Customer Reviews

A Golfer's Education

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've encountered two types of golfers in my trips to the British Isles -- those who love to play it as it lies and those who wished they were in Hawaii. This book is for those who are fascinated with blind shots, are well aware that the weather is apt to change in an instant and find BBC broadcasts mesmerizing -- even when it's horse racing and cricket! I read this book in one sitting and loved the way it captured golf (and day-to-day life) in Scotland.

Kilfara describes in charming detail the characters of St. Andrew's and his loony love of golf comes through in rich portraits of the golf courses of Scotland. A great read for anyone going to Scotland to seek out the home of golf.

As a non-golfer whose father was a serious golfer, I have watched my share of tournaments and have more than a passing knowledge of the game. Although I never took to golf, I thoughly enjoyed this book! The descriptions of the courses and holes were great. Any American who is thinking of taking a golf trip to Scotland should read it to see if they have the temperament for links golf. While in many ways Darren is a "typical" American and the references to Harvard are many, he managed to learn to enjoy the game without worrying about his score, end his club breaking temper tantrums and I think is a nicer person than he would have been had he not made the trip. A delightful read.

This is an approach to golf books that I would really like to see more of. The author has a very keen perception and attention to detail when it comes to describing the best that Scottish golf has to offer, but so have many others that have come before him. The wonderful part about this book is that Kilfara also opens up a part of his soul so that the reader can try to relate to or understand him as a person while he describes this journey. Many times have I read a book about sports and wondered about personal details of the author that determine his perception of what he is desacribing. Kilfara lets us in to a part of his psyche and should be roundly applauded for it. Anyone that did not enjoy this book I believe does not like, understand or appreciate golf or is plainly jealous of the wonderful courses the author has been able to play.

Clever story about a young guy looking to play some golf in the Home of Golf and determines that going to school at the University of St. Andrews is his ticket.

Nicely written. Very readable. I have become somewhat obsessed with reading about golf in Scotland and most of the non-fiction reads like a listing-guide to the courses in Scotland.

If you are interested in reading first hand accounts of people playing/living in Scotland, I'd also recommend "Two Years in St. Andrews" by George Peper and "Playing Through" (I forget the writers name) - but the book is about Gullane and the courses in and around East Lothian, Scotland....

Enjoy

This is a must-read for anyone planning a golfing holiday in Scotland. The author, who is extremely sympathetic, writes well, with a refreshing mix of charm and honesty.He played an incredible number of courses al over Scotland and describes them in detail with the knowledge of a student of course architecture.He was constantly short of funds during his year in Scotland, and his efforts to save money lend a very personal and, at times, comic touch. All this plus a happy ending! Highly recommended.

Kilfara really captures the essence of the game in a must read for all avid golfers. Kilfara's narrative tells an enchanting story of golf, personal growth and romance all while on an academic sojourn from Harvard. The prose is imminently readable and will capture the hearts and minds of most golfers and non-golfers alike. I wholeheartedly recommend this endearing book to all who might need a trip to the old world.

This was one of the only golf books that I read so far this year. When I read about golf, I try to balance my reading on books on instruction with books about peoples's lives at it relates to golf. I read most of this book, thinking that the premise was decent, and the appearance of the book was quite 'new' (I read it in March 2002). I have probably read 25 to 30 golf-related books and this is one of the worst. I feel there is no depth to the stories about the book. I feel like it's just some person who is trying to make a quick buck. It really left me dissatisfied.

OK, parts of the this book were really enjoyable. The author's portrayal of the town of St. Andrews and the characters that roam its ancient streets and the oldtimers who haunt the Old Course are priceless. Also, several of the courses the author describes (Machrie and Dornoch come to mind) make me want to book a trip right away.
OK, now what's disturbing about the book. What's annoying? Well, the author gets rather full of himself (oh yeah, how many times do we have to hear that he's from Harvard???) as he plays the daring expatriate who is so much better than all of the other rude, loud American tourists roaming Scotland. News Flash! Author, you will always be an American!!
The way the author breaks clubs and treats his friends and girlfriend and any other golfer on the links who never played golf for Harvard is truly horrid. Attention readers and friends of the author: never book a trip with author. Red flag.
Essentially, I fell in love with St. Andrews because of this book. This book renewed my passion for the game. But basically, after reading the book I come away with the feeling that I don't really like the author...
(So much of this book was filled with boring, detailed hole by hole accounts of the various golf outings the author made. Shoot me! Oh, yea wait till you read how the author treats the blind guy! When you get down to it, the author acts very selfish and pompous throughout the book and treats people like garbage. But before that chapter ends he will have a moment of enlightenmnet where he puts things in perspective and he repents. Then next chapter he breaks more clubs and screams some more, followed by more enlightenment and soul searching. Repeat...)

From the beginning I thought that book sounded pretentious. After reading some of the great travel golf books such as the Dewsweepers and Final Rounds, this book just cannot compare. I do not think the author ever established his credentials to give us a meaningful opinion on the great courses he played. I bought it to take up time on a plane trip from the West Coast and I was sorry that I did not just watch the movie.