Show Notes
A far-reaching and candid conversation with American author Jim Hartsell, who talks about his profound love for Scottish golf, his personal journey from playing with generations of his family in Alabama, the tragic loss of his son Jordan, and how the people, the golf culture and the less-heralded courses of Scotland provided sanctuary n his darkest times. Jim discusses how these experiences have shaped his writing and also shares stories behind Tennessee's cult 9-hole course Sweetens Cove, his books, and the deep cultural ties that make Scottish golf uniquely special.
Key TopicsThe significance of the 1977 Open Championship to Jim
The connection between family and golf across generations
The story behind Sweetens Cove and its architectural philosophy
Jim Hartsell's books: The Secret Home of Golf, When Revelation Comes, and A Round of Scottish Courses
The importance of small, historic Scottish courses and their preservation
Chapters
00:00 Introducing this week's guest, Jim Hartsell
01:42 1977 Open at Turnberry: Jim’s first Scottish golf memory
04:50 Growing up playing golf in Alabama
08:12 First Scottish golf trip with Dad in 1994
14:45 The spiritual pull of Machrihanish and Dunaverty
19:35 The Secret Home of Golf: Sweetens Cove
27:08 King Collins - Golf architecture philosophy
32:26 Get a 20% discount on your next Sounder purchase
32:39 Family tragedy and Jim's second book
39:51 The kindness and empathy of the Scottish people
44:22 Author Stephen Proctor and The Duffers' Literary Podcast
45:19 Jim's latest book on the "tiny chapels of Scottish golf"
52:29 Recapturing the joy of childhood play on Scottish courses
55:47 Dan invites Jim to Royal North Devon, The Cradle of English Golf
01:00:17 Jim Hartsell's deepening connection with Scotland through golf
01:02:58 A shout out to Jim at Back Nine Press
Links
Jim Hartsell on Twitter
Jim Hartsell’s website
Sweeten's Cove Golf Course
The Secret Home of Golf by Jim Hartsell (Back Nine Press)
When Revelation Comes by Jim Hartsell (Back Nine Press)
A Round of Scottish Courses by Jim Hartsell (Back Nine Press)
Dan Davies on Substack
RNGC backyard golf course on Instagram
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