A Course Called Scotland: Searching the Home of Golf for the Secret to Its Game

This is a GREAT golf book. If you have any interest in the game, especially how it is played in Scotland, this is a must read. But it is so much more. Whether you are obsessed with golf or have never held a club in your hand, I recommend “A Course Called Scotland.”Nearly ten years ago, I received a book as a gift that changed my perspective on the game of golf. I loved playing the game, but knew little of its origins and how differently the game is played on true links courses. I thoroughly enjoy reading in “A Course Called Ireland” how golf is played in that part of the world, but I was also introduced to Tom Coyne’s view on that island – its people, its politics, its walkability, and its history (and its golf). Really, I was introduced to one man’s love of Ireland and this beautiful, frustrating game.Now, in what can be called a sequel, we are able to enjoy yet another great golf book, but also another great love story. “A Course Called Scotland” is about love of a game and its origins, but also love of family and friends, love of an attitude and way of life that exists in a nation roughly the size of the state of Maine, love of landscape created by nature rather than heavy machinery, and at the end of the day (or an insane two month journey) love of life itself.I received a 100% satisfaction rating from people I recommended “A Course Called Ireland”; family and friends that are golfers and non-golfers found it informative and entertaining. I believe “A Course Called Scotland” is both of those, but is also a window into the soul of the game and an imperfect man – a man who is full of faults but also full of love and a desire to better himself. As you turn the pages, you are there with the author fighting exhaustion, the unexpected, and self-doubt during this journey – not just in Scotland, but during all our days. This book will teach you, make you laugh, move you, and maybe make you dream of a better life on and off the course. You’ll be glad you read it on your journey.

First things first. If you liked "A course called Ireland" you will like this book. Same easy writing, golf obsessed and funny narrative.A couple of things I disliked. He drives Scotland and walks Ireland, so the ratio golf course per page is very different. You get to know much less about specific courses (with many beautiful exceptions) than you did in the previous one. It makes sense with >100 rounds, but it makes it less enjoyable for me. The only thing I really hated was all the references to Augusta. He spent the book telling us (and I agree whole-hardly) how different links golf is, how amazing and open, how organic, with so little human intervention, how everybody can enjoy it and how that is at the core of Scotland's golf. There is a sentence about the UK being more classist but their golf more open, even their best links can be played by visitors, and the US less socially closed but their top golf being played inside closed County Clubs and private clubs. And then Augusta, the worst offender in terms of exclusivity, becomes the final dream of this book. Not one of the rota courses that anybody can play (for a very reasonable price, many of them), no, it had to be Augusta. For those of us that actually care deeply about the private/public, open/closed dichotomy, and see golf in the islands as the way to go, that part was a hurtful betrayal. But at the end of the day, I cannot judge other person dreams, even if they don't look like mine (particularly when they don't look like mine).The best part? The description of people and playing partners is excellent. I dare say better than in the first one, and the writing about his demons is top notch.May I suggest a 3rd volume biking? I'm in!

Coyne's follow-up to A Course Called Ireland has much of the same as the author now will travel around Scotland plus some English and Welsh courses in search of "the best seaside course". It's a fun and interesting read that I recommend to any golfer, particularly one heading to Scotland. However, the theme isn't as compelling as ACCI. He says he's trying to qualify for the British Open, but this method of prep isn't the way to go about it. And he's continuously coy about his choices, as you might expect. "This one might be the best." Well, is it?One other key point: ACCI is a rollicking fun, with plenty of post-round libations in the Irish manner. That's missing here. I thought it was because he's driving Scotland vice walking Ireland (not that walking the Irish road bleary-eyed is recommended). At the end he reveals somewhere post-Ireland his drinking issues got the worst of him. Ironic since ACCI features a Guinness glass on the cover. Glad Coyne worked it out, but the tale suffers for it.

Enjoyed reading about Tom Coyne’s trip around the many courses in Scotland. From his planning to the actual adventures were all entertaining. Just purchased his book on a similar trip to Ireland. Looking forward to reading that as well.

Planning a trip to Scotland and this book has helped

A great book by Tom for anyone visiting Scotland and wanting to play golf here. I feature in the book (so I am slightly biased!!) for the 1562 Course at Montrose (the 5th oldest in the world), but genuinely the book is a good read and Tom really gets to the point and pleasure of golfing in Scotland.

...comprehensive, easy to read. Inspires ro try out the innumerable golf course in Scotland.

This is anything but a golfer's travelogue of Scotland. Tom's stories are funny, and poignant, and interesting, and he captures a unique country and culture with a keen and loving eye.

I don't read a lot of books, but had by chance stumbled onto seeing something telling me the release date of this latest Tom Coyne work, and me being a golfer from Scotland, it stuck in my head for weeks. I'm calling it fate.Any man or woman who attempts to play this amount of golf and travel this many miles in such a short space of time, is going to have good stories to share and this book didn't disappoint.3 sittings it took me to read this, I was absolutely captured by Tom's superb writing style, humorous golf recollections and heart warming tales of friendships old and new. The biggest compliment I can pay it, is that I'll now be reading Tom's other books, and looking out for other stuff he does.

Travelog of scotland via links courses