Sticks n Stuff: Books

by Victor Williams

The Golfer’s BIBLE
$24.99 | www.inhisgripgolf.com

Fairways Faith: When it comes to bestsellers, God’s got everybody beat with the Bible. And when it comes to golf, faith in a high power often comes into play — even if most Sunday mornings find you on the tee, not in the pew. Who among us hasn’t whispered a prayer before going for a 220-yard, all-carry 3-wood over water? Who hasn’t thanked a higher power after eking out a 1-up win in a friendly Nassau? Who hasn’t wondered what Tiger or Phil or Annika are thinking when they look heavenward while hoisting the hardware?

Read and Believe: Now North Carolina-based In His Grip Golf Association — which does everything from teach churches how to organize fundraising tournaments to provide a roadmap for spreading the gospel in a golfing way — has put the Bible and our favorite game together in The Golfer’s Bible, a full-blown Good Book that zeroes in on the spiritual side of life on the greens. Besides a fully annotated Holman Christian Standard translation, you’ll find 32 full-color pages of golf-centered inspirational messages that manage to make a strong connection between golf and the Gospel (most drawing on selections from the bestseller The Master’s Grip by Jim Sheard and Scott Lehman, plus another 32 pages of devotions.

The Verdict: God lays down the law, but this special Bible gives a big lift to anyone when the putts aren’t falling and the swing is out of sync. Talk about lasting lessons!