Customer Reviews

The Pro: Lessons from My Father About Golf and Life

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the type of book I wish I had available growing up. It is a wonderful source of advice on golf and life. Butch blends the right amount of information on his background and famous students along with a touching tribute to his Dad.

His is very honest and his stories about Greg Norman and Tiger are fantastic.

I was halfway through the book when I had Amazon send a copy to my son away at college.

If you follow golf you know the name of Claude " Butch" Harmon. He's a household name. But, little did I know about his father's influence on all his children and friends.

Isn't it refreshing to see in the age of prima donnas and in the me, me, me world that we get a story about a man who had values of being grounded, down to earth, caring and most importantly, giving. The chapter on "Don't Ever Mix Your Ego With Ignorance is classic revelation.

This is an exceptional book about the life of Butch Harmon's father, Claude Harmon and his wit and wisdom on life. I was really touched by this reading. After reading the first chapter you won't be able to put it down and after you finish it you'll be telling yourself what a insightful and profound man this Claude Harmon was.

I think the most interesting writing Harmon Jr. shares with us is Claude's unconditional love, respect, honor, and passion of goodness to other people. This book reads as a tribute to a great man who did his best for his six children and was always there for them. What I loved about reading this was how open and candid Harmon writes about his father...the prose and memory of what his father said to him as a young child is endearing. The words and claritity Butch writes about feel real and jump off the page into your pysche. it's as if you really wanted to meet this man, his father, and get to know him.

Interesting to note is Claude Sr's relationship with the legendary Ben Hogan. Hogan and Harmon had a friendship that was very close and unique. You couldn't find two more diverse personalities, but Butch Harmon sheds light on Hogan's caring and sensitive side. A side that never was written about or told.

When Hogan visited the ailing Harmon and told him, "Claude, I just want to tell you that you were one of the best friends I ever had" it's a very poignant moment. And when Hogan heard word from Butch that Claude passed away he cries...these are events we would never expect Hogan to do or say.

If you are a golf fan or not, please take time out to read this. You will not only get Claude Sr's unique life lessons or "pearls" as Butch Harmon calls them, but you will get a brutally honest look inside Claude Harmon Sr. and Butch Harmon.

I'm a golfer...err golf nut...and have been playing for over 24 years. If I ever had the great honor and privilege to ever take a lesson from the 'great' Butch Harmon I would have the feeling, realization, and awareness that not only Butch would be looking at my swing, but his special and unforgettable father as well. That's a testament to the knowledge that Butch gained over the years being with his father and absorbing priceless teaching skills to golfers of any level.

Thanks "Butch" for a great book.

Highly recommended book a few super nce stories about one of golf's lost hero's the club pro that copeted at international level. And a tribute to a father from his sons.

I just finished reading this wonderful book and I must say...when I bought this book, thought it was a biography of Butch. It was my fault for not reading the title correctly, but my money is still worth spent!! Butch's dad must be the most down to earth and most direct person I've ever read...this isn't another how to play golf in a weekend book telling you how to do a proper backswing or try to get a ball out of a bunker...this is about the lives of Butch growing up with his brothers, with great pros such as Dave Marr, and Ben Hogan and above all, growing up with one of the greatest teaching pros ever, Claude Harmon Sr. Its very well written (not like John Daly's last book) and Butch speaks from the heart on how his relationship with his dad, his brothers, and the ones he cares about. Claude Harmon is the Dale Carnegie of Golf!!!

Would have been a great book for the ages if Butch mentioned the real reason why he and Tiger broke up!! :)

I had the pleasure of riding in an elevator with Butch Harmon at a hotel near the PGA merchandise show in Orlando several years ago. I was a little intimidated I must admit, and later realized I was staying on the same floor as Butch. Butch joked with me about the fact that I was wearing a tie on the ride up in the elevator. I did not know how to react I just laughed with him. I am not sure if he knew that I knew he was Butch Harmon. At the time I knew he was Tiger's coach and knew he was a great teacher of the game. It may not have been clear to him I was staying at the hotel to attend the PGA show. He joked with me and seemed like a great personality. Butch is down to earth and can offer more knowledge about this game than practically any living person. This story is similar to the game of golf. Filled with highs and lows and very humbling. We can all learn a great deal from Butch about golf and life. If I ever see him again I hope to offer him praise and thank him for a great read ! Thank you Butch I really appreciate your story.

I enjoyed this book tremendously! Butch Harmon tells it like it is, without pulling any punches! This is a story that needed to be told; it really gives us insight into the world of professional golf.

I have two sons so I was very interested in hearing how Claude Harmon raised his four boys. It seemed he was very harsh with them, encouraging competition between them and at times belittling them. I've worried sometimes about being too demanding with my sons. But after reading this book I began to feel that, in the long run, it is a good thing. Some of the Harmon boys went through intense periods of rebellion but they all seemed to honor family above all else.

Now, about golf. A book like this made me realize all I have to learn in playing golf. I'm a 9 handicap but this showed me that there is a world of knowledge to learn about this sport. And yet, Claude Harmon would also continually return to the basics of grip, allignment and balance. I think I will play better golf and enjoy it more after reading this.

One note: this is Butch Harmon's point of view and, as such, many might claim it leaves out a lot. That's to be expected. I'm sure that Butch is no saint, and he's made a bundle playing and teaching golf. But it's still a good book that you'll enjoy.

There is way too much information about Tiger Woods in this book and not enough about Claude Harmon. Who cares whether Tiger did his first long TV interview on Oprah? So what if people clapped for Tiger in a restaurant in Vegas? Most people who haven't been living in a cave for the last ten years are aware of how great Tiger is and what a record he has amassed. I understand that a teacher is proud of his student, but I can read that stuff in Tiger's book. And Butch goes on far too long about how important it is for people to learn from as many sources as possible. It really sounds like Butch is mad or insecure about Tiger leaving him.
On the positive side, there are a few good stories about Claude Harmon and some of the greats from his era.

The Pro; I though it was a very good read, It;s nice to know about others, and how they were able to get started.

Playing lessons ;I did not carefor at all.

Little publicity gained from club pro, other than the infamous club pro's students who do good. These pros (male and female now) are true backbone of the sport, feeding the sport. In this case, Claude Harmon Jr. reflects on his father, famous club pro and player who wore the coveted Green Jacket.

One clearly learns of life lessons Butch carried to his life and students from his father. Salient to his father's remarkable and here documented career is association with Henry Ford and Ben Hogan.

There are many gleanings to take from this for golf, for life. Worth read which is personal and honest and passionate, reflecting the author.