Just Hit It

by Frank Thomas

Our Equipment and Our GameFrank Thomas is the world’s leading expert on golf equipment. As a design engineer at Shakespeare Sporting Goods in the 1960s and ‘70s, he invented the graphite shaft, a piece of technology found in the bag of nearly every golfer today. As Technical Director of the United States Golf Association, he issued thousands upon thousands of rulings on equipment, literally writing the rules that govern the implements of the game. In Just Hit It, Thomas shares his knowledge with every golfer. In clear and concise language, he separates the blather of advertising claims from the nuggets of truth, explaining how golf equipment works, describing which features matter and which ones don’t, providing the most thoughtful overview of the subject ever written. He debunks common misperceptions, and demonstrates that what’s newest and latest may not be any better than what you already own. But Just Hit It isn’t just an equipment guide. It also examines the marketing culture that threatens to separate the game from its core values. Thomas understands the golfer’s desire to find the magic club that will change his game and wipe away his flaws, but he also recognizes the way this belief in magic can be exploited by others for profit. Further, he explores how this selling climate eats away at the fundamental reasons we play the game, whether we realize it or the desire to test ourselves against an objective standard while overcoming the obstacles set in our path. He describes how the rules of the game can best serve our purpose, and proposes steps that can be taken by golfers, course designers, developers, and governing bodies to reconnect the game with what it ought to be. Practical, philosophical, and historical all at once, Just Hit It is a unique contribution to the literature of golf. “Reading this book is like engaging [Frank] in a discussion, with the words, ideas and passion flowing freely,” -- Jack Nicklaus“Just Hit It!” is both a useful equipment guide and a wake-up call for the game we love.”--David Leadbetter“When I first met Frank, I was amazed by how much knowledge he had of equipment, golf and the history of golf. Whenever I have a question about equipment, I pick up the phone and ask Frank. He’s been invaluable to me.”--Nick Price

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2008

About the author

Franklin M. "Frank" Thomas was an American animator.

Frank Thomas attended Stanford University, where he worked on the campus humor magazine The Stanford Chaparral with Ollie Johnston.

After graduating from Stanford, he attended Chouinard Art Institute.

Frank Thomas joined The Walt Disney Company on September 24, 1934 as employee number 224. There he animated dozens of feature films and shorts.

Along with Ollie Johnston from his college days, the two would eventually become known as members of Walt Disney's team of animators known as the Nine Old Men .

Reviews

[Don Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(1 1/2). This is for serious golf nerds only. It delves into the history of (mostly) how clubs and balls evolved and the rules developed regarding them. Thomas was a big shot with the USGA and has a very colorful history. This book makes a solid attempt to appeal to the general masses but it is really for golfers only. Being one of those aforementioned people, I was interested.