

Now in paperback, the U.S. Golfing Association's Best Golf Book of the Year. In 1913, golf's first superstar went up against a green 20-year-old amateur. It was the birth of modern golf. Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet came from different worlds and different generations, but their passion for golf set them on parallel paths that would collide in the most spectacular match the sport has ever known. Vardon had escaped a life of poverty in Britain to achieve universal recognition as the greatest champion in the game's history. Ouimet, a virtual unknown from Massachusetts, was only three years removed from his youthful career as a lowly caddie and worshipped Vardon. When these unlikely opponents finally came together in their legendary battle at the 1913 U.S. Open, the world's reaction to its remarkable drama and heart-stopping climax gave rise to the sport of golf as we know it today. Weaving together the stories of Vardon and Ouimet to create his narrative, Mark Frost has crafted a uniquely involving, intimate epic: equal parts sports biography, sweeping social history, and emotional human drama. Review: True story. - A good read of a true golfing event. Review: Greatest sports book... - I am a sports fan. I play golf, but I am not particularly a golf fan. I am an avid reader who has read scores of sports books. This is simply the most enjoyable sports-related story I have ever read. I read it after seeing the move on television and assumed there was more to the story than the sentimentality of the movie. There was much more to the actual events. Very little of the movie is accurate, beyond the fact that Francis Ouimet upset Harry Vardon to win the 1913 US Open with a short ten year old caddie carrying his clubs. The book is rich with portraits of the characters, most of whom I had never heard of, but I was left caring about them anyway. The book is rich with a sense of golf from that era of a hundred years ago. There is enough detail in the accounts of the playing that one can compare the games of these early golfers to the present time. As a six handicap golfer, I marveled at the feats of these men, playing with wooden-headed drivers and hickory shafted clubs. This is simply the best sports story I have ever read.
| Best Sellers Rank | #60,378 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #29 in Sports History (Books) #49 in Golf (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,640 Reviews |
P**N
True story.
A good read of a true golfing event.
P**A
Greatest sports book...
I am a sports fan. I play golf, but I am not particularly a golf fan. I am an avid reader who has read scores of sports books. This is simply the most enjoyable sports-related story I have ever read. I read it after seeing the move on television and assumed there was more to the story than the sentimentality of the movie. There was much more to the actual events. Very little of the movie is accurate, beyond the fact that Francis Ouimet upset Harry Vardon to win the 1913 US Open with a short ten year old caddie carrying his clubs. The book is rich with portraits of the characters, most of whom I had never heard of, but I was left caring about them anyway. The book is rich with a sense of golf from that era of a hundred years ago. There is enough detail in the accounts of the playing that one can compare the games of these early golfers to the present time. As a six handicap golfer, I marveled at the feats of these men, playing with wooden-headed drivers and hickory shafted clubs. This is simply the best sports story I have ever read.
J**R
Brilliant.
Part history, part biography, part sports hero mythology, TGGEP tells the story of two golfers: English professional Harry Vardon and US amateur Francis Ouimet, and the golfing worlds they inhabited, destined to meet in the 1913 US Open in a match that would change the game of golf forever. Splendidly well told, with little nuggets of lore sprinkled throughout (did you know that the golf 'bogey' and the 'boogieman' share a common origin?), this was a can't-put-down read which led me to more of the author's books. Next up: The Match. Highly recommended.
D**E
Great history lesson and insight to golf's early days. Wonderful read!!
If my history professors in school could put the early days of the 20th century in perspective as Mark Frost has here, I would have loved class!! Golfers will not be able to put this book down. Even if you don't know what end of the club to hold, I promised you'll love the stories. BUT when you finish Greatest Game Ever Played, consider reading Frost's The Match and Grand Slam!
G**E
interesting to golf and sports fans everywhere
This books refreshes one of the great sports stories and reminds us of early greats of the game. It has both sports detail and personal stories intertwined One caution…lots lots lots lots of detail…sometimes hard to follow.
P**O
Develop a Love for the Game of Golf
I've been a golfer most of my life. My participation in the game has risen and waned based on time constraints and other interests. This heartwarming story about the evolution of the game and some of its pioneer players has rekindled my love for the sport. The book is well written and takes a deep dive into the characters at the turn of the 20th century when the sport was in its infancy. While the focus is on the 1913 US Open and the improbable victory of Francis Quimet the author brings to light the advances in the game and the character of the people who were involved. The sport was much tougher in those days. Some of the rules that they played under seem inconceivable to the modern golfer. However, I think they had it much better and probably enjoyed the sport much more than we do today. I am inspired to go out and improve myself without feeling sorry for bad breaks that inevitable arise in a golf match. If you love the game of golf or are just curious about what the game is all about this book is a must read.
G**.
History is repeated from Great Men
I've enjoyed this book, I liked the movie. The book portrays better the story of Francis Quimet. I missed this game Golf for years now due to the lower back. I enjoy watching and talking about it. I still have my clubs for dreaming.
A**R
Simply Amazing
As a middle-aged man that has recently found the sport. This book has single-handedly forged my interest in golf and all its history. Being from Massachusetts it was very interesting to learn so much about the game and where a lot of it took place. If you like golf, this book is for you!
R**R
greatest game ever played
greatest game ever played Good condition, good service. Gute Qualität, guter service. eins zwei drei vier fünf sechs sieben acht
A**R
The greatest book about the greatest game played!
This is book is an a journey and an experience for every golf enthusiast. But more than that, it gives for everyone else, a glimpse at the soul of one of the greatest sport invented by mankind. To every non-golfer out there- you would be hard pressed to resist taking up the game once you’ve read this book.
C**N
Great book! Husband loves it!
Great book! Husband loves it! Beautiful pages. Great price.
C**N
Grande, grande lettura
Per gli appassionati, un must
J**Z
es un libro fantástico
vi la película y compré el libro que fue sensacional .
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