A Golfer's Life

by Arnold Palmer, James Dodson

There has never been a golfer to rival Arnold Palmer. He's the most aggressive, most exciting player the game has ever known, a dynamo famous for coming from behind to make bold last-minute charges to victory. To the legions of golf fans known around the world as "Arnie's Army," Palmer is a charismatic hero, the winner of sixty-one tournaments on the PGA Tour and still going strong on the Senior PGA Tour. But behind the legend, there is the private Palmer--a man of wit, compassion, loyalty, and true grit in the face of personal adversity.  

Golf-crazy as far back as he can remember, Arnie followed his dad, "Deacon" Palmer, the head greenskeeper, around the Latrobe Country Club fairways; as a youth he played at dawn before the club members arrived (the only time he was allowed on the course); by the time he graduated from high school he was headed for the national circuit. His rise to fame was meteoric, and by the 1960s he had emerged as one of the few American athletes the public truly cared about--a vibrant, daring, handsome sports celebrity who attracted wild crowds and enormous television audiences whenever he played and whose charisma propelled the explosion of enthusiam for golf in the sixties.

Writing with the humor and candor that are as much his trademark as his unique golf swing, Palmer narrates the deeply moving story of his life both on and off the links. He recounts his friendships (and rivalries) with greats of the game, including Jack Nicklaus, his  enduringly happy marriage with Winnie, his legendary charges to triumph and his titanic disasters, and his valiant battle against cancer.  Returning to the Senior PGA Tour with unmatched zeal after his recovery, Palmer reminded fans of his unfaltering heroism--and the world of golf is thankful.

From small-town boy to golfing legend, Arnold Palmer has lived one of the great sporting lives of the twentieth century. Now, with the help of acclaimed golf writer James Dodson, he has created one of the great sports autobiographies of our time.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction, Canon

420 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

American golfer Arnold Palmer, the first, won four championships at masters of 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964.

Fond Arnold Palmoer popularized this beverage, made of iced tea, mixed with lemonade.

People consider this greatest professional ever to play the game.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_...

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The golf sections of this book were interesting and nostalgic. Unfortunately, way too much space deals with Palmer's business interests and passion for flying.

[Alan Livingston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I first became interested in golf over 50 years ago, I've admired Arnold Palmer. He has arguably earned as much respect as a gentleman, a businessman, a father, and a pilot as he has for what he's done for the game of golf. If you are interested in those facets of his life, you'll enjoy this book. Yes, he addresses it all, because it truly is about "A Golfer's Life", and everything which that entailed, at least for him.

While I could sit and listen to Arnie for hours, I was less than excited about the voice of the book. It reminded me of my own Dad, "back in the day", speaking into a small microphone, recording anecdotes on a reel-to-reel tape recorder, ever conscious of how he would sound. (That was a man who would be only 7 years older than Palmer.) Watching his words carefully as much as he repeats his descriptions, Arnold's story is still compelling. He seems as honest and straightforward as we would expect him to be, conscious of his role in golf history and proud of his place as an ambassador of the game just as much as he is aware that he was far from the greatest golfer ever, and believable as he describes how uncomfortable he is with that impression. His stories of the greats of the game of his day, including Nicklaus, Player, and Casper, and what their relationships were like are really entertaining.

If you love golf, you'll like this.

[Isaac Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A golfer's life isn't a book you would expect to be too interesting. It contains information about golf that no one would know. The logic behind golf in this book is unreal. He does a good job with his telling some of his stories on and off the course. You can almost see his passion through the pages of the book. He describes golf as a lifestyle rather than a game. If you’re a true golf and play the sport the way it is supposed to be played then you will fall in love with this book. Being born and raised a golfer is a privilege as Palmer describes it in his book. It gives you a sense of patience that not a lot of people have. It also gives you the ability to get over things easily. To me Arnold Palmer describes golf and life in a whole new way. It changes your outlook on a lot of things. He gives you his examples of good and bad decisions in his life and how he learned from them. I would recommend this book to any avid golfer or person willing to change their perspective on somethings.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read and story of Arnold's life in and out of golf. Blessed with great golf game, he also seems a nice guy who is grateful for the gift he received. Along with Mark McCormack he changed golf and helped make it into the multi million dollar sport it is today.
I believe I read somewhere (can't remember if it was in this book or not though) that when asked if he could have practiced more and won more majors, his reply was something along the lines of "yes, but I wouldn't have made as many friends!"

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice memoir and biography of one of America's sports heroes. Arnold Palmer was one of the most succesful golfers of any age, but will be remembered most for his down home basic values and behavior. This book outlines the background of his parents, his family and his golfing career and means more to me because I feel like I lived it with him. I remember more than once being a part of Arnie's Army following him to both dramatic wins and losses back when I was young enough to follow anyone.

[Anthony Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. He was really interested in his business life, which is fine, even something that was exceptional about him. But it read like pages and pages of infomercial near the end. Not nearly enough introspection or wrestling with real life after his playing life was over. That was totally glossed over. Maybe he wasn’t prepared to do that at this stage in his life. That’s ok. Just made the book much less than what it could have been.

