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The Majors: In Pursuit of Golf's Holy Grail (Hardcover)

by John Feinstein (Author) "Shortly before 6 o'clock on a sun-splashed April Sunday in Georgia, David Duval walked across the narrow stone bridge named in honor of Gene Sarazen..." (more)

4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown; First Edition, First Impression edition (1 Jul 1999)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0316852074
ISBN-13: 978-0316852074
Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.2 x 4.2 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,176,218 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

As much a force of nature in sporting pursuits as John Grisham is on lawyers or Steven King is on the weird, the dauntingly prolific John Feinstein once again steps up to take a swing at golf. While A Good Walk Spoiled chronicles the pressures and tensions of a full season on the PGA Tour, The Majors narrows the vista, and expands the importance, to the chase for the four prestigious titles--the Masters, the US Open, the British Open and the PGA--that separate the great careers from the pretenders. That the chase occurred in 1998 turns The Majors from a compelling chronicle into a thrilling one.

A thorough reporter, Feinstein does the necessary homework both inside and beyond the ropes. He dusts off history and anecdote to provide perspective and explore how and why these four particular tournaments sprouted such regal fur around their collars. Still, perspective is just background if there's no focus to give it meaning, and he finds a bagful of it in the individual quests and the public and private dramas of, most notably, Fred Couples, Lee Janzen, Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara, Phil Mickelson, and David Duval. All entered the season with much to prove--to themselves and posterity, and the latter is what the Majors are so imposingly about. As Feinstein observes, "Four days a year, golfers go out to play for Forever. Those are the four Sundays at the major championships. They all know what is at stake." As the record shows, none staked a claim more improbably or excitingly than O'Meara, who put a pair of exclamation points on a long, distinguished--but significantly Major-less--career with stunning, gutsy victories at both the Masters and the British Open. Feinstein records these quests with precision and colour; as usual, he aims at a target and shoots better than par. --Jeff Silverman, Amazon.com

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Shortly before 6 o'clock on a sun-splashed April Sunday in Georgia, David Duval walked across the narrow stone bridge named in honor of Gene Sarazen that leads to the 15th green at the Augusta National Golf Club. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

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4 star:		(4)
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4.2 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the ropes...and between some ears , 3 Aug 2007

By	Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Majors (Paperback)

The year was 1998 and the winners were Mark O'Meara (The Masters at Augusta National and The British Open at Royal Birkdale), Lee Janzen (The U.S. Open at the Olympic Club), and Vijay Singh (The P.G.A. Championship at Sahalee Country Club). Although all four Majors are conducted under the collaborative supervision of the U.S.G.A. and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club organizations, each has its own terms and conditions for participation as well as stages of qualification to compete with those who, for various reasons, are automatically eligible. For me, one of this book's most fascinating subjects is the qualifying process to which many are called but few are eventually chosen. Perhaps only the annual process to earn a P.G.A card creates greater tension and frustration for those involved.
To the extent that space allows, Feinstein examines wannabes as well as perennial and promising contenders for each of the championships in 1998. He includes hundreds of vignettes and anecdotes about them, thus giving human significance to the names on the scoreboard. I also appreciate having historical information which creates a context for each Major, three of which have a different course location each year. Only the Masters has a permanent site.

P.G.A. golf competition is unique among professional sports in that players are essentially self-regulated, personally assume all costs of participation (travel, accommodations, caddy, etc.), and earn nothing if they fail to make the 36-hole cut. It is not uncommon for one player to prevent another from inadvertently breaking a rule as Tom Kite once did near the end of the final round when he was in contention. Later, Kite was astonished that anyone was surprised by his initiative which probably denied him victory in that tournament. (The player he assisted won it.) Feinstein skillfully captures the flavor and nuances of what can be ferocious competition but also the fact that it is (with rare exceptions) conducted with dignity, style, and grace as well as with exceptional skill.

For those who love the game of golf and especially for golfers who are eager to know what it is like to compete in the Majors, this is the book to read. It reads more like a novel than an almanac. It reveals "the joy of victory" for some and the "agony of defeat for others" while celebrating certain values which seem to have become less common each day...except on a golf course. For whatever it may be worth, over the years I have played probably 500 rounds of golf on several dozen different golf courses (both public and private) and do not remember a single "ugly" encounter with another player. Having said that, I feel obliged to point out that "golf" is "flog" spelled backwards. On numerous occasions, it really has been for me "a good walk spoiled" but my passion for the game and my respect for those who play it so well remain undiminished.

