{"product_id":"the-king-of-swings-johnny-goodman-last-amateur-to-beat-the-pros-houghton-mifflin","title":"The King of Swings: Johnny Goodman, Last Amateur to Beat the Pros | Houghton Mifflin","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMeet Johnny Goodman, the unlikely champion\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a modest start in Omaha, Johnny Goodman rose from caddie to contender during a transformative era for golf. This biography from Houghton Mifflin traces his path with care, culminating in a historic victory over Bobby Jones at Pebble Beach in 1929—the nation's first national golf tournament. The narrative blends archival detail with a keen focus on the human traits that guided his game: patience under pressure, disciplined practice, and a calm, steady focus as rounds moved toward the final holes. Readers can almost hear the click of wooden clubs, sense the salt air and coastal light, and feel the hush that settles over the crowd as the decisive moments unfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond recounting a single triumph, the book offers a window into golf’s early professional-amateur landscape, where talent met opportunity and the sport began to capture a wider audience. The writing balances milestones with intimate moments—a mentor’s tip, a colleague’s encouragement, a pivotal choice on the 18th hole—creating a vivid, immersive reading experience that invites reflection on perseverance and craft across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this book offers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA vivid sense of place, from inland fairways to Pebble Beach’s ocean breeze, framing a dramatic showdown.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA character-driven portrait that highlights resilience, curiosity, and strategic decision-making on the course.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical context that situates the 1929 national tournament within its era, without sacrificing narrative momentum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat readers may take away\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInspiration for pursuing ambitious goals through disciplined practice and steady effort.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn enriched appreciation for the evolution of golf and the legends who helped shape it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeas for discussing sports history in classrooms, libraries, or book clubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduct feature: Used book in good condition, offering a tangible link to history while keeping a compact, readable length for curious readers. The narrative emphasizes potential insights over guarantees and invites readers to consider the values that drive perseverance in sport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-faq-snippet\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: Who is Johnny Goodman?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: Johnny Goodman was an unlikely champion from Omaha who defeated Bobby Jones in the 1929 national tournament, earning a place in golf history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: What will readers gain from The King of Swings?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: Readers may gain inspiration from perseverance, insights into early 20th-century golf, and a richer appreciation for amateur spirit and competitive drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Houghton Mifflin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53081208881263,"sku":"0618514643","price":32.66,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/7354\/2767\/files\/houghton-mifflin-the-king-of-swings-book-cover.jpg?v=1778583275","url":"https:\/\/golfavero.com\/products\/the-king-of-swings-johnny-goodman-last-amateur-to-beat-the-pros-houghton-mifflin","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}