Mar04
Golf is a mixture of heart and heartburn. In his new book of poetry, Golf Lessons: Chips, Chunks and Cheers, John Baldoni explores the lure of the game that goes hand-in-hand with its fiendish demands.
“Golf Lessons is labor of love,” says Baldoni. “The poems reflect my love of a game that has provided me decades of challenge and enjoyment.”
Golf Lessons captures the spirit of the game and the sense of camaraderie and companionship it inspires. Here is an excerpt from “Old Golfers.”
We are not old, we say aloud to each other. Laughing as we approach the first tee.
Our knees may ache, shoulders, too. Our hips may sport titanium.
We are golfers through and through.
It is not the game that matters. It’s the chatter.
And while the clatter-popping of worn joints may slow us
We stay together. We are not so old, we say aloud.
"While the game does not always love me back," says Baldoni, "it keeps me coming back because I am drawn to its complexity and its simplicity. You need to think your way around a course at the same time you need to keep your head about you."
Humor is an essential part of Golf Lessons. The poem “The Shank-o-potomus" examines players' struggle when their shots do not go where they aim, a common occurrence. Often, the fault is not physical but rather mental, or as golfers say, "the five inches between your ears."
Baldoni has illustrated Golf Lessons with his own photography, integrating images of the game's elements and the environment in which it is played.
Golf Lessons is Baldoni's second published book of poetry. His first, The Leader’s Path (And Other ChatBot Poems), was a No.1 Amazon release and has been praised as an innovative look at how leaders can draw courage and inspiration from poetry. Baldoni is the author of 16 books, including a trilogy on the topics of purpose, presence and grace. He is a globally recognized executive coach and keynote speaker.
“Golf Lessons is a book that golfers will enjoy,” says Baldoni, “and those who do not play the game will want to give to loved ones who do.”
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For interview requests Email Gail@JohnBaldoni.com
www.johnbaldoni.com/golf
