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Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son
In the tradition of Seabiscuit, the riveting tale of twoproud Scotsmen who beat all comers to become the heroesof a golden age—the dawn of professional golf
Bringing to life golf’s founding father and son, Tommy’s Honor is a stirring tribute to two legendary players and a vivid evocation of their colorful, rip-roaring times.
The Morrises were towering figures in their day. Old Tom, born in 1821,began life as a nobody— he was the son of a weaver and a maid. But he was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, the cradle of golf, and the game was in his blood. He became the Champion Golfer of Scotland, a national hero who won tournaments (and huge bets) while his young son looked on. As “Keeper of the Green” at the town’s ancient links, Tom deployed golf’s first lawnmower and banished sheep from the fairways.
Then Young Tommy’s career took off. Handsome Tommy Morris, the Tiger Woods of the nineteenth century, was a more daring player than his father. Soon he surpassed Old Tom and dominated the game. But just as he reached his peak—with spectators flocking to see him play— Tommy’s life took a tragic turn, leading to his death at the age of twenty-four. That shock is at the heart of Tommy’s Honor. It left Tom to pick up the pieces—to honor his son by keeping Tommy’s memory alive.
Like the New York Times bestseller The Greatest Game Ever Played, Tommy’s Honor is both fascinating history and a moving personal saga. Golfers will love it, but this book isn’t only for golfers. It’s for every son who has fought to escape a father’s shadow and for every father who had guided a son toward manhood, then found it hard to let him go.
Bringing to life golf’s founding father and son, Tommy’s Honor is a stirring tribute to two legendary players and a vivid evocation of their colorful, rip-roaring times.
The Morrises were towering figures in their day. Old Tom, born in 1821,began life as a nobody— he was the son of a weaver and a maid. But he was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, the cradle of golf, and the game was in his blood. He became the Champion Golfer of Scotland, a national hero who won tournaments (and huge bets) while his young son looked on. As “Keeper of the Green” at the town’s ancient links, Tom deployed golf’s first lawnmower and banished sheep from the fairways.
Then Young Tommy’s career took off. Handsome Tommy Morris, the Tiger Woods of the nineteenth century, was a more daring player than his father. Soon he surpassed Old Tom and dominated the game. But just as he reached his peak—with spectators flocking to see him play— Tommy’s life took a tragic turn, leading to his death at the age of twenty-four. That shock is at the heart of Tommy’s Honor. It left Tom to pick up the pieces—to honor his son by keeping Tommy’s memory alive.
Like the New York Times bestseller The Greatest Game Ever Played, Tommy’s Honor is both fascinating history and a moving personal saga. Golfers will love it, but this book isn’t only for golfers. It’s for every son who has fought to escape a father’s shadow and for every father who had guided a son toward manhood, then found it hard to let him go.
327 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2007
114 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Cook
67 books120 followersKevin Cook, the award-winning author of Titanic Thompson and Tommy’s Honor, has written for the New York Times, the Daily News, GQ, Men’s Journal, Vogue, and many other publications, and has appeared on CNN and Fox TV. He lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 25, 2019
I used to think golf was just for background noise on TV on the weekends when you wanted to take a nap. It was certainly not a sport for somebody with no depth perception; we proved that on the Ratcliff Country Club course when I was young. "Keep your eye on the ball!" my dad would shout, exasperated, as we went trudging off, again, to look for the ball I had just lost in the glare of the late afternoon sun. But as my dad got older, I started to check in on how Tiger was doing before I dialed the phone for my weekly call. It gave us something to talk about, and eventually I got interested.
Turns out a book about Old Tom and Young Tom, who more or less invented golf, is a pretty good read, a look at a slice of life in Scotland from around the time of the American Civil War to the turn of the century, while class stratification was breaking down, and small-town families were burying their children six deep in the churchyard, and you could get mid-mountain hickory from Tennessee and sap from trees in India and put them together in your workshop to make golf club shafts and gutties (balls made of gutta-percha) - make a living, and make a life.
Thrill of victory, agony of defeat, human drama of athletic competition. Yep. More human drama, and more joy, and pain, and endurance, than I was expecting. Good story, and good story-telling.
Turns out a book about Old Tom and Young Tom, who more or less invented golf, is a pretty good read, a look at a slice of life in Scotland from around the time of the American Civil War to the turn of the century, while class stratification was breaking down, and small-town families were burying their children six deep in the churchyard, and you could get mid-mountain hickory from Tennessee and sap from trees in India and put them together in your workshop to make golf club shafts and gutties (balls made of gutta-percha) - make a living, and make a life.
