Dad could use a great Father's Day golf book

Father’s Day gifts are hard to buy.

Dads are tough to buy for in the first place. They don’t collect hundreds of knicknacks (junk) for the home that moms love.

And Father’s Day doesn’t call for hugely expensive gifts that Christmas and birthdays demand … pricey items like golf clubs and fishing rods.

But the holiday DOES require a gift, something that says ‘Hey Dad, you’re one cool dude.’
A good book is a perfect choice. They’re affordable and not likely to get lost and gathering dust on a shelf. Here are some books to consider:

* The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live by Robert Tuchman (BenBella Books, $17.95). It’s technically not a golf book, but it’s certainly a great tool for any sports fan. Tuchman ranks the best sporting events on sheer emotion and atmosphere not hype or crowd size and tells readers all the logistics, like where to stay, eat and how to score a ticket. And he gives golf the ultimate compliment … The Masters ranks No. 1.

* How to Master the Inner Game of Golf by Maxine Van Evera Lupo (Taylor Trade Publishing, $14.95). The former teaching pro gives advice on how manage your attitude, emotions, confidence and concentration on the golf course.

* Jenkins at the Majors by Dan Jenkins (Doubleday, $26.95). Jenkins has been covering golf almost as long as the sport has existed (kidding). He shares some of his stories from all the monumental moments he’s witnessed the past 60 years.

* Haunted Golf by Anthony Pioppi and Chris Gonsavles (The Lyons Press, $14.95). The authors look at some of the hauntings that have reportedly been witnessed at some famous golf locales like the seventh hole at Victoria Golf Club in British Columbia and at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews, Scotland.

* Teeing Off by Ken Bowden (Triumph Books, $22.95). Bowden reveils intimate details he’s discovered during 50 years of covering golf, including the greatest golfers of all time (and why) and a super-simple swing “fix.”

* Breaking the Slump by Jimmy Roberts (HarperCollinsPublishers, $24.99). The NBC sportscaster looks deeper into some of the slumps that almost destroyed the love of the game for stars like Paul Azinger, Jack Nicklaus, Scott Verplank and Dottie Pepper. We can all relate right? Who doesn’t get frustrated with this crazy game?

* Golf Rules Quick Reference by Yves C. Ton-That (Artigo Publishing, $9.95). This handy flip guide fits perfectly into your golf bag and answers all rules questions quickly with illustrations. Its waterproof pages ensure it will last much longer than that wrinkled, yellowing rules guide you’ve got.

* Ancestral Links by John Garrity (New American Library Hardcover, $24.95). Garrity travels to the northwest of Ireland to play golf, oops, I mean dig up some family history.