A Course Called Scotland

Searching the Home of Golf for the Secret to Its Game

By: Tom Coyne

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Tom Coyne - the author of the New York Times best-selling A Course Called Ireland, hailed as “a joy from start to finish” by The Wall Street Journal - comes the heartfelt and humorous celebration of his quest to play golf on every links course in Scotland, the birthplace of the game he loves. 

For much of his adult life, best-selling author Tom Coyne has been chasing a golf ball around the globe. When he was in college, studying abroad in London, he entered the lottery for a prized tee time in Scotland, grabbing his clubs and jumping the train to St. Andrews as his friends partied in Amsterdam; later, he golfed the entirety of Ireland’s coastline, chased pros through the mini-tours, and attended grueling Qualifying Schools in Australia, Canada, and Latin America. Yet, as he watched the greats compete, he felt something was missing. Then one day a friend suggested he attempt to play every links course in Scotland, and qualify for the greatest championship in golf. 

The result is A Course Called Scotland, a hilarious golf and travel adventure throughout the birthplace of the sport and home to some of the oldest and most beloved courses in the world, including St. Andrews, Turnberry, Dornoch, Prestwick, Troon, and Carnoustie. With his signature blend of storytelling, humor, history, and insight, Coyne weaves together his journey to more than 100 legendary links courses in Scotland with compelling threads of golf history and witty insights into the contemporary home of golf. As he journeys Scotland in search of the game’s secrets, he discovers new and old friends, rediscovers the peace and power of the sport, and, most importantly, reaffirms the ultimate connection between the game and the soul. It is a rollicking love letter to Scotland and golf as no one has attempted it before.

©2018 Tom Coyne. All rights reserved. (P)2018 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Too preachy

I really liked his Ireland book, so I immediately bought this one as soon as it was out. I give Mr. Coyne credit for conquering his demons (alcohol) and for being so open about it, but this book came across as preachy. The descriptions about the courses he plays in Scotland are good, but I just wish he stayed away from trying to talk about the pitfalls of booze and how to be a good father and stuck to the golf. He also complains too much about getting a bogey or two in a round.

Perfect

This is a perfect tale about life with golf as the backdrop. One of my favorite listens or reads ever. Thank you Tom.

What could have been....

An excellent book ruined by the authors more than obvious political bias. It's an absolute shame as I only have 1.5 hrs left and have gone from, **I can't turn it off!** to **I can't bring myself to finish** and that makes me sad because the writing and story really are fantastic. The author "claims" to give Trump's courses a chance but thats a flat out lie. If you love golf and are on the left, you will love his ridiculous BS. If you love golf and believe in our POTUS, you will likely feel like me. Oh well, to each his own.

Sign me up for the next trip!

This was a very enjoyable and educational trip around Scotland. As an avid golfer that had no desire to cross the pond with my clubs, it made me a convert. I am making plans. As soon as the COVID-19 ban is lifted, I'm there. Regarding the book, Tom Coyne wrote a very relatable book that was funny, educational, and heartwarming. I found myself looking for every opportunity to pick it up and read on. Now that I'm done, I will have to sign up for his blog and read more of his works.

Great listen!

Makes the miles fly by. Liked it so must I brought the hard cover as well!
Thanks

A lot of courses in Scotland!!

This book has been described as part golf travel guide and part journal of a golf addict. That's pretty accurate. I added it to my list because of an upcoming trip to Scotland. It did provide brief overviews of a lot of the areas, but he played so many courses that a lot of the stuff jumbled in my brain after a while. I think if you had certain places or courses in mind so you perked up during those parts it would stick with you more or he was describing areas you had already visited. The title and description were slightly misleading as he played 107 links courses in the UK. Most of them were in Scotland, but all of them were not. In the United States you will hear some people use the terms "links" and "golf course" interchangeable. But, a links course is a specific kind of course. A kind that we have very few of in the United States. It's basically a course in the coastal sand dunes adjoining the ocean or sea. Being an island nation that is also golf crazy, Scotland is THE place for links courses. Coyne is a writer and a college professor. He is also a really good golfer. He decided to play 107 links courses in a two month break from his job. This meant playing an average of almost 2 courses a day. It also meant that because of travel on some days he played 3 courses in a day to make up for days that he had more travel time. That's a lot of golf. It's also a lot of walking. In Scotland, golf carts are not the norm as they are here. He did not use one on any of the rounds. So that's an average of around 6 miles walked for each of those rounds. He says in the book he lost 37 pounds on the trip! His trip was planned around playing all 107 courses on his list with the final round being a British Open qualifier. I enjoyed the book, but couldn't help but thinking how self centered he was to do all this while leaving a wife and two children behind seemingly not checking in very often. However, since the book has become a best seller maybe that was part of the family decision on this. The reader was well suited for the material. I enjoyed it and it has really gotten me in the mood for my upcoming trip.

Fantastic listen

I loved every minute of this book and will definitely listen to it again soon

Really enjoyable listen

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, what an adventure. Being from Scotland I know a lot of the courses on Toms list but I really enjoyed his perspective on them and the sense of adventure and romance rather than the small details of individual courses.

lose yourself

Lovely read, if you area golfer lose your self in this book, stunning descriptions of Scotland's finniest golf course and his battle against these course and his daily life travelling around Scotland

A Good Walk Not Spoiled

I really enjoyed this travelogue and I think most golfers, especially Scottish golfers, will too. The author is unfailingly positive about the game of golf, the country that (almost) invented it and the people who play it. I was impressed that the journey through Scottish Links courses was kept interesting, and you're not snowed under by facts, figures, techniques, handicaps or travel brochure pen pictures of towns and places. The narration was relaxed and the attempts at Scottish accents forgivable, and I looked forward to returning to the story. Being Scottish, and a golfer, this book was aimed right at me, and I'm glad I found it.

despite the worst cover picture ever......

The cover picture suggests that this is some anecdote-strewn monstrosity in the Tarbie and Brucie style, when in fact it's a wonderful homage to the game of golf.

Beautifully written and narrated. Amazing 5*

A superb piece of work, from a true golfer in every sense of the word. Beautifully written and subsequently narrated, I loved it from the first to the last word!
Highly recommended
Congratulations Tom on a stunning book

Excellent Narration and a great story

If you have played golf at a few of the places he visits you will enjoy this even more. If you love a good golf trip then this has to be one of the best

Inspiring tale for golf lovers

A great story of the joy of playing links golf in Scotland and the characters he met along the way. I am inspired to repeat his feat, albeit over a number of years rather than 3 months!

Inspirational trip around Scotland

I listened to this as a change to my usual golf pods. Now all i want to do is pack my bags and play Scotland.

95% lovely, 5% astonishing

Loved it. Just as I began to fear that the end may leave me slightly unsatisfied, it knocked me out of the park. That tiny nagging question you didn't really know you were asking, gets answered in a way so satisfying I found myself overcome with joy as it all unravelled in those few paragraphs. Finished it with the biggest smile on my face. Have booked my own trip for June 19!