Thrill of victory, agony of defeat, human drama of athletic competition. Yep. More human drama, and more joy, and pain, and endurance, than I was expecting. Good story, and good story-telling.
August 25, 2015
For anyone who truly loves golf, “Tommy’s Honor” is required reading. Those close to golf are familiar with the name of Tom Morris from 19th Century Scotland, and most know there was an Old Tom and a Young Tom. Their names are attached to St. Andrews in many ways, and also as winners of several of the early Open Championships. What I’ll bet most do not know – I sure didn’t – was the story behind the elder Tom, and what made Young Tom the Tiger Woods of his day.
This book overflows with history, mostly of golf as it evolved in the 1800’s, but much about Scotland of the day outside of golf as well. (I even learned something I didn’t know about my family tree.) When you hear of what day-to-day life was like, what the times meant for everyone there, you’ll wonder how golf itself could have endured, have continued to sustain what had been growing for hundreds of years already. But when you hear of the love Old Tom had for the game, his innovations not only as a caretaker of courses (so much more than a “greens keeper”), but as the creator of courses who trained and/or inspired so many of the finest and most legendary golf architects of the game’s history, you’ll appreciate him so much more. Then, add to that the family that he was so dedicated to, which included as fine a player as that century produced, even more prodigious than his father. The tragedy that befalls them is unimaginable today, and renders even more empathy for the Old Man as he aged toward his passing.
The golf history will make a lasting impression, and not only about the two main Morris men: The evolution of the golf ball; the players of the day; the early days of the British Open (yes, I know what we’re supposed to call it now); courses whose names are familiar to us today; how courses were laid out and managed then, and how changes looking for the right recipe led to what we’ve come to expect today. There’s also enough about the players’ travelling around Scotland that I kept a map of the country handy on my iPhone as I read it. If you didn’t know already why St. Andrews is our Mecca and Scotland in general our Holy Land, this book will help get you there. You may also learn the root of why so many of us think there practically has to be some kind of bet in action when we play.
This book IS golf. I thought I knew a lot about our game’s history before I read it, but now I see I knew nothing. The book is very well written. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves this wonderful old game as more than just that.
This book overflows with history, mostly of golf as it evolved in the 1800’s, but much about Scotland of the day outside of golf as well. (I even learned something I didn’t know about my family tree.) When you hear of what day-to-day life was like, what the times meant for everyone there, you’ll wonder how golf itself could have endured, have continued to sustain what had been growing for hundreds of years already. But when you hear of the love Old Tom had for the game, his innovations not only as a caretaker of courses (so much more than a “greens keeper”), but as the creator of courses who trained and/or inspired so many of the finest and most legendary golf architects of the game’s history, you’ll appreciate him so much more. Then, add to that the family that he was so dedicated to, which included as fine a player as that century produced, even more prodigious than his father. The tragedy that befalls them is unimaginable today, and renders even more empathy for the Old Man as he aged toward his passing.
The golf history will make a lasting impression, and not only about the two main Morris men: The evolution of the golf ball; the players of the day; the early days of the British Open (yes, I know what we’re supposed to call it now); courses whose names are familiar to us today; how courses were laid out and managed then, and how changes looking for the right recipe led to what we’ve come to expect today. There’s also enough about the players’ travelling around Scotland that I kept a map of the country handy on my iPhone as I read it. If you didn’t know already why St. Andrews is our Mecca and Scotland in general our Holy Land, this book will help get you there. You may also learn the root of why so many of us think there practically has to be some kind of bet in action when we play.
This book IS golf. I thought I knew a lot about our game’s history before I read it, but now I see I knew nothing. The book is very well written. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves this wonderful old game as more than just that.
October 31, 2022
"I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St Andrews and I would still have a rich, full life.” -Bobby Jones
January 10, 2017
I love the game of golf, and I am a history buff who has visited the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, so I loved this book. If you are a golf, history buff, you will love it too. If you want to read a very interesting story about the early days of the game, humanized by the author, then enjoy Tommys Honor.
June 25, 2017
Paying tribute
This book has made me appreciate the old course even more than when I had the privilege to visit three years ago. I encourage all golfers not only to read this account of the Morris family, but to make a pilgrimage to St. Andrews so that you can experience this special feeling and have a new appreciation of the glorious game of golf
This book has made me appreciate the old course even more than when I had the privilege to visit three years ago. I encourage all golfers not only to read this account of the Morris family, but to make a pilgrimage to St. Andrews so that you can experience this special feeling and have a new appreciation of the glorious game of golf
July 20, 2017
I loved this book and would have given it 5 stars easily except for long passages describing golf plays. I actually didn't mind them but think many friends, especially non-golfers like me, would be put off by them.
