Preferred Lies

Why is the par-three seventeenth hole at the Sawgrass stadium course in Florida the most talked about hole in golf?

How does golf etiquette differ in Japan?

And what did Tiger Woods’ last week of glory look like, before his spectacular fall?

These are golf’s stories from those who know the game best – players, journalists and caddies. Journalist Charles Chappell shares the best stories from his twenty years covering the sport, including being on Greg Norman’s boat at Hilton Head for a ‘funeral party’ two days after his US Masters collapse, while Michael Clayton draws on his thirty-five years’ experience as a touring pro. They are joined by a host of contributors, including:

• Steve Williams, golf’s best-known caddie, who describes what it’s like inside the gallery ropes, having toted bags for some of the games biggest names including Tiger Woods, with whom he won thirteen major championships
• former US Open champion Geoff Oglivy, who takes the reader inside the US PGA Tour, which he has won eight times
• Greg Norman, two-time major champion and word number one for 331 weeks, whose flamboyant playing style and charismatic personality earned him a legion of fans around the world
• comedian and amateur golfer Rob Sitch, who vowed to improve his game when he came to the realisation that twenty-five is not a handicap, it’s a participation ribbon

Learn more about one-of-a-kind BBC commentator Peter Alliss, the genius of Ben Hogan, and how a little-known Tasmanian farmer contributed to Australia’s golf history. Even committed golf fans will discover tales they’ve never heard, or new details on well-known subjects. This is a book for every golf lover, golf sceptic or anyone with an interest in professional sport.