Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics
and Super Freakonomics
is apparently working on a golf book with Luke Donald.
They’ve got a website up here.
Levitt is an avid golfer—though admittedly not very good—and writes quite a bit about the sport. It will be interesting to see what kind of a golf book he comes up with. I’m sure there will be lots of surprising insights into the game.
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First off, regardless of what Levitt says, he is a good golfer. I spoke to him a few weeks ago, and he said that was a 2 handicap.
A month ago in Florida, the team held a “data collection weekend”. They paid for the hotels / golf of 42 golfers to spend the weekend playing 45 holes, and going through a variety of drills, where they measured our performance on every single shot on the courses and on the drills. They’re going to use all this data to see what the ‘average’ golfer does given a certain situation, and to see where the average golfer really loses strokes. 500 people applied for the weekend, I was one of 42 selected.
Luke Donald and his coach (and Northwestern men’s golf coach) Pat Goss are also really involved in this project. Pat is the ‘golf knowledge’ guy. Pat’s assistants were there during the weekend as well. Luke made an appearance, got his performance measured in drills, and then joined us for cocktails on the Saturday (day 2).
It was an amazing weekend, held at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie.
Everyone was super nice. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the book.
I’ve also heard Levitt refer to himself as the “weakest man in America.” Seems he has a self-depreciating sense of humor.
I am a huge fan of his and also can’t wait for the book.
I’m jealous that you got the chance to participate.
Hello,
This message is for Steve Levitt. I am a big fan of your podcast and I’m an avid golfer (20+ years, 12 handicap) AND I develop websites. I noticed that for your “FreakonomicsGolf.com” site you decided to use a simple WordPress theme.
Tis, tis. You could do much better with a little bit of effort or help. I have been waiting to read you book ever since I heard that you were writing one. I can’t wait to hear about how to apply Quant-Economics to my favourite sport.
Perhaps I can provide some web-development support?
Joe