Playing from the Rough

A Personal Journey Through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses

By: Jimmie James

Narrated by: Jimmie James

The story of 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’s 100 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 confined 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 remarkable memoir of 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.©2024 Jimmie James (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

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.

Well written and wonderful story. The descriptions of the golf courses a bonus.

Liked the story of his life. His sincerity and his grit. His even temper. Golf course descriptions great.

Playing from rhe Rough

This is a powerful story filled with hope and what can be accomplished through dedication, determination and the faith in humanity.

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.

Wow, what a great read, what a journey, what a life, what a view out of the eyes of one of eight...

This book takes you back to being born and raised in the deep south east of Texas, and how one can make it out. The book leaves you wanting to know what happened to the other seven siblings mentioned in the book. It kinda makes you wonder what would their "top one hundred" be in the game called life.
I am a certified School Safety officer, and a certified IT Technician for one of the top public school districts in Orange County Southern California.
My seven siblings means the world to me, we do have an unbreakable life bond through various experiences, and points of views!
#6

Great story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author loves golf, but his story goes much deeper than that!

Too much wokeness for me

I thought this was a book about a golf journey. But instead found a book about inclusion and DEI.