19. Jim Hartsell: Worship in Golf's Tiny Chapels

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 Topics
The 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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