Synopsis
Greg Norman's focus in this book is what really separates the great golfer from the also-ran as they compete in the white-hot tension of big tournaments.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1996-06-01 |
| Size | | Height: | 9.8 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.0 in | | Weight: | 19.2 oz |
Publisher's Note
The Great White Shark, Greg Norman, can create more drama with a single shot than most golfers can in a career. Playing all out - "Attack life" and "No fear" are his mottoes - he has captured the fascinated gaze of golf people everywhere, from the fans who flock to the course in "Sharkwear" and send television ratings soaring whenever he is in contention, to his fellow pros who - whether they admit it or not - measure their swings, their victories, and their endorsements against his. All this for a golfer whose hair's-breadth losses in major tournaments are as well known as, and even more talked about than, his two British Open championships and his remarkable record of wins around the world. Taking Norman as its focus, this book sets out to discover what really separates the great golfer from the also-rans. It shows us Norman and his peers - Nick Price, Davis Love III, Peter Jacobsen, John Daly, and rising star Brad Faxon, among many others - as they compete in the daily grind of the professional tour and the white-hot tension of major tournaments. It puts us fully into the world of the Tour, with all the sights and sounds that the television cameras and microphones never catch: the by-play in a pro-am, the elaborate pecking order of star players and journeymen, the scalpers' scene at the Masters, the pros' ribbing on the driving range and the practice putting green, the off-duty talk in the traveling caddy kitchen, and much more.
Industry Reviews
This is an easily read biography of popular Australian golfer Greg Norman, whose nickname is "The Shark." On the pro circuit, Norman exhibits traits similar to those of the ocean predator: a relentless focus and intensity. These traits are essential for a competitor in a game that requires a unique dedication and commitment. Norman refers to "being in the zone, unaware of anything else going on about me." At the end of each chapter, he philosophizes about the passion and sacrifice it takes to be one of the best. Author Vigeland, a contributor to Golf Journal, examines the elements that separate the great golfers from the others on the professional tour. The result is an entertaining study that golfing enthusiasts will enjoy. A worthwhile purchase for public libraries. L. R. Little, Penticton P.L., British Columbia
Breitman
Many a complaint has been voiced about pro golfers of the post-Palmer-Nicklaus-Trevino era, the most frequent one being that they are colorless. But that objection does not apply to one player, Greg Norman, the crowd-pleasing Aussie nicknamed the Great White Shark. The problem with the excitement he generates, however, is that it is based on the cliff-hanger quality of his play-he has more one-stroke second-place finishes than any other active pro, some of them detailed here. Interspersed between revealing short takes from Norman himself, titled "Sharkbites," are chapters by freelance golf writer Vigeland, who while keeping his chief subject in focus writes as much about the pro tour and other players such as Nick Price and Brad Faxon. The result, abounding in amusing anecdotes, will appeal to links fans, but Shark-worshipers may feel shortchanged. Photos not seen by PW. (June)
Lopate
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