Michael Bamberger was born in Patchogue, New York, in 1960. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982, he worked as a newspaper reporter, first for The Vineyard Gazette, later for The Philadelphia Inquirer. After twenty-two years at Sports Illustrated, he is now a senior writer at Golf.com. His books include To the Linksland, Men in Green, The Ball in the Air, and The Playing Lesson. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Christine.

Alan Shipnuck is the author of ten books, including the bestsellers Phil; Bud, Sweat & Tees; and The Swinger (with Michael Bamberger). He wrote dozens of cover stories across twenty-five years at Sports Illustrated and has received thirteen first-place awards from the Golf Writers Association of America-breaking the record of Dan Jenkins, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Shipnuck lives in Carmel, California, where is the head coach of Carmel High's varsity girls basketball team.