18 in America: A Young Golfer's Epic Journey to Find the Essence of the Game

by Dylan Dethier

An exhilarating account of one remarkable teenager’s solo trek to play golf in each of the lower forty-eight states—a compelling coming-of-age story and a surprising look at the equalizing power of the sport in America. At seventeen, Dylan Dethier couldn’t help but think he’d never really done anything with his life. So, two months before his freshman year was set to begin, he deferred admission to Williams College. With the reluctant blessing of his parents, Dylan set out on his idea of the Great American Road Trip: play a round of golf in each of the forty-eight contiguous states. What began as the teenage wanderlust of a sheltered New England kid soon became a journey to find America’s heart and soul, “to figure out where—and why—golf fit in,” and to explore what it means to be a young man today.

From a three-dollar nine-holer in rural West Virginia to a municipal course amid the failing factories of Flint, Michigan, and to the manicured greens of Pebble Beach, Dylan explored the variety of the nation’s golf courses, the multiplicity of its towns and cities, and, most strikingly of all, the diversity of its people. Hoping to shatter golf’s elitist reputation, he would play with war veterans, autoworkers, and a livestock auctioneer and discovered golf’s unique capacity to serve as an equalizer. In Wyoming, he decided the state’s courses matched his own style of play: “unbridled, rough and tumble in a T-shirt and jeans sort of way.” Over one year, 35,000 miles, and countless nights alone in his dusty Subaru, Dylan would shower at truck stops, sleep with an axe beside him, lose his virginity, and meet legends like Phil Mickelson and Michael Jordan.

Dylan’s eighteenth year was one of many firsts—venturing into the world alone, exploring serious questions about his future, and fulfilling an ambitious quest. In crisp prose and with a wry, engaging voice, this precocious writer takes us beyond his own reflections to weave a poignant portrait of America and its golfers, making 18 in America the perfect gift for the golf enthusiast in your family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2013

Reviews

[Nick Poon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book when my English class and I went to the library for an activity. When I saw the front cover of the book I instantly became interested. I normal don't like non-fiction books, but when seeing how intriguing the premise of taking a gap year to travel the United States to golf in every state, I decided to read it. As I started I found it very cool that Dylan lived in Massachusetts just like I do. As a casual golfer, I related to the environment of a course and the way that people interact on it. So when ever Dylan join a person or group it was cool to compare his experiences to the ones that I have had. One of my favorite parts of the book was when he went golfing with a man from Cleveland. The man would share all of his experiences with Dylan. It was cool to read about how Dylan took these experiences to heart and how he would use the stories from others in life. Overall I enjoyed the book, it was an easy read. However, with non-fiction on being my forte, it was not as enjoyable as a fiction book, giving the book an "I like it" and nothing higher.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. We all face that leap of faith moment of taking risks and leaving the nest as we enter adulthood, particularly after growing up in a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. Some take bigger leaps than others, but few as large as Dylan's. I grew up near Williamstown and had a similarly sheltered childhood in Western Mass, and I couldn't imagine doing what he did.

Beyond the courage to do this journey at such a young age, I was impressed by Dylan's commitment to documenting both the good and bad throughout. He's a great writer, and though I agree with others that the first half is the stronger one, I thought that the second half showed how easily we all can become what we fear - in this case a golfing elite - when the opportunity arises. Dylan becomes much more introspective about figuring out who he is and who he would become (which is the entire point of the journey in my view), so naturally there's less description of the courses or people than there was at the beginning. He's laying it all out there and taking on topics like privilege, loneliness, and freedom without being overly prescriptive, which makes for a pretty interesting read.

[Mike OHagerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having grown up in Western Mass, just miles from Williamstown, I was really looking forward to this read. Dylan is a fairly decent writer...he puts his thoughts and experiences to the page in a simple manner that made his story an easy one to read. The idea of traveling this great country playing golf and meeting all different types of golfers in their element is on almost every golfer's bucket list. Unfortunately, Dylan's trip gets hijacked by the media and the golfing elite and we're once again reminded that golf isn't a game where everyone is welcome to kick back and just enjoy the game. As the trip turns back to the East Coast, Dylan seems to lose control of his trip. His writing is still easy-reading, but the content gets lost among the stereotypical golf world - money, media, machismo. The people we meet on the "outward 9" as Dylan heads west are interesting - the type I would hope to join for a round on any course. Once his road trip is exposed, the people on his inward 9 become more shallow. The trip/book appeared to have so much promise, but in the end it just became another golf book.

[Allen Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.themaineedge.com/sports/pl...

