Everyone knows by now that the Tiger Woods explosion that began a few years back has completely changed the sport of golf – and nearly everyone agrees that the change has been for the better. With one smooth swing of the driver, golf has gone from being a staid, genteel country club game played by old fogies to something a lot more dynamic – and with a lot more appeal to young kids from all kinds of different backgrounds.

The Woods revolution has found its way into the world of golf books as well. And this change toward a funkier, hipper approach to the game is nicely exemplified by The Kids Book of Golf, written by John Gordon, a columnist on the game for the National Post and for www.golf.com, who has six adult golf books to his credit. The emphasis here is, as it should be with any good introductory instruction book on sports, on the fundamentals and mechanics of playing, and on the basic rules.

But there’s also lots of punch to the easy-to-read text, especially in the form of interesting little snippets of golf lore. (“Players at the 1980 South African Open had problems teeing off on the eighth hole when six monkeys decided to have a wrestling match there.”) And to complement the drills and technical tips, Gordon has also included pages on the history of golf, lots of material about the great players of the past and present, and an index.

The book also makes use of a wide array of colour photos, not only of the Tigers and Jack Nicklauses and Annika Sorenstams of the pro circuit, but also of young kids in action on the links, demonstrating the basics of driving, putting, and course etiquette and dress.

In all, this book will be a captivating illustration to the game for any young reader showing an interest in golf.