The Duffer’s Literary Companion

Jake Hartsell, age 33 - son, friend, golfer and musician - passed away in an inexplicable and tragic accident on September 26.  The podcast will be on hiatus indefinitely. We wanted to repost Jake's visit with TDLC in May 2025 where he discussed his love of Scottish golf, its stunning countryside, its people and its wonderful culture. Jake was beloved by his many friends he made in Scotland and th...

Stephen and Jim discuss English author Richard Pennell's newest book, Common Grounds. They are joined by the author from his home near Woking GC.

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1991 collection of essays from the wonderful English golf writer Peter Dobereiner

Stephen and Jim discuss what many consider to be the definitive Hogan biography. This is the 30th anniversary of the book's publication.

Stephen and Jim are joined by author Bill Fields to discuss his new memoir, A Quck Nine Before Dark, which details a 40 year career in golf photography and writing with Golf World, Golf Illustrated, and others.

Stephen and Jim discuss one of their all-time favorite books, Scottish Golf & Golffers by the great Glasgow Herald writer Sam McKinlay. This is a collection of his columns for the paper from 1956-1980. A true classic.

Stephen and Jim discuss Herbert Warren Wind's collection of essays on The Masters from 1954 to 1989.

Stephen and Jim discuss the influential 1951 classic, A Round of Golf Courses, by the English poet and author, Patric Dickinson.  In this book, Dickinson writes about the 18 "best" courses in Great Britain. This volume is the inspiration for A Round of Scotttish Courses, Jim's new book from back9press.com.

Stephen and Jim discuss The Ambassador from Back Nine Press - the story of  Alexander Findlay, one of the forgotten fathers of American golf. They are joined by author William Casto.

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic golf and architecture manifesto written by the Good Doctor in 1933 and published over 60 years after his death in 1995, after being discovered hidden in an old desk drawer.

Stephen and Jim discuss the unique in-depth look at the early days of the PGA Tour by "Champagne" Tony Lema, whose life was tragically cut short at age 32. He won the 1964 Open Championship at St Andrews.

Stephen and Jim discuss Mark Frost's 2007 story of the mythical 1956 match between Ben Hogan & Byron Nelson vs Ken Venturi & Harvie Ward at Cypress Point.

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

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

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

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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.