Playing from the Rough

A Personal Journey through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses

By: Jimmie James

Narrated by: Jimmie James

A “wonderful story of passion, commitment, resilience, and determination,” (Paul Gasol, former NBA All-Star) about one man’s quest to become the first person to play each of America’s 100 greatest golf courses in a single year, an odyssey that brings him face to face with the gulf between his impoverished childhood in the Jim Crow South and the successful executive he became.

When he set out to play each of Golf Digest’s America’s100 greatest golf courses in one year, Jimmie James knew he was attempting the impossible. But then again, he’d spent his entire life defying the odds.

James was born invisible. His birth certificate, long since filed away in some clerk’s office in East Texas, recorded facts about him that were deemed most relevant in the late 1950s: “colored” and “illegitimate.” His great-great-grandmother was enslaved, and his early life was confided by the privation and segregation of the late Jim Crow-era South.

Four decades later—having put himself through an HBCU and determinedly risen through the executive ranks at ExxonMobil—he embarked on his journey to play the 100 greatest golf courses in the United States. In a single year. From the first tee at Augusta National, the distance between the world he grew up in and the world of extreme privilege to which he’d now managed to gain access was impossible to ignore.

Playing from the Rough is a “delightful” (Kirkus Reviews), “beautiful story” (Andrew Campion, former COO of Nike) about race, class, family, and the power of perseverance, as James braids his love of golf with reflections on the path that took him from childhood poverty to the most exclusive and opulent golf courses in America.

how connections with strangers can get you a story of a life time !

really enjoyed the book any avid golfer would read this in a breeze!! James really makes it narrating his own book. that is my preference when picking an audio book.

Bravo Jimmie!!

The author’s journey closely parallels my own story. Good blend of personal story and golf.

One of the very best golf books

So glad I picked up this audiobook. Well written and narrated. Yes, it’s about golf, but it’s about so much more. Race, perseverance, poverty, success, domestic abuse, dogged determination, and humanity. Relisten-worthy.

the determination of the author and the response by others

I enjoyed a life story interwoven by golfers and golf courses. It was also encouraging to learn that golf and respect rose above exclusivity in elite circles. I met Jimmy once on a humble public golf course and his personality shown then as it did in the book.

Incredible Storytelling!

In Playing from the Rough, Jimmie James delivers an enthralling narrative that masterfully blends his personal biography with an ambitious quest to play the top 100 golf courses in America. From the very first page, the storytelling captivates, drawing readers into a journey that is as much about the author’s life as it is about the sport of golf.

James’s writing shines with authenticity and passion. His vivid descriptions of each golf course, coupled with the rich, personal anecdotes from his life, create a tapestry that is both intimate and expansive. His deep love for golf is evident, but it is his ability to connect the game to broader themes of perseverance, adventure, and self-discovery that truly sets this book apart.

One of the most compelling aspects of Playing from the Rough is how Jimmie handles the interplay between success and struggle. His candid recounting of setbacks, both on and off the golf course, adds a layer of depth and relatability.

In addition to being a great read for golf enthusiasts, this book offers valuable life lessons. James’s determination to achieve his goal despite numerous obstacles serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of passion and persistence. His reflections on the connections he forms along the way—whether with fellow golfers, course staff, or simply the landscapes he traverses—highlight the profound impact of human relationships and the beauty of shared experiences.

Overall, Playing from the Rough is a remarkable book that excels in both storytelling and substance. Jimmie James has created a work that is as much about the spirit of golf as it is about the journey of life. This book is a must-read, not only for golf lovers but for anyone who appreciates a well-told story of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.