Tom Watson’s Getting Back to Basics

Tom Watson (born 1949) is one of the greatest golfers of his generation and one of the most successful American players in the history of the Open Championship. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he turned professional in 1971 and went on to win eight major championships, including five Open Championships (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982 and 1983) and two Masters titles (1977 and 1981). Known for his superb ball-striking, competitive temperament and exceptional links play, Watson became particularly associated with the Open Championship. His duel with Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in 1977, often called the “Duel in the Sun” is regarded as one of the greatest contests in golf.

Anthony Ravielli was one of the most accomplished illustrators in the history of golf. An American artist with a particular talent for depicting the mechanics of the golf swing, he became famous for his precise black-and-white illustrations of golfers and golf technique. His best-known work was his collaboration with Ben Hogan on Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf (1957), where Ravielli’s drawings became almost as celebrated as Hogan’s instruction. He subsequently worked with Bobby Jones on Bobby Jones on Golf and The Basic Golf Swing.

Nick Seitz was an influential American golf writer and editor who spent more than three decades with Golf Digest. He collaborated with Tom Watson on several books, including Getting Up and Down (1983) and Tom Watson’s Strategic Golf (1993) which were also illustrated by Ravielli.