Around the World in 80 Rounds: Chasing a Golf Ball from Tierra del Fuego to the Land of the Midnight Sun

by David Wood and David Wood

Book Overview

At 47, David Wood sold everything he owned and set out to fulfill every golfer's dream - for one year he travelled the world, playing the game he loves in the most exotic locations, including the world's highest, driest, hottest, coldest and most remote golf courses.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312375778
• ISBN13: 9780312375775
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A great book "fore" everyone!

I haven't played golf since I was 19 years old, threw my club in a water hazard and stalked off the course. But David's book intrigued me and I ate it up over the course of two lazy afternoons in my backyard, laying in a hammock with a cold brew. (Two Person Jumbo Hammock ~ 100% Polyester with Oak Spreaders I say go ahead and spring for the hammock along with the book - you'll be glad you did!) My minimal amount of time on the links gave me enough knowledge to follow his references to the game, but it was his briskly humorous spinning the tale of his around-the-world adventure that grabbed me up when he left Seattle and didn't set me back down until he landed safely home again. What a fabulous experience -- and brightly told! While it didn't do anything to spark my desire to tie on a pair of spikes again, Around The World In 80 Rounds did whet my appetite to be a bit more bold and try to see some of the more obscure corners of the world. Maybe David needs a caddy for his back 80...

FANTASTIC BOOK!!!

I must say that I myself am not a golfer and frankly find the game to be frustrating and time consuming. My husband on the other hand is a golfer through and through. He loves it and can't get enough of it. Anyway, I must admit that I loved this book. It was hilarious! It gave me an appreciation for the game of golf, but also the desire to travel. David Wood is a witty, talented and funny writer. I kept wanting more. I couldn't wait to pick up the book to read more. I felt like I was traveling with him. I truly believe that anyone can enjoy this book, even if golf is not your thing! I give it five starts and highly recommend it to everyone.

We all have a dream, David lived his!

Everyone has a dream but how many have the courage to make it happen? If you play golf, you'll enjoy reading about the different courses, golf and travel challenges and get David's glimpse into local cultures. If you don't play golf, it's still funny and inspiring. In our post 9/11 world, imagine someone taking a year out of his daily routine and "to do" list to live a dream of traveling around the world alone, living each day fully, and connecting with strangers through a common passion - some strangers becoming new life friends. Give this to family and friends to enjoy funny stories about playing golf world-wide and perhaps to be inspired to have courage to leave one's comfort zone and go on their own life adventure.

A Virtual World Tour

I thoroughly enjoyed David Wood's book. Although I'm not a golfer (at least, not a good one), I never felt left out. I think this is because David's stories aren't so much "golf" stories as they are "human" stories. Plus, he's a former comedian, which explains why the book is so damn funny. While I understand those who have a problem with David's "American tourist in a strange land" attitude, the fact is that he IS an American tourist in MANY strange lands. He's not trying to be objective, he's trying to share his experience in a humorous way--which he does wonderfully well! Of COURSE he sees the world through the eyes of a "pampered American;" how could he not? We all see the world through our own filters; David's filters just happen to be American--and hilarious.

Golf, Travel, and Serendipity

Two of my loves in life are golf and travel. I've done a bit myself, but to more "typical" golf destinations (Scotland, Ireland, etc.). I never even thought about the possibility of golf in Uruguay or Egypt. Why would anyone? After reading this book, I'm glad someone did think of it. David did a wonderful job of mixing the golf with day-to-day life involved in world travel. Not too much of one or the other, and always with a interesting/funny viewpoint. Golf with no grass? Who knew?!? Read the book. It's great for golfers and for people that put up with golfers!