Golf and the Art of War

Book excerpt: As anyone who plays it knows, golf isn't just a game. It's war. Golf and the Art of War adopts and explains the lessons of warfare found in Sun Tzu's essays, The Art of War. Some 2,400 years ago, Sun Tzu argued that careful planning and sound information are the keys to the success of any campaign. Primarily, Tzu considered organization, control, and weather crucial elements to victory. In Golf and the Art of War, veteran golf writer Don Wade presents a unique comparison of Tzu's philosophies and the game of golf. Wade shows how Tzu's lessons for a successful military campaign — specifically the areas of strategy, competition, and course management — serve as the ultimate attack plan for victory on the green. Golf and the Art of War is the first book to adapt Sun Tzu's strategies to golf. Tzu's cerebral approach to warfare is ideally suited to this most cerebral of sports. The comparisons and examples are offered in a clear and focused manner, with a generous sampling of historical references and relevant examples.