The Greatest Game Ever Played.
By Mark Frost.

Think of Brookline Massachusetts and the first thing you will recall is probably the crushing blow America handed Europe in the Ryder cup. But this wasn’t the first time the greens were stormed at this historical course. And it wasn’t the most poignant event ever to be hosted their either.

Rewind 86 years to 1913. The great Harry Vardon and Ted Ray are about to play in what most assumed would be a walk in the park and a fitting finale to their tour of the United States, the US Open. One determined relatively unknown local amateur golfer from the wrong side of the class divide stood in their way and contested their dominance in one of the most thrilling playoffs in golf history.

Mark Frost writes an amazing portrayal of these events in the aptly titled “The Greatest Game Ever Played�. One part history book, 1 part novel and 100% gripping. This is a book that pays homage to a part of history that saw the game we love balloon across the world. Characters like Francis Ouigmet, Harry Vardon and our forefather of the game Old Tom Morris come to life, and emblazon the principles and frivolities that make my favourite sport and the people who play it such an inescapable allure.

From reading this book I feel closer to the heart of golf. It not only taught me many of the lessons from the pages of Harry Vardon’s instructional books (which I’m sure you’d struggle to find today) but also reaffirmed how the rules, the etiquette and the damn thrilling nature of the game has such a hook in so many of us who play and live the game we call Golf.

Whilst I acknowledge that a book may only tenuously be considered Golf equipment, and I certainly never carried it in my bag. I’m certain that the lessons I learnt and the wealth of advice surrounding the mental aspect of the game have probably shaved off just as many strokes from my game as a new spin milled club face could.

I recently purchased a set of Taylormade burner plus irons, all I can say about these clubs is where have they been all of my life. This is the sweetest set of irons I have ever played. I am 58 yrs old, and have been golfing for 35 yrs. I have a 16 handicap and on consecutive days last week I shot an 83 and a 78. These irons are so easy to hit it feels like they should be illegal. The ball flies high and straight and long, and carry extremely well on off center hits. I am hitting the ball farther with these clubs than I ever have, even when I was much younger. If you are considering buying a new set of irons, do yourself a favor and run out and buy a set immediatly, you won't regret it, and your game will never be the same again. I may never buy another set of irons again ever, they are that good.