The prose is like a song. Most of the time I felt like I was floating through the pages instead of reading.
The prose is like a song. Most of the time I felt like I was floating through the pages instead of reading.
January 29, 2018
As a golfer this book was where it all began. I have visited St. Andrews so it was awesome to be able to connect the dots between the rules and development of golf, the history of the courses and the historical figures that developed the game, with the places that I have visited. Also....very emotional and sad. Loved it.
September 5, 2025
4.5. A fun listen to. I think you have to enjoy golf to enjoy most of this book. I knew little about Old Tom Morris and less about Young Tom Morris. But now, I’m fascinated by the family and their impact on golf and Scottish history.
December 23, 2017
This surprising biography makes reading about golf interesting. Set in Scotland, of course, it tells the story of one of the first groundskeepers and his son who was one of the first professional golfers. I never suspected that golf was created by such down to earth and humble countrymen. Originally thought to have started by shepherds using the crooks of their trade to knock rocks down rabbit holes, the game was honed by young men, picked up by local aristocrats and perfected by the professionals who were their caddies! The book is well written, with high regard for the subjects.
April 3, 2017
Excellent story of the First Family of Golf, and of the evolution of golf itself. Writing style not quite as "legato" as other works but still very, very good. Paperback production left a lot to be desired. And why is there no photo of Young Tom's statue?
January 8, 2018
Kevin Cook combines strong research and skillful story-telling to produce a wonderful chronicle of the lives of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris. This story will be especially appreciated to those of us who play golf and have visited St. Andrews, but this narrative contains enough depth and drama to interest other readers who appreciate human struggles. Old Tom Morris is acclaimed for being a championship golfer, but winning golf championships is probably not his greatest accomplishment. This book shows that he was also an innovative golf course designer, golf club and golf ball manufacturer, and a loving husband and father.
As a 21st century American, I find the barriers that existed between gentlemen and working class people during the lifetime of Tom Morris (1821 – 1908) difficult to understand, but Mr. Cook seems to make this concept mostly comprehensible. He does not rationalize the class distinctions, but he shows how Tom Morris accepted them for what they were and tried to enable himself and his children, particularly Tommy, to rise above them. For himself, he clearly accomplished this. As Mr. Cook points out in his Epilogue, “In the twenty-first century, the symbol of the R&A is not a red-jacketed gentleman or even a full member of the club, but the son of John Morris the weaver.”
This is a well-written book, and Mr. Cook strongly supports his theme that Tom Morris Senior spent the last 33 years of his life honoring his son, Tommy Morris Junior. There are only two very minor issues that I can find with this book:
(1) On page 110, Mr. Cook points out that Tom Morris’ ban on Sunday golf at St. Andrews is perpetuated today, except when the Open Championship is played at St. Andrews approximately every five years. Mr. Cook is probably aware, but did not consider significant, that the Alfred Dunhill Cup is played at St. Andrews every year and finishes on Sundays. I frequently play golf on Sundays, but I still wonder if the world would be a better place if more golf courses and other venues followed the vision of Tom Morris and were closed on Sundays.
(2) The title of this book is absolutely appropriate, but Tom Morris’s life was not just dedicated to honoring his son. His entire 86 years were devoted to honoring the game of golf, the golf course at St. Andrews, and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As a 21st century American, I find the barriers that existed between gentlemen and working class people during the lifetime of Tom Morris (1821 – 1908) difficult to understand, but Mr. Cook seems to make this concept mostly comprehensible. He does not rationalize the class distinctions, but he shows how Tom Morris accepted them for what they were and tried to enable himself and his children, particularly Tommy, to rise above them. For himself, he clearly accomplished this. As Mr. Cook points out in his Epilogue, “In the twenty-first century, the symbol of the R&A is not a red-jacketed gentleman or even a full member of the club, but the son of John Morris the weaver.”
This is a well-written book, and Mr. Cook strongly supports his theme that Tom Morris Senior spent the last 33 years of his life honoring his son, Tommy Morris Junior. There are only two very minor issues that I can find with this book:
(1) On page 110, Mr. Cook points out that Tom Morris’ ban on Sunday golf at St. Andrews is perpetuated today, except when the Open Championship is played at St. Andrews approximately every five years. Mr. Cook is probably aware, but did not consider significant, that the Alfred Dunhill Cup is played at St. Andrews every year and finishes on Sundays. I frequently play golf on Sundays, but I still wonder if the world would be a better place if more golf courses and other venues followed the vision of Tom Morris and were closed on Sundays.
