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Off Course
An alien invasion fleet picks the wrong golf course ...
A 1400-word short story
A 1400-word short story
1 pages, Audiobook
First published November 13, 2011
13 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Simon Haynes
85 books172 followersSimon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock, Harriet Walsh and Hal Junior (MG) series. He divides his time between writing fiction and computer software, with the occasional bike ride thrown in for a laugh.
Simon lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Simon lives in Perth, Western Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 7, 2019
Aliens and golfers
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars Aliens and golfers
July 7, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: November 13, 2011
Publisher: Bowman Press
Language: English
ASIN: B0067C65AY
The free and discounted book site which led me to this story promoted it as very funny sci-fi. Read it with that expectation and you will likely be disappointed. Instead, read it as light, amusing sci-fi about first contact and golfers. Read in that light, it's a pretty good story. At this time OFF COURSE is free from Amazon.
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
4.0 out of 5 stars Aliens and golfers
July 7, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: November 13, 2011
Publisher: Bowman Press
Language: English
ASIN: B0067C65AY
The free and discounted book site which led me to this story promoted it as very funny sci-fi. Read it with that expectation and you will likely be disappointed. Instead, read it as light, amusing sci-fi about first contact and golfers. Read in that light, it's a pretty good story. At this time OFF COURSE is free from Amazon.
October 29, 2023
Entertaining cute listening 🎶🔰
This was a free novella e-book from the author.
Three older gentlemen 🚹 are playing golf ⛳ as they do all the time. Then futuristic effects start showing up ☝ on the golf ⛳ course.
I would recommend this cute novella and author to 👍 readers looking for a quick futuristic read 👍🔰. 2023 😀😯😕😁⛳
I have listened to a number of Simon Haynes and not been disappointed. Happy reading 📚 and have fun 🌙😀!
This was a free novella e-book from the author.
Three older gentlemen 🚹 are playing golf ⛳ as they do all the time. Then futuristic effects start showing up ☝ on the golf ⛳ course.
I would recommend this cute novella and author to 👍 readers looking for a quick futuristic read 👍🔰. 2023 😀😯😕😁⛳
I have listened to a number of Simon Haynes and not been disappointed. Happy reading 📚 and have fun 🌙😀!
August 14, 2015
I got this short story for free on Amazon. It's a quick and fun read, reminded me a little of one of my favorite writer, Fredric Brown. Like in many of his stories there is humor and a surprise twist at the end, but this one wasn't so surprising.
Still I had fun reading it, and it made me smile, so I can recommend it anyone that is looking for a light sci-fi humor.
Still I had fun reading it, and it made me smile, so I can recommend it anyone that is looking for a light sci-fi humor.
April 25, 2018
kindle unlimited and/or gotten on freebie day so running through all the books that can, this one again short short and all right but eh needed more length and fleshing out bit more
An alien fleet arrives on Earth, only to invade the wrong hole ...
going through either ku or freebie day books by writer, if not either skipping, another too short not really understandable/explained enough one and/or gross etc-- trying to figure out when how and possible even IF there is kindle etc for Collect One-Two BOOKS {One, Two, then double pack with all} contains the following stories by Hal Spacejock author Simon Haynes: Sleight of Hand, The Desolator, Updown, A Piece of the Action, Catch of the Day, Yard Fail, Off Course, Billy's Book, Loss Leader, Fizz!, Thonn Day and Escape Clause. This means have to check each book to find on goodreads and pull it up IF even there to then see if have the individual book either kindle unlimited, bought/freebie day, so far and says 12 stories
* just me keeping up with which ones reviewed as go, some won't be because couldn't find, not freebie day, not ku, etc
Sleight of Hand shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
The Desolator shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Updown shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
A Piece of the Action shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Catch of the Day shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Yard Fail, Off Course shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Billy's Book shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Loss Leader shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Fizz! shows up {if look for it on his page, NOT by linking from goodreads} on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Thonn Day shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Escape Clause NOT showing up for kindle etc -
also read the Hal Jr and Spackjock Hal ones except for #8 which wasn't ku and although 7 is one book must have been serialized at one time because listed on amazon one book but 10 parts on goodreads
Hal Junior 1: The Secret Signal: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 2: The Missing Case: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 3: The Gyris Mission: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Spacejock 1: A robot named Clunk
Hal Spacejock 2: Second Course
Hal Spacejock 3: Just Desserts
Hal Spacejock Omnibus One {Hal Spacejock Omnibus One Hal Spacejock #1-3, PLUS a bonus short story: Hal Spacejock Visit/4.2}
Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch
Hal Spacejock 4.1: Framed
Hal Spacejock 4.2: Visit
Hal Spacejock 5: Baker's Dough
Hal Spacejock 6: Safe Art
the kindle book {and probably the paperback etc} has as of this reading 42 chapters so seems to be Hal Spacejock 7.1,7.2,7.3,7.4,7.5,7.6,7.7,7.8,7.9,7.10 so for each of these just look back to 7 {no number or .} on goodreads, it's just one on amazon.
Hal Spacejock 7.1: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.2: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.3: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.4: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.5: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.6: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.7: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.8: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.9: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.10: Big Ban
Hal Spacejock 8: Double Trouble NOT KU
There's also a new spin-off series, Harriet Walsh, featuring the popular Peace Force character from Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch.
