From Publishers Weekly
Miller, former golfer and golf analyst for NBC Sports, and Yocom, a senior writer for Golf Digest, offer commentary on acclaimed players; observations on the game, the players and the future of the sport; and discuss strategies, great courses and changes in the game. Perhaps most importantly, Miller speaks his mind, especially about poor sportsmanship. The first chapter is entitled "Welcome to Smackdown Golf : The decline of etiquette in today's game" and starts, "The best U.S. Open performance of all time was by Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000. The worst performance at a U.S. Open was also provided by Woods that year." Miller explains that Tiger Woods pulled off to the side after the second round and loudly cursed. Miller acknowledges that the microphones should not have been so close, but says that Woods should have restrained himself. In Miller's view, this incident is another example of how some of the unpleasant behavior of players in the NBA and NFL is now evident in golf. There's more than observations, here, though. Miller has strategies on form and technique that will benefit serious golfers. Fans of Miller, golf addicts and even weekend duffers will enjoy this lively book. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Miller, former U.S and British Open champion and currently golf's most outspoken television commentator, proves equally unbuttoned in print. He gets right to it in the book's first chapter, on the "dreaded C word," choking. Golfers despise talk of choking, but Miller refuses to avoid the topic, not only detailing instances of his own collapses but also analyzing notorious cases of gracelessness under pressure from such top pros as Greg Norman, Jay Haas, and Mark Calcavecchia. The text proceeds in anecdotal fashion, through the obligatory chapter on Tiger Woods (Miller doesn't think he'll break Jack Nicklaus' record for most major tournament victories) to musings on favorite courses and stupid rules. (Weekend golfers will enjoy the rant on the absurd length of modern courses.) Throughout, the tone is chatty but frank. Along with his willingness to criticize, Miller isn't shy about handing out compliments when he feels they are deserved: his tribute to Nicklaus is notable for both its insight and its affection. Most golf commentary is overly sanitized and lacking in substance. Miller reverses the formula. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Johnny Miller's brilliant golfing career, which includes winning the U.S. Open and the British Open, has been matched by his success as America's most respected television golf analyst. Known for delivering both criticism and praise in a colorful tone matched by none, Johnny takes on such issues as: o The rise of ￯﾿ﾽSmackdown Golf￯﾿ﾽ and the decline of manners in a game that was once a bastion of decorum o The truth about choking, and how to tell when pros are succumbing to pressure o How mega-long ￯﾿ﾽcourses for horses￯﾿ﾽ are driving everyday hackers—the heart and soul of golf—away from the game o Johnny's ￯﾿ﾽFields of Dreams￯﾿ﾽ: the Top-10 courses he's seen and played o The reason PGA players tremble when they see Tiger Woods step on the first tee—and how they're now mustering the courage to take him on o The role of teaching ￯﾿ﾽgurus,￯﾿ﾽ and why they sometimes hurt players more than help them o Johnny's analyses of the game's best players, from Nicklaus to Woods to Sorenstam, and why the 1970s was golf's Golden Age Full of quips, anecdotes and ideas that will enrich every reader's appreciation of the game, I Call the Shots promises to be the most talked-about book on the links this year.

Author Biography: The lead golf analyst for NBC Sports for the past twelve years, Johnny Miller has won twenty-four PGA titles and was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He has also designed many award-winning golf courses, writes a monthly column for Golf Digest, and recently founded the Johnny Miller School of Golf. Guy Yocom is a senior writer for Golf Digest.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Miller, former golfer and golf analyst for NBC Sports, and Yocom, a senior writer for Golf Digest, offer commentary on acclaimed players; observations on the game, the players and the future of the sport; and discuss strategies, great courses and changes in the game. Perhaps most importantly, Miller speaks his mind, especially about poor sportsmanship. The first chapter is entitled "Welcome to Smackdown Golf : The decline of etiquette in today's game" and starts, "The best U.S. Open performance of all time was by Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000. The worst performance at a U.S. Open was also provided by Woods that year." Miller explains that Tiger Woods pulled off to the side after the second round and loudly cursed. Miller acknowledges that the microphones should not have been so close, but says that Woods should have restrained himself. In Miller's view, this incident is another example of how some of the unpleasant behavior of players in the NBA and NFL is now evident in golf. There's more than observations, here, though. Miller has strategies on form and technique that will benefit serious golfers. Fans of Miller, golf addicts and even weekend duffers will enjoy this lively book. Agent, Scott Waxman. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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