The challenge was recorded in a monthly column in Golf Digest Ireland and nearly all the UK magazines carried articles on me with a full page spread in Today’s Golfer.
Since then I’ve written a book on the challenge “From Scratch to Scratch – The challenge to break par” which will be published worldwide later this year. If you want the first three chapters (and a couple of freebies) just send an email to scratchtoscratch@hotmail.co.uk and I’ll get them off to you.
But my golf has slipped. I needed to spend a lot more time at home with my family and a couple of broken ribs helped put paid to the summer’s golf. Rounds in the 80s again have been frustrating and I have no interest in letting all that hard work go to waste so it’s a concerted campaign to get back on track and be shooting par again on a regular basis…
Hi – looking forward to the book. I remember reading about your exploits in Today’s Golfer and being amazed.
Glad to see you’re playing well again.
As a golfer of many decades, that is an amazing feat.
I look forward to your book.
Ah, a kindred spirit! I’m 48 and I started playing golf regularly 2 years ago this month. The first year I only played once a week and didn’t practice much. I only broke 80 twice, but got my index down to just under 10. Last year I started playing 2-3 times a week with some practice once a week. I now shoot under 80 2 out every 3 rounds, have shot par or better twice, and have my index down to 3.4. I even got my first ace! Working now on getting my index down to 2 and breaking 70. I started a golf journal this year too
Nice shooting! Getting to under 10 in a year with little practice and only playing once a week is brilliant.
Nice site too – very clean. Needless to say one of my 60 books was Extraordinary Golf. It’s a great book indeed.
Thanks for sending me the first three chapters. I like your writing style and you come across as a likeable bloke. I was already rooting for you to achieve your goal at the end of the sample you sent me. I was already aware of your challenge from the Golfing press which I read rather than actually going out onto a course.
Speaking as an occasional golfer, the enormity of the task you took on is inspirational. I would have a ‘heavy’ lunch at the 19th if I got round in less than 110.
Although achieving your scratch round is admirable, I am looking forward to the book to read about the challenges you faced in getting there. The mental side must have been almost insurmountable as the pressure created by your time limit increased.
I have never been able to get a club-head to contact with a golfball despite numerous attempts. What you have achieved provides an amazing and inspiring tale for anyone who wishes to reach for the stars, whether in golf or any other field.
Well done and best wishes
I know the book isn’t properly out yet but a mutual friend passed on the full manuscript to me suggesting that even though I don’t actually play golf it would be worth a read. To be honest golf, in my mind, is a silly game played by Rupert Bear-trousered business men who don’t want to spend time with their wives or kids on a Saturday. i.e. I was sceptical that I would find it interesting in any way.
But, purely out of politeness to my friend, I decided to read the first couple of chapters anyway. I’m pretty much the same age as you so was immediately fascinated by your thoughts of how we all put off those dreams we had as teenagers and let life just drift past. So I kept reading. I think the book is wonderful. Really wonderful. I actually finished it in two days, which for a jaded reader like me who has to read far too much for work is unheard off. Obviously I didn’t fully understand some of the golf terms but I was still riveted and sitting on the edge of my seat in the last few chapters willing you on – even though I knew you had done it!
Some of it is hilarious. The “Seve at your shoulder” stuff in particular I found wonderful because I have the same type of childishly active imagination. I’m not convinced that we don’t all have to be honest.
I wish you enormous success with it and can promise you that I will be buying a physical book when it does come out. I will also be buying copies for every struggling golfer I know. When will it be out?
Congratulations once again.
P.S. your email links are bouncing on the website. I tried to contact you personally but couldn’t do so.
I think what you have to share will be very valuable to the golfer interested in improving (which is pretty much every golfer). Most golfers have read some of the many books you’ve read, but failed to improve as you did. I’m confident that many golfers will want to learn more about what you figured out that they haven’t. In my opinion, just about any golfer can shoot in the 70’s. It’s not their swing that’s the problem, it’s their mind and emotions. I’m pretty sure you’ll have some great experience to share along those lines. Congratulations and best of luck with your book. I’m eager to read it! If you happen to cruise through California on your book tour, make sure to look me up so we can play a round and compare notes