The Lure of Golf: Great Writings on Golf

In this uneven collection of mostly nonfiction pieces, reprinted from various sources and edited by New Yorker writer Owen (My Usual Game) and Grove/Atlantic editor Bingham, women are sparsely represented, with articles about Joyce Wethered, Babe Zaharias and Nancy Lopez, plus a couple of snippets about women battling the country-club brand of male chauvinism. The humor is unpredictable: Owen's low-key piece on Myrtle Beach, ""Grown Men on Spring Break,"" is hilarious, while Dan Jenkins's ""The Glory Game at Goat Hill"" seems forced. Disappointing for those familiar with the great names of golf writing is the turgid prose of renowned Bernard Darwin, who is represented with two pieces. There are several memorable contributions, particularly Gene Sarazen's loving reminiscence of a Scottish caddie, Dave Anderson's successful attempt to penetrate the magnolia curtain at the Augusta National Golf Club, Herbert Warren Wind's outstanding analysis of the Old Course at St. Andrews and George Plimpton's wry account of his halting, overly diffident effort to interview Arnold Palmer at the height of his fame. On balance, the avid golfer shouldn't miss this collection. (June)