The Pro: Lessons About Golf and Life from My Father, Claude Harmon, Sr.

Butch Harmon was my hero growing up. I was someone who wanted to be a golf instructor more than a professional golfer. Mr. Harmon was the instructor that I looked up to the most because he was the best.The best way for me to sum up this book is what Mr. Harmon told me about the book. I worked there for a couple of years and one day I told him that I really enjoyed the book and he said, "it was a book written out of love."

I thought this was a great tribute to his father and his brothers. Don't know how to classify it. Is it a biography? An autobiography? An instructional tome? Pick one and you're right. I like the bullet points after each chapter.

Butch mentions his dad while head golf pro at Winged Foot secretly having sets of stock golf clubs (a brand his pro golfer friend and fellow member is selling in the shop) stored in the back room. When a member wants to order a set member is told it is a custom order specifically for him and it will be two weeks before clubs are delivered from manufacturer.Butch also talks about his dad going grocery shopping with his two daughters. He is at the checkout line with five grocery carts full of food but due to the long line, and being impatient, walks out leaving the food behind... but wait... Butch mentions that his dad has brilliantly solved the problem of having to wait in the checkout line.His dad returns to the grocery store fills five new grocery carts full of food goes to checkout line and proceeds to offer five dollars each to at least three different ladies in front him if they will allow him to cut in front of them. They gladly accept and everyone's happy including store manager as he didn't want to restock food a second time.So the plan was if the ladies didn't accept the five dollars for cutting in line with five full grocery carts he would have walked out again leaving groceries behind for a second time.This book has story after story of how Butch and his dad mistreat people outside of their peers. Please note these are his stories.

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.

Great book for instructors down to average golfers. Insights on Tiger Woods game and why even the best golfers will never be perfect. Helps golfers understand that their game can always be improved but will never be your best. Excellent overview of the great instructor Clyde Harmon and his three sons who followed his footsteps, including Tigers coach Butch Harmon.

This book is informative for golf students. One of the greatest teachers of all time letting you know where he got his knowledge. From his Dad. Really good!

Great family story, Since Craig Harmon was a pro in our town I felt like I knew them

If you know golf history, Butch Harmon's father was one of the most famous "old-time" golf professionals, the only club professional to have won the Masters. He was the Head Professional at two of the most famous golf clubs in the country, Winged Foot in the summer and Seminole in the winter. This book is about a relationship between Butch and his father and the "Pearls" that Claude taught his four sons, all of whom became golf professionals at very prestigious clubs. It's about Butch's relationships with the players he has taught and how he has used what his father taught him to become one of the top teachers in the U.S. and maybe the world. If you like golf, you've gotta read this book.

I have been collecting golf books for many years and include those from pre-war to the modern era. I have rarely enjoyed such good writing as is contained in Mr Harmon's book. It contains many lessons about life, for which golf is often a good metaphor, gained from his family experiences. He, besides giving many tips about playing, also gives a very graphic picture about growing up with such a famous teacher and golfer as his father. Some sons might exude jealousy in such relationships but all I see is a picture of extreme love and admiration. It proved a delight to read and compares more than favourably with, dare I say, more well-known golf writers such as Dodson,Darwin or Longhurst.

Great book arrived quickly

Once you start reading this book you wont want to put it down!Not just great examples of how to coach someone with words and getting into their mindsbut great stuff about the Harmon family and lessons from Butch,s Dad ClaudeA Masters Champion who played a lot of Golf with The Great Ben Hogan.No technical stuff about the swing just life lessons you can apply to your own lifeand golf game!

Wonderful review of life lessons learned from a famous father. Truly uplifting book not only for golfers but for the public in general.

Fantastic read, wish it was longer