Count Yogi was a true golfing prophet without honor. I am thrilled by the renewed interest him. Better late than never.

I managed to improve my game quickly and greatly in the mid-1980s by spending just a few dollars for the paperback edition of Count Yogi's book, "5 Simple Steps to Perfect Golf." Yogi's teaching method employs a variation on the standard overlap grip, and a specific setup routine and stance, all geared toward producing a rhythmically balanced swing. Physical injuries prevented me from playing golf for many years, but I am getting back into the game, once again using the grip, stance and swing I learned from Count Yogi's book.

Count Yogi died in 1990 at the age of 80 or more. His real name was Harry Frankenberg, and his ethnicity was mixed, including both Jewish and Native American heritage. The PGA excluded those considered non-Caucasians from membership and touring pro status until the early 1960s. Count Yogi was apparently among those affected by this bigoted policy, and his teaching methods also clashed with the PGA-approved theories, only adding to his lifelong battle with that organization

He adopted the Count Yogi moniker in the 1950s, using it as a stage name for the trick shot shows he performed. At times, Count Yogi posed and played in a Hindu robe and turban for publicity photos. True to form, the PGA tried to discredit him in a letter sent to club pros discouraging them from allowing Yogi to stage exhibitions and clinics at their venues. Ironically, Walter Burkemo, the Detroit club pro who won the 1953 PGA title, was one of Count Yogi's greatest friends. Burkemo was among those who tried unsuccessfully to get the PGA to lift its tournament ban against Yogi. Undaunted, Count Yogi toured the United States for decades, and also worked as a golf pro for Bob Hope and later Mickey Rooney when they owned or fronted for golf courses bearing their names. Knowing what it was like to be unfairly excluded, Count Yogi befriended and supported Muhammad Ali after the heavyweight champ was stripped of his title for opposing the Vietnam war and military draft. As we all know, Ali returned to boxing and regained the title belt, lost it, and then regained it a record third time. A film clip of Ali greeting and bantering with Yogi appears in the video documentary, "King of Golf, Vol 1." Count Yogi's own activities were halted for several years while he recovered from injuries sustained when a Los Angeles municipal transit bus struck his car. When he resumed teaching, one of his pupils was rock musician Graham Nash, whose game flourished under Yogi's tutelage. Late in life, Count Yogi completed a short instruction video summarizing his golfing approach.

Apart from the expensive playing lessons, www.countyogigolf.com also sells books, videos and training materials. The site is run by Tim Nicholls, a devoted friend of Count Yogi's, who inherited his mentor's archival collection of golf memorabilia.