Steiner’s book Munie is about the author’s experiences at a North Carolina Municipal course some where along” tobacco road”. Despite a lack of background in the game of golf, Bobby has determined at a later age than most, late teens, that he is going to take up the challenge of golf and attempt to “master the game.” Reading between the lines, Bobby’s mission is not generously endowed with fifnancial backing. He’s not playing Pinehurst No. 2 and getting lessons from Butch Harmon and David Ledbetter. Instead, his path to excellence involves playing the local municipal course and getting his instruction from whatever sources are available.
One night Bobby is out playing by himself and comes across an elderly African- American man practicing his short game on one of the back nine holes. The man is overdressed for the season, but consistently lobs a variety of chips shots next to the hole. Bobby introduces himself and has the temerity to ask the old man if could teach him to chip like that. The character “Smiley” agrees on the condition that Bobby spends the next week or two chipping on one leg only. Bobby agrees, and” Smiley” Bell becomes Bobby’s first guru. “Smiley” later introduces Bobby to his nephew, “Jitterbug” Bell, who is the muncipal club champion. “Jitterbug” takes Bobby under his wing and helps teach him some of the fundamental concepts of the game.
The book is a captivating story that works on many levels. It’s a tale of a personal Journey assisted by a variety of interesting characters, brought together by the common thread of golf.
It personally reminded me of past days spent at San Diego’s Balboa Municipal Golf Course, which was one of the few courses a law student could afford . The characters at the muni were anything but boring. On more than one occasion I was grouped with a young left-handed kid and his dad. The kid hit the ball incredibly high but seemingly not that far. I used to think the kid could be good if someone would just teach him to modify his trajectory . His name was Phil Mickelson, and fortunately for him, he stuck to his swing. But I digress. I’m supposed to be reviewing the book.
One of the attractions of golf is that it’s got several dimensions. It’s part sport, part science, part art, part an expression of character and part natural mystique. In my opinion, this is one of the reasons that so many people love the game and become obsessed with it. The book Munie hits on all of these cylinders, especially the character and mystique parts .As a golf book, Munie puts it all together for an enjoyable read. Steiner’s characters have depth, his writing is sharp, and his observations about golf will remind you of the reasons you got hooked on the game in the first place. On top of that, you get some good fundamental tips.
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About William Mathews
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