[Jim Serger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book on a hall of fame golfer. The ins and outs of a icon brought to life. Arnold mastered his game, his life and his relationship with his dad. Great book about dreams, guts and keenness of hard work. His love of his wife, his best friend was very felt. I did the audio book, very clear and of excellent quality.

[David Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heart and soul of the game of golf.
The most interesting part of his autobiography is his early years. The legend begins there and you understand more why crowds rallied behind him. I am incredibly grateful for Arnold Palmer as he influenced me immensely in my younger golf years. He was absolutely a class act.

[Mark Noonan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Arnold Palmer. Not just for his Golf but because of the kind of man he is. Of course this book has to do with his Golf career and life. But it also can make you think about life and how you should treat people and how you should have respect for the game of Golf.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story of Arnold and his wife Winnie. They come across as really human.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

[Matthew Stetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old Arnie "doesn't sign golf balls".

[Lauren Hiebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a golfer’s book. It retells the many Palmer golf matches and tournaments won and lost, often hole by hole. However, the book is much more than a rehashing of golf tournaments. It includes his stories of family and friends, his business dealings and construction of golf courses like Bay Hill, his struggles to improve the PGA, his dad’s words of wisdom, his 35 year rivalry with Jack Nicklaus, but most importantly Palmer’s philosophy of golf. Palmer was not happy with how the PGA ran and controlled tournament players. He made numerous suggestions for change such as: finish tournaments of Sunday, not have to qualify for each tournament, ending segregation, and allowing more individual freedom of when and where to play. He was instrumental in organizing the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour. Palmer found most happiness when out on the golf course and never backed down when he could go for the green on a shot. Examples of his golf adages and philosophy are: get a good grip and never change, hit it hard, different body types have different swings, the answer to a good golf swing is in the dirt, a golf course is where character reveals itself - good or bad, play your own game and never take opponents for granted, know who you are and trust that - not putting on appearances, be a gracious winner and not an ungracious winner who throws golf clubs, play the course not your opponent, dig thumbs into putting grip when under pressure, practice a lot both before and after a round, find a mental comfortable zone, and play our own game - shot by shot and don’t look ahead. There is also one chapter on Palmer as pilot, the airplanes he has owned through the years and some flying incidents. Mostly through the life of Arnold Palmer you see how character, tradition, and courtesy are important aspects of the game of golf. A fun read.

[David Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnold Palmer was a legend for me as I grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s. Professional golf on TV was more innocent then. Professional golf was so competitive with Arnie and so many other icons in his era. Certain stars in America at the time, Sinatra, Mantle, Lombardi, Kennedy, Palmer etc. we’re larger than life, they represented the rising greatness in America.
So I really enjoyed reading one of his books. He wrote many. He’s funny too. And he writes about life, family, love, friends, small town life ... i.e. more than just golf.
The book flows well and is an easy read. It’ll make a tear or two. Arnie lived a charmed life, one any of us would envy. Yet it felt humble, like hearing your grandpa talk. I recommend it.

[David Gramley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It troubled Arnold Palmer that, in recent times (the 1990’s), men would still wear their golf caps indoors or in the presence of women. This comment came towards the end of his memoir, and I think it speaks volumes of his character. He worshiped his father, and his father kept him humble. Not wearing his cap indoors was a lesson learned from his father. Arnold had a strong foundation for his life. He shares the good, and the bad - his cockiness, his anger, his lessons learned. He is honest. And for a golf fan, for an Arnold Palmer fan, or just for someone who came of age in the 50’s (my parents) and perhaps were in ArniesArmy, this is a great book!

[James Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of a great man.

It is wonderful to read, in his own words, the humbly presented story of the man who had the greatest positive influence on the game of golf in the Twentieth Century.

[Lauren Van Gerven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book well enough, although it felt a little outdated. It went into a bit too much play by play detail of too many golf tournaments for my liking, but I really enjoyed reading about the background and history of the PGA and how much things have evolved.

[Rick Fifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life life of Arnold Palmer as told to his co writer James Dodson. What a life Arnie has lived, he is a man with many talents besides golf. One of the first touring pros to fly to various events instead of being a road warrior his entire career.

[M C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bio of the king

[Randy Wojtasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arnie truly covered all aspects of his life. It was more than just about golf. I enjoyed the fact that he didn't rehash his tournaments stroke for stroke and stuck to the main points.

[Gary Mundhenke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book dealing with his early years and tells a lot of personal, family stories.

[Noah Schmitt]

I have just finished this book and loved it. It is about Arnold Palmers life and his legendary golfing career. This book showed what a good guy Arnold Palmer was even under the heat of competition and life. The book also highlighted Arnolds personal life and his wife Winnie. The detail in this book is also amazing, when Arnold is explaining one of his tournemants I feel as if I am there watching him on every stroke. I would recomend this book to golfers and just about anyone.