Product Description

In this very funny sports book (a cross between Nick Hornby and Bill Bryson) young journalist Lawrence Donegan tells the story of the summer he spent caddying for Scottish golfer Ross Drummond, ranked over 400 in the world,on the European Tour. Thisis the inside story of the geniuses,the cheats, the gurus and the hangers-on that make up the golf scene. "A joy to read. Not since Bill Bryson plotted a random route through small-town America has such a breezy idea for a book had a happier or funnier result" - Lynne Truss, The Times "Funny, beautifully observed and it tells you things about sport in general and golf in particular that nobody else had thought to pass on" - Patrick Collins, Mail on Sunday

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20990 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Lawrence Donegan's tale of life as a golf caddy is a refreshing look at sport through the eyes of neither a star, a fan nor an outside observer.

Four-iron in the Soul is told from a fresh angle--that of a newcomer to golf and all its to-ings and fro-ings--a tale expertly told by the amusing ramblings of a man well travelled in his own chosen profession.

Donegan, a musician of "Lloyd Cole and the Commotions" and "Bluebells"(remember the staccato "Young at Heart"?) fame, and later journalist with the Guardian, put down his bass guitar and tucked his quill in his pocket to caddy for pro golfer Ross Drummond on the European Tour.

Donegan's childhood dream had been to become a professional footballer or golfer but after a brief flourish in his early years he abandoned his sporting aspirations.

That was until Drummond--by his own admission one of the competitors present more to make up the numbers in most tournaments--grudgingly agreed to let Donegan be his caddy.

Donegan points out that he was more of a bag carrier for the player ranked towards the bottom half of the world's top 500. He tells of the day when, researching an article, he first met Drummond and got bitten by the caddying bug.

Four-iron in the Soul is open and witty, blunt and hilarious all at once. It is an enjoyable read and a crisp, original insight into the game of golf. --Andrea Thursday

About the Author
Lawrence Donegan was born in Scotland in 1961. He went to Stirling University, and had a brief spell as a pop star - he was in the band THE BLUEBELLS, who had a big hit with the infuriatingly catchy "Young at Heart", before joining the Guardian. He lives in Glasgow.

Customer Reviews

FORE
Forewarned this is a laugh a page. Written by an ex musician, journalist,enthusiastic golfer for anyone interested in the game or simply interested in humour.
It gives the best insight I have come across into the life of the tour pro with the accent often on the guys who are struggling to make ends meet and their caddies who tour the world like a band of gypsies. 5 star luxury enjoyed by the more illustrious pros is not alas for them . Broken down camper vans, cheap booze, take away fast food and even faster women is their lot.
Lawrence Donnegan shows us that there is a very fine line in terms of skill and scoring[ perhaps one or two shots per round ] between those who win millions and those who scrape by for a few years before taking a real job.
For those who make it big time there is a life of private jets and an entourage of flunkies taking care of there every need. And it does'nt get much better than the lifestyle of the chosen few.
A very entertaining and enlightening read.

Great Title Better book
If you have ever wanted to get inside the mind of a tour caddy or professional read this book now. All aspiring professionals should be forced to read this book before committing to a life on tour.

If you are a golf fan this book is a must. If however you just want a good , interesting and insightful read again this book will hit the spot.

Follow this up bt reading "A good walk spoiled by John Feinstein"

A great present for someone

Witty and entertaining book giving another view of golf
An excellent book - but it did nothing for my stroke! This is a well constructed account of life on the European professional golf tour. Even for those with no interest in the game it is a fascinating read and gives us a human dimension into the challenges facing sports professionals. Donegan has dealt superbly with this aspect and we can't wait for his next tome. He would seem to have a bright future as a novelist.