A Course Called America: Fifty States, Five Thousand Fairways, and the Search for the Great American Golf Course

I wanted to love this book and I just liked it. I am a big fan of Tom’s following him on podcasts and from his guest appearances in NLU videos so was excited about this book. It is a good read and pairing it with the Trap Draw podcast review has been fun. Tom’s audacity to play in all 50 states and “pick the truly American course” is an awesome concept but think Tom becomes prisoner of that journey and this book has so many themes considered but not examined. It reads like blogs posts compiled into a book. Which is fine but could have been so much more. Is it a golf history book- You can tell Tom almost gave himself a PHD in golf architecture but he goes into history lessons on some courses and not others. Is it a travel book- he talks about some of his challenges of road briefly and goes to all 50 states but some are just to check a box- many will be annoyed their state gets little love (personally for me Indiana and Alabama were notable gloss over states but I can pick many others the natives will be restless about). Is it family- talks about struggle of leaving his kids and is Dad but again surface level. Is it about social issues- like climate change, access, diversity, etc. he lobs these major issues out with a paragraph here or there and really does not examine them. Is it about his struggle with alcohol- mentions being sober in a very pro drinking environment- that has to be a challenge. I think the theme is “the friends you meet along the way- or golf unites people of all backgrounds”. You meet a ton of characters and Tom seems to build lasting relationships (probably could go even deeper on that) Which is what kept me reading and ultimately finished the book and why I would recommend it but probably best paired with podcast or No Laying Up videos to get the full impact of some of the places he goes.

Tom Coyne's latest work, "A Course Called America," became an instant companion for the first leisure read of summer. Initially intrigued because of local muni course that was featured (Grover Cleveland GC in Buffalo, NY), it proved to be so much more than book about golf courses.People and PlaceThe characters in Mr. Coyne's life play a huge role in making the text flow. From his long-suffering spouse and kids, to friends like Brendan, Mike, Fairway Joe, and countless more, it's a reminder that it's not the places that matter so much, it's the intersection of people and land that make an impact. His quest to find the Great American Golf Course stirs the itch to travel and to play, and his writing about his father is a non-fiction counterpart to other father - son relationships in literature and film, like the Kinsellas in Shoeless Joe/Field of Dreams.The courses that he finds mirror our nation. Some are pristine and closed off from much of society, while some are unkempt and open to all. Still others prove to creative, authentic, and democratic in their membership and spirit. On these varied links, our author finds, with very few exceptions, good people. People willing to share a game for four hours, with pride in their surroundings, possessing a scar tissue and empathy for their fellow travelers and pursuers of the game.Mr. Coyne knows the game and plays it well. He's passionate about all facets: from golf architecture, to podcasts, to course designers. You'll love golf more after reading this; I think you'll see your next round with new eyes. As your own travels in the game continue, you'll appreciate the places where you next tee it up, and those who join you. More than that, I bet you'll check your home course for tee times, call up some old friends, and play where you first encountered your love for the game.

Following books A Course Called Ireland/Scotland, Coyne opted for the same formula for the USA. Here, he's just trying to find the quintessential American course by playing in all 50 states. While there are plenty of interesting anecdotes and insights into particular courses, the tale devolves into a race around the country for the sake of reaching all 50. Many courses get barely a paragraph. Not sure he ever picked the course he was looking for, unless it was a 12-holer a guy built in his large "backyard".This is Coyne's 4th book. You get a real view of his personal development. The last part of the book where he plays what is likely a final round with his father is quite touching. It's clear Tom was trying to live up to his father's expectations. Golf was their bond. By now though we know Tom was a privileged Irish-Catholic who despite his Notre Dame pedigree at this point is a typical East Coast liberal, as he himself notes. Maybe not what his dad (naval office, wealthy stockbroker) aspired for his youngest sone. As a liberal, he's constantly at odds with the exclusive nature of many American course (particularly East Coast). It gets a bit preachy at times. Not sure if his wife Allyson is real for all the BS she's put up with him since Paper Tiger.

Excellent story telling and great anecdotes from many of the courses we dream to play. A great read for any golfer.

Tom Coyne has delivered another fantastic read with "A Course Called America". With his easy flowing style and vivid descriptions he brings you along on another amazing adventure, but this is more than just a golf book. It's about people and priorities and remembering what's important in life. If you haven't read anything of his before, start with this book and you will quickly want to read A Course Called Ireland and Scotland...

I really wanted to like this book, having read all other books from Tom Coyne I was confident also to like this one. It seems the publisher was really keen on doing this book and Tom Coyne agreed without being really committted. Unfortunately this shines through, the author wasn't really in this project wholeheartedly, it reads more like "I have done Scotland and Ireland, well, I have to do the US and the potential audience is even bigger...You don't really get to know the people playing with Tom and neither is there good travel stories and a recurrent theme, like in his Ireland and Scotland books is really missing. If you want to know details about the golf courses played, then you might find the book interesting, but even there you could find better information on e.g. gold digest. At the end the book was borderline boring and I had to push myself to finish it. I guess the next book is about Australia, let's see...

Another epic golfing journey undertaken by Mr. Coyne. A heartfelt joy to read, transporting the reader to the courses played, bringing them to life along with the characters populating them.