Just Let Me Play: The Story of Charlie Sifford, the First Black Pga Golfer

by Charlie Sifford

The first black golfer on the PGA tells of the consistent battles he has waged against bigotry in the exclusive world of golf and tells how his courage has opened the sport to a new generation of blacks.

237 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good memoir written in 1992 about the life of Charlie Sifford, the first African American to break the barriers of golf. In the 1950's there was a PGA clause that only Caucasains could become members of the PGA. There were the Jim Crow law that didn't even let African Americans into the country clubs, unless you were a caddy. Charlie Sifford loved the game of golf and just wanted to make a living at this sport. He was finally able to get a PGA card in 1961, but he was still unable to play in many of the tournaments, because they would change the rules constantly to bar him from the game. Even back in the 1960's he was not able to stay in hotels and had to rely on host families, especially in the southern cities. And he was never able to play in the Masters in Georgia. It wasn't until 1975 that Lee Elder could play in this tournament. And even in 1992, when this book was published, Charlie said there was still discrimination in the world of golf.

[Jesin Marie Candace Markham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. Reading about how not that long ago African Americans weren’t allowed to play golf in Country Clubs. This book inspired me to become the best golfer I can be, and to continue the legacy of African Americans in golf.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. I picked it up a few years after caring for a relative of Charlie’s at a rehab center I was nursing at. I say it is interesting because it falls in a time period before mine which has been known to be racist in America. Where I come from an era that allowed Tiger to be the biggest name in golf by a long shot. Even through some racism in golf Charlie was a strong man who persevered. With comparisons to #42 it does present a little different. Charlie seemed to have suffered from corporate greed and exploitation more than individual acts of racism towards him. Where it seemed that #42 dealt with a lot of individuals attacking him both verbally and physically, or at least threats of it, while his team supported him, at least eventually. It just seems that in todays golf world with LIV golf going live, it presents that some of todays top players are trying to exploit the PGA and the greed it has put on most of its athletes. In the 60’s and 70’s it presents that corporate America was able to punish people for their skin color, in todays era (2020’s) corporate America is trying to see how big it can get who cares the color. It will be interesting to see how PGA vs LIV golf pans out. Some golfers like the “tradition” of the PGA and some do well with weekly chances at prize money; while others seem like they are going to jump ship because LIV golf will give them a salary win or lose. Also seen that Charlie decided to settle down in the state of TX which was so racist towards him in the south but he also claims that times haven’t changed. It just makes me wonder how much times really have changed and he’s still as bitter as he says he is in the book. Being born in 1984 I grew up idolizing black people. Not because they were black but because they were simply great at what they did: Jordan, Tyson, Tiger, Deion, the list goes on. Sad that history played out the way it did and I hope we will live in an America where all aren’t only equal but also all feel equal as well. Charlie tried to make this happen through golf.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that is brutally honest about how racist the golf world is. Super interesting to read in a pre-Tiger woods era, because there is a new role model for black golfers, but much of the institutional racism still exists. I sincerely hope the golf world learns and tries to better itself.