How to Quit Golf (and Get Your Life Back) is funny yet sometimes I could tell if it were satire or not. I enjoy golf, but am not obsessed (unlike my partner), and I mostly enjoyed the book. I'd get the physical book more as a gift for a golf lover - less as an actual read.

This one surprised me. I was expecting humor, and parts of it are very funny - but it’s also a surprisingly sweet look at a well-off white guy’s mid-life crisis and how he survives and even improves as it runs its course. Not exactly uncharted territory, but the tone of this one is so much more “huh - I guess I AM pretty lucky” than “oh, the existential woes of extreme privilege” makes all the difference. There’s still the perennial head-scratcher of why straight marriages are presumed to be so adversarial, to the point that a few sequences of marital discord are out of tone with the rest of the book - but if you’re reading the print edition you can skim over those. The audio makes that a bit more challenging, so this might be one where print would be preferable.

But if you’ve ever had an all-encompassing “hobby” that took over your life, or if you’ve been through a family member’s obsession with golf (or pickleball, collecting obscure items, visiting every ballpark, etc.) - this will hold your interest.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Maybe I am dumb, but I honestly did not believe the author would truly give up Golf at the end of this quick journey down the How to Become Obsessed with Golf road. I myself was "bitten" by the golf bug a few years back so I enjoyed all of Cahill's satire and jabs he takes at "golf people" . All the justifications we make about our game; justifying taking off work, buying the new equipment, judging other golfers based off their attire and of course the agony of missing a 2 foot putt.
I couldn't believe how much I connected with his inner thoughts especially as he described the pressure of the Member Member.
That being said this book is for sure written for men.
There is some crude/crass bunny trails he goes down that did not add to the book, in fact actually took away from the book.


I would have given this a 4 star hands down, if it weren't for the last few chapters when our narrator does indeed QUIT GOLF! And instead he pours all of his energy into rescuing DOGS? Really? Ridiculous.
His main message was My obsession with golf ruined my home life, so instead I switched my obsession to saving dogs and including my family in that. How about "taming" the real beast and not spending 7 days a week playing golf, limit yourself. Stop being a narcissist appreciate your wife, children, job and friends. It's not all about you. [Insert this man needs to be in Church to learn how to be a good husband]
It made me so sad, that he gave up such a wonderful game, he could have been less of a jerk and included his family in his passion, but realizing there are limits in life, other things are more important.
And all for dogs?

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this advanced copy. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this review of this Book How to Quit Golf.

I was able to get a physical copy of this for my husband and he really enjoyed both. Thank you for both editions for him to listen and read!

This was a tough one to rate as going into it my expectations were very high. I am a major golfer, a bit obsessed really. I play 3x per week when I can but I am also a woman. This book was not written for me but for a manbro golfer who uses it as escapism from their family/wife. This is from the perspective of a man who believes women don't (dare I even say shouldn't?) play golf and don't have a place amongst the bro time. So I accept that I am probably not the target audience and tried hard not be offended throughout the entire book. I did find the first few chapters laugh out loud funny regarding the time, money, resources etc spent on golf... it's true, all of it. While I respect Danny's journey from obsession to quitting cold turkey, I don't relate to it at all. What works for someone may not be the answer that works for everyone - even if it is the same addiction. Kudos to you and your new non-golf life, I'm glad it makes you and your family happier.