The Duffer’s Literary Companion

Stephen and Jim discuss the definitive 1999 Arnold Palmer biography written by James Dodson.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 2009 New York Times bestseller A Course Called Ireland - A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee.  Author Tom Coyne joins the podcast for a wonderful discussion about the book and other topics.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 2006 classic of golf literature, Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1929 classic on golf architecture and its unique analysis of the game.

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1922 comic masterpiece by the English writer PG Wodehouse. From Sage Advice from the Oldest Member to Joe Gargery and The Judge in Down the Rabbit Hole, it's a fun look at a wonderful writer of fiction.

Stephen and Jim remember the career of the legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros and welcome Scottish author Kenny Reid to discuss his new book on Seve. 

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1927 classic Down the Fairway by Bobby Jones -a wonderful memoir of his life in golf, three years before he won the Grand Slam in 1930.

Stephen and Jim discuss the unique and mysterious 1908 work by English/Canadian author Arnold Haultain. A few new categories are required to analyze this one.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1970 classic The Dogged Victim of Inexorable Fate by Dan Jenkins, which includes one of the best stories ever written - The Glory Game at Goat Hills.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1966 classic book The Long Green Fairway by the English writer Pat Ward-Thomas.  It is a wonderful collection of essays from his writing for the Manchester Guardian and Country Life Magazine from 1956-1965.

Stephen and Jim welcome English writer Richard Pennell to the pod to discuss his book Grass Routes.

Stephen and Jim discuss the seminal 1996 Scottish golf travel book, Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens by Philadelphia native Jim Finegan. In the Down The Rabbit Hole segment, the guys name their own current favorite top 10 Scottish courses.

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1944 book Golf Between Two Wars by the legendary Bernard Darwin. In addition to Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, a deep discussion ensues on such unforgettable characters as Cyril Tolley, Cecil Leitch, Glenna Collett, Tommy Armour, Alexa Stirling, and Joyce Wethered. Darwin's writings and equipment and architecture are all still remarkably relevant after 80 years.

A mini episode for Stephen, with a reading from Sam McKinlay's wonderful Scottish Golf and Golfers. Sam was the golf writer for the Glasgow Herald from 1956-1980.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1995 book, My Usual Game.  They are joined by the author, David Owen. David has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1991.

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1950 memoir, Thirty Years of Championship Golf by Gene Sarazen with Herbert Warren Wind

Stephen and Jim discuss the prolific Scottish author Angus MacVicar, specifically his 1984 book Golf in My Gallowses.

Stephen and Jim discuss the seminal 2001 book, A Season in Dornoch -  written by the great Canadian golf writer Lorne Rubenstein.  Lorne joins for part of the discussion. A celebration of all that is great about Scottish golf.

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1992 book To The Linksland by Michael Bamberger -  featuring characters like the great Scottish pro John Stark of Crieff and Peter Teravainen. Michael joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on Scotland, golf writing and his legendary career.