“18 in America” isn’t just about golf. It’s about one young man making his way through an America that he didn’t understand nearly as well as he believed.

It’s a big trip.

It’s rare to get the opportunity to hear the story of a boy becoming a man, but in many ways, that’s what this book is. Golf is the subject and object, but it isn’t always the center. The center is one young man, confronted with the truths of growing up. It’s self-discovery by way of the fairway, realizations hatched in the rough. There’s something fascinating about a kid who is capable of conceiving such an adventure, much less actually completing it.

“18 in America” isn’t a hole-in-one. It isn’t an eagle. You could call it a birdie, but it’s more of a well-earned par on a tough hole, saved by a solid bunker shot and a long curling putt. Literature, much like golf, isn’t so much about where you go but how you get there. Dethier’s book has its peaks and valleys, just as his journey did. All in all, it’s a trip worth taking.

[Matt]

This book is a perfect fit for people of all ages; a book that is not about just golf but more about experiences. The incredible wisdom of a teenager from small town Massachusetts is spread on to the reader. A young man, eager to find himself outside such a small, controlled community that he has lived all his life in gets more than he ever imagined out of a transAmerica road trip.

The story is a documentation of Dylan Dethier's trips from state to state. His journey had simple goal: play 18 holes of golf in every state. And along the way, pick up some experience and stories from strangers that he met. Dylan meets all sorts of people on the golf course, from a scam looking to take his money in Vegas to a kind man who loses his job after a factory in Detroit.

The story is so much more than a merely a golf story, but more of mission. Dylan set out to play golf in every state in the homeland of America, but he got so much more. Truly inspiring and gives a lifetime of anecdotes in one gap year before starting college.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really a surprise. I thought it was going to be a typical coming of age story, then I thought it might a typical golf book, but thankfully, it was neither. It is a very interesting coming of age book with a golf angle to it, but the angle golf provides really does give some good life insights. I am mostly very impressed with the writing ability of young Mr. Dethier. This book flows nicely with only an occaisonal hole or two (like what happened to that promised trip back home at Christmas) and he leaves his blemishes out in the open for all to see. Short and sweet, I probably would have given it 2 1/2 if we had those damn half stars!

[John Matney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great road trip story

Dylan does a wonderful job creating a window into his trip around the country, the people he meets and the rounds he played. Just don't expect a course by course or shot by shot description of his rounds. This isn't an accounting, it's a story full of characters, tastes, smells and Dylan's spiritual growth. Despite one player's accusation that he was collecting name courses to brag about, he shows the reader a glimpse into the soul of golf in America. Thanks.

[John R Urry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read as he worked his way thru the country playing golf on all kinds of courses in all kind of conditions. Some very interesting characters along the way keep the book at a nice pace but then something happens to take the adventure out of the story. The writing suffers and the writer Dylan, isn't as likeable. He seems to get just as stuffy as the courses become when he turns to head east and back home. Still a nice golfing trip and an ok read.

[Brad Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The difficulty with memoirs is translating super meaningful experiences into words for the benefit of others. This book had flashes where that happened, but also times where it was a pretty big miss. I enjoyed the concept, I enjoyed the golf stories, I enjoyed the thoughts of the other.... But would have liked to see a more even effort in the memoir portions.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this kid a lot and loved his story. His adventurous journey was much more than a quest to golf but an opportunity to learn about himself, his country and the life lessons those he met along the way delivered. A very enjoyable read.

[Rebecca Gierman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book as a golfer, an adventurer, and a mom. How often do you get the opportunity to get into the mind of a seventeen-year-old kid? Like other reviewers I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. Well written, insightful, and entertaining. Dylan has a bright future

[Michael Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read. As good a coming of age story with golf a primary focus as you'll ever get!

[Criss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Felt a bit rushed at the end, but it was a good length. I suppose I was hoping for a bit more reflection on what he had observed considering all he got to experience.

[Joanne Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm the last person anyone would expect to like a golf book, but Dethier can write!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a modern day, golfer's version of Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley."

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read for any one interested in golf. Quick read full of humor and lessons learned during author's cross country trip.
Rule #1- don't buy the car he lived in during his cross country adventure!

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done- a nice combination of thoughfulness and story telling

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to any and all golfers out there. Just a good book.

[Taylor Troxel · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good book with interesting play on words to make the book come alive.

[Adam Gamble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make you want to road trip

[Bryan McCullick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neat story

Fun read and well-written. Hope to read more from him in the future. Anyone who likes golf would enjoy this book.