(2) The title of this book is absolutely appropriate, but Tom Morris’s life was not just dedicated to honoring his son. His entire 86 years were devoted to honoring the game of golf, the golf course at St. Andrews, and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
March 13, 2019
This was a great read on one of golf's greatest founding fathers, Old Tom Morris, and his son, the "Tiger Woods" in golf's nascent professional era just past the midpoint of the 19th century. Kevin Cook did impeccable research on his subjects, and any avid follower of golf should know more about Old Tom, and his son, and what they, particularly the father, contributed to the game. When you watch "The Open," especially when it takes place at the venerable St. Andrews Old Course, you ought to tip a figurative bonnet to the white-bearded old gentleman who was its most renowned greenskeeper. One thing that impresses is how remarkably well the early pros like Young Tom played, with crude wooden clubs and gutta-percha balls that hardly resemble the fine equipment golfers play with now. The story of the Morris father and son duo never sags, and I had to admire Old Tom for what he endured, losing Young Tom tragically at an early age, his wife, and his other sons and daughter, all before he passed on accidentally when he was in his mid-80s. A recommended book, and I also recommend the Audible version, narrated impeccably by a Scotsman.
July 5, 2022
This was a wonderfully written book about the Morris family and the impact they had on the game of golf. Old Tom Morris was one of the first professional golfers from St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf. Not only was he the greens keeper, he was also the starter and played competitive rounds for money. His son, Tommy, became an even better golfer. They dominated the early years of the Open Championship. The author tells the story using the language of the 1800’s. This gives his story an authenticity. The reader gets a sense of the society of the day, the strict rules concerning one’s place and respect shown to those above you. Today the glamorous life of pro golfers is a far cry from the life of a golf professional like Old Tom Morris. In spite of the hard work and the tragedies in his like, he became one of the most influential figures in the history of the game. This is a great book for any golfer but it would also be interesting for anyone who likes history.
August 8, 2025
⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an exceptional book! I know little about golf and that was not an issue for me to understand and enjoy the aspects of the books that dealt with the sport. Learning about the history of golf and its evolution over the centuries was fascinating. The Morrises were extremely instrumental in the advancement of the sport and I loved learning about their lives, both within their homes and on the green.
Cook wrote so descriptively that my attention was fully focused on the audiobook as I listened to it. He wrote beautifully, creating such clear imagery that it was as if I was standing in the crowded and hot kitchen watching men make golf balls or as if I was standing on the course testing the wind before taking a swing with the club.
If you enjoy golf or history or Scotland, this is an excellent choice!
This was an exceptional book! I know little about golf and that was not an issue for me to understand and enjoy the aspects of the books that dealt with the sport. Learning about the history of golf and its evolution over the centuries was fascinating. The Morrises were extremely instrumental in the advancement of the sport and I loved learning about their lives, both within their homes and on the green.
Cook wrote so descriptively that my attention was fully focused on the audiobook as I listened to it. He wrote beautifully, creating such clear imagery that it was as if I was standing in the crowded and hot kitchen watching men make golf balls or as if I was standing on the course testing the wind before taking a swing with the club.
If you enjoy golf or history or Scotland, this is an excellent choice!
November 7, 2016
A really good history of both the Morris family, and the era of golf they grew up in. Old Tom Morris is widely regarded as one of the first great golfers, and a key proponent of the game as it gained popularity. This biography tells his tragic yet remarkable life story, inexorably linked as it is with the rise of St Andrews, and of golf more generally.
Perhaps a bit heavy on detail for someone not that into golf, the book tracks some of the more high-profile matches and competitions of the time. On reading this, it appears that Willie Park of Musselburgh was as good a golfer as Old Tom. However, his association with St Andrews, as greenkeeper and pro, have cemented Tom's place in the history of the game.
Perhaps a bit heavy on detail for someone not that into golf, the book tracks some of the more high-profile matches and competitions of the time. On reading this, it appears that Willie Park of Musselburgh was as good a golfer as Old Tom. However, his association with St Andrews, as greenkeeper and pro, have cemented Tom's place in the history of the game.
September 1, 2019
During my visit to Scotland, and given the golf I played out there, I found it fitting to read Tommy’s Honour. Frankly, the writing style was nothing exceptional, but I enjoyed the way the author fit historical details into the narrative.
The novel starts with the life and times of Tom Morris Sr., who designed or inspired the design of almost every golf course. He was also one of the first professional golfers, though he is now mostly known for his role as a father to Tom Morris Jr., the father of modern golf. It’s incredible how different the game was at this time, but it was Young Tommy Morris’ early success and personality that grew the game of golf and gave it critical mass.
