Book Review: The Golf Rules: Ettiquette by Richard E. Todd

It is a virtual certainty that at least one, or all of the members of your foursome have very little knowledge of the rules of golf. But who could blame them. After all, there are 14 billion rules, some so obscure that having knowledge of them all requires the dedication and memorization of a university grad student.

And who wants to do that again? We would much rather be out playing golf.

Ignorance of every rule in the book is understandable, if not expected. But when it comes to etiquette, golfers of all levels are much less forgiving. Just talk in the back swing of the player on the tee, or forget to fix your pitch mark on the green, and you'd better be prepared for an earful. At the very least, you'll be on the receiving end of a dark and sinister stare that will have you re-thinking you're decision to get out of bed that morning.

The good news is that while we may be crippled by the sheer number of rules, golf etiquette is much less overwhelming and more in line with common sense. Still, there is at least one member of your group that could use a firm reminder from time to time.

Luckily for them, there is a book that they can tear through in no time at all, and find themselves back in favour of all the members at the club.

Author Richard Todd's book, The Golf Rules: Etiquette is the follow up to the first book in the series entitled, The Golf Rules: Learn the Rules of golf by watching others break them.

Mr.,Todd was trained on the rules of golf by the USGA and the PGA. After realizing that very few golfers were educated on rules and etiquette, he set out to educate through story, with the idea to entertain and inform.

The Golf Rules: Etiquette follows Nicholas, a young municipal golfer who wins a round at the prestigious Fox Hunters Country Club. When he is paired with Charles, a member at the club, and his guest Billy, Nicholas spends the day playing the course while applying the knowledge of golf etiquette he learned from the Golf Rules book. He is so accomplished in his knowledge that he's even acknowledged as the sportsman of the tournament for his impeccable behaviour.

Though the subject of rules and etiquette in golf is as exciting as watching the mowers cut the grass before your round, Mr. Todd found a creative way to keep things fun - he merged the rule within the context of story. Here is an example from page 31;

"Nicholas was preparing for a straight twenty-foot chip to the cup when Charles pulled up right next to him, parked his cart, grabbed his putter, and walked to the back of the green. [Always be courteous not to create a distraction when someone is preparing to hit.]"

Although I did find the parentheses a little distracting to the story, and in the later pages it became somewhat repetitive, the instant injection of the corresponding etiquette as it applied to the situation was spot on. Overall, Nicholas's story was fun and entertaining and Mr. Todd did a great job creating interesting characters that were both colorful and unique.

I highly recommend The Golf Rules: Etiquette, and The Golf Rules, to anyone looking for a fun read, that not only delivers entertainment as well as timely advice.

And after all, can't we use all use a brush up on our etiquette?

For more information visit www.TheGolfRules.com or contact Richard Todd at Richard@TheGolfRules.com
or click on the links to buy his books on Amazon.

Link to The Golf Rules: Etiquette on Amazon