According to the author, Bob Cupp, the first historical mention of golf was in an edict banning golf which was issued by King James II of Scotland in 1457. He assumes that golf must have been thriving in order to be the object of a ban. The book is his imaginary tale of how it might have been at the time.

 

I liked his theory of how it must have been shepherds who invented the game while tending their flocks which kept the links grass very short. He imagines that the first clubs must have been sticks, the first balls round stones and the first holes rabbit scrapes.

 

Cupp captures much of the humor and aura of golf in a comfortable and accessible style. I only wished there had been even more of the Scottish wit of which there was plenty.

 

The setting was the area around St. Andrews and I recognized several of the places mentioned.

 

This book could be made into an entertaining movie - at least for golfers - if the makers have the budget and inclination to recreate old St. Andrews.

 

It only took me two days to read which indicates it had me hooked.