The Duffer’s Literary Companion

The Duffer’s Literary Companion

Follow The Duffer’s Literary Companion
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Authors Stephen Proctor and Jim Hartsell explore the literary side of the game of golf.

Jim Hartsell & Stephen Proctor


    • May 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 26m AVG DURATION
    • 26 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Duffer's Literary Companion podcast is an absolute gem for any golf enthusiast. Hosted by Jim Nugent and Stephen Hartsell, this podcast delves into the world of golf literature and provides captivating discussions on classic writings about the sport. As a listener, you can expect to be entertained, enlightened, and inspired by their deep knowledge and passion for golf literature.

    One of the best aspects of The Duffer's Literary Companion is the engaging and comfortable dynamic between Jim and Stephen. Their conversations are effortless and enjoyable to listen to, making you feel like you're part of a lively discussion among friends. Their enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through in every episode, making it easy to get swept away in their love for the game.

    Another highlight of this podcast is the range of topics covered. From discussing renowned works like "The Long Golden Afternoon" to exploring lesser-known gems like "When Revelation Comes," Jim and Stephen provide a comprehensive look at golf literature. They shed light on different aspects of the game that may not typically be explored in mainstream media. Whether you're a fan of golf history or enjoy exploring literary masterpieces, there is something here for everyone.

    However, one minor drawback of The Duffer's Literary Companion is the occasional technical issue with audio quality. In some episodes, Mr. Hartsell's microphone seems to be lower than optimal, which can make it slightly challenging to hear his contributions clearly. While this doesn't detract significantly from the overall experience, it would be beneficial if this issue were addressed in future episodes.

    In conclusion, The Duffer's Literary Companion is an exceptional podcast that brings together two passionate hosts who share their love for golf literature with their audience. It offers a refreshing perspective on the sport and introduces listeners to classic works that enhance their understanding and appreciation of golf as a whole. If you're looking for a podcast that combines insightful conversations with captivating book recommendations, then look no further than The Duffer's Literary Companion.



    Search for episodes from The Duffer’s Literary Companion with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Duffer’s Literary Companion

    Golfer - at - Large by Charles Price

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 86:44


    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.

    Golf in the Kingdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 101:26


    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. 

    A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer with James Dodson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 71:12


    Stephen and Jim discuss the definitive 1999 Arnold Palmer biography written by James Dodson.

    A Course Called Ireland with Tom Coyne

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 99:56


    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.

    Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 65:12


    Stephen and Jim discuss the 2006 classic of golf literature, Preferred Lies by Andrew Greig.

    The Architectural Side of Golf by Tom Simpson and H.N. Wethered

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 79:10


    Stephen and Jim discuss the 1929 classic on golf architecture and its unique analysis of the game.

    The Clicking of Cuthbert by PG Wodehouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 74:26


    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.

    Seve Ballesteros's A Touch of Class with Kenny Reid

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 121:35


    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. 

    Down the Fairway by Bobby Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 95:12


    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.

    The Mystery of Golf by Arnold Haultain

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 93:32


    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.

    mystery golf english canadian
    The Dogged Victims of Inexorable Fate by Dan Jenkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 88:02


    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.

    The Long Green Fairway by Pat Ward-Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 76:18


    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.

    english green fairways ward thomas manchester guardian
    Grass Routes by Richard Pennell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 97:59


    Stephen and Jim welcome English writer Richard Pennell to the pod to discuss his book Grass Routes.

    Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens by James Finegan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 104:13


    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.

    Golf Between Two Wars by Bernard Darwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 95:53


    Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1944 book Golf Between Two Wars by the legendary Bernard Darwin. In addition to Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, a deep discussion ensues on such unforgettable characters as Cyril Tolley, Cecil Leitch, Glenna Collett, Tommy Armour, Alexa Stirling, and Joyce Wethered. Darwin's writings and equipment and architecture are all still remarkably relevant after 80 years.

    The Finest Man I Ever Met

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 7:54


    A mini episode for Stephen, with a reading from Sam McKinlay's wonderful Scottish Golf and Golfers. Sam was the golf writer for the Glasgow Herald from 1956-1980.

    finest golfers scottish golf glasgow herald
    My Usual Game with David Owen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 96:37


    Stephen and Jim discuss the 1995 book, My Usual Game.  They are joined by the author, David Owen. David has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1991.

    Thirty Years of Championship Golf by Gene Sarazen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 74:06


    Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1950 memoir, Thirty Years of Championship Golf by Gene Sarazen with Herbert Warren Wind

    Angus MacVicar and Golf in My Gallowses

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 78:01


    Stephen and Jim discuss the prolific Scottish author Angus MacVicar, specifically his 1984 book Golf in My Gallowses.

    A Season in Dornoch with Lorne Rubenstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 111:18


    Stephen and Jim discuss the seminal 2001 book, A Season in Dornoch -  written by the great Canadian golf writer Lorne Rubenstein.  Lorne joins for part of the discussion. A celebration of all that is great about Scottish golf.

    To The Linksland with Michael Bamberger

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 107:16


    Stephen and Jim discuss the classic 1992 book To The Linksland by Michael Bamberger -  featuring characters like the great Scottish pro John Stark of Crieff and Peter Teravainen. Michael joins the podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on Scotland, golf writing and his legendary career.

    Golf Dreams by John Updike

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 74:41


    Stephen & Jim discuss the great collection of golf writing from 1996 by John Updike.

    Hell's Golfer - Golf and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 108:25


    Stephen and Jim discuss the seminal 1994 book Hell's Golfer by Tom Morton. They are joined by the author from his home in the Shetland islands of Scotland. 

    The American Triumvirate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 90:40


    Stephen and Jim discuss the origins of American golf writing, with a focus on three towering figures: Dan Jenkins, Charles Price and Herbert Warren Wind

    The Descendants of Darwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 75:25


    Stephen and Jim discuss the UK writers who are the main spiritual descendants of Bernard Darwin: Pat Ward-Thomas, Henry Longhurst, S.L. McKinlay and Peter Dobereiner

    The Origins of Golf Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 72:20


    Stephen and Jim explore the origins of golf writing, with a focus on the works of Horace Hutchinson and Bernard Darwin.

    Claim The Duffer’s Literary Companion

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel