Arnie: The Life of Arnold Palmer – The Definitive Biography of the King, Masters Champion, and Business Pioneer

by Tom Callahan

In this definitive biography, veteran sportswriter Tom Callahan shines a spotlight on one of the greatest golfers ever to play the game, Arnold Palmer. The winner of more than ninety championships, including four Masters Tournaments, Arnold Palmer was a legend in twentieth century a supremely gifted competitor beloved for his powerful hitting, his nerve on the greens, and his great rapport with fans. Perhaps above all others, Palmer was the reason golf’s popularity exploded, as the King of the links helped define golf’s golden age along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. In addition to his talent on the golf course, Palmer was a brilliant entrepreneur off it, and one of the first sportsmen to create his own successful marketing brand. Forging an alliance with sports agent Mark McCormick, Palmer parlayed his popularity into lucrative deals, and helped pave the way for the multi-million-dollar contracts that have become standard for stars across all sports. But beyond his business acumen, Palmer was always a larger-than-life character, and Arnie recounts a host of unforgettable anecdotes from a long life in the spotlight. Tom Callahan knew Palmer well for many years, and now pays tribute to this golfing icon. Filled with great stories from the key people in Palmer’s life, Arnie is an entertaining and illuminating portrait of a remarkable man and his extraordinary legacy.

Genres: Sports, Biography, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography also contains numerous stories of the inner circle of golfers that touched legendary Arnold Palmer’s life.

In 1960 a banquet was held in Rochester, New York to name the professional athlete of the year. In contention for the prestigious award were notable sport stars Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Sam Huff, Johnny Unitas, Kyle Rote and others including Palmer. The exchange of comments between New York Yankee Roger Maris and Palmer is priceless.

Palmer’s marketing trademark was an umbrella. On a side note Wake Forest University honored Palmer last season by painting a large colorful umbrella on the 50 yard line of their football field. I look forward to their opening game this season to see if the umbrella will remain a permanent emblem.

[Paula Towe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

I am as riding in the car with my husband and read it out loud to him... so many great anecdotes and really interesting character studies.

[Jared James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Callahan does an excellent job of weaving Arnold Palmer’s story together. I’ve always known of Arnold Palmer as “the peoples champ” but it’s fascinating getting to read about the bits and pieces from various fans and colleagues along with friends and family about the truth to his character and graciousness. Definitely a hero of golf and a standup individual to admire.

[Deity World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great read of a golfing legend RIP

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countless entertaining and poignant stories of the iconic golfer who brought the game to the masses. Palmer himself provided many of the tales in interviews with the author. Well-researched, and provided fascinating background on other stars of the day as well. The concluding portions became somewhat disjointed and didn’t add much to what we’d already learned.

[Nicholas Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look into the life of one of golf’s greatest stars. I loved the golf stories, and the little intricate details of his playing career I did not know, like the number of playoffs he was in, how Hogan never said his name, or just how quickly he won all those majors. I truthfully enjoyed and took more notes of the man he was. The way he treated his fellow professionals, and more notably the fans. Authentic, larger than life, personable, charismatic and genuine!

Two great stories or lessons stick out:

One, when he tripped on a rug and separated his shoulder which started his health decline.
He truthfully tripped over his dog, but he did not want anybody to blame the dog for his decline.

Two, the importance of the signature.
“Make it legible. You only have a few seconds to leave an impression on the people that make our lives possible, so make it legible”

What a great man!

[Jim Lyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met him once

I went out to Barton Creek CC to watch the Senior event here in Austin. I was walking through the parking lot on my way to meet some buddies when I saw him getting his gear out of the trunk of a Cadillac all by himself. I hesitated to interrupt him, but I couldn’t let the opportunity to see THE MAN up close escape me. I welcomed him to Austin; we exchanged a few pleasantries & shook hands. What a thrill for me!!! No pretense, no urgency on his part, just genuine appreciation for my welcoming gesture. Class act personified.

[John Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold Palmer is my all-time favorite golfer. This is a first-rate account of his life, written by a man who knew him personally. So, his insights and stories added to my knowledge of this charismatic, friendly, warm, considerate, driven man and golfer.

[Brent Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnold Palmer was and remains one of the titans of golf, whose personality and charisma elevated him arguably higher than his actual achievements on the golf course. In breaking down the life of this golf icon, Callahan explores the complexity of the man who embodied golf more than perhaps anyone in the American imagination, imbedding himself in a sport that has seen more dominant players and figures. He does not flinch from examining the ways in which Palmer struggled against his great rival, Jack Nicklaus, or in his exploration of the complicated relationship between Palmer and his demanding father whose approval he never truly achieved. The examination of why Palmer was so popular and the effort he put into being so well-liked also helps readers understand the lasting power and hold that Palmer has enjoyed over the sport.
Where I think this book could have improved is in the examination of some of Palmer’s errors, specifically in two areas. Palmer reached his height of performance and fame concurrently with the civil rights movement, and his lack of action at the time to fight racism in the sport, especially at Augusta National, is something that I felt was important to at least reference in passing. The second area is Palmer's philandering. He was known for it at his peak, though he was undoubtedly a beloved father who doted on his children, but in this book it is only occasionally mentioned, rather than dealt with head on. As a result, at times I found this book to be a little too fawning of Palmer. Nonetheless, it gives the grand figure his just dues and is a good read for those interested in knowing more about a figure often caught in the middle ground between myth and reality.

