Playing from the Rough: A Personal Journey through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses

A truly inspiring story weaving the challenge of playing the most exclusive golf courses in America with the deeper challenges that Jimmie has faced, and overcome, through his life. What shines through is how he has met these challenges with perseverance and resilience.At a broader level the book also talks to the significant reduction, but not elimination, of racial barriers in American society and the kindness of strangers.As a British golfer who has played some of the top courses in America I have been struck by the huge difference in golf culture. Top level golf in America is typified by expensive, exclusive clubs with caddies and/or carts which is the antithesis of most British golf. This makes Jimmie’s golfing achievement all the more remarkable.I’m glad I listened to this as an audiobook. Jimmie’s voice is very easy to listen to and is imbued with the warmth and patience that I perceive have helped him overcome the challenges in his life.

Mr. James is a compelling storyteller, weaving in history and details about the courses he played, along with anecdotes from his personal life. A very well written and enjoyable book.

For the golfer - it will be a joy reading about the adventure of playing the Top 100.For the non-golfer - a wonderful story about the authors journey out of poverty while never forgetting the many lessons learned and people met along the way.

Great book about someone who came from nothing, accomplished an incredible career, mixed with the randomness of the golf community to help out a fellow golfer to accomplish the improbable goal of playing the top 100 courses in America. Its a feel good story of both how hard work and determination can get you to be successful in business, combined with the golf universe community randomly helping out a total stranger in some cases to achieve his goal.I enjoyed every page of Playing from the Rough.

What a great book. Jimmie is an awesome storyteller and writer. I couldn't put the book down. His life story is remarkable and his journey was so fun to follow. Highly recommend for anyone who loves golf or human interest stories

I read about this book in the WSJ. I am a golfer and just finished reading a good golf novel so I thought I would try this book. It wasn’t a page turner but I made it through. A good rags to riches story and golf story combined.