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Golf Wars

LIV and Golf's Bitter Battle for Power and Identity

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Golf Wars

By: Iain Carter
Narrated by: Iain Carter
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Bloomsbury presents Golf Wars written and read by Iain Carter.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CHARLES TYRWHITT SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2025 – GOLF BOOK OF THE YEAR

‘Enthralling … unmissable’ – Golf News

'A superbly detailed account of an uprising in professional golf' – Andrew Cotter

'A complete and compelling commentary as the sport greedily ripped itself apart' - James Corrigan, golf correspondent of the Daily Telegraph

Golf is at war. PGA vs. LIV. Establishment vs. upstart. This is the story of how golf was ripped apart.

The battle for the future of professional golf has been blazing. The Saudi-backed organisation LIV Golf has struck at the very heart of the golfing establishment, setting up rival tournaments with enormous prize pots and pitting the game’s most famous players against each other. Led by legend Greg Norman, it has enticed the likes of Sergio García, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Jon Rahm, parking its tanks on the manicured greens of the traditional game. Its tagline: Golf but louder.

With LIV now in its season and little sign of the struggle abating, BBC Golf Correspondent Iain Carter delivers the fascinating – and ongoing – account of a sporting upheaval.

Golf Wars spotlights the key players, both on the course and in the boardroom, exploring how the PGA Tour and other traditional organisations are fighting back. Carter covers every twist and turn, hearing from influential figures including Rory McIlroy, Jay Monahan, Greg Norman, Keith Pelley and Tiger Woods.

Through expert and up-to-date analysis of all sides of this bitter conflict, Carter reveals how the saga is unfolding and what it means for golf’s future. Has the controversial Saudi Arabian state essentially bought the game? Is LIV just a sportwashing series of glitzy exhibition tournaments? Or is it a welcome challenge to the golfing hegemony and a long-awaited refresh of tired traditions?

This epic tale of fierce internal warfare has shaken golf to its core and marks a seminal moment in sporting history. Business Golf Professionals & Academics Sports War Game
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Critic reviews

A superbly detailed account of an uprising in professional golf.
If John le Carré decided to take on a golf story, this is the book he'd write… Carter takes us behind the scenes to help us better understand the origins of this existential moment for all of professional sports.
Detailed, revealing and at times shocking, Carter’s insider position in golf’s civil war gives him a unique insight into the carnage caused by LIV Golf's untold riches and just how deep the rifts in the pro game still run.
Few journalists are closer to the professional game than Iain Carter, who offers detailed and balanced insight on a civil war that has plagued golf during the most tempestuous period in the sport's history.
Golf Wars takes us inside [Carter's] sport just as it is being split down the middle … by candidly allowing the reader to see golf through a journalistic lens, Carter reveals as much about the media as he does about the sport
As Arnold Palmer said, "golf is the closest game to the game we call life"; while this is the remarkable and entertaining story of a revolution in golf, it's also a sobering reminder of the way the world really works ... Iain Carter has been there through it all and applies his trademark integrity and gift for storytelling to a tale with more twists than a Major Championship.
Iain Carter, an exciting writer and brilliant broadcaster, is one of the most experienced golf correspondents on the planet. In Golf Wars he gives a complete and compelling commentary as the sport greedily ripped itself apart.
Enthralling ... unmissable
... the most comprehensive account of the carnage caused by LIV ... the fallout on the course and in the boardroom is knitted together with the help of insiders, who add balance and fresh commentary to a subject that continues to amaze and surprise
A detailed and compelling account of how LIV Golf disrupted the sport’s long-standing ecosystem, it takes you to the heart of the drama during one of the most seminal periods in pro golf history … [Carter] is a gifted writer with a talent for explaining the borderline unexplainable with panache and style
Essential read … as comprehensive and well researched as any fan of the pro game could ever hope to read.
All stars
Most relevant
I thoroughly enjoyed Iain Carter’s analysis of the power struggles taking place between the various golf tours. His diaries from inside the ropes at the four majors were also a fascinating listen.

Engrossing insight into the battle for pro golf ownership

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Always love Iain's insights into golf. Think Andrew Cotter should have narrated it for him.

Insightful Account of the Golf Wars

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I thought I knew the story, as a regular listener to The Chipping Forecast, but the extra content and Iain Carter’s entertaining delivery made it come to life with some fundamental insights into the complexity of the LIV saga. I found it riveting and listened to it almost continuously over a couple of days.

A Riveting Snippet of Golf History

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Really enjoyed this, especially being huge fan of The Chipping Forecast... was surprised at Iain’s presentation of his text..... he speaks so eloquently and so easy to listen to on his commentary and presenting usually... I found his deadpan reading of this lacking intonation and without variation of tone distracting and impacted my enjoyment.... that said would recommend ... as would anything Iain Carter is fronting ... admiration for his dedication, knowledge and professionalism

Golf Politics so complex; interesting and engaging insight

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Even as an avid golf fan, this wouldn’t be my normal choice of book. Iain’s “guest” appearances on the Chipping Forecast sold me on the idea and I’m very pleased too.

Fascinating insight into modern golf

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