I own a physical copy of this book (thank you, Simon & Schuster for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!) but decided to listen to it; as I prefer listening to memoirs - especially when the author reads it themselves!

I really enjoyed this book. The author does a fantastic job of weaving together his childhood, family, adult life, and career with his personal journey in golf. It's a heartfelt and inspiring story that’s both touching and motivational. I appreciated how open and honest the author was about the highs and lows of his life.

That said, by the end, I did find some parts starting to feel a bit repetitive. A lot of the reflections, stories, and golf game descriptions started to sound a bit monotonous; I do wish there had been a bit more variety to help each section feel more distinct.

Overall, though, I still really enjoyed the book. It was a compelling look at one person’s journey, full of both triumphs and struggles.

Jimmie James is doing the impossible thing and prove himself to be the first person to play each of America’s 100 greatest golf courses in a single year. This should inspire everyone to chase his dream even though many others will not believe him.

PLAYING FROM THE ROUGH by Jimmie James is more than a sports book. James, a former executive at ExxonMobil wanted a project when he retired and so he decided to try to play the top 100 golf courses (the vast majority of which are private) in America in a year. He includes plenty of golf stories (trying to keep a run of first hole pars going, missing a hole-in-one, etc.), but equally significant are the "life" stories he shares. Some recount his experiences as a Black man on the golf course. Many center around the contrast between his early life of poverty and his obvious privilege at being able to play these courses. The journey meant that James "flew 73,284 miles, drove another 17,472, and spent 82 nights in hotels or other people's homes ... 8,796 strokes ... across thirty-three states." This is an extremely entertaining read about which the golf writer Rick Reilly says, "I'm so damn jealous of Jimmie James. He not only pulled off my dream golf adventure, but he wrote a book so good I haven't spoken to my laptop in a week." Make an effort to look for and read PLAYING FROM THE ROUGH – here is a link to the Wall Street Journal review which highlights some memorable anecdotes:
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/playing-from-the-rough-review-a-grand-tour-of-golf-3bcd6a56?mod=article_inline

Readers will also enjoy A Course called Scotland by Tom Coyne.

Playing From the Rough is a great book written by a retired engineer and avid golfer. Jimmie James is on quest to play 100 United States golf courses i one calendar year. Although the focus of the book is on golf, you do not have to a an of the sport to enjoy the story..
Playing From the Rough is more a memoir than a sports book. James recalls in vivid detail his impoverished childhood in a ramshackle house with several siblings and virtually no money. The house was void of electric power and heat and located at the bottom of a hill below a sawmill.
Throughout the book James chronicles his rags to upper middle class riches replete with stories of a PE teacher giving him three swats with a paddle everyday because if did not have the "proper" clothes for class.
Despite his struggles James earns his way to college, graduates and begins a slow climb up the executive ladder at Exxon.
James affability and willingness to reach out to strangers helps him secure admission to golf courses that heretofore wound not allow a black man to play.
Typically, a story like this might evoke pity from the reader, however Playing From the Rough prompted me to feel deep admiration for James and his accomplishments. Besides being a very good golfer, and well thought of executive, James is an excellent story teller.