The Back Nine

by Billy Mott

Charlie McLeod was a golf prodigy. His father taught him the game and then injury took it away. Twenty-five years after his last swing, McLeod is finally back on the course, working as a caddy in San Francisco. Though he is older and slightly disheveled, he can still drive the ball as straight and as far as the best players in the world. When his extraordinary skills are discovered, he quickly becomes embroiled in a high stakes game between his wealthy employers and a ferocious pro. What ensues is the hilarious and touching story of an underdog and the joys and life lessons found in the great game of golf.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will certainly not win a Pulitzer Prize but my name is Kevin and I am a GOLF-A-HOLIC so the golf scenes and golf stories and one liners were great. The writing was mediocre and the sub stories were Meh! But I kinda loved it. Not worth reading unless your really really into golf 😬

[Road · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's set on a golf course but has a universal theme-- dealing with the past.

[Joseph MacMullin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like a Danielle Steele novel for golf.
So bad, it was kind of good.

[Jef Sneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gwen gave me this book as a birthday present. Billy Mott tries here toi create a mythic character. A golfer so good that he could beat the prois, but totally unknown. Start with the down and out golfer, depressed over the loss of his beloved, walking aimlessly along a country road. He wanders into a secluded and prestigious golf course, by accident, and takes a job as a caddy. Somewhere in LA, is another legendary golfer, Larryt Siegel, aka "the Jew," can beat the best scratch golfer without breaking a sweat. He enjoys humiliating them with his sloppy clothes and casual attitude until he turns on the juice and wipes them off the course. He, too, could be the pros if he tried. And sometimes he does, for money. Could there be a confrontation coming between the new kid and the Jew?

The best part about this book is experiencing the back room life of the caddies and the competitive nature of the players who want to see the confrontation between two legends. The descriptions of holes played and technique, shots and strategy were fun for the golfer in me., and it may have elevated the mental part of my game.

Recommended as a good read for a golfer on summer vacation, on the golf course or at the beach.

[Corny · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is a real clinker, badly written, full of cliches and an unbelievable plot. As a golfer, I enjoy golf novels but this one has ridiculous characters and absurd shotmaking. I am surprised this book was ever published.

[Tim Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a sponsored golf match between and underdog caddie, Charlie, who has lost the desire to play and a well known hustler. During the round all of Charlie's demons,father son relationship, pop up to undermine his ability to win. Good read if you like golf.

[Ryan Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of sports books but thought this one was pretty good. Predictable but enjoyable golf story.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of a former golfer who finds his game again.