The Old Man and the Tee How I Took Ten Strokes Off My Game and Learned to Love Golf All Over Again

by Leadbetter, David; Pipkin, Turk

• ISBN13: 9780312320843
• ISBN10: 0312320841
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Summary

As a kid caddying for his father on the sunburned links of West Texas, Turk Pipkin had dreamed of great achievements in golf. Unfortunately, life got in the way. A lack of talent didn't help much either. It was not until his father passed away that Turk realized he'd forgotten his childhood dream and had lost the simple joy he'd once found in the game. Deciding that the time for all his pitiful golf excuses was past, Turk embarked upon the golf quest of a lifetime. For twelve months, he'd ignore work and other distractions, and dedicate himself to the game. He'd seek instruction from golf's greatest teachers, put the best equipment in his bag, and play the world's finest courses. His seemingly impossible goal was to take ten strokes off his 16-handicap. With lessons from David Leadbetter, Dave Pelz, and Ben Crenshaw, and with spiritual guidance from great old men like Willie Nelson, George Plimpton, and Byron Nelson, Turk's epic journey carries him from Pebble Beach to Scotland and back again, where he risks everything on one final round for his father. Follow Turk on the journey of a lifetime, and learn to love golf-and life- all over again.

Author Biography

Turk Pipkin has had an eclectic career indulging in everything from comedy--he once toured with Rodney Dangerfield--to acting--he appeared in Christopher Guests' Waiting for Guffman, HBO's The Sopranos, Disney's The Alamo, and the upcoming film Friday Night Lights. He is the author of eight books including the critically acclaimed novel Fast Greens. Turk's writing has also appeared in such notable publications as T&L Golf, Golf Digest, Playboy and Texas Monthly.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD BY DAVID LEADBETTER	ix
1 THE BEGINNING OF THE END	1	(8)
2 A MONKEY HUMPING A FOOTBALL	9	(6)
3 PEBBLE	15	(6)
4 ERC	21	(10)
5 FIT TO A TEE	31	(8)
6 BAD MEDICINE	39	(8)
7 HARVEY	47	(10)
8 THE BIG PICTURE	57	(8)
9 A HUNDRED BALLS A DAY	65	(8)
10 MEXICO	73	(10)
11 THE HARDER THEY FALL	83	(8)
12 OLD SCHOOL	91	(8)
13 BOGEY	99	(6)
14 DOUBLE BOGEY	105	(6)
15 MR. SAND MAN	111	(8)
16 SEMI-DRUNK	119	(6)
17 A WEE DRAM	125	(6)
18 A BOY NAMED CLYDE	131	(12)
19 THE KING OF GOLF	143	(8)
20 DON'T THINK NO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS	151	(10)
21 CHAMPIONS GATE	161	(8)
22 GENTLE BEN	169	(8)
23 I SURVIVED THE ALAMO	177	(6)
24 THREE DAYS IN THE VALLEY	183	(10)
25 Do You HAVE THAT IN RED?	193	(10)
26 IN MY OWN BACKYARD	203	(8)
27 FROMHOLZ	211	(6)
28 LORD BYRON	217	(8)
29 GEAR HEAD	225	(8)
30 ANALYZE THIS	233	(8)
31 THE GRAND CANYON	241	(8)
32 STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE	249	(8)
33 FINAL ROUND	257	(12)
AFTERWORD	269	(2)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	271