It’s tragic that Tommy died at such a young age, one can only imagine the success he could have had.
The novel starts with the life and times of Tom Morris Sr., who designed or inspired the design of almost every golf course. He was also one of the first professional golfers, though he is now mostly known for his role as a father to Tom Morris Jr., the father of modern golf. It’s incredible how different the game was at this time, but it was Young Tommy Morris’ early success and personality that grew the game of golf and gave it critical mass.
It’s tragic that Tommy died at such a young age, one can only imagine the success he could have had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2018
Any golf enthusiast should add this book to the personal "must-read" list in order to acquire a true appreciation of the development of the game of golf. Through a friendly style, some subtle humor, and an ability to tie in the title throughout the course of the book, the author (Kevin Cook) has shot "under-par" for his efforts. Moreover, the book carries a range of emotions from start to finish, emotions that can keep readers from putting the book aside for any length of time. Wonderful read. I will never watch the British Open the same way I had been watching it, again.
July 21, 2021
As a golfer, I found this book fascinating! I highly recommend this to anyone who plays golf as it covers the early part of our sport and the importance of Tom Morris and his son, young Tom, to the development of the game. Packed with interesting facts about balls, clubs and the early game of golf, it's also a story of a family and its successes and tragedies. It delves into the social structure of British and Scottish society in the late1800s and provides a glimpse into the world at that time.
September 12, 2020
This is a 5 star story about Tom Morris senior and junior. I particularly enjoyed the description of their every day lives.
There are a lot of detailed descriptions of important golf games, which I found myself skimming over. If you do enjoy these golf game descriptions then the combination of story telling, social history, and golf history would give you a 5 star read, although for me it was a 3 star read overall.
There are a lot of detailed descriptions of important golf games, which I found myself skimming over. If you do enjoy these golf game descriptions then the combination of story telling, social history, and golf history would give you a 5 star read, although for me it was a 3 star read overall.
August 22, 2017
I was looking for something that would be a light read but still educational. This book fit the bill very nicely. I am interested in the early days of golf and found Cook's presentation fascinating and educational. The book was fun to read despite the obvious tragedies of the Morris family. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in golf or the history of a family from Scotland.
June 19, 2019
Nice read on the history of golf's "first family" and the origin of the Open Championship. Great detail on the development of The Old Course and the social standing that surrounded golf. Worth the read for anyone player making the pilgrimage to St. Andrews or one who values the history of our wonderful game.
Cheers!
Cheers!
January 20, 2023
A must read for any historian and lover of the game of golf; discover just how much old Tom and Tommy Morris contributed to the definition of the game, it's courses, equipment, tournaments, wagering and growth in popularity. Thanks for the recommendation Evan Schaeffer, wish I had read before we attended the 150th Open.
January 22, 2024
Wow! Best golf book I ever read!! There were so many interesting stories. So much history. I knew the stories of Tom Morris and his son Tommy, but Tom’s life story is one of the greatest stories everyone should read about, especially if ur a golfer!! All golfers should appreciate Tom Morris and all he did for the game!!
December 27, 2024
High three stars. That ending almost convinced me to move to four stars, as it was quite poignant and poetic. Too bad the story proper wasn't all that interesting to me. It didn't really delve into golf or tournaments per se, and I get that non-tournament matches were the norm before, but it didn't really add any prestige any more than, say, gun duels did.
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November 8, 2023who wrote this movie dialogue. “what happened to you? golf’s a lot rougher than you think. i hardly think about golf. do you think about me?” only to PROMPTLY go to the window and throw a GOLF BALL against it instead of a l little rock? PLEASE.
April 28, 2024
An absolutely wonderful tale about the early days of the Open Championship and the great, marathon challenges matches played by the professional 'cracks' of the day. Poignant and ultimately heartbreaking as the paterfamilias survives all his children.
September 14, 2025
This book didn't click for me. I am more interested in the characters' development rather than the games and equipment development. The exhausting description of games and the slow pace made it too boring. I would only recommend it to golf enthusiasts.
June 6, 2017
2017 read harder challenge (read a book about sports)
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, especially since I don't really like golf. But this story was fascinating.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, especially since I don't really like golf. But this story was fascinating.
July 7, 2017
Another hard core golf book for golf fans who enjoy the history of the game. Some general history too, but mostly golf focused. Not a bad read.
March 2, 2018
5 Stars for Golf Lovers; 3 Stars for Non-Golfers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews