The Majors

A thorough reporter, Feinstein does the necessary homework both inside and beyond the ropes. He dusts off history and anecdote to provide perspective and explore how and why these four particular tournaments sprouted such regal fur around their collars. Still, perspective is just background if there's no focus to give it meaning, and he finds a bagful of it in the individual quests and the public and private dramas of, most notably, Fred Couples, Lee Janzen, Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara, Phil Mickelson, and David Duval. All entered the season with much to prove--to themselves and posterity, and the latter is what the Majors are so imposingly about. As Feinstein observes, "Four days a year, golfers go out to play for Forever. Those are the four Sundays at the major championships. They all know what is at stake." As the record shows, none staked a claim more improbably or excitingly than O'Meara, who put a pair of exclamation points on a long, distinguished--but significantly Major-less--career with stunning, gutsy victories at both the Masters and the British Open. Feinstein records these quests with precision and colour; as usual, he aims at a target and shoots better than par. --Jeff Silverman, Amazon.com

Reader Reviews:

Inside the ropes...and between some ears (1/1 people found this helpful)

The year was 1998 and the winners were Mark O'Meara (The Masters at Augusta National and The British Open at Royal Birkdale), Lee Janzen (The U.S. Open at the Olympic Club), and Vijay Singh (The P.G.A. Championship at Sahalee Country Club). Although all four Majors are conducted under the collaborative supervision of the U.S.G.A. and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club organizations, each has its own terms and conditions for participation as well as stages of qualification to compete with those who, for various reasons, are automatically eligible. For me, one of this book's most fascinating subjects is the qualifying process to which many are called but few are eventually chosen. Perhaps only the annual process to earn a P.G.A card creates greater tension and frustration for those involved.
To the extent that space allows, Feinstein examines wannabes as well as perennial and promising contenders for each of the championships in 1998. He includes hundreds of vignettes and anecdotes about them, thus giving human significance to the names on the scoreboard. I also appreciate having historical information which creates a context for each Major, three of which have a different course location each year. Only the Masters has a permanent site.

P.G.A. golf competition is unique among professional sports in that players are essentially self-regulated, personally assume all costs of participation (travel, accommodations, caddy, etc.), and earn nothing if they fail to make the 36-hole cut. It is not uncommon for one player to prevent another from inadvertently breaking a rule as Tom Kite once did near the end of the final round when he was in contention. Later, Kite was astonished that anyone was surprised by his initiative which probably denied him victory in that tournament. (The player he assisted won it.) Feinstein skillfully captures the flavor and nuances of what can be ferocious competition but also the fact that it is (with rare exceptions) conducted with dignity, style, and grace as well as with exceptional skill.

For those who love the game of golf and especially for golfers who are eager to know what it is like to compete in the Majors, this is the book to read. It reads more like a novel than an almanac. It reveals "the joy of victory" for some and the "agony of defeat for others" while celebrating certain values which seem to have become less common each day...except on a golf course. For whatever it may be worth, over the years I have played probably 500 rounds of golf on several dozen different golf courses (both public and private) and do not remember a single "ugly" encounter with another player. Having said that, I feel obliged to point out that "golf" is "flog" spelled backwards. On numerous occasions, it really has been for me "a good walk spoiled" but my passion for the game and my respect for those who play it so well remain undiminished.

Beginning in 1960, Theodore H. White wrote several "The Making of the President" accounts. I was reminded of that as I read this book, wishing that Feinstein or another author of comparable talent would write an annual volume in (let's call it) "The Making of Majors' Champions" series. This would enable avid golfers such as I to return in time to memorable moments during past Majors competition. End-of-year DVDs featuring such moments plus commentaries among special features would also be much appreciated. Meanwhile, we have Feinstein's lively as well as informative book which recreates (to the extent a text can) stirring triumphs by O'Meara, Janzen, and Singh as well as dozens of other human subplots associated with those victories eight years ago.

Top five golf books of all time (0/1 people found this helpful)

Along with 'A good walk spoiled', 'The Majors' is as good a golf book as is available. The book takes you through golf's four big ones-The Majors. These are the tournaments that reputations and careers are made by. Feinstein delves into the character of each tournament, every one with its' own unique features and great history. Particular attention paid to The Majors of 1998 and the main protagonists of each of these four tournaments. This book is perfect for the fan that has only begun his/her interest in golf. What is particularly interesting is that 1998 was the year of Vijay's maiden Major victory although at the time nobody knew he would be the player to topple Tiger. Once you have read 'A good walk spoiled' then 'The Majors' has to be the next book on your list...a must read.

Major on the Majors (0/0 people found this helpful)

Do you want to use the winter to learn something about the Majors? This is the book to read. Even if you remember how that tournament ended, you are still kept in tension on "how will it end" in this book. His drift-away stories - he is leaving his main story all the time - are interesting and works good for me.

It works as entertainment both for golf fans and I would guess for other sports fans wanting a peek into the golf world. It is written by a US citizen and it shows, but hey .... thats part of the game and to me it is OK for others to cheer for their own.

Summary: Surprisingly dull (0/0 people found this helpful)

John Feinstein ranks along the greats of modern day golf writing -his chronicle of the 1994 PGA Tour " A Good Walk Spoiled" (a Sportsbook of the year winner) drawing largely on reality journeymen opened new doors into the real lives of touring golf pros on the US circuit. Great things were expected then of his next essay -an insider's view of the 1998 Majors.
Like many a good round of golf there were some good birdies but saldly there are a lot of bogies as well. The sequence on the Olympic Club's conterversial holding of the US Open is excellent but the rest is dull enough...still and all its probably a book that you will still want to try for yourself but don't say you weren't warned...!

An insight into Professional golf (1/1 people found this helpful)

Not as good as "A Good Walk Spoiled" but still gives an interesting insight into the golf world and the majors of 1998. Written around a number of players Fred Couples , David Duval , Mark O'Meara, Jim Furyk , Steve Stricker, John Daly , Tiger Woods etc and for readers based in Europe there certainly appears to be an American bias. For instance Feinstein refers to incidents in the past for Vijay Singh (I know he's not from Europe) when he was accused of cheating but makes no such back reference to some of the American players who have been similarily accused (Mark O'Meara was referred to for a while as Mark O'Nearer for instance) I never actually felt that I got to know the real person behind the player but as a golf book it still holds the interest and was enjoyable.

John Feinstein