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When Revelation Comes
Named one of the 10 Best Golf Books in 2022 by LINKS Magazine
Foreword by Michael Bamberger
Afterword by Wright Thompson When Revelation Comes is the story of one man's search for peace. Along the way, he meets people whose compassion and empathy help him keep going. It’s a story about fathers and sons. It’s a story of a friendship between two people from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s also a story of how a game can be a framework for life. On May 17, 2021, an unthinkable tragedy struck a tight knit family in the small town of Hartselle, Alabama. Jordan, a talented and promising junior golfer, died suddenly of an accidental drug overdose. He was only 21 years old. His father, Jim Hartsell, had spent most of the previous ten years supporting his son’s attempt to succeed in the challenging world of junior and college golf. The grief was crushing, and the feeling of guilt overwhelming. When nothing else made sense, the author did the only thing he could think take a trip to his beloved Scotland in search for answers. Jim Hartsell had fallen in love with Scottish links golf as a child while watching the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry, his father’s favorite tournament. He and his father went on to take several trips to Scotland together, to places like Dunaverty, Machrihanish, and Cruden Bay. Visiting and studying the lesser-known golf courses of Scotland became a lifelong passion for Hartsell. Along the way, he also fell in love with Scotland and its people. When his life seemed over, that love was reciprocated and became his salvation. When Revelation Comes is a requiem for a lost child, and a parent’s search for reasons to continue in the face of crushing grief. It’s also a love letter to it’s golf, culture, and wonderful people. It’s a reminder to look to the people and places around the answers to your questions may be there.
Foreword by Michael Bamberger
Afterword by Wright Thompson When Revelation Comes is the story of one man's search for peace. Along the way, he meets people whose compassion and empathy help him keep going. It’s a story about fathers and sons. It’s a story of a friendship between two people from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s also a story of how a game can be a framework for life. On May 17, 2021, an unthinkable tragedy struck a tight knit family in the small town of Hartselle, Alabama. Jordan, a talented and promising junior golfer, died suddenly of an accidental drug overdose. He was only 21 years old. His father, Jim Hartsell, had spent most of the previous ten years supporting his son’s attempt to succeed in the challenging world of junior and college golf. The grief was crushing, and the feeling of guilt overwhelming. When nothing else made sense, the author did the only thing he could think take a trip to his beloved Scotland in search for answers. Jim Hartsell had fallen in love with Scottish links golf as a child while watching the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry, his father’s favorite tournament. He and his father went on to take several trips to Scotland together, to places like Dunaverty, Machrihanish, and Cruden Bay. Visiting and studying the lesser-known golf courses of Scotland became a lifelong passion for Hartsell. Along the way, he also fell in love with Scotland and its people. When his life seemed over, that love was reciprocated and became his salvation. When Revelation Comes is a requiem for a lost child, and a parent’s search for reasons to continue in the face of crushing grief. It’s also a love letter to it’s golf, culture, and wonderful people. It’s a reminder to look to the people and places around the answers to your questions may be there.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
226 pages, Hardcover
Published November 20, 2022
3 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2023
I found this book so touching and well written. Having lost my Father a couple years ago at the age of 62 I know what unexpected loss feels like. There were many instances where I teared up and thought of my Dad while reading this book. I highly recommend reading this book whether you’re a golf nut or not I believe most everyone will something interesting or useful in it. Also, this book makes me want to go to Scotland and play links golf so bad!!!
July 5, 2023
I read this book mostly in the course of one day. It’s beautiful and sad and inspiring all at once. Hartsell suffered the worst loss imaginable, his child dying, and sought solace (and a revelation) in Scotland, his second home.
Hartsell finds this revelation and some peace, and does so while painting the picture of the truly lovely Scottish people and place, a raw and pure landscape offering not just great golf but perspective, joy and friendship - even from strangers.
A note - I finished this and sat for a moment trying to think WHY it had moved me so much. And then I read the afterword by Wright Thompson who made it crystal clear.
This book is beautiful and I’m so glad I read it.
Hartsell finds this revelation and some peace, and does so while painting the picture of the truly lovely Scottish people and place, a raw and pure landscape offering not just great golf but perspective, joy and friendship - even from strangers.
A note - I finished this and sat for a moment trying to think WHY it had moved me so much. And then I read the afterword by Wright Thompson who made it crystal clear.
This book is beautiful and I’m so glad I read it.
August 25, 2023
Jim Hartsell shares the heartbreaking story of the death of his son, through the lens of his golf trip to Scotland to get away and work through his thoughts and grief. I applaud Jim's willingness to share openly this most tragic period of his life.
A lot of the book covers in great detail each golf course visited, and each hole played. But even the most ardent golf nuts would probably find this level of golf hole detail too much. Unfortunately a good portion of the story feels like a spreadsheet turned into a book, instead of a natural flowing yarn filled with emotion and prose. I wish Hartsell leaned into his thoughts about family and feelings more, and the 370 yard par 4 at Killin Golf Club less.
But I completely understand how much easier it is to talk about golf than to share painful details of intimate familial tragedy. My heart goes out to Jim and his family, and I hope he found some degree of solace writing this personal publication.
A lot of the book covers in great detail each golf course visited, and each hole played. But even the most ardent golf nuts would probably find this level of golf hole detail too much. Unfortunately a good portion of the story feels like a spreadsheet turned into a book, instead of a natural flowing yarn filled with emotion and prose. I wish Hartsell leaned into his thoughts about family and feelings more, and the 370 yard par 4 at Killin Golf Club less.
But I completely understand how much easier it is to talk about golf than to share painful details of intimate familial tragedy. My heart goes out to Jim and his family, and I hope he found some degree of solace writing this personal publication.
October 21, 2025
Jim brings you along his raw emotional journey through the links of Scotland. In search of healing and peace he makes you feel everything a human can feel throughout a lifetime. Life is full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and I relived a lot of my own during this read. As Jim does, I will keep going back to Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre, in hopes to find peace and make more happy memories to fill up this life. Thank you Jim
November 19, 2023
This is a beautifully written story about a terrible tragedy, but is also a love letter to Scotland and its people. The author strikes a great balance between grief, humor and hopefulness. The writing is heartfelt, emotional and thoughtful.
Even if you don't play golf, this story will make you want to hug your children and/or book the next flight to Scotland. It is one of the best books I've read in a long time, sports related or otherwise. Golf is the basis of the story for obvious reasons, but it is really a book about life with golf as the framework.
Even if you don't play golf, this story will make you want to hug your children and/or book the next flight to Scotland. It is one of the best books I've read in a long time, sports related or otherwise. Golf is the basis of the story for obvious reasons, but it is really a book about life with golf as the framework.
January 18, 2023
A lovely, poignant book. As a father, I was so moved. Terrified, in some ways. The writing wasn’t too polish or professional. That’s not how I would describe it. It was honest and raw. It felt true to his grief.
I’d love to experience a golf trip like his. But never under those circumstances.
I’d love to experience a golf trip like his. But never under those circumstances.
March 4, 2023
An incredible, moving and emotional story by Jim that is a great read. I cannot recommend this enough for anyone who has lost someone they care about, and tried to grieve while also moving forward.
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December 15, 2025What a beautiful gut punch. A book for any golfer who has dealt with grief. I’ll be thinking of this forever. Sending a copy to my grandpa hoping to plan a Scotland trip
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews