the-scenes people who make the game what it is.   In his last round of golf before an amputation, Bamberger’s high school golf coach, John Sifaneck, makes his first hole in one; John Stark gets Bamberger to relearn the game as a Scotsman; Bob Rubin, a Wall Street master-of-the-universe, builds his own golf course—one so difficult he can’t break one hundred on it; Bruce Edwards continues to caddie for Tom Watson while dying of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Bamberger interweaves these stories with his own life in a way that will remind golfers why they love the game.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Michael F. Bamberger is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and the author of multiple books.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Michael Bamberger's books. It was a slow read, mostly a collection of stories, with each chapter focused on a topic (Ladies, Death, etc.). I found stories about the weekend duffers (i.e., the non-famous golfers) most interesting. Many of the stories involving Pro golfers (both PGA and LPGA) are well known to fans.

[Matthew Stetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best golf books I’ve ever read.

[Wes Thrailkill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paints a good picture how nothing in life is as simple as it seems on the surface, a lot like golf.

[Timothy Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best golf writer alive

Fantastic read. Mr. Bamberger’s insight and humanism, as well as his deep reverence for the game, always shines through in his work.

[JAMES LUNDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing love for golf and it's characters.

Every time I read a Bamberger golf book I realize how much alike we golf "kooks" are. It does not seem to matter your position in the game - tour pro, teaching pro, caddie, writer, or back. We all love it but never can quit the search. His access to the people that make up the game and their stories is amazing. I can't wait to find another one.

[Tommy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun recounting of Mr. Bamberger's life as a golf correspondent. I really enjoyed the stories he's covered, and it brought back some nice memories. He does a good job of recounting he life, without giving the air that he was somehow superior.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of Bamberger's golf writing. Makes a nice companion to his To the Linksland (some of which is reprinted in This Golfing Life).

[Michael Stetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good golf stories. Really enjoyed it.