In an industry obsessed with quick-fix instructional books, and one that has devoted far too many pages to nothing less than lame humour, well written golf literature is difficult to come by. In a welcomed contrast, golf, art, and poetry writer Andy Brumer’s 200-page title ‘The Poetics of Golf’ is an intelligent and layered articulation of our game’s culture. Connecting life and golf with a poetic prose, the book is about as random, meaningful, and satisfying as playing a round by yourself, with nobody else on the course.  

Don’t worry, apparently no other English word rhymes with golf. Meaning Andy skips the Haikus and Sonnets, instead providing the reader with short passages, usually no more than 4-5 pages, each filled with literary wit and golfing insight. Beginning with a story, like all good things do, Brumer recounts an event from his golfing youth that involves an eight iron, several whiffle balls, and a grand piano that became the unfortunate recipient of irreparable damage – the side effect of golfing indoors. If you’re anything like me, the tale will no doubt evoke a few childhood golfing memories of your own.

Divided into five parts, the book delves into such obscure topics as Luke Donald’s art, Mickelson’s watch, a dream round with Bob Dylan, and a humorous piece that questions why, with the indestructible materials that modern drivers are made from, do we still need head covers? As an experienced writer Brumer has his say about equipment and technology, he touches on architecture, profiles the pros, and explores the manner to which golf inundates our lives.

To sum up, ‘The Poetics of Golf’ is about golfers’ inner passions for the game and the qualities that can be found by more than just swinging a club. For anyone interested in a good read, it’s short, current yet timeless, and will leave you questioning obscure thoughts and talking about new ideas. While most of us certainly live golf knowing that it’s more than a game the ability to find poetry in our swings is about as difficult as finding it within golf literature. At last Brumer has successfully written one of the few pieces that spiritedly grabs at a golfer’s heart.

The Poetics of Golf, Andy Brumer, 2007 

Part 1. Golf as a Memoir

Part 2. Lives of the Golfers

Part 3. The Golf Swing as the Axis of the World

Part 4. Golf as a Tool Chest

Part 5. Golf and The Soul