'From The Red Tees' by Celeste Palermo

I know these are no longer called the ladies tees, but this book is aimed at beginning lady players and is written in a very readable and enjoyable manner. It has a lot of excellent information for the novice player that will help her enjoy the game while providing a good introduction to etiquette.

The book covers just about all aspects of the game, including how a woman should dress so she's comfortable and won't feel out of place. I really liked how Palermo presents all the areas that would be of concern to a neophyte golfer.

I am especially fond of her insistence to maintain a good pace of play, as slow play is currently the game's No. 1 problem. She actually brings it up several times to get across the concept that we are not out there to take up the whole day and that five-hour rounds are not acceptable. I know a few male players who could use these tips as well.

This is an excellent book and I would recommend it to all novice golfers, women and men. Good basic stuff!!

"From The Red Tees" by Celeste Palermo, 246 pages, $18.95, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., ISBN-13:978-1-58182-588-6

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.