Aren't You That Golf Guy?: Doglegs and Detours from a Life in the Game

by Rich Lerner

Rich Lerner's lively collection of golf stories is a love letter to a game that is as elusive as it is emotionally transformative.

From his early days working at his father’s driving range with his three brothers to his three decades covering golf’s biggest stars and most historic championships, Rich Lerner has lived a lucky life in golf. He went from rubbing shoulders with hard-drinking, Allentown golf pros in the ’70s to playing his first money match (against “The Pigeon”) to crossing paths with Arnie to a circuitous route to the Golf Channel just as Tiger Woods arrived on the scene.In Aren't You That Golf Guy?, Golf Channel’s master storyteller shares decades of his best stories. It's funny, provocative, poignant and personal, with deep dives on Tiger, Rory, Phil, Jack, and Arnie, plus hilarious celebrity encounters with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Will Ferrell, not to mention bawdy tales from the driving range. 

Raw, emotional, real, and relatable; you will see yourself or find someone you know in the pages of this book.

304 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Barry Sanborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich Lerner gives 30 years of story telling his life & history of his upbringing and experiences at the golf channel.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sportswriting Tour de Force

Rich takes his place in my Sportswriter Hall of Fame with this moving and poignant memoir. Red Smith said he always wanted to be remembered as a journalist above all. Rich is an extraordinary journalist and storyteller. Dan Jenkins was as good as anyone in the golf writer’s panoply. So many local beat writers, the late Joe Falls in Detroit, Ron Green in Charlotte, the late Dick Young in NewYork, countless others. Step aside, gents, and Bravo Rich!!!

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3). Not a bad book, certainly not a great book, but surely a decent book. I only knew Lerner as a taking head on the Golf Channel but he turns out to be a really solid guy. Good roots, caring and very well spoken. This book is just a collection of stories. Some short, some long, some about life but mostly about golf and golf related subjects. A nice easy read for a golf nut like myself. Pretty good stuff.

[jim mcelderry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to reminisce

Wonderful stories and great memories but way too much Tiger stuff. Sure a golfer for the ages but enough is enough. Need more Arnie, Jack, Gary, Tom, Sam, Ben. Maybe your next book.

[Thiefriver Minnesota · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories were great but enough of Tiger already.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too much Tiger, but a fun read. Loved the stories from Allentown. Great career experiences from a talented man.