Paper Tiger

An Obsessed Golfer's Quest to Play with the Pros

By: Tom Coyne

Narrated by: Kyle Tait

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Think country-club clinic meets Navy SEALs training. I will pay any price, bear any burden, leave my home to follow the seasons, build my own swing studio in the basement, construct a practice green in my backyard.... Everything the big boys have access to, I want double. 

Like most amateur golfers, Tom Coyne had often wondered whether the pros won because they were more talented or because they were more obsessed. Overweight and burdened by a 14 handicap, he decided to find out for himself what it takes to play like a pro. 

Charting his journey - which included hiring top golf gurus such as Dr. Jim Suttie - Paper Tiger takes listeners from the Michelob tournament (a win for Tom) to the Australian Tour, where 40-mile-per-hour winds and a driving rain scare off his Japanese partners. With each chapter, he tracks his weight alongside his handicap, pursuing his dream with a reckless abandon that comes to involve hardcore diets, pricey technology, and even psychologists. With echoes of Dead Solid Perfect and Who's Your Caddy? Tom brings his uniquely edgy, deeply human perspective to a game that can simultaneously bring out the best and the worst in everyone who tries to master it.

©2006 Tom Coyne (P)2020 Tantor

If you thought; "I wonder what it takes "

You'll know exactly how much talent, confidence, money and perseverance fort someone to be a professional golfer. Fasinating read.

5/5

Loved it. great writing, great story. amazing to hear what would happen when an otherwise normal golfer takes a chance at the pros

What a fantastic listen!

I enjoyed this audiobook immensely. Coyne’s writing style is engaging and addicting. The story is just as compelling. I wish there was more and it’s already pretty thorough.

If you play golf and have ever been interested in the professional side of the game, not the one you see on tv, do yourself a favor and buy this book!

Best golf book ever?

While I thoroughly enjoyed both A Course Called Ireland and A Course Called Scotland, I absolutely fell in love with Paper Tiger. Best golf book ever? Maybe not to some, but it sure is for me.

Very enjoyable!

Great job Tom! Full of great perspectives and humor. Thank you for your writing. A+!

Bravo Tom Coyne!

Thank you so much Tom for all of your travel stories, they are truly wonderful and this is the best one of all. You’ve made it to the top of my list of people I would love to golf with, if you ever take interest in the game again ha ha, best wishes for you and your family! All of Tom’s books are absolute must reads for all serious golfers.

Love Coyne’s Storytelling!!

Tom has a talent for capturing individual moments with such clarity and humor. Being a golfer, I felt I was experiencing all the ups and downs of Tom’s yearlong quest to see how good he could become. Sad the the book had to end, but it was a great ending. Golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy this book.

Good Book!

Better then expected. Just wish the golf would have been a little better but I understand that's good after all..

Very enjoyable

If you ever stood on the 18th tee at your home course and thought I should turn pro this book is for you. Thanks Tom I could not put it down.

For the Serious Player

Engrossing book - Tom adeptly illustrates what every single digits handicap and lower has felt on their quest for golfing greatness