The Duffer’s Literary Companion

A podcast exploring the rich literary tradition of the game of golf, hosted by authors Stephen Proctor and Jim Hartsell.

Episodes

4 days ago

1 hr 23 min

Stephen and Jim discuss English author Richard Pennell's newest book, Common Grounds. They are joined by the author from his home near Woking GC.

4 days ago

1 hr 23 min

Aug 3, 2026

1 hr 13 min

Stephen and Jim discuss the 1991 collection of essays from the wonderful English golf writer Peter Dobereiner

Aug 3, 2026

1 hr 13 min

Jun 23, 2026

1 hr 12 min

Stephen and Jim discuss what many consider to be the definitive Hogan biography. This is the 30th anniversary of the book's publication.

Jun 23, 2026

1 hr 12 min

May 20, 2026

1 hr 25 min

Stephen and Jim are joined by author Bill Fields to discuss his new memoir, A Quck Nine Before Dark, which details a 40 year career in golf photography and writing with Golf World, Golf Illustrated, and others.

May 20, 2026

1 hr 25 min

Apr 8, 2026

1 hr 12 min

Stephen and Jim discuss one of their all-time favorite books, Scottish Golf & Golffers by the great Glasgow Herald writer Sam McKinlay. This is a collection of his columns for the paper from 1956-1980. A true classic.

Apr 8, 2026

1 hr 12 min

Mar 18, 2026

1 hr 23 min

Stephen and Jim discuss Herbert Warren Wind's collection of essays on The Masters from 1954 to 1989.

Mar 18, 2026

1 hr 23 min

Feb 10, 2026

1 hr 3 min

Stephen and Jim discuss the influential 1951 classic, A Round of Golf Courses, by the English poet and author, Patric Dickinson.  In this book, Dickinson writes about the 18 "best" courses in Great Britain. This volume is the inspiration for A Round of Scotttish Courses, Jim's new book from back9press.com.

Feb 10, 2026

1 hr 3 min

Jan 12, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Stephen and Jim discuss The Ambassador from Back Nine Press - the story of  Alexander Findlay, one of the forgotten fathers of American golf. They are joined by author William Casto.

Jan 12, 2026

1 hr 27 min

Dec 14, 2025

59 min

Stephen and Jim discuss the classic golf and architecture manifesto written by the Good Doctor in 1933 and published over 60 years after his death in 1995, after being discovered hidden in an old desk drawer.

Dec 14, 2025

59 min

Nov 18, 2025

1 hr 4 min

Stephen and Jim discuss the unique in-depth look at the early days of the PGA Tour by "Champagne" Tony Lema, whose life was tragically cut short at age 32. He won the 1964 Open Championship at St Andrews.

Nov 18, 2025

1 hr 4 min

The Duffer's Literary Companion

Authors Stephen Proctor (The Monarch of the Green, The Long Golden Afternoon) and Jim Hartsell (The Secret Home of Golf, When Revelation Comes) celebrate all that is great about the rich literary history of golf writing.

The first three episodes will explore the history of golf writing in the UK and the USA, covering writers such as Horace Hutchinson, Bernard Darwin, Pat Ward-Thomas and Herbert Warren Wind.  Subsequent episodes will go in-depth on specific books by writers like Tom Morton, Michael Bamberger, Andrew Greig and many others.

New episodes will be released on the 1st Friday of every month. Available on Apple and Spotify.

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