The Range Bucket List: The Golf Adventure of a Lifetime

by James Dodson

From beloved golf writer James Dodson, author of Final Rounds and American Triumvirate and a two-time winner of the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award for best golf book of the year, The Range Bucket List is a funny, intimate, nostalgic journey of self and sport in which the legendary author completes his golfing “bucket list.”

Many years ago, when James Dodson was thirteen years old, he wrote himself a list titled “Things to Do in Golf.” It included the golfing aspirations of a young boy who had no idea where life would take him. A few years ago, now in his sixties and one of the most respected golf writers of all time, Dodson rediscovered the piece of paper in an old trunk. Realizing that he had yet to achieve many of his thirteen-year-old dreams, and pondering the things he’d add to the list if he wrote it today, he expanded the list into a golfing “bucket list” of the people and places he had yet to meet and see in the golf world.

In this tribute to the game he loves, Dodson takes readers on a journey around the world and into the lives of characters large and small. From an interesting lunch with Donald Trump to rounds with John Updike and intimate conversations with Arnold Palmer, from scoring a memorable thirteen on a hole at St. Andrews to revealing the real reason The Masters has always been broadcast on CBS, The Range Bucket List is simultaneously an exhilarating armchair adventure and one man’s love letter to a game that has fundamentally shaped him and his life, filled with unforgettable characters, untold history, and lots of heart.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2017

About the author

James Dodson is the author of seven books, including Final Rounds and Ben Hogan: An American Life. He lives with his family in Southern Pines, North Carolina."

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying to branch out in my reading. I don't read a lot of dude memoir. I don't read a lot of dude memoir by conservatives. And I certainly don't read a lot of conservative dude memoir about golf.

Well, thank heavens I decided to branch out. This was an f'ing delightful book. Yes, I absolutely skimmed several pages where he talked about famous golf people - except the Arnold Palmer stuff. I know who Arnold Palmer is and Dodson's stories about him and his wife Winnie were fantastic. I might even read the bio he co-wrote w/ Palmer (ok, that might be too much golf).

But aside from the "ugh .. golf" skimming, there were so many wonderful, human anecdotes that just happened to take place against the backdrop of golf. Dodson is an enjoyable writer and I'm so pleased I got this from the library. Definitely recommend if you like memoir. And if you like golf, absolutely read this.

[Ric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of a range bucket list and this inspired me to start one of my own (even though I’ve always had some bucket list courses in my mind). I also enjoy collected golf stories from amateurs who are involved with the game, it’s been a favorite type of golf book for me lately. There was one chapter in particular I could’ve done without, but I loved reading so many stories about Arnold Palmer.

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

( 2 1/2). I think I have read a couple of these stories before. Dodson has the unique ability to make life-lesson stories out of golf, his life, and celebrity and professional golfers he has interacted with. His history of writing famous golf biographies is well known, and it has offered him access to many places and people that are TaylorMade (sorry for the pun) for his story telling talents. For the avid golf reader, this is five stars. For the reader who likes sports stories that bring a tear to your eye, the same. But mostly, it is a very nice collection of good stories.

[Chelsea Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost gave up on this book when I started to get bored of golf history and the author’s story, but it had some really nice themes. I like the idea that ‘if you tell the universe what’s honestly in your heart, you may be surprised by what happens.” I also especially enjoyed the parts with Arnold Palmer and got some good ideas and lingo to incorporate into my golf game in the coming years.

Overall though, I think my expectations were too high for the book to be profound beyond golf based on reviews and my dad’s recommendation.

[Michael Stetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnie likes his vanilla ice cream with a little fudge sauce.

