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Gary Player is recognized as one of the most successful golfers of all-time. He is a member of the exclusive club of men who have captured golf’s grand slam. Lapping the globe and becoming one of the world’s most traveled athletes, Player has become the ultimate ambassador and spokesman for the game that has given him so much. In The Golfer’s Guide to the Meaning of Life, Player shares the lessons he has learned from his life on the links.
Recently Player has been one of the leading proponents of physical fitness, speaking out to young people about the physical and psychological benefits of finely tuning your body. If there are two aspects of Player’s life worth noting, they are his workout regimen that has allowed him to remain competitive at an advanced age and his astonishing travel record that now stands at about 12 millions miles logged while competing in golf tournaments, doing charitable work and representing his sport. In the book Player writes, “I am convinced that frequent traveling is the single finest education a person can attain.”
The Golfer’s Guide to the Meaning of Life features Player’s reflections on achieving success, battling fear in tense moments, the ongoing education the game offers, sportsmanship, winning and of course physical fitness.
It is no secret that Player can be preachy at times and his stories and anecdotes are augmented throughout the book with his opinion, often unabashed and unapologetic. Player doesn’t shy away from taking a stance. An example is the passage on player celebrations in the modern era where he writes, “The idea of humility is lost on all but a handful of modern sportsmen, and the lack of it is visible in the ludicrous antics we see when an athlete does no more than the task he is paid to do (such as score a basket or make a first down) and then acts as if he had single-handedly stormed Omaha Beach. To be blunt it’s disgraceful.” But if anyone has earned the right to be critical, it’s Player, who recently appeared in a record 51st consecutive Masters.
This book is a quick read and will keep fans of golf and fans of life entertained from start to finish. Readers will learn about life and learn about golf through Player’s tales. He gladly shares his insights on patience, human nature, endurance, friendship, weariness and happiness. Those who read Gary Player’s book will definitely learn something and have a chance to improve their attitudes toward relationships, careers and a general purpose in life.
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