“The Common Golfer.” Mahoning County author’s new book reflects on game
A new book written by a Mahoning County author asks and answers why people play golf while also exploring the relationships golfers share with friends.
Jack Wollitz is the author of The Common Golfer, an exploration of the charms, challenges and traditions of golf, which is set to release on June 6.
He’s a former newspaper editor and public relations executive now working as a columnist for two Ohio newspapers and as a freelance magazine feature writer.
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Wollitz has published more 200 magazine feature stories along with nearly 1,700 weekly columns in the Youngstown Vindicator and Warren Tribune Chronicle.
“We are common golfers with an uncommon passion for the great game and true believers that regardless of what has transpired up to this point in our round, the next shot we are about to hit may very well be the best we’ve ever struck,” Wollitz writes.
Wollitz’s first book, The Common Angler, was published at the beginning of 2026.
In this new book, Wollitz writes about hallowed golf courses around the world, including references to Mahoning Valley players and golf courses.
Through more than 40 essays, he asks and answers why men, women and children all love to play golf, and dives deep into the quirks and eccentricities of people who are loyal to certain courses.
After sixty years of playing the game, Wollitz concludes that “common golfers with an uncommon passion for the game are true believers that, regardless of what has transpired during their round, the next shot they are about to hit may very well be the best they’ve ever struck.”
Both of his books explore the why’s of the respective sports, as well as the optimism and enthusiasm of their participants.
