So Help Me Golf

Why We Love the Game

By: Rick Reilly

Narrated by: Rick Reilly

A beloved New York Times bestselling author and golf aficionado shares his insatiable curiosity, trademark sense of humor, and vast knowledge of the game in this cavalcade of original pieces about why we love the sport, now featuring three additional new pieces.

This is the book Rick Reilly has been writing in the back of his head since he fell in love with the game of golf at eleven years old. He unpacks and explores all of the wonderful, maddening, heart-melting, heart-breaking, cool, and captivating things about golf that make the game so utterly addictive. We meet the PGA Tour player who robbed banks by night to pay his motel bills, the golf club maker who takes weekly psychedelic trips, and the caddy who kept his loop even after an 11-year prison stint. We learn how a man on his third heart nearly won the U.S. Open, how a Vietnam POW saved his life playing 18 holes a day in his tiny cell, and about the course that's absolutely free.

Reilly mines all of the game’s quirky traditions—from the shot of bourbon you take before you tee off at Peyton Manning’s course, to the way the starter at St. Andrews announces to your group (and the hundreds of tourists watching), “You’re on the first tee, gentlemen.” He means that quite literally: St. Andrews has the first tee ever invented. We’ll visit the eighteen most unforgettable holes around the world (Reilly has played them all), including the hole in Indonesia where the biggest hazard is monkeys, the one in the Caribbean that's underwater, and the one in South Africa that requires a shot over a pit of alligators; not to mention Reilly’s attempt to play the most mini-golf holes in one day.

Reilly expounds on all the great figures in the game, from Phil Mickelson to Bobby Jones to the simple reason Jack Nicklaus is better than Tiger Woods. He explains why we should stop hating Bryson DeChambeau unless we hate genius, the greatest upset in women’s golf history, and why Ernie Els throws away every ball that makes a birdie. Plus all the Greg Norman stories Reilly has never been able to tell before, and the great fun of being Jim Nantz. Connecting it all will be the story of Reilly’s own personal journey through the game, especially as it connects to his tumultuous relationship with his father, and how the two eventually reconciled through golf. This is Reilly’s valentine to golf, a cornucopia of stories that no golfer will want to be without.

©2022 Rick Reilly (P)2022 Hachette Go

Critic reviews

“Acclaimed sports journalist [Rick Reilly] journeys to the heart of a unique sport and pastime. He loves the sport’s mix of tension and calmness, its social nature, and the rich history of famous courses. Most of all, he loves golf’s democratic nature. Every player has an equal chance, and even royalty can wilt when faced with the little white ball. The game doesn’t care who it humiliates, although it can also supply moments of clarity, grace, and beauty. Reilly ably captures all of these elements, mixing in sketches of iconic players and colorful figures…. Throughout, the author interweaves his personal story, noting that golf probably saved him… An informative, enjoyable romp.”—Kirkus Reviews

Reilly loves golf as much as the rest of us

All great stories. Some I had heard before, or some variation. Others I had never heard, but now very glad that I did. I like when he said “Golf saved me… “

Great Golf Stories

I loved this book. Well read.
Lots of golf stories about everyday people but also the professionals. If you love golf - you’ll like this book

Another great piece by Riles!!

A great read/ listen. Enjoyed each story and will listen again soon. Loved it immensely

So Help Me Golf - Yes

Great mix of golf stories, history, and anecdotes, and humor. Golf fans will enjoy for sure.

Excellent golf stories

Pulls the stress right out of you in your commute home. Rick Reilly has been my favorite sports writer since 7th grade. I loved hearing him tell stories about my favorite sport in the way only he can.

Amazing!

I experienced every emotion when listening Mr. Reilly read this book! It had me reminiscing on all the great times I’ve spent on the numerous golf course with friends and family! Thank you for this amazing book Mr. Reilly!

Thoroughly enjoyed Reilly’s stories

Such a fun book. Love listening to Rick share these funny & touching stories.
For me this made it much more enjoyable than only reading the book

Constantly entertaining

Every chapter just an amazing story. Even my wife (not a golfer) loved listening to it with me.

awesome

Must listen for all golfers!!!
Really enjoyable story and extremely funny that you don’t want to miss.

Reilly and Golf -tough to beat

Fabulous read from a clever guy who may have figured out what really matters. Golf stories that you can’t wait to share with your buddies.