Breaking 90 with Johnny Miller: The Callaway Golfer (series)
Johnny  Miller'shybrid instructionalBreaking 90is like a mismatched set of  clubs that actually works when put together. Geared for the golfer who's hooked  enough on the game to keep playing and trying to improve, it's a handsomely  packaged and illustrated volume that mixes Miller's keen ability to teach with  some lovely, funny, and insightful essays and observations on the game by  writers such as John Seabrook,David Owen,Ann Hodgman,George  Plimpton, Charles McGrath,Ian Frazier, and,  most memorable of the group for golf literati,Samuel Shem'saffectionate chronicle of a round with his golfing partner of two decades,John Updike.But Miller's name tops the marquee, and with good reason. He's a first-rate  communicator and a superb analyst of the golf swing, and the first third of the  book is Miller exhibiting both skills. He begins with some basics--grip, stance,  swing, and equipment--followed by an explanation of why the golf ball flies the  way it does and what you can learn about your own swing from that. From there,  it's out to the course to help youthinkyour way through a round. Miller  emphasizes that good decision-making over the ball is the cornerstone to posting  good numbers and avoiding the costly mental errors that inflate your score. Then  it's off to the range to work on flaws and mechanics with Miller-designed tips  and drills. There's lots of good golf advice inBreaking 90, but even if  Miller can't turn you into a bogey or better golfer, the bylines he totes along  should at least bring your golf reading up to par.--Jeff Silverman