'Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries,' by Larry Foster M.D

By: Dr. John Wagner


Despite its serious subject matter, this is a fun book to read. It's presented in a very easy-to-read manner and has lots of great ideas. Dr. Foster, aka Dr. Divot [a frequent contributor to Cybergolf - see our Golf & Fitness section - http://www.cybergolf.com/golffitness], does a nice job of explaining the basics of injuries. (All except for how to treat my partner after I slam my putter into his backside when he misses a 2-foot putt for a dollar.)

Larry writes in a light tone and inserts little stories that improve his "bedside manner." His section on how to warm up makes the whole book worth reading. You'll enjoy the results of a study involving how people actually warm up, and why most of their techniques are unhealthy.

His use of drawings and pictures to explain injuries is very well done. He also includes a special section for lady golfers since their golf game can result in different injuries (and they don't hit their partners with a putter).

I enjoyed this book from start to finish, and believe it would make good reading for parents of young golfers starting out. At my age, I was interested in the section on hip replacement, though I'll probably never need one since I never turn my hips to hit the ball. That's why it only goes 150 yards.

"Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries," by Larry Foster M.D. Doctor Divot Publishing, P.O. Box 436, North Salem NY 10560. $19.95. ISBN-10: 0-9747315-4-4. "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries" is available by calling 800/247-6553 or by visiting www.doctordivotmd.com.

Dr. John Wagner has been a Seattle dentist for 37 years. He's been published in several dental journals as well as had several articles appear in the turf magazine for Pacific Northwest golf course superintendents. John has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington Business School for several years and as a guest lecturer for several dental societies. Dr. Wagner is the co-designer (with Steve Shea of the Berger Partnership) of a golf course in Japan that cost over $120 million and was built by Wadsworth Golf Construction. He's a Past President of the Washington State Golf Association and a Trustee of the Pacific Coast Golf Association. John is currently a Member of the USGA Green Section and a Director of the WSGA.