[Bill Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Dodson is my favorite golf writer. I’ve enjoyed his previous golf books, and had been meaning to read this one, which he says is his “little love letter to the game of golf”, for a while now. He tells us about recently finding a small old notebook of his that contained a list of eleven “Things to Do in Golf.” From there, he developed his “Range Bucket List”, populated with things he still hoped to do in golf.
The book is filled with the joys and sorrows he experiences on his journey, as he tries to tie up some loose ends, completing a personal circle of sorts. He writes of a friend telling him that the game is always waiting for us to return.
We read about his trip with his father to England and Scotland, working with Arnold Palmer as they wrote Palmer’s autobiography - the two most challenging and enjoyable years of his book writing life, and the start of a friendship he could never have imagined as a kid - and then later sharing his emotional last visit with Palmer before he died. We get to meet his new wife Wendy, or his “golf wife” as he took to calling her. He writes of living in Pinehurst, his strange encounter with Donald Trump, and the story behind how CBS got the TV contract for the Masters tournament. You’ll read about Opti the Mystic (his father), living One-Derr, Grumpy, Glorious Goat Farms, and so much more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. It was one of those books that you hate to see end.

[Tim Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a lover of the game of golf and also a lover of stories, this book was perfect for me. My grandpa recommended me this book based on my love for golf, but also the need for me to know the history of the game. James Dodson mainly gives personal accounts in this book, but he covers the history of the game from the start. When it comes to the history of professional players, amateur players, country clubs, and the game of golf in america, it is all covered in this book. This book was an amazing read and I enjoyed it everyday, especially on days when I was going to play golf later in the day. I would definitely recommend this book to all golfers and even non-golfers who are interested in the game.

[Robert Schwab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and touching read for golfers, even though it uses golf as a vehicle for a book about life. In the tradition of Final Rounds (though this book isn't quite as good as that), Dodson writes beautifully about the mysterious allure of the game of golf that nongolfers struggle to understand, and rightfully often weary of hearing about ad nauseum. Golfers will revel in the stories of Arnold Palmer, John Updike, Bill Campbell, John Derr, and a cast of many other fascinating characters that have been part of Dodson's wonderful life centered around golf. My son read it and enjoyed it a great deal, so I can say with some authority that its appeal crosses generations. Anyone who read Final Rounds should read this book, and any golfer who hasn't read Final Rounds should read them both.

[Ted Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here I go again, James Dobson is a fantastic writer, as well as a son of North Carolina. This may be my favorite book he has written. If you like golf, who really Loves golf? It is the original four-letter word after all, but if you enjoy golf, read this book. He details how he became interested in golf, his Dad, and how he fashioned a career writing about golf. Like most of us, he is an average golfer, but he is able to articulate his frustration with poor play and yet the desire to get out there just one more time. Many great little vingettes in this book that will give you an inside look into the heart and soul of the golfer in your life.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Dodson is a long time golf journalist who waxes poetic about the varied hopes, dreams, and experiences he encounters during his lifelong golfing fandom. I enjoyed hearing the many different circumstances he falls into - he is probably only 1 or 2 degrees of separation away from every single person of significance in the golfing world, and this rolodex of contacts makes his stories unique and his own.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice collection of stories about the author's favorite memories and experiences in his life of golf. Really great writing and he clearly has some tremendous encounters, though part of me wonders how many of these experiences are simply due to his connections in the golf world. Still, it's definitely worth a read if you love golf.

[Steve Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ad this to your bucket list

A wonderful story allowing the reader into a well lived life. Thoughtful in its approach with many moving moments. Cannot say enough about Mr. Dodson’s story telling skills.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow-what an adventurous fella! my! to have such a bucket list-oy!
no errors.

[Drobg62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very worthwhile golf read

This book rekindled my appreciation for the game of golf and I’ve come away with a deeper respect, love and understanding of the game.

[Matthew Stetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Tons of great stories about people and places your never heard or read about in golf with the exception of my main man Arnold Palmer.

[Tim Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and well written book. Very inspiring

[Shannon Harlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are amazing, it was a bit difficult to keep track of when each story was told. Great for people that like golf history and untold stories.

[Anthony Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Quite a few retold stories, but his style is just so winsome and easy to read.

[Cassie Bustamante · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a golfer and I loved this book for its bittersweet humanity and stories of the people behind the sport. Beautifully written and!

[Nation Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming read about Dodson’s lifetime love affair with golf. Highly recommended.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a golf book!

[Patrick Schultheis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful memoir of a wonderful golf writer