[Tom Gase · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rating is probably closer to a 3.5, but I liked the person the book was about, Arnold Palmer, so much I gave it four stars. Palmer was not just a great golfer, but he seemed to be a very likeable person even more than that. In fact, the book is about Palmer more as a person, and the effect he had on others, more than his stellar golf career that included Masters' wins in 1958, 1960, 62, and 64. The book touches on the rivalry between him and Nicklaus and how he was never liked by Ben Hogan for whatever reason. The book also talks about his childhood, and how he always wanted to impress his father, but never could it seemed. The book has short chapters that talk about each of his big years, but in the end I actually found the book too short. Would have liked some more info on his actual golf days from around 1957-1966. I finished this book in about three days, which means it was easy to read, but also that it wasn't enough. Good stuff though from a great writer, Tom Callahan, who also wrote great books such as Johnny U and GM. Looking forward to reading more by him in the future.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly entertaining and somewhat informative look at the life of Arnold Palmer, although you could never in a million years call it a biography. It is mostly interviews with Palmer and his friends and associates (the quotes from Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus are fascinating). If you want to understand his career in a linear fashion, with events and people well-explained, and a bit of journalistic skepticism confronting some of what is claimed, look elsewhere. But if you want a laudatory romp through the great man's highlights, you'll love this book.

I should mention a very impressive index. Has everything from his high school tournaments to roads and airports named after him. It has his score of every PGA round he every played--I kid you not. Someone spent a ton of time putting it together, and it is worth taking a look at, even if only to skim.

[Richard Walden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be impossible to write a boring biography of Arnold Palmer. This is a very fine book, but it contains one of the stupidest observations I've ever encountered about the game of golf: "Palmer never won a PGA Championship, and it is the PGA Championship that seems diminished. For all its fine memories of Walter Hagen and the rest, a tournament that never had Arnold Palmer on its shoulders can hardly feel complete." WHAT???? Hagen's streak of four straight PGA Championships at match play is one of the most remarkable achievements in professional golf. Palmer often recognized that Hagen really created professional golf in the United States and led a contingent of pros to visit Hagen when he was terminally ill. He loved Hagen and was ever grateful to him for calling him to congratulate him in the UK for his winning the Open. Callahan is a jerk,

[John P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arnold Palmer, the subject of this work, would be rated 5 stars; the book itself, not so much.

The author, if I understand correctly, was a sportswriter for at least some of his career. He uses sportswriter-ese throughout. This means glib, tongue-in-cheek, inside humor coupled with insider references and nicknames for people, places, and things that a non golf nut may find confusing. This reviewer is a golf fan, not a golf nut, and found the writing style annoying, rendering the text unintelligible in a few places.

Nevertheless, Palmer's winning personality comes through via the many quotes and anecdotes included. There are some interesting pictures included - not enough; the cover photo on the other hand is outstanding and makes up somewhat for the dearth.

[Steve Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read solely with my Kindle. I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal about the man and the golfer, whom I would have admired greatly if I had followed golf in my youth and earlier adulthood. The book consists mostly of anecdotes, which is what most such biographical accounts utilize. I downgraded to 4 stars since at times it was disjointed and difficult to follow, though some of this may have been due partly to my first Kindle experience.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I have a significant appreciation for Arnold Palmer after reading this book. What an amazing man and what a great life he lived. Would have loved to have met him. The book is mostly quotes rather an authors opinion which I really appreciate from a biography.

Great read and quite inspirational as well.

[Arlie P. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I have golfed maybe twice in my short life of 71 years and would never think of reading a book on golf. That said, this book was excellent, kept my attention and interest from page 1 until the end. It is really a book about Arnold Palmer who loved to golf and his relationships with just about everyone he came into contact with. Excellent, just excellent, a good read.

[Ken Huge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golf As Life, Life As Golf.

Growing up in the 60's/70's I thought of Arnold Palmer more for his merchandise than his golf. By the 80's, I knew better. Just a great read about the man who became the sport. An excellent mix of Palmer, the author and the world according to Arnie. Highly recommended.

[Michael Grafton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I never really knew much about the legendary character that was Arnold Palmer. I’m so very glad I stumbled across this book and took the time to get to know him a little better through this wonderful telling of his story and the incredible life he led both on and off the greens.
#ArniesArmy

[Patrick Garvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories, great memories recounted so well

I felt like I was sitting at a 19th hole listening to a great story teller. I missed the Arnie era, but I’ll never forget how my dad loved Arnie, and golf.

[Philip Irving Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great man and great book!

The book was a fantastic rendering of the amazing life of Palmer. The anecdotes provided a wonderful snapshot into the endearing nature, and character of the King.

Highly recommend and have been telling stories from the book so be i started reading it.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a bunch of folks sitting around telling stories. If you are a golf fan, this is close to indispensable. If you are not, this might pass muster as a biography of one of those personalities that became beloved for the way he acted on and off the course.

[Scott Beddingfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful walk through the modern history of golf by following the guy who did the most to popularize it. Numerous anecdotes continually remind of us of the humble champion who made everyone feel special. A really nice piece of sports writing, like a good sports page column that never ends.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could live a third of the life he lived, and still feel like a conquering hero. This was a fun look at an American Icon, let alone a golf god. Definitely worth your time.
Long live the King!

[Andrew Coiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King

Great book about a great man. Lots of insight on Arnie. Much like the author’s book on Johnny Unitas. The ending will bring you to tears.

[Thomas Sampalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold

Any book about Arnie is always a good read and this was no exception I just wish there was more. This was a good about a great man.

[Mark Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sports bio. Quick read, filled with data. This author can get it done. Arnie's Army. Palmer the blue collar, bold, maverick. I enjoyed it-so will you.

[Keegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, easy read, and cool stories.

[Bill Clarkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd like something w more depth about arnie. Too much of a fly by

[Larry Bumb III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed. Arnold what a man

[Paul Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Callahan added some personal touches, not all flattering, that added to my enjoyment of this book.