The Duffer’s Literary Companion

A podcast exploring the rich literary tradition of the game of golf, hosted by authors Stephen Proctor and Jim Hartsell.

Hints on Golf - Golf Instruction Books from Hutchinson to Hogan

Stephen and Jim discuss the history of golf instruction books - from Percy Boomer and Horace Hutchinson to Tommy Armour, Jones and Hogan.

09-05
01:25:01

Final Rounds and A Son of the Game by James Dodson

Stephen and Jim discuss two beloved books by one of America's best-selling golf writers.

08-15
01:06:50

A Game of Golf by Francis Ouimet

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1932 classic by one of America's greatest golfers.

07-11
01:10:50

The Shot by Chris Millard

Stephen and Jim are joined by author Chris Millard to discuss his new book from Back Nine Press, The Shot - Watson, Nicklaus, Pebble Beach, and the Chip That Changed Everything

06-06
01:51:23

Golfer - at - Large by Charles Price

Stephen and Jim discuss the wonderful and often overlooked American writer, Charles Price.  For a special Down the Rabbit Hole segment, they are joined by Jake Hartsell.

05-16
01:26:44

Golf in the Kingdom

Stephen and Jim account for golf's strange and lasting attraction in a discussion of Michael Murphy's 1972 classic of golf fiction, Golf in the Kingdom. 

04-04
01:41:26

A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer with James Dodson

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

03-07
01:11:12

A Course Called Ireland with Tom Coyne

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.

02-14
01:39:56

Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig

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

01-10
01:05:12

The Architectural Side of Golf by Tom Simpson and H.N. Wethered

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

12-06
01:19:10

The Clicking of Cuthbert by PG Wodehouse

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.

11-01
01:14:26

Seve Ballesteros's A Touch of Class with Kenny Reid

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. 

10-04
02:01:35

Down the Fairway by Bobby Jones

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.

09-06
01:35:12

The Mystery of Golf by Arnold Haultain

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.

08-09
01:33:32

The Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate by Dan Jenkins

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.

07-05
01:28:02

The Long Green Fairway by Pat Ward-Thomas

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.

06-06
01:16:18

Grass Routes by Richard Pennell

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

05-03
01:51:18

Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens by James Finegan

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.

04-04
01:44:13

Golf Between Two Wars by Bernard Darwin

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.

03-01
01:35:53

The Finest Man I Ever Met

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.

02-22
07:54

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