A Course Called America

Fifty States, Five Thousand Fairways, and the Search for the Great American Golf Course

By: Tom Coyne

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Globe-trotting golfer Tom Coyne has finally come home. And he’s ready to play all of it.

After playing hundreds of courses overseas in the birthplace of golf,​ Coyne, the bestselling author of A Course Called Ireland and A Course Called Scotland, returns to his own birthplace and delivers a “heartfelt, rollicking ode to golf…[as he] describes playing golf in every state of the union, including Alaska: 295 courses, 5,182 holes, 1.7 million total yards” (The Wall Street Journal).

In the span of one unforgettable year, Coyne crisscrosses the country in search of its greatest golf experience, playing every course to ever host a US Open, along with more than two hundred hidden gems and heavyweights, visiting all fifty states to find a better understanding of his home country and countrymen.

Coyne’s journey begins where the US Open and US Amateur got their start, historic Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. As he travels from the oldest and most elite of links to the newest and most democratic, Coyne finagles his way onto coveted first tees (Shinnecock, Oakmont, Chicago GC) between rounds at off-the-map revelations, like ranch golf in Eastern Oregon and homemade golf in the Navajo Nation. He marvels at the golf miracle hidden in the sand hills of Nebraska and plays an unforgettable midnight game under bright sunshine on the summer solstice in Fairbanks, Alaska.

More than just a tour of the best golf the United States has to offer, Coyne’s quest connects him with hundreds of American golfers, each from a different background but all with one thing in common: pride in welcoming Coyne to their course. Trading stories and swing tips with caddies, pros, and golf buddies for the day, Coyne adopts the wisdom of one of his hosts in Minnesota: the best courses are the ones you play with the best people.

But, in the end, only one stop on Coyne’s journey can be ranked the Great American Golf Course. Throughout his travels, he invites golfers to debate and help shape his criteria for judging the quintessential American course. Should it be charmingly traditional or daringly experimental? An architectural showpiece or a natural wonder? Countless conversations and gut instinct lead him to seek out a course that feels bold and idealistic, welcoming yet imperfect, with a little revolutionary spirit and a damn good hot dog at the turn. He discovers his long-awaited answer in the most unlikely of places.

Packed with fascinating tales from American golf history, comic road misadventures, illuminating insights into course design, and many a memorable round with local golfers and celebrity guests alike, A Course Called America is “a delightful, entertaining book even nongolfers can enjoy” (Kirkus Reviews).

©2021 Links Life, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wonderful writing

Thanks Tom for another wonderful adventure for those of us who love this game. This book topped off your series with class and many smiles. I look forward to your next surprise for us all.

Treasure Map of American Golf

Inspirational in so many ways, but mostly to play golf. Gives insight on what the golf culture of America looks like. He covers the beautiful and ugly, the fun and the challenge (sometimes one in the same), and the expensive and cheap (sometimes not indicative of the experience). To me this book is my American golf experience. Knowing that I will realistically not be able to come close to playing all the mentioned course; this book gives me the opportunity to imagine myself playing at Pebble Beach or Torrey Pines. Also, he confirms that #4 is better than #2 ifykyk

A great reminder

Tom’s latest work is a wonderful reminder of what makes golf great. Causal players and scratch golfers alike will love A Course Called America. The audio presentation is enjoyable and Tom’s stories from an epic journey had me chuckling on a long road trip that went by faster because of this presentation.

God Bless America and a Scottish game called Golf!

From a daunting task to an incredibly touching and heartfelt read this will inspire any golfer to appreciate the game and America for all the little nuances they possess.

Tom’s passion for golf.

That the book covered golf from the Schoolhouse Nine to Cypress Point and in between.

No better golf writer in the world right now

The best things in life feel familiar and new at the same time, this book falls right into that category.

This installment in the vein of A Course Call Ireland and A Course Called Scotland has some of the familiar call backs, and covers so much new ground. These aren't just golf books. It's a look into a man taking a journey both literal and philosophical.

By the end of this, I feel like I NEED to go to these courses and experience American golf in the same ways Tom did.

The perfect golf book

This was easily my favorite golf book i have come across. It’s familiar and aspirational all at once. Tom finds appreciation in everything he does and it creates a story of an optimistic voyager. Even the critiques he presents are done so tactfully.

A story deeper than Golf, just like the game!

Went into it with the mindset of learning about great golf courses but came out of it learning about life! Just like the game itself, it is probably the best parallel!

A Must for Any Golfer

Vicarious living through Tom’s journey is yet again a remarkable listen. The courses played will leave you jealous and the life lessons highlighted will keep you looking inward with an added layer that is truly touching for any father or son.

Wonderful. Travelogue. Golf. People.

I came to hear about the courses, I left wanting to hear more about the people who play them.

Coyne’s book masterfully illustrates places and personalities.