Loopers: A Caddie's Twenty-Year Golf Odyssey

by John Dunn

Loopers" is a treasure of a memoir about the uncommon world of the club caddy and the improbable journey it resulted in for one man. It is a perennial account that touches on the animating force of the game itself, reminding us of the reason we continue to tee the ball up, year in and year out.
John Dunn never expected that his summer job as a caddy at the local course in Connecticut might turn into something more. The lifers - as in "caddies for life" - that plied the loops were an ensemble of misfits and degenerates that made the caddy yard look more like an OTB parlor than anything near a country club. But Dunn came of age in those yards and on those courses, and after an eye-opening experience caddying in Aspen during college the magnetism of the game and the lifestyle proved irresistible. One adventure after another kept him coming back summer after summer, until - out of college - he found himself migrating with the seasons, looping at some of the most exquisite and exclusive golf locations in the world; Sherwood, Augusta, Bandon Dunes, Shinnecock, and St. Andrews to name a few. Dunn criss-crossed the country on his own big loop; working inside the privet hedges while camping on the mountains; following the back roads and stumbling across unexpected moments of profound natural beauty; embracing the freedom of what he calls the last vagabond existence in America, all while trying to decide whether to quit the loop and get a real job. Maybe next season... "From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Memoir, Autobiography

ebook

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I've been writing for golf/travel magazines for years and working as a caddie at clubs and resorts around the country and in Scotland to support my travel and writing. I've been very lucky to travel for months every year in between the winter and summer golf seasons and while I often felt like I was working to save for these trips, my every day life living and working in amazing places like Aspen Colorado, Malibu California, Bandon Oregon, the Hamtpons, St Andrews Scotland, Augusta Georgia, etc has often been as interesting and inspirational as my "travels". In fact, my everyday life often felt like traveling as I moved around so much and spent my afternoons and evenings and days off exploring my new homes... finding surfing and camping spots and hiking trails, great restaurants and coffee shops and dive bars. My life never felt routine and in the end it was my "day job" that became the subject of my first book - "Loopers - A Caddie's Twenty Year Golf Odyssey".

I am now writing my second book "Golf My Way Home" about a summer I spent golfing and hitchhiking across the country to raise money and awareness to fight pancreatic cancer after my dad was diagnosed with the disease.

Reviews

[Dave Guia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I do not play golf anymore...I enjoyed this read as it takes me back to when I used to enjoy being on a golf course...especially when no one else is there - seems like that's when John Dunn had a great deal of fun.

I liked the tales John told about his exploits - even if some of them are a little naughty (maybe even very naughty). But as John settled down (in a way) his stories become more interesting.

It is possible that folks that haven't golfed at all (or only a little) might enjoy going on this journey with John.

[Stephen Epp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casual read about the life of a caddy. So different in every way to the path I’ve taken but really enjoyed reading about the experiences. Also so good emotion stirred up thinking about my Dad and I on the links :)

[TJ Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice easy read. As an avid golfer it was very interesting to hear someone else describe course that were so clearly burnt into my memories.

[Max Rusch · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an avid golfer, I enjoyed the picture painted by Dunn of the many notable and unknown courses and parts of the world he caddied.

[Jack · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have been titled “Loser”. An overly long story about a man child who wasted opportunity and resources.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and entertaining.

[Beth Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for some light reading for the summer. I prefer non-fiction. I do like golf. So I picked up Loopers. The author started caddying in high school and continued to do it, even after graduating from college, for 20 years. Apparently slang for a caddy is a "looper".

The beginning of the book was bit slow and not the best writing style. But as it went on, I either got more in to it, or the writing improved. It was very interesting how this young man picked places he wanted to see, hitchhiked and camped, and found caddying jobs to pay his keep. It was really amazing to think how much he must love to play golf. After working as a caddy during the day, he would go out and play golf into the dark. His detailed description of golf courses showed a real love and admiration for the whole process. The design and challenge of the course and the beauty surrounding and throughout the course. And in the end he had become a writer, not just a caddy. He kept a journal and wrote some stories of his experiences which he sold to golf magazines. And then he wrote this book. So he has a "real job" after all.

I have college aged kids and many friends whose kids are graduating and instead of doing the 9-5, are traveling and picking up waitress jobs , bar tending, dress shop worker kind of jobs, just so they can go live someplace they want to see. So having read this book, I advised them all to have their kids keep a journal. Never know when their adventures will be something others want to read about.

I enjoyed it and I recommend it. But much probably won't appeal to you unless you have played golf.

[Erik Eckel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Golf writer John Dunn’s memoir, Loopers, collects years of stories caddying at many of the nation’s best courses and even Scotland’s venerable St. Andrews. Reading the book, I’m reminded of the larger role golf played in my youth.

I grew up hitting drives across the street from my childhood home. I played courses with friends growing up, as playing 18 or even 36 proved an inexpensive way to spend long, idle summer days. And then golf became an inactivity that enabled father-son bonding when I hit my 20s.

I’m fortunate to have had the golf experiences I’ve had, even if actually golfing has become a true rarity, now, at least for me. Dunn’s memoir captures not only the game’s routine and beauty, but the manner in which it opens opportunities and so many long-lasting friendships across socioeconomic boundaries, while also celebrating the rewards of a vagabond caddy’s lifestyle.

[Peter McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read, written in a fluid style. You have to know golf in order to really get a good feel for what is going on but Dunn really puts golf in to its proper perspective. I don't think you find that too often in golf culture and golf writing. Dunn is a thoughtful hedonist who follows his muse on journeys that will delight you. His travels as documented here are far and wide and he has a great eye for character. Entertaining, thoughtful and provocative- not what you'd expect from a book about caddying.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a golf nut, As such, I give this 5 stars as a golf book. It is a very interesting read, a great story of growing up on your own in some very interesting environments. I have been to many of the places featured here and I loved them all. There is more to this book than golf, there is alot about people and some good family dymanics interaction as well. It was a much better book than I ever would have expected.

[Philk81 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'm jealous; anyone who caddied and got all the benefits of playing on courses from
Olympic, Shinnecock Hills, Bandon Dunes and then winding up at St. Andrews (then Augusta) has done things right! Truly a stellar lineup of courses over 20 years and quite an interesting tour for golf fans. John Dunn's writing is par for the courses, mostly.
Enjoyed this a lot.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I ran into this book expecting it to be a collection of wacky and wild golf stories but was immediately wrong. While it does travel through courses and chapters of his life, John is always struggling with the sporadic life of caddying as well as the approval from his father. Avid golfer or not this is a good book for anyone.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It took me on a journey I could only live vicariously!! What an awesome romp around the planet carrying golf bags!
It's a fun read and I highly recommend it.. Good summer reading..

[Jerry Kinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining as a golf story only average as sports journalism.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read a golf related book with a more touching and impactful ending.

[Tim Laitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent summer read. Gives you a chance to live vicariously through the author as he caddies, golfs, and hitchhikes across legendary courses in the US and Scotland. Enjoyable read.

[David Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful narrative that will appeal to golfers. Well written funny, poignant at times - highly recommended.

[Mike Fessenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Never golfed (other than a driving range). I have caddied. This guy was a pro

[Brendan O'sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this book. Even though I have only a passing interest in golf I still found it very entertaining. A nice easy read!