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No Hiding in The Open: A Journey in Professional Golf
A golf biography by John Hoskison - former European PGA Tour member.
John Hoskison dreams of making it as a successful golf pro on the European PGA Tour. When he meets Seve Ballesteros for the first time and makes the cut in the Martini International, he looks set for success. Then reality kicks in at Royal Birkdale in the PGA Championships.
This is a true story of how someone has to deal with life's ups and downs. After topping a shot in front of Seve, shanking in front of Sandy Lyle and almost hitting Greg Norman with a monumental slice, John has to deal with the brutality of championship golf.
With confidence in tatters John sets out on a quest to find a golf swing that will work and stand the ultimate test of playing in The Open - his dream. But there are no psychologists or coaches to help. Like the rest of the young pros, he has to find the solution himself and no stone is left unturned.
From trying crazy superstitions to simply copying the top players like Tom Watson and Nick Faldo, this book shows the difference between the modern day tour pro and the young men who went into battle with blindfolds on.
The account of John Hoskison's life on tour is funny, sad and brutally honest. This book will be a fascinating read for all keen golfers or sportsman and the sting in the tail will surprise everyone who reads it.
Excerpt from the book:
Just before driving home the chairman of West Surrey came to shake my hand.
'John - you're a star,' he said. I smiled. I had felt like one all day. The Titleist Tour clothes designer, proving himself a colour-blind schizophrenic, had far outstripped his previous three design attempts taking 'conspicuous' to new heights. The pattern on my sweater that day was literally stunning. I knew it was power dressing by the reaction of the players in front of me when I had earlier stepped onto the first tee and whipped off my waterproof jacket. Both Craig Stadler and Tom Weiskopf looked stunned.
'Wow,' said Craig. 'You should warn people before you do that.'
John Hoskison dreams of making it as a successful golf pro on the European PGA Tour. When he meets Seve Ballesteros for the first time and makes the cut in the Martini International, he looks set for success. Then reality kicks in at Royal Birkdale in the PGA Championships.
This is a true story of how someone has to deal with life's ups and downs. After topping a shot in front of Seve, shanking in front of Sandy Lyle and almost hitting Greg Norman with a monumental slice, John has to deal with the brutality of championship golf.
With confidence in tatters John sets out on a quest to find a golf swing that will work and stand the ultimate test of playing in The Open - his dream. But there are no psychologists or coaches to help. Like the rest of the young pros, he has to find the solution himself and no stone is left unturned.
From trying crazy superstitions to simply copying the top players like Tom Watson and Nick Faldo, this book shows the difference between the modern day tour pro and the young men who went into battle with blindfolds on.
The account of John Hoskison's life on tour is funny, sad and brutally honest. This book will be a fascinating read for all keen golfers or sportsman and the sting in the tail will surprise everyone who reads it.
Excerpt from the book:
Just before driving home the chairman of West Surrey came to shake my hand.
'John - you're a star,' he said. I smiled. I had felt like one all day. The Titleist Tour clothes designer, proving himself a colour-blind schizophrenic, had far outstripped his previous three design attempts taking 'conspicuous' to new heights. The pattern on my sweater that day was literally stunning. I knew it was power dressing by the reaction of the players in front of me when I had earlier stepped onto the first tee and whipped off my waterproof jacket. Both Craig Stadler and Tom Weiskopf looked stunned.
'Wow,' said Craig. 'You should warn people before you do that.'
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2013
30 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 28, 2020
Inspirational
I loved the book it felt like I took the long and strange ride with the author. I am a golf junkie and a similar age to John so I really enjoyed his big moments around legendary players but I also enjoyed his time of struggle. I am going to pick up the rest of his books because I enjoy his unique writing style.
I loved the book it felt like I took the long and strange ride with the author. I am a golf junkie and a similar age to John so I really enjoyed his big moments around legendary players but I also enjoyed his time of struggle. I am going to pick up the rest of his books because I enjoy his unique writing style.
February 18, 2018
Surprised is an understatement. To say that John has come full circle is also an understatement. But, you will learn the fragility of life and how all is lost or gained in a blink of an eye. If golf is analogous to life- this book proves it.
March 22, 2018
A more enjoyable read than expected
I enjoy most all golf stories but I liked this one more than most. John does a fantastic job of capturing the frailty of confidence some (most) golfers experience on some level and the beauty of grace and humility for whichch we strive.
I enjoy most all golf stories but I liked this one more than most. John does a fantastic job of capturing the frailty of confidence some (most) golfers experience on some level and the beauty of grace and humility for whichch we strive.
August 16, 2018
Great honest account of life as a Pro Golfer
Honest account of the trials and tribulations that confront so many young men as they try to make a living playing the game they love, to maybe not love it so much.
Honest account of the trials and tribulations that confront so many young men as they try to make a living playing the game they love, to maybe not love it so much.
August 3, 2021
Very enjoyable read
Great read, it's how I imagine life would be like for me should I have been in the same situation as John. Great to see how the golf world works as a pro, and how an ordinary man with great talent fits in. Will be looking at another one of John's books.
Great read, it's how I imagine life would be like for me should I have been in the same situation as John. Great to see how the golf world works as a pro, and how an ordinary man with great talent fits in. Will be looking at another one of John's books.
February 3, 2021
Inspirational read
What an honest and interesting read of one man’s fight with his talent and of the devastating mistake he made.
What an honest and interesting read of one man’s fight with his talent and of the devastating mistake he made.
January 12, 2017
Most enjoyable read.
I chose 5 stars as I cannot faut the read. As a golfer myself, I recognise many aspects of the book in myself, which I hope will assist my own game in future. Thanks john.
I chose 5 stars as I cannot faut the read. As a golfer myself, I recognise many aspects of the book in myself, which I hope will assist my own game in future. Thanks john.
November 6, 2019
.
Excelent insight into the life of a professional golfer with the same highs and lows as anyone who has played golf at any level only much higher and very much lower.
Excelent insight into the life of a professional golfer with the same highs and lows as anyone who has played golf at any level only much higher and very much lower.
April 4, 2014
good read about how hard pro golf is and how good these guys are.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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