A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe: A Novel

by Robert Cullen

From Bob Cullen-coauthor with Dr. Bob Rotella of Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect -- comes a wise, warm, and hilarious novel. In this unforgettable story, the secret fundamentals of golf, friendship, competition, and the inscrutable relationships between fathers and sons all combine to form an extraordinary tale. Bobby Jobe is a gifted golfer whose swing is much better than his attitude. Leading a major tournament in the final round, he gets distracted as usual -- and chokes, blowing his lead. Also as usual, he blames his caddy, Greyhound Mote, who stomps off the Greyhound is loyal, but Bobby's gone just one insult too far. Shortly thereafter, as he's leaving the golf club, Greyhound spots Bobby obsessively practicing the shot that earlier lost him the tournament. Overhead, the clouds of an approaching thunderstorm roil, and as Greyhound watches, lightning strikes -- and both of their lives are changed forever. Months later Greyhound has retreated to his small hometown, where he helps his mother run a shabby but proud nine-hole golf course. All he knows of Bobby since their last bitter farewell in a hospital room is that he has been permanently blinded. What he doesn't know is that an extraordinary woman has come into Bobby's life, determined to save him by convincing him he can still play competitive golf. And she believes that Greyhound is the person to help him do it. Full of great golf lore and tremendous wisdom about what it means to be human, A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe is the kind of novel that people don't just read. They fall in love with it and carry it in their hearts forever.

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Bob Cullen is a former international correspondent for Newsweek and the author of four acclaimed thrillers, including the New York Times Notable Book of the Year Soviet Sources.

Reviews

[Judith Teggelaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally, I do not care for anything to do with golf as I don't care for golf and don't know much about it. This book surprised me, however. It concerns a blind golfer and his bid for a championship. I now know what a mulligan is.

[S.J. Crown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it will always be special for me. Along with The Legend of Bagger Vance (which is much better than the movie), it was instrumental in motivating me to write my own novel set in the golf world. In A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe, as in other good sports novels, the sports setting merely provides a backdrop as our heroes, blind golfer Bobby Jobe and his caddie Henry Mote, struggle to overcome their inner flaws. It helps if you're a golf fan, but even if you're not, you just might like this one.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I read this one but I don't remember any of it.. Or even if I liked it so I guess I have to re-read it...

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started out thinking I wouldn't enjoy this story because, while I've played a few games of golf in my teen yrs., I've never been interested in watching it or following it. This book is rife w/golfing jargon and golfing technicalities, but I over all really enjoyed this story. It was a story of forgiveness and overcoming great physical difficulties and pursuing dreams even if they seem near impossible. I thought this was a very solid read. I enjoyed it.

[Myprivatebookclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know nothing about golf and I do not care about it. I guess this is why I was so detached of the book all the time.
I understand that we had something special here with the blind golf player Bobby, but I could not feel his blindness also (is it really possible to become blind as addressed in this book?).
The happenings in the books also did not touch me, Henry Mote, Angela, I could relate to none of them.
I am sure that the book has its fans, but this just wasn’t my book.

[Kacy Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know nothing about golf. I have never watched, played, or had an interest in it. I thought that would complicate me reading this but it didn't. It actually made me more interested in golf. I now wish I played. Great story and moral.

[Jordan Gerlach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a good storyline, but written in a mediocre way. If you like painfully awkward situations and impossible coincidences, this book is for you.

[Brian123 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, I'm not really into Golf fiction but its ok. Its a quick read, but I just can't really get into it. I think its a good story. If u like golf, then u would proably like it. Thumbs up!!!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story that really surprised me. I never expected to read a golf story that was so much of page turner. Good character development and a good story about life, love, friendship, family and golf.

[Mr. George The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

really have to love golf stories to love this one.....so, yea, I liked it...lots of cursing....but when you golf, that happens...cool story and pretty true to tour life.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a WHOLE lot of golf in this book. It was a little odious to be reading about every single stroke. However, the story behind the golf was pretty good, not fabulous though.

[Veronica Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though sports, and certainly golf, only interests me nominally, I enjoyed this book. (8.5)