Beginning in 1960, Theodore H. White wrote several "The Making of the President" accounts. I was reminded of that as I read this book, wishing that Feinstein or another author of comparable talent would write an annual volume in (let's call it) "The Making of Majors' Champions" series. This would enable avid golfers such as I to return in time to memorable moments during past Majors competition. End-of-year DVDs featuring such moments plus commentaries among special features would also be much appreciated. Meanwhile, we have Feinstein's lively as well as informative book which recreates (to the extent a text can) stirring triumphs by O'Meara, Janzen, and Singh as well as dozens of other human subplots associated with those victories eight years ago.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An insight into Professional golf, 12 Sep 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Majors (Paperback)

Not as good as "A Good Walk Spoiled" but still gives an interesting insight into the golf world and the majors of 1998. Written around a number of players Fred Couples , David Duval , Mark O'Meara, Jim Furyk , Steve Stricker, John Daly , Tiger Woods etc and for readers based in Europe there certainly appears to be an American bias. For instance Feinstein refers to incidents in the past for Vijay Singh (I know he's not from Europe) when he was accused of cheating but makes no such back reference to some of the American players who have been similarily accused (Mark O'Meara was referred to for a while as Mark O'Nearer for instance) I never actually felt that I got to know the real person behind the player but as a golf book it still holds the interest and was enjoyable.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Insight, 5 Sep 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Majors (Paperback)

Not as good as "A Good Walk Spoiled" but still gives an interesting insight into the golf world and the majors of 1998. Written around a number of players Fred Couples , David Duval , Mark O'Meara, Jim Furyk , Steve Stricker, John Daly , Tiger Woods etc and for readers based in Europe there certainly appears to be an American bias. For instance Feinstein refers to incidents in the past for Vigay Singh (I know he's not from Europe) when he was accused of cheating but makes no such back reference to some of the American players who have been similarily accused (Mark O'Meara was referred to for a while as Mark O'Nearer for instance) I never actually felt that I got to know the real person behind the player but as a golf book it still holds the interest and was enjoyable

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Top five golf books of all time
Along with 'A good walk spoiled', 'The Majors' is as good a golf book as is available. The book takes you through golf's four big ones-The Majors. Read more

Published on 20 Aug 2005 by philippahern

5.0 out of 5 stars Major on the Majors
Do you want to use the winter to learn something about the Majors? This is the book to read. Even if you remember how that tournament ended, you are still kept in tension on "how... Read more

Published on 23 Jan 2003 by Hans Erik Johnsen

3.0 out of 5 stars Summary: Surprisingly dull
John Feinstein ranks along the greats of modern day golf writing -his chronicle of the 1994 PGA Tour " A Good Walk Spoiled" (a Sportsbook of the year winner) drawing largely on... Read more

Published on 1 Dec 2002

3.0 out of 5 stars A good read with a few minor flaws
Feinstein has compiled another entertaining and insightful account of a golfing year. His use of premiary quotes and anecdotes eluminate the reader as successfully as the... Read more

Published on 6 Feb 2001 by chartisty

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent behind the scenes look at professional golf
For those of you who have read John Feinstein's previous golf masterpiece " a long walk spoiled" will be very familiar with the style, in this book Feinstein... Read more

Published on 4 Jan 2001

4.0 out of 5 stars The finest insight yet into professional tour golf
The more of the game of golf's finer points you can appreciate, the more you will appreciate the game's finest moments. Read more

Published on 2 Aug 2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Ever dreamt of slipping on that blazer in the Butler Cabin?
If you have ever thought you fancy the cushy life of a professional golfer this book (and Feinstien's earlier "A Good Walk Spoiled") is essential reading. Read more

Published on 31 Jan 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A great (detailed) read for enthusiasts !
If words like 'back nine on sunday, triple bogey seven and Rae's creek' make your attention spring to action, and you can keep it going through Feinstein's immense level of detail... Read more

Published on 21 Jan 2000

3.0 out of 5 stars A repeat of his other book but not in the same class.
This is almost a copy of his book A good walked spoiled with same sort of stories. The problem is that Feinstein seems to drift off on other stories too often in this book. Read more

Published on 13 Aug 1999

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