"The
Feeling of Greatness"
The Moe Norman Story
by Tim O'Conner
This one is about Moe Norman, the greatest unknown golfer
in the world. The main thread is that the comportment of Moe Norman did not lend itself to
general acceptance by the pros on the circuit of the time(1950's). O'Conner speculates
that this "odd man out" persona is the result of a sledding accident Norman
experienced when he was five years old. O'Conner also points out personality traits in
Norman that indicate functional autism. Moe Norman is an extremely fast player and a
swinger of very heavy clubs. He is regarded by most tour players as the most accurate
player ever to walk a golf course. Yet, as demonstrated in the photo section of the book,
he has one of the most unconventional styles of any pure swinger. The book, though
sometimes redundant to a fault, serves as a testament to the fact that the gospel of
"mechanical form" is nothing more than hogwash. No wonder the professional
circuit shut him out! This is book is recommended solely as a proof of the veracity of the
anti-formalist approach.
Norman is now the poster boy of sorts for the "Natural
Golf" movement. This so-called revolutionary approach to golf is really an ill
conceived notion that tries to root out mechanical causes from the evidence presented by
form(albeit a different form). Natural Golf, though held out as a new modern fundamental,
is still in love with formalism and will likely meet the same stone wall that the other
formal approaches have met over the years.
Of note is Norman's intense exploration into philosophy
later in his golfing career.
Forward by Lee Trevino
Rating: Par
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