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Not another golf book . . .

More than fifty years ago, this author began assembling observations and notes of this great game in what I’ve come to call From the Inside Out. The impetus for this book was twofold: one, a library filled with golf books that my daughter couldn’t care less about; two, and most importantly, presenting a concept to golfdom as to how to k.i.s.s.—keep it simple, stupid.

This is an instructional manual covering the fundamentals of the golf swing, the short game, routine development, putting, the mental game, creating a feeling storehouse, concentration and temperment. Also, a historical look at the greats and not so greats of the game—circa 1920, to the Tiger Woods era. Included are the individuals who influenced my development as a golfer, a caddie’s view from inside the ropes, and a look at the world of golf from the inside out. This book also contains quotes and references from over 40 different World of Golf Hall of Fame members. From Greg Norman you'll learn the true meaning of the game of golf. Like Boxing? Heavyweight champions Joe Louis and Muhammed Ali are referenced. If you're a baseball fan: Babe Ruth, George Wright, Sam Byrd, Joe D, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra & Mickey Mantle all made the final edits.

Any player—no matter the skill level—hitting a golf ball does so in three steps:

* Set up to the ball

* Swing at the ball

* Create an impact

This sets up this framework . . .

I. Setup

II. Swing

III. Impact

Within those roman numerals are eight fundamentals, obtained from Ben Hogan’s book, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf. The book, which began as a series of five articles that first appeared in the magazine Sports Illustrated on March 11, 1957, evolved into a book that was published in the latter part of 1957. You are encouraged to read or reread Five Lessons as Hogan’s swing theory will become that much clearer. Each of the aforementioned eight fundamentals are supported by quotes from some of the masters—Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan (Snead, Hogan, and Nelson were all born within seven months of one another in 1912. Collectively, they won almost 200 PGA tour events!). Countless players were inspired by these greats—Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson; Northern California products: Tony Lema, Ken Venturi, Bob Rosburg, John Brodie, George Archer, Bob Lunn, Dick Lotz, John Lotz, Johnny Miller, Ross Randle, Roger Maltbie, Forrest Fezler, Bobby Clampett and Shivas Irons. Other Northern California notables who were great players but never quite fulfilled their dreams: Bob Boldt, Ron Cerrudo, Jim Weichers, Gary Vanier, Ray Leach, Randy Haag, John Abendroth, Dennis Trixler, Mike Brannan, Nathaniel Crosby, Jeff Wilson. . .this list goes on & on. Let’s not forget two who competed with Sarazen, Hagen, et al: Olin Dutra and Lawson Little, Jr. From the stronger sex; Julie Inkster, Patty Sheehan, Paula Creamer, Pat Hurst, Dorothy Deslasin, Chrisitina Kim, Kay Cockerill, Natalie Gulbus, Mina Harige & Lynne Cowan.

From the Inside Out also includes quotes from three of golf’s finest instructor, Percy Boomer, whose book ON LEARNING GOLF is heavily quoted, Henry Picard, whose first 15 years in golf had been a golfter’s odyssey in search of the method, appears now to be in no quandry at all about the best way to hit a golf ball and “Wild Bill’ Mehlhorn is equally positive he has what it takes to strike that little white ball best.

The information between these pages is battle tested wisdom and hard earned philosophy, spoken by old men (who once were young!) who made it happen.

For those that learn visually, the pictures and diagrams alone will give you a greater understanding of the golf swing.

In my quest to become a great player, many a hour was spent on the practice tee as a thorough, diligent student. While seeking instruction from the games best, my criteria was that the instructor, at some point in his life, had to have shot 6 under par. It was important to learn from their experiences, ideas and passions. While taking those golf lessons from past champions and excellent instructors, meticulous notes were kept (those notes are detailed in the chapter “Golf Lessons from the 6 Under Par Club”). As a mechanic, in the application of what had been taught, balls were pounded until the blisters bled. Turning all that instruction into muscle memory required many hours of practice and many “good walks spoiled” around the links.

As a player? Flashes of brilliance, playing to a single-digit index from 1968 to now . . . hovering around or below scratch when playing four to five times per week. Highlights included qualifying for the 1971 US Public Links Championship, 1975 US Amateur Championship, and advancing into the regional qualifying tournament for the 1976 US Open. Bobby Jones would say I played in a major championship. In the whole scheme of things, I’m really a nobody in the game of golf. Hence, the pseudonym I. B. Nobody.

If you are a beginner, it’s best to start with Getting Started on pages 202–204. Focus heavily on the grip section of the book, especially its nuances. If you’re a right-hander, start with a strong left-hand grip (meaning that you can see two knuckles of your left hand when looking down at your grip) and work your way to a weaker grip as you progress. Just the opposite if you’re a left-handed golfer—strong right-hand grip.

The best part of purchasing this book? Eighty eight percent of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be evenly evenly distributed to The First Tee, the Ben Hogan Foundation, the Jim Langley Scholarship Fund and the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association. The other twelve percent will go to the publisher, lawyers, and what remains will go to St. Jude’s, green fees and gratuties for those in the golf shops. A special note of thanks to the Ben Hogan Foundation for permission to use the photos/illustrations contained in this book. They are invaluable.

On a personal note, this book offers an opportunity to step back into time and learn what the masters of the game thought or more importantly, what they felt. These nuggets of information have emanated from the masters of the game & most excellent players. . .they are still applicable today. Not only are the proceeds targeted to the youth of America, it is worth the price of admission as it will provide a real glimpse of the crown prince of golf—Walter Hagen.

It has been said golf is 20 percent mechanics and technique, the other 80 percent is philosophy, humor, tragedy, romance, melodrama, companionship, camaraderie, cussedness, and concentration. Intended to be shared with golfdom, hopefully, you will consider it a tangible contribution to the great game. As Jimmy Demaret (winner of the 1940, 1947 & 1951 Masters) once said, “Golf and sex are the only things you can enjoy without being good at them.” Enjoy!

The main idea in golf, as in life, I suppose, is to

learn to accept what cannot be altered, and to keep

on doing one’s own reasoned and resolute best

whether the prospects be bleak or rosy.

—Bobby Jones

There is a school of Oriental philosophy, I am told,

which holds that the aim of life should be the perfection

of personality or character and the sufferings, joys,

and achievements mean nothing except as the influence

of the development of this personality or character.

—Bobby Jones

In the end Palmer’s major championship disappointments

shaped him more than his triumphs. “Losing,” he said,

“you just got to learn from losing.”

I played 365 rounds of golf last year. Thank God for

whoever invented golf. I’d been dead without it.

—Babe Ruth