Breaking 90 with Johnny Miller: The Callaway Golfer (series)

Johnny Miller's hybrid instructional Breaking 90 is 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's affectionate 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 you think your 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 in Breaking 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