Several years ago, when I read this book the first time, I wanted to invite Michael Bamberger to play a round of golf with me at my home course. It seemed like the best way to repay him for the pleasure this book gave me. I didn’t work up the nerve to actually find him and make the proposal, but if he reads this review, the invitation still stands.

To The Linksland traces Bamberger’s adventures as a caddie on the European PGA Tour, and later as a tourist playing some of Scotland’s famous (and not so famous) courses. His new wife shared his sense of adventure, and gladly accompanied him on this fascinating pilgrimage in 1991.

He caddied for Peter Teravainen, a quirky American whose nickname on the Tour derived from his self-taught swing: The Whiplash. At the time Teravainen hadn’t yet won on the European Tour or any other of the major tours, which may explain why he agreed to hire Bamberger. (He since won the Singapore Open and more recently won a European Tour event, showing that Bamberger is a good judge of talent in selecting bosses.)

Bamberger held onto his press credentials during his trip. These came in handy in many places, and permitted him access he would not have had otherwise. For example, when he caddied during the Spanish swing of the European tour, caddies were barely considered second class citizens in the rarefied atmosphere of Spanish golf clubs. His reportage skills are shown well in this book, with interesting portraits of Seve Ballesteros and others, including, of course, his immediate boss.

The second half of the book deals more with Bamberger’s personal search for improvement as a golfer. He conducted this search on some great old courses, including St. Andrews and Dornoch, and wrote a nice travelogue for those thinking of playing there.  He also had the great good fortune to meet and learn under an old Scