Tales From Q School: Inside Golf's Fifth Major

Feinstein provides a loose structure of describing first stage, second stage, finals and touches on the adventures of many players as they go through Q school. The problem is that there was not nearly enough of what I call the golf "geek factor": extreme detail of how a sequence of holes is being played--club selection, lie, strategy, mis-hits, etc. He does provide this for a couple of players in the finals, but it seemed too little, too late. Anyone reading this book is waaaaay into golf and like that level of detail--usually.

As it was, I was left with what felt like a ton of names and totals for their rounds and how far they missed "the number." It got a little distracting and hard to follow. He does get across what an ordeal Q school is (it is being phased out now, I believe, or at least revised) and how heartbreaking and costly small mistakes--or the whims of fate--can be. If you're into golf, read it but be aware that it's a little general at times in its approach.

I admit that my experience is different than most. I played professional golf on the mini-tours and internationally before there was a Nike or Hooters tour, and when you had to make the top 60 to stay on the PGA tour.
Nevertheless, if you have any interest in golf (and I quit 30 years ago), the fleshing out of individual sagas is very compelling. Feinstein gets into the minds of the up-and-coming and those trying to hang on, and this is what makes it a great book.

I did not find this to be John's best effort. However, it is golf and if you enjoy golf you will enjoy the inside knowledge that he brings to the game.