This is the opportunity for some self-promotion, so apologies 😛 . This is the cover of my recently published book, Golf in the Wild. Consistent with the challenge, the image is “intended to echo a particular character of the subject matter, an essence that words fail to capture with simplicity”. The view is from the third green of the glorious Traigh Golf Course near Arisaig.
This is the first independent review from the October issue of the Killin News:
Golf in the Wild – A journey through time and place” by Robin J. Down
“This book exists because of Killin. It was here in 2005 that the idea of solitary golf in wild places was first born.” ( Chapter 4 Killin)
This is a newly published book and as a non-golfer I found it a surprisingly enjoyable and easy read. Written with humour and candour, it should appeal to a much wider audience than just the golfing fraternity. With descriptions of wonderful ‘wild’ courses, on which the golfer can test his or her skills (or lack of them!), the book encourages you to take the journey and to step off the well publicised golfing route map. It could even tempt the non-golfing household to enjoy the delights of a touring holiday in north Northumberland and Scotland and may just persuade others to abandon the hassle of airports and their annual golfing jaunt to Turkey, Portugal or other such popular destinations.
This book is much more than about playing golf. It takes you on a journey through time, wonderful landscapes, the fascinating history of the places where the courses are located, the author’s life and the various characters in his family, and his passion for fast cars and those who were lucky (or unlucky) enough to race them. The golfing journey begins at Allendale, Northumberland and ends at Durness, in Sutherland, having taken you on a route north via courses such as Selkirk, Bishopshire, Killin – to which a whole chapter is devoted, Craignure, Traigh and Gairloch. A great tour to undertake even without the golf clubs and the book will, hopefully, encourage new visitors to all the destinations that are mentioned.
It is a book you can dip in and out of and should inspire every reader to do a bit of exploring. Copies, priced at £8.99, are available in Killin at The Old Mill and at Killin Golf Club or may be bought directly from www.golfinthewild.co.uk.
Gillean Ford
And this is the inside cover:
(click on the images to enlarge)
northumbrian : light 
Even though my golfing skills are rusty this looks like a read that would inspire me to walk the course… Congratulations on publishing!
The great thing about nearly all these courses is that they are so quiet, it doesn’t matter how rusty your golf is – nobody will know 🙂
Nothing like flogging a ball around to destress!
Beautiful – a wonderful design. The back cover (i assume) is terrific too. Great job and good luck w the book!
Many thanks Tina, much appreciated.
Congratulations on the book. I once hit a wonderful drive shot, at 6 am directly staring into the morning sun, with the wind in my back. I never found my ball again. Fortunately I was alone. 🙂
Many thanks – that’s the joy and sadness of lone golf on wild places – nobody to see your failures but nobody to applaud your successes 🙂
Super! Congratulations.
janet
Many thanks Janet 🙂
Finally we get to see the enigmatic book! I was wondering when you were going to show it to us. 😉 Does it have an ebook version? Congrats on the publication and on the fantastic review.
Many thanks Julie – I am now discovering the world of distribution and promotion which does not reward the quiet reserved individual which is my more natural territory 😉 I am avoiding e-publication for the moment – too many hard copies to sell 🙂
I’m not a self-promoter, either. Too much work to be heard over the cacophony of other, more assertive writers. Whatever, eh? It’s not too difficult to set up an e book distributor, though. You wouldn’t need to do any more than you’re doing now, just let people know there’s another version. I only buy ebooks nowadays, because I move around so much.
Eventually I will go down the e-book route as well but the good lady is insisting I shift some more of the hard copies which are currently taking up all of the space beneath the dining room table. As you are quoted in the book, I always intended giving you a copy but it would be much easier/cheaper if I could post to a local address – there’s an incentive to revisit the UK 🙂
Congratulations being published and good luck with the sales.
Many thanks – self-published so it has more to do with nerve than recognition 🙂
So glad you decided to “self-promote” for this challenge. 🙂 I’d love a copy of this for a Christmas gift for my Dad, and have sent an email to sales@windbacktime.com to find out how to get a copy outside the UK.
That’s great, many thanks Cindi – separate email response will be with you soon.
Fantastic! I found this totally by chance while browsing the photo challenge, Robin. I had no idea! It sounds a super book. 🙂
Thanks very much Jo – a labour of love 🙂
Congratulations Robin! Best wishes for many sales and much success!
Many thanks Meg, everything is crossed 🙂
Fun concept, good strong design! Great cover art contribution.
Many thanks Dave, much appreciated.
Huge Congratulations on your publication! The topic of your book is inspiring and hopefully will allow more people to embrace the natural beauty of North England and Scotland. The images are superb. I will spread the word. Bravo!
Thanks so much Lita! Your support is much appreciated – all the best R ❤
Congratulations on your book. As the book on Bagger Vance (don’t remember the full title at the moment) showed, the lessons learned from golf are not just for golfers 🙂
Many thanks – exactly right.