Podcast · Arts & Books

The Duffer’s Literary Companion

by Jim Hartsell & Stephen Proctor · English · Arts & Books

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

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 24 min
Latest: 4 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

4 Oct 2026 · 40 min

In Memory of Jake Hartsell

Jake Hartsell, age 33 - son, friend, golfer and musician - passed away in an inexplicable and tragic accident on September 26. The podcast will be on hiatus indefinitely. We wanted to repost Jake's visit with TDLC in May 2025 where he discussed his love of Scottish golf, its stunning countryside, its people and its wonderful culture. Jake was beloved by his many friends he made in Scotland and through the music scene in north Alabama. If you wish to donate in Jake's memory, search for Jake Hartsell at gofundme.com

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E41 · 30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Common Grounds by Richard Pennell
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.
E40 · 3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Golf a la Carte by Peter Dobereiner
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1991 collection of essays from the wonderful English golf writer Peter Dobereiner
E39 · 23 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Hogan by Curt Sampson
Stephen and Jim discuss what many consider to be the definitive Hogan biography. This is the 30th anniversary of the book's publication.
E38 · 20 May 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
A Quick Nine Before Dark
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.
E37 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Scottish Golf & Golfers by S.L. McKinlay
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.
E36 · 18 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
America's Gift To Golf by Herbert Warren Wind
Stephen and Jim discuss Herbert Warren Wind's collection of essays on The Masters from 1954 to 1989.
E35 · 10 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
A Round of Golf Courses by Patric Dickinson
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.
E34 · 12 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
The Ambassador by William Casto
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.
E33 · 14 Dec 2025 · 1 hr
The Spirit of St Andrews by Dr. Alsiter MacKenzie
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.
E32 · 18 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Golfer's Gold by Tony Lema & Gwilym S. Brown
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.
E31 · 10 Oct 2025 · 56 min
The Match by Mark Frost
Stephen and Jim discuss Mark Frost's 2007 story of the mythical 1956 match between Ben Hogan & Byron Nelson vs Ken Venturi & Harvie Ward at Cypress Point.
E30 · 5 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Hints on Golf - Golf Instruction Books from Hutchinson to Hogan
Stephen and Jim discuss the history of golf instruction books - from Percy Boomer and Horace Hutchinson to Tommy Armour, Jones and Hogan.
E29 · 15 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Final Rounds and A Son of the Game by James Dodson
Stephen and Jim discuss two beloved books by one of America's best-selling golf writers.
E28 · 11 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
A Game of Golf by Francis Ouimet
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1932 classic by one of America's greatest golfers.
E27 · 6 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 51 min
The Shot by Chris Millard
Stephen and Jim are joined by author Chris Millard to discuss his new book from Back Nine Press, The Shot - Watson, Nicklaus, Pebble Beach, and the Chip That Changed Everything
E26 · 16 May 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
Golfer - at - Large by Charles Price
Stephen and Jim discuss the wonderful and often overlooked American writer, Charles Price. For a special Down the Rabbit Hole segment, they are joined by Jake Hartsell.
E25 · 4 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Golf in the Kingdom
Stephen and Jim account for golf's strange and lasting attraction in a discussion of Michael Murphy's 1972 classic of golf fiction, Golf in the Kingdom.
E24 · 7 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer with James Dodson
Stephen and Jim discuss the definitive 1999 Arnold Palmer biography written by James Dodson.
E23 · 14 Feb 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
A Course Called Ireland with Tom Coyne
Stephen and Jim discuss the 2009 New York Times bestseller A Course Called Ireland - A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee. Author Tom Coyne joins the podcast for a wonderful discussion about the book and other topics.
E22 · 10 Jan 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig
Stephen and Jim discuss the 2006 classic of golf literature, Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig.
E21 · 6 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
The Architectural Side of Golf by Tom Simpson and H.N. Wethered
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1929 classic on golf architecture and its unique analysis of the game.
E20 · 1 Nov 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
The Clicking of Cuthbert by PG Wodehouse
Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1922 comic masterpiece by the English writer PG Wodehouse. From Sage Advice from the Oldest Member to Joe Gargery and The Judge in Down the Rabbit Hole, it's a fun look at a wonderful writer of fiction.
E19 · 4 Oct 2024 · 2 hr 2 min
Seve Ballesteros's A Touch of Class with Kenny Reid
Stephen and Jim remember the career of the legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros and welcome Scottish author Kenny Reid to discuss his new book on Seve.
E18 · 6 Sep 2024 · 1 hr 35 min
Down the Fairway by Bobby Jones
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1927 classic Down the Fairway by Bobby Jones -a wonderful memoir of his life in golf, three years before he won the Grand Slam in 1930.
E17 · 9 Aug 2024 · 1 hr 34 min
The Mystery of Golf by Arnold Haultain
Stephen and Jim discuss the unique and mysterious 1908 work by English/Canadian author Arnold Haultain. A few new categories are required to analyze this one.
E16 · 5 Jul 2024 · 1 hr 28 min
The Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate by Dan Jenkins
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1970 classic The Dogged Victim of Inexorable Fate by Dan Jenkins, which includes one of the best stories ever written - The Glory Game at Goat Hills.
E15 · 6 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
The Long Green Fairway by Pat Ward-Thomas
Stephen and Jim discuss the 1966 classic book The Long Green Fairway by the English writer Pat Ward-Thomas. It is a wonderful collection of essays from his writing for the Manchester Guardian and Country Life Magazine from 1956-1965.
E14 · 3 May 2024 · 1 hr 37 min
Grass Routes by Richard Pennell
Stephen and Jim welcome English writer Richard Pennell to the pod to discuss his book Grass Routes.
E13 · 4 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 44 min
Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens by James Finegan
Stephen and Jim discuss the seminal 1996 Scottish golf travel book, Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens by Philadelphia native Jim Finegan. In the Down The Rabbit Hole segment, the guys name their own current favorite top 10 Scottish courses.

About 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.

The Duffer’s Literary Companion is a English arts & books podcast from Jim Hartsell & Stephen Proctor. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Jim Hartsell & Stephen Proctor
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 1 hr 24 min
Latest episode: 4 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1686495508

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