Two Years in St. Andrews: Two Years at Home on the Old Course

Bought this book for my golfer husband since we had just visited St. Andrew’s. It was a hit! So relatable to us both as we could visualize the course and the town. Even if you haven’t visited charming, historic St. Andrews, but love golf, you should truly enjoy this book!

If you've never been to Scotland, or want a feel for how it is to play the Old Course and the others in St Andrews regularly, you'll enjoy this book somewhat.However, don't be misled by the title. This book is not about what it's like to *live* in St Andrews. Mr Peper's orbit consisted of the town's golf courses, a couple of the clubs (mostly the R&A and the St Andrews Golfing Society), the Old Course Hotel's workout room, the local Tesco, his immediate neighbors, and his golfing partners. There's very little about the feel or life of the town itself beyond the usual observations about the rhythm of university or resort towns (students or tourists equal busy) - heavens, he never even goes to pubs.:). The book ends with the observations that life moves at a different pace than America (the Pepers moved from NYC, and the pace of life in NYC is not exactly representative of America) and that golf isn't all about expensive country clubs (only an original or compelling observation if you belong to one). This is Scottish life as lived by well-off Americans who are living in one of the prime resort towns, but do not become *of* it or seem to share much of the life of the town.The few political observations also are grating precisely because they're superfluous to the book's subject: they're not fans of the Iraq invasion and miss the daily New York Times for its factual reporting (written with a straight face, even after all the NYT scandals).Finally, as an American who has travelled to Scotland (and Fife) frequently, I was dismayed to see the rest of Fife, and Fife golf, given such short shrift - a classic American mistake. Some of the best, even amazing, golf in the world exists in Fife *outside* of St Andrews. Mr Peper mentions some of these wonderful courses in passing, but I thought it a shame that he chose not to open a wider world for his readers than the Old Course/R&A. St Andrews in many ways is no more representative of Scotland than New York is of America - also not the most original observation, but one that seems not to have occurred to Mr Peper. Ninety-nine percent of Scottish golf is very accessible to all, and ninety-nine percent of the clubs are most welcoming. The R&A world in many ways mirrors the expensive American country clubs that he in the end sees in a new light, which is ironic indeed.New Worlders who have provided readers with excellent insight into life and golf in Scotland include Lorne Rubenstein's A Season in Dornoch, Michael Bamberger's To the Linksland, Jim Finegan's fine book about Scottish golf, and Curtis Gillespie's book. Those should be read before you start this one. And if you want to know how to play the Old Course, go get Desmond Muirhead and Tip Anderson (Palmer's and Lema's caddie) on that subject.

After spending four nights in St Andrews last August, including the magical experience of playing The Old Course, I was ready to move there, and caddie at the Links. "Hell, NO!", my lovely Spousal Unit responded to my initial suggestion that we consider this move.So it was with no small amount of envy that I read how former Senior Editor of Golf Magazine George Peper convinced HIS wife to buy a home on the 18th fairway of The Old Course, live in it seasonally while renovating it, then moving there full time for two glorious years! Granted, Mr. Peper's golf pedigree is much more suited than mine for total immersion and acceptance into this links-centric town; between his 7-handicap, high level connections with the USGA, R&A, and PGA, and great competence as a veteran golf writer, he was already approaching Golf Aristocracy. I will always be a peasant in this world, though I'm never happier than when I'm playing or caddying, especially on a links course.George Peper's vivid descriptions of daily life in St Andrews, coupled with his participation in some major events held there, and seasoned with Peper's self-deprecating humor, made this book a vicarious joy to read. He never gets bogged down with boring anecdotes, and his character portraits of friends, neighbors, and golf royalty are sharp and warm at the same time.

George Peper has written just a 'handful' of books on the topic of golf, links golf in Scotland and St. Andrews. His writing style is imminently readable and highly entertaining.This book carries a lot of inside information on the happenings with George's purchase of real estate in St. Andrews and the inner workings of all things golf in the area. Really funny stuff - his descriptions of buying his property, leasing his property to university students and eventually renovating the entire flat. Great stories on his involvement with the R&A and his growing involvement (much to his shock) with them...The book would have been well served to have left out the commentary about the politics in the US during the timing of the book - but it might be that George (and his wife) and I are probably on different sides of the political spectrum...I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for further information on the golfing life inside Scotland. If you want even more information from Mr. P - go to Amazon and search by his last name - he's got just a few other books about golfing...Also read A Golfer's Education and / or Playing Through

For those of us who’ve visited St Andrews, real insights are gained about what it would be like to move there. Keeping up an old house and trying to build relationships in small town is not exactly an extended vacation, even if it includes golf at an historic venue. The author’s down-to-earth accounts of adjusting to a new life away from family and business associates provides clues to the costs and rewards of trying to make a dream come true.

The book was an easy read and had its moments. Would have preferred a little more about St. Andrews and the courses there and a little less of Mr. Peper (fully recognizing the book was about his two years in St. Andrews). A couple of passages near the end may have been the best in the book. When he talked about what golf is and what it isn’t and when he described how one is often drawn to somewhere that just seems to be the right place.

A must for everybody who visits (plays) St. Andrews. It gave entirely a new view to this town,how it has changed, history of all courses nearby and when it is given by a man who is not local, not even British, it gives an outsider's view like no other St. Andrews book. I loved to walk the streets, see and visit the real original golf shops and look respectfully at the houses next to the 18th fairway remembering the people who lived there. Even the clubhouse, although only seen from the outside, brought back stories from this marvellous book. I found the Peper's house and was somewhat sad to read last year that the Pepers were selling the house and moving back to the States. Maybe the children and grandchildren needed them to be nearer.It would be lovely to read a sequel to this book. To come to St. Andrews for two years and finally make a decision to stay on was a must, it's easy to see after reading the story.What I find in a way extra in this book is, that while Mr. Peper, an ardent golfer and an editor of various golf magazines is somewhat an easier 'victim' of St. Andrews, his wife does not play golf, but found the town and the people so awarding that she wanted to stay on 'at home' after those 2 years.We'll travel to Scotland (Ireland, Wales) for links golf once a year if possible, but after reading this book Scotland and St. Andrews has a very special and real, not just the normal, meaning.This book is available from various sellers as a second-hand or nearly new copy. This one I bought as a present, having read (listened) the book alrady a couple of years ago as a audible book.It is available in audible (Audible Amazon) and as an e-book. The audible version is very clear and well read, easy for a foreigner to follow.

Purchased this book after hearing the author discuss it on a podcast and was utterly blown away. This is a real treat for any golf fan out there interested in the game and it is great to hear the authors experiences.

read this book before and loved it so bought for 2 friends for Xmas. Is well written , entertaining and gives a different to the usual recounts if life in the links in St Andrews. Would recommend as a read to residents and visitors alike.

good read

Great book with some hilarious parts and filled with info and curiosity on R&A and ST Andews. A must have for golf lovers!My used edition was in good condition and got it way faster than promised.