From whom but Updike could we expect to read a book of essays on golf that encompasses a diverse range of figures such as Herodotus, Artemis, Florence Nightingale, George Eliot, Dante, and Rabbit Angstrom? It's truly a remarkable collection. The Diker vividly describes a northeastern golfer lamenting the winter weather that disrupts his golf addiction. He says, "(Golf dreams) steal upon the sleeping mind while winter steals upon the landscape, sealing the inviting cups beneath sheets of ice, cloaking the contours of the fairway in snow."

One of his fictional Scottish caddies, after an exceptionally smooth swing, exclaims to him, "Oh, bravely struck, sir." With this sentence, my imagination conjures up a delightful scene of a happy threesome: Updike, Cheever, and P.G. Wodehouse making their way down the last long fairway, their heavy bags securely strapped to their youthful shoulders. It's a charming and idyllic image that adds to the allure of Updike's exploration of golf and its many connections.

Updike truly has an in-depth knowledge of golf.

I had initially anticipated an outsider's random thoughts on the game. However, just like other dedicated enthusiasts of the sport, Updike has not only mastered the terminology but also understood the subtleties and the heartbreak that can occur during a day on the links. As a result, this collection reads like a player's personal scrapbook.

The terminology used is precise, and the observations are detailed and specific. The diverse range of writing styles in this collection gives it a pleasant pacing. It includes a short story, an excerpt from a tournament program, a personal essay, a poem, and a portion of a chapter from the Rabbit series.

Most of the references to PGA players are from the period between 1950 and 1995. It is interesting to see which players Updike was particularly drawn to, such as Faldo, Norman, and Freddy Couples, especially in the five years leading up to the publication.

Among all the different writing modes in this book, I would say that the most effective and engaging ones are the fiction excerpts. These are the places where Updike's remarkable talent aligns perfectly with his beloved hobby of golf.

A not entirely unsatisfying read. This simple statement holds a certain charm. It implies that the reading experience was not without its merits, although perhaps not completely fulfilling. There could be various reasons for this. Maybe the story had an engaging premise but fell short in its execution. Or perhaps the writing style was enjoyable, but the plot lacked depth. However, despite these potential flaws, there was still something about the read that managed to hold the reader's interest. It could be a unique character, an unexpected twist, or a beautiful description. In any case, a not entirely unsatisfying read is still a worthwhile experience. It leaves room for improvement and makes the reader curious to see what else the author has to offer.

When John wasn't engaged in complaining about his goddamn bladder, he was able to play a rather excellent game of golf. Five stars for his good form. However, it should be noted that he wasn't as good as me!

All those other loser Presidents seemed to think that they could play golf well. But in reality, they were shooting blanks all over the golf course!

Let's get this straight: I AM THE KING OF THE COURSE. There is no one who can match my skills and dominance on the golf course. I have mastered the art of golf and have proven time and time again that I am the best.

No matter who the opponent is, I will always come out on top. My golfing abilities are second to none, and I will continue to reign supreme as the king of the course.

John Updike is truly a remarkable and great author.

I have a deep appreciation for his unique perspective on the game of golf.

"Golf Dreams" is a wonderful compilation of the pieces he has penned over the years.

It includes contributions from magazine articles he wrote for esteemed publications such as Golf Digest.

There is also a segment taken from three of his renowned "Rabbit" series.

Even a speech he delivered at the 100-year anniversary of the US Golf Association is part of this collection.

Reading the works of such a great author and seeing how he shared his thoughts and experiences on golf was truly a delight.

However, there were occasions when he deviated a bit from the topic of golf and delved into philosophical and other types of ramblings.

At times, it was rather challenging to wade through those sections and reach the next piece.

Overall, considering all these aspects, I would rate the book 3 out of 5 stars.

It has its merits with the interesting golf-related content, but the digressions do pose some difficulties for the reader.

Love of Golf Rekindled

In the not-too-distant past, the captivating stories within this collection had a profound impact on me. They ignited a dormant desire deep within my soul to once again set foot on the golf course. It was a comforting realization that I was not alone in my golfing journey. There were countless other golfers out there, just like me, who often felt a sense of hopelessness. We would struggle through rounds, with shots going astray and scores not meeting our expectations. However, despite these challenges, we all shared a common belief. We firmly believed that there were still those few magical, perfect shots waiting to be unleashed. That glimmer of hope kept us coming back, eager to experience the joy and satisfaction that only a great golf shot can bring. The stories in this collection served as a reminder of that hope and rekindled my love for the game of golf.

I am an absolute golf fanatic. I have an intense passion for playing golf, and I also thoroughly enjoy reading about the sport. It seems that golf has completely captured my heart and soul.

If, for some strange reason, I had the inclination to make someone despise golf and have an even stronger aversion to golfers, I would undoubtedly hand them this particular book. I can only imagine the negative impact it might have on their perception of the game and those who play it.

Perhaps this book contains elements that are off-putting or present golf in a less than favorable light. Maybe it highlights the less glamorous aspects of the sport or portrays golfers in a negative way. Whatever the case may be, I have a feeling that it could effectively turn someone off from golf.

Favorite sport covered by a favorite author? I’ll take two, thanks.

It's truly a fascinating combination when a sport that one loves is expertly covered by an author who holds a special place in one's heart. The way the author can bring the excitement, the drama, and the essence of the sport to life through words is simply magical.

Whether it's the intense action on the field, the strategies employed by the teams, or the emotions of the players and fans, the author has the ability to capture it all and transport the reader into the heart of the sporting event.

It's like having a front-row seat to the game, even when you're miles away. And when it's a sport that you have a deep passion for, it makes the reading experience all the more enjoyable and engaging.

You can feel the author's enthusiasm and knowledge shining through on every page, and it only serves to fuel your own love for the sport. So, when it comes to favorite sports covered by favorite authors, I'm more than happy to take two, or even more.

This book is not a suitable choice for those who have been golfers for a lifetime.

The author employs a writing language that is far too advanced for the golfers I know. I highly doubt that the average golfer would be able to fully appreciate the author's perspectives on golf.

Essentially, he selects several well-known golf issues and delves into them based on his own background in the sport. While I am familiar with the issues he has chosen, I struggle to relate to his discussions on many of them.

Overall, this is a book that I simply couldn't engage with. Whether it is due to his writing style or his understanding of the issues he covered, I'm not entirely sure.

However, one thing is certain - I will not be reading this author's work again.