Around the World in 18 Holes

Yeah, I know, another golf book. I read a lot of them, OK? This one is specifically a golf TRAVEL book, though, which appealed to me. Come to think of it, I really don't travel to golf, though, so I don't know why it would. I guess I pictured kind of a "Long Way Round" golf style, which this was, in a way.

Callahan and Kindred are sportswriter colleagues who decide, as their careers are winding down, to make a big statement and travel around the world playing golf. They'll pick one unique and challenging hole from specific courses around the world, and string into one "diabolical" 18. The visit Scotland, Iceland, France, India, Mauritius, Russia, Nepal, China, Taiwan and the U.S. The meet all sorts of fascinating people. They play some pretty miserable golf. Seriously, I'm glad they wrote more about the travel aspect than their games - it's no fun listening to a 14 handicapper (about my skill level, by the way) talk about his driver troubles. I think they were generous with the putts, too - they seemed to relate making a LOT of long ones.

These are guys from a different generation and cultural background from me, too - their writing was peppered with sports allusions that I was unfamiliar with, and cultural ones that I had just barely heard of. Still enjoyed reading about the travels, even if it seemed pretty selfish an endeavor in the end.

Book 47