It would be hard to describe Elisa Gaudet as an author.  She has a blog, but I’m not sure I would describe her as a blogger either. In her book “Two Good Rounds; 19^th Hole Stories from the World’s Greatest Golfers” she has done reasonably extensive interviews, but she’s not really a reporter. In the Introduction of the book, Ms. Gaudet relates that her friend George Willis from the New York Post says that “Elisa writes a fluff column”.  She embraces that description, and “Two Good Rounds” lives up to that description. It’s fluff, but it’s fun.

To understand how the book came to be, you need to understand how Ms. Gaudet operates. Her blog, “On the Lip” is to a certain extent a combination of a golf industry publicity sheet as well as a ‘behind the ropes’ tease about life on tours. Ms. Gaudet has access to the players on multiple tours due to her previous business background working for various tours including the PGA Tour. Fortunately she comes off as more of a friend to many tour players, rather than an ingénue groupie. Checking her photo’s,  I am sure she has been misunderstood on that score on more than one occasion.

This book seems a perfect fit for anyone that has read her blog or met her in person. Ms. Gaudet has a name-dropping habit, and “Two Good Rounds” established her cred that she actually has access to the people whose names she frequently drops. Cinderella actually HAS been to the ball.

The structure of the book adheres to the fluff description, yet it encompasses just enough insider knowledge about an area of professional golf that is rarely discussed that once you pick up the book, you can’t stop thumbing through it. Ms. Gaudet has asked 36 professional golfers to describe their favorite cocktail, their favorite 19^th hole, and their most memorable hole-in-one circumstance.

Some of the responses are predictable, some disappointing, but many evoke emotional as well as visceral responses, especially as it relates to the cocktails some prefer. After all, everyones choice of cocktails are very personal.

Favorite Cocktails

The fact that Arnold Palmer likes an Arnold Palmer (1/2 unsweetened ice tea, ½ lemonade) is of no surprise to anyone. The fact that he likes to give it a little kick with some Ketel One from time to time just makes the reader smile and nod. Of course he does.

That several pro’s, including Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam and David Frost chose to promote their own wine labels should have almost disqualified them from inclusion in the book. It just doesn’t seem in the spirit, and instead feels too promotional. This is especially true of Frost who in his publicity photo has the website address for his label stitched into his golf bag. But Nicklaus and Sorenstam are obviously two of the greatest golfers that ever lived, so it would be hard to exclude them given the title of the book.

The most entertaining entry came from Christina Kim from the LPGA.  The always boisterous Kim concedes her fondness for Tanqueray and Tonic, Grey Goose and Red Bull (whoa!) and Jägerbombs (WOW!). A Jägerbomb is made by dropping a shot of Jägermeister into a glass of Red Bull.

Another eye-opener came from Vijay Singh, who apparently kicks back with a margarita. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a tiny umbrella involved somewhere.  Bernhard Langer disclosed his fondness for the Radler (1/2 Sprite, ½ beer). Langer relates that in England it’s called a Shandy. I call it disgusting.

Favorite 19^th Holes

I was thrilled to see Padraig Harrington choose the Spike Bar in the Royal Dublin Golf Club. Years ago I played the Irish Amateur Open there, and had a chance to frequent the bar after one of the rounds. Harrington relates how the bar was very small, and that doesn’t go far enough to describe it. As I recall, there were no more than about 4 stools to choose from, but the quaintness of the place added to the memory.

I’m sure most would understand the interest in learning where Natalie Gulbis’s favorite 19^th hole is located. She likes the 19^th hole at the Whitney Oaks Golf Course where she grew up in Sacramento, California. The best part of her story was that she likes to play liar’s dice and have a beer with family and friends. I’m pretty sure we can all relate to that. The worst part was that her father works in law enforcement. Yikes!

John Daly is not a chapter in the book, but we can imagine his answer would be all abbreviations. A case of PBR in the back of his RV.

The Hole in One stories are good too. If I give away any more you won’t be inclined to read the book. And frankly, you should. It’s an easy, breezy read, and somehow brings you closer to those professionals who drink like you, or drink where you have enjoyed a post-round libation yourself.

“Two Good Rounds” is published by Skyhorse Publishing and can be purchased through the “Two Good Rounds” website. The book costs $19.95 or $25.00 for an autographed copy.