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Maybe It Should Have Been a Three Iron: My Year as Caddie for the World's 438th Best Golfer
Maybe It Should Have Been a Three-Iron is the funny and poignant story of one man's search for sporting glory.
Lawrence Donegan had the desire but lacked the talent to be a professional golfer, so he settled for the next best thing--caddying for Ross Drummond, a little-known pro on the European PGA tour, ranking 438th in the world. With self-deprecating humor, Donegan recounts the days and endless nights he spent on the road with Drummond as they existed on a string of meager tournament checks and chased the elusive "big win" much as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza chased windmills.
Lawrence Donegan had the desire but lacked the talent to be a professional golfer, so he settled for the next best thing--caddying for Ross Drummond, a little-known pro on the European PGA tour, ranking 438th in the world. With self-deprecating humor, Donegan recounts the days and endless nights he spent on the road with Drummond as they existed on a string of meager tournament checks and chased the elusive "big win" much as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza chased windmills.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 2, 2009
Lawrence Donegan, a Brit reporter for the Guardian, spent a year caddying for the world's 438th best player. Donegan was a lousy caddy for a journeyman pro, who spent 19 years on the European Tour without a win.
I will not say the book will change your life, but it will make your world a happier place. Lawrence, as he likes to be call, no Americanized Larry for him, can tell a joke or five. Here's a random sample of his wit as he writes about the inspiration to build a championship quality golf course in Dubai.
"It wakes a vivid imagination to build a two-hundred-acre golf course in the middle of the desert and Sheikh Mohammed appeared to have one of those. He said he had got the idea for the Emirates after visiting the eighteen-hole lay-out in the middle of Doncaster racecourse. I have seen both and can confirm any similarities begin and end with the description 'golf course'. "
I've read a few golf books, the usual tales of the tour told by caddies and pros alike, but have always felt the books were written to glorify the writer and the sport. Donegan harbors no such agenda. Like many reporters Donegan is a cynical man, who says what's on his mind, unworried about making friends. For example, after Ivan Lendl got a sponsor exemption to play in a Tour event and Donegan saw him putting on the practice green. Donegan offered to carry Lendl's bag for the tournament. After Lendl rebuffed the hapless caddy, telling Donegan to get lost so he could work on his puttting, Donegan replied that Lendl needed the work.
Because Donegan doesn't need to make friends, he is honest about his relation with his pro and the tour. Someone who wanted to have a continuing relationship with the tour wouldn't be as cutting with his tongue, much to our delight.
It's an worthwhile and entertaining read.
I will not say the book will change your life, but it will make your world a happier place. Lawrence, as he likes to be call, no Americanized Larry for him, can tell a joke or five. Here's a random sample of his wit as he writes about the inspiration to build a championship quality golf course in Dubai.
"It wakes a vivid imagination to build a two-hundred-acre golf course in the middle of the desert and Sheikh Mohammed appeared to have one of those. He said he had got the idea for the Emirates after visiting the eighteen-hole lay-out in the middle of Doncaster racecourse. I have seen both and can confirm any similarities begin and end with the description 'golf course'. "
I've read a few golf books, the usual tales of the tour told by caddies and pros alike, but have always felt the books were written to glorify the writer and the sport. Donegan harbors no such agenda. Like many reporters Donegan is a cynical man, who says what's on his mind, unworried about making friends. For example, after Ivan Lendl got a sponsor exemption to play in a Tour event and Donegan saw him putting on the practice green. Donegan offered to carry Lendl's bag for the tournament. After Lendl rebuffed the hapless caddy, telling Donegan to get lost so he could work on his puttting, Donegan replied that Lendl needed the work.
Because Donegan doesn't need to make friends, he is honest about his relation with his pro and the tour. Someone who wanted to have a continuing relationship with the tour wouldn't be as cutting with his tongue, much to our delight.
It's an worthwhile and entertaining read.
September 27, 2019
A guy hires himself out to caddie for a low-ranked golfer on the European tour, he shares insights and adventures. Swearing. No pix and no index.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews