Review
======

Title: Golf: Lessons I Learned While Looking For My Ball
Author: John Bytheway
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Non-fiction/Inspirational
Year Published: 2008
Number of Pages:185
Binding: Hard
ISBN: 13: 978-1-59038-909-6
Price: $17.95

Reviewed by Andrew Hamilton

For the better part of the last twenty years John Bytheway has been one of the most popular and prolific LDS “inspirational speakers.” He has released twenty-one plus talks, many books, and several DVD’s, most of which are aimed at encouraging youth to accept, live, and love the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is also well known for his work with EFY (Especially for Youth), BYU’s continuing Education department, for speaking to Elizabeth Smart’s Stake right after her kidnapping, and for speaking to the Columbine High Seminary right after the shooting. On top of this he has presented non-religious versions of many of his talks to all grade levels in many of Utah’s public schools.

“Golf” is somewhat new territory for Bytheway. It is his second outing as an editor on a “compiled” book (his first being editor of “Supersonic Saints,” a book of experiences by LDS jet fighter and space shuttle pilots), and it is his first book that is primarily aimed at adult men.

“Golf” belongs in the “gift book” category. It is designed to look nice on a “postum” table or perhaps on a shelf or desk at work or in your den. It is filled with pictures, quotes and stories by golfers, celebrities, and golf related movies and books. Along with these are the occasional observations and stories from Bytheway and a few golf related stories about LDS General Authorities. More on these later.

As is implied by the subtitle, “Lessons I Learned While Looking for My Ball,” all of the quotes and stories in the book contain some sort of observation that Bytheway feels could improve the reader’s outlook on life. Some of the quotes in the book are short and silly, others funny, and many are deep and thought provoking. The quotes and stories are loosely organized into categories, some of which are named after golf terms. For example, “To Mulligan, or Not to Mulligan,” “The ‘Swing’ Thought,” “Replacing Divots,” “Par,” and “Putting.” Others are a little more generally related to life: “Respect,” “Adversity,” “Honesty,” “Focus,” and “Honor and Integrity.” The last named section contains my favorite quote in the book. A statement by Don Wade relates the story of Bobby Jones who assessed a one stroke penalty on himself in the 1925 U. S. Open. Wade says, “Jones lost the championship…he would go on to win dozens of others, later-but perhaps that was his greatest victory. No one ever had to question his integrity or his character as a competitor.” On the next page there is a quote by O. B. Keller who said, “Bobby Jones lost the U. S. Open by one stroke. In calling a penalty on himself, he demonstrated for all of us the highest ideal of sportsmanship and personal honor. I’m prouder of him than if he’d won. There are things finer than winning championships.” (see pages 116-119) .

While reading “Golf” I learned a few fun facts from Church history. President Joseph F. Smith gained a love for golf after being invited to play a game with Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley. He did have a little bit of a rough time during his first game and at one point he even became “mad at the ball.” Years later President Smith asked Heber J Grant to play with him. When he refused President Smith commanded Heber to play with him. Heber reluctantly responded, “Well, if you’re going to use your priesthood on me, I guess I’ll have to.” He took a swing and fell in love with the game. Many years later Heber tried to force James E. Talmage to play, believing it would help him relax. He even offered to pick him out a set of clubs. Elder Talmage took one swing, as per their agreement, and then requested permission to return to his office. President Grant also took Senator Reed Smoot golfing, believing it would help him relax and improve his health (see pages 25, 45-46, 84-87, and 108-109). Other fun or interesting General Authority golf stories involve Bishop Charles W. Nibley, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, President James E. Faust, and President Howard W. Hunter.

“Golf” isn’t your typical John Bytheway book, or even your typical LDS book. In fact, while it was compiled by an LDS author, published by Deseret Book, and contains a few General Authority related stories and quotes, I would personally not call “Golf” an “LDS” book. There is very little in it of LDS doctrine or teachings. It is made up almost entirely of maxims and observations from various golf related celebrities and celebrities who like to play golf, including: Jack Nicklaus, Bob Hope, Lee Trevino, Will Rogers, Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, Billy Graham, Jack Lemmon, Jack Benny, John Updike, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Billy Casper, Bobby Jones, Leslie Nielsen, Annika Sorenstam, and many more, most of whom I have never heard of.

I’m a fan of John Bytheway so I really tried to enjoy this book. It looks nice, the presentation is good, and the sources are well documented and varied. He really did his homework on this one. As I read the book I enjoyed the stories about Joseph F Smith and Heber J Grant, and I found a couple of quotes that I thought were thought provoking, but for me that was it. The problem for me, I guess, is that, I just don’t have any interest in the game of golf, and with this book Bytheway has, in my opinion, really aimed for a narrow target audience. LDS men who love the game of golf will likely love the book “Golf.” Unfortunately, beyond that, I think that its appeal will be fairly limited.