Originally drawn to the game by his father, Carl Hiaasen wisely quit golfing in 1973. But some ambitions refuse to die, and as the years-and memories of shanked 7-irons faded, it dawned on Carl that there might be one thing in life he could do better in middle age than he could as a youth. So gradually he ventured back to the dreaded driving range, this time as the father of a five-year-old son-and also as a grandfather. What possesses a man to return in midlife to a game at which he'd never excelled in his prime, and ...
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Originally drawn to the game by his father, Carl Hiaasen wisely quit golfing in 1973. But some ambitions refuse to die, and as the years-and memories of shanked 7-irons faded, it dawned on Carl that there might be one thing in life he could do better in middle age than he could as a youth. So gradually he ventured back to the dreaded driving range, this time as the father of a five-year-old son-and also as a grandfather. What possesses a man to return in midlife to a game at which he'd never excelled in his prime, and which in fact had dealt him mostly failure, angst and exasperation? Here's why I did it: I'm one sick bastard. And thus we have Carl's foray into a world of baffling titanium technology, high-priced golf gurus, bizarre infomercial gimmicks and the mind-bending phenomenon of Tiger Woods; a maddening universe of hooks and slices where Carl ultimately-and foolishly-agrees to compete in a country-club tournament against players who can actually hit the ball. That's the secret of the sport's infernal seduction, he writes. It surrenders just enough good shots to let you talk yourself out of quitting. Hiaasen's chronicle of his shaky return to this bedeviling pastime and the ensuing demolition of his self-esteem-culminating with the savage 45-hole tournament-will have you rolling with laughter. Yet the bittersweet memories of playing with his own father and the glow he feels when watching his own young son belt the ball down the fairway will also touch your heart. Forget Tiger, Phil and Ernie. If you want to understand the true lure of golf, turn to Carl Hiaasen, who offers an extraordinary audiobook for the ordinary hacker.
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Add this copy of The Downhill Lie: a Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport to cart. $4.77, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Random House Large Print Publishing.
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Add this copy of The Downhill Lie: a Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport to cart. $35.83, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Random House Large Print.
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Add this copy of The Downhill Lie: a Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport to cart. $83.63, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Random House Large Print.
typical Carl Hiaasen...easy to read and especially entertaining for those who play this wicked, frustrating, challenging, but ever pleasing game of golf.
RichN
Jun 4, 2010
Gift to a Golfer
Bought this book for my father-in-law who is 87 years old and has (and still does) golf throughout his life as a sport and leisure activity. He loved it and found it very amusing. For a few dollars it made his day !!!
DickV
Jun 3, 2010
Funny and poignant
This book initially attracted my attention for 2 reasons. First, I have enjoyed many of Hiassen's Florida based mysterys. Secondly, because I have had to swear off the ?game? of golf due to my own persistent bad play although my 'sticks' still claim residence in the attic.
True to form, Hiassen delivered a rocking good narrative describing his return to the game of golf after a hiatus of many years. He describes the ins and outs of playing regularly with a competency that frustrates one more than it rewards. His assessment that it is the one shot of the day that brings unrealistic joy and hope for tomorrow is dead on. It is what brings us hackers back to the course for more abuse again and again. We are reluctantly willing to put up with the frustrations of 90 or more poor shots for that one beautiful shot that makes it all worth-while.
Peneople1
Jun 3, 2010
Enjoyable way to look at Golf
I was very proud of giving this book to my golf loving nephew. He really enjoy the writing.