An alien fleet arrives on Earth, only to invade the wrong hole ...
going through either ku or freebie day books by writer, if not either skipping, another too short not really understandable/explained enough one and/or gross etc-- trying to figure out when how and possible even IF there is kindle etc for Collect One-Two BOOKS {One, Two, then double pack with all} contains the following stories by Hal Spacejock author Simon Haynes: Sleight of Hand, The Desolator, Updown, A Piece of the Action, Catch of the Day, Yard Fail, Off Course, Billy's Book, Loss Leader, Fizz!, Thonn Day and Escape Clause. This means have to check each book to find on goodreads and pull it up IF even there to then see if have the individual book either kindle unlimited, bought/freebie day, so far and says 12 stories
* just me keeping up with which ones reviewed as go, some won't be because couldn't find, not freebie day, not ku, etc
Sleight of Hand shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
The Desolator shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Updown shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
A Piece of the Action shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Catch of the Day shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Yard Fail, Off Course shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Billy's Book shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Loss Leader shows up separately on amazon/goodreads *
Fizz! shows up {if look for it on his page, NOT by linking from goodreads} on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Thonn Day shows up on both but NOT ku and didn't get on freebie day etc -
Escape Clause NOT showing up for kindle etc -
also read the Hal Jr and Spackjock Hal ones except for #8 which wasn't ku and although 7 is one book must have been serialized at one time because listed on amazon one book but 10 parts on goodreads
Hal Junior 1: The Secret Signal: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 2: The Missing Case: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Junior 3: The Gyris Mission: science fiction for ages 8-12
Hal Spacejock 1: A robot named Clunk
Hal Spacejock 2: Second Course
Hal Spacejock 3: Just Desserts
Hal Spacejock Omnibus One {Hal Spacejock Omnibus One Hal Spacejock #1-3, PLUS a bonus short story: Hal Spacejock Visit/4.2}
Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch
Hal Spacejock 4.1: Framed
Hal Spacejock 4.2: Visit
Hal Spacejock 5: Baker's Dough
Hal Spacejock 6: Safe Art
the kindle book {and probably the paperback etc} has as of this reading 42 chapters so seems to be Hal Spacejock 7.1,7.2,7.3,7.4,7.5,7.6,7.7,7.8,7.9,7.10 so for each of these just look back to 7 {no number or .} on goodreads, it's just one on amazon.
Hal Spacejock 7.1: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.2: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.3: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.4: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.5: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.6: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.7: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.8: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.9: Big Bang
Hal Spacejock 7.10: Big Ban
Hal Spacejock 8: Double Trouble NOT KU
There's also a new spin-off series, Harriet Walsh, featuring the popular Peace Force character from Hal Spacejock 4: No Free Lunch.
April 8, 2019
I don't do book reviews.....
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
December 23, 2019
Loved it!
Three men, on the golf course, see an alien craft land. The alien, comes to talk to the men. Then, another alien, that looks like a roach, comes into the picture. Both aliens, said they were going to take over the Earth. Tom, the golfer, said the planet was his. The Intruders leave. Tom makes a surprise statement.
Three men, on the golf course, see an alien craft land. The alien, comes to talk to the men. Then, another alien, that looks like a roach, comes into the picture. Both aliens, said they were going to take over the Earth. Tom, the golfer, said the planet was his. The Intruders leave. Tom makes a surprise statement.
May 1, 2018
Just under 9 minute audio book. More like a golf joke. Punch line is sort of funny. I got this free for subscribing to the author's mailing list. Might be okay as a short story of greater length and a lo more development.
June 6, 2019
When a spaceship lands on the green of the seventh hole interrupting the golf game of three seniors a stand-off between two different alien races and the humans occur. A short amusing read. Will definitely look for more by this author.
July 30, 2022
It was pretty funny, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Short story, so very quick read.
The story is a clear case of if something can go wrong, it will, especially if you are a bit hung over.
Yes, do read it!
The story is a clear case of if something can go wrong, it will, especially if you are a bit hung over.
Yes, do read it!
January 5, 2025
Good, Silly, AND BRIEF!!!
There are a minimum number of words REQUIRED of an Amazon Book Review, so this sentence should take care of THAT … and the ‘Headline’ for this Review is more than adequate to describe this wonderfully brief tale.
There are a minimum number of words REQUIRED of an Amazon Book Review, so this sentence should take care of THAT … and the ‘Headline’ for this Review is more than adequate to describe this wonderfully brief tale.
July 1, 2018
Short story about an alien landing and some golfers! Absolutely hilarious and succinct!
November 25, 2018
Very short read.....5 minutes but what a read! Chuckled all the way through the story. Very humorous I thought.
May 27, 2019
I wonder about my review?
Rereading this excellent golf short story and now am doing another review. Anyway, if you are a golf fan/player hope you enjoy it. A fan!
Rereading this excellent golf short story and now am doing another review. Anyway, if you are a golf fan/player hope you enjoy it. A fan!
July 15, 2020
An alien invasion on the golf course causes confusion with another alien invasion, only to be scared off by an alien/human golfer wanting to golf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
A fun quick read, wish it had been longer
December 31, 2020
Exciting premise but nothing really happened
May 21, 2021
A fun short
The author has a rye sense of humor. This is a lot of fun, almost a shaggy dog story; however, the content is solid. Most enjoyable and a quick read to boot. It
The author has a rye sense of humor. This is a lot of fun, almost a shaggy dog story; however, the content is solid. Most enjoyable and a quick read to boot. It
June 11, 2025
Funny little story.
July 5, 2014
This
VERY
VERY
VERY
Short
Story
WAS
STRANGE!
Not for me.
Maybe for you!
VERY
VERY
VERY
Short
Story
WAS
STRANGE!
Not for me.
Maybe for you!
February 26, 2023
Humorous and enjoyable short with fun twist!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews