Customer Reviews

Forbidden Fairways: African Americans and the Game of Golf

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dr. Sinnette has written a book that all should be read by golfer and non-golfers. The African American experience is rich in all aspects of game of golf from the invention of the golf tee to playing the game. Golf a game often called the gentlemen sport has had the ugliest history of all sports. I often hear statements about the greatest golfers of all time Nicklaus, Palmer, Babe Zaharias to name a few. Absent from the list are the African American golfers who had to play under the worst conditions and still prevailed and retained their dignity in a sport that still continues to showed no dignity in area of racial equality. I was most impressed by the inclusion of the African American women "the struggle within the struggle".

Calvin Sinnette has revealed a side of golf that the world has never seen. I found the book interesting, insightful, and very informative about the roles African-Americans played in golf. Being fairly new to the game of golf, I was amazed at the early participation and consistent participation of African Americans in many areas of the game. The accomplishments made by African-Americans, against strong odds, is a feat worth telling. Mr. Sinnette has done a remarkable job.

I give this book five stars because it is packed with facts. It highlights the major personalities in the history of African American golf (male & female). It is written in an encylopedic like form but it is still very good. The author does an excellent job sharing the story of so many of those who fought for us to have a right to play. A must read! I learned a lot from this book. I highly reccomend it!

FORBIDDEN FAIRWAYS is a commendable effort to document the largely unacknowledged participation of Black Americans in the game of golf. I know I will never plant another tee without thinking of Dr. George Grant, who in 1899 received the first patent for the indispensible little device (naturally, I should be thinking of positive swing thoughts but we won't go there). The book is highly informative, offering theretofore hidden tidbits about Black players, caddies, course architects(!) and the earliest organizations. Anyone who appreciates the sport and everyone who enjoys reading about those who exhibit indefatigable commitment in the face of immeasurable obstruction will find the book a pleasant read.

The author, Dr. Calvin Sinnette, is an aficionado rather than a historian or journalist. That factor did have some significance as, at times, he tended to engage in speculation when adequate resources were not available. In limited instances - in my opinion - his personal views were espoused as though they were part of the verifiable record. I also found it curious there was no mention of the Sammy Davis, Jr. Greater Hartford Open although Mr. Davis was the first, and as far as I know only, Black American to have a PGA tour event named in his honor, under any circumstances, a notable achievement. Additionally, the book was distributed by a second tier publishing house; editing and proofreading could have been improved. I'm sure FAMU students will be suprised to find out they should now report to Miami.

The preceding criticisms are minor. In no way do they detract from the overall value of Dr. Sinnette's seminal work.

I read golf 10 to 12 golf books a year and I was looking forward to reading Forbidden Fairways. Unfortunately, I read Forbidden Fairways after reading John Kennedy's A Course of Their Own. In my opinion Kennedy's book has a better flow to it and has been better researched. Both books were well intended, but I thought A Course of Their Own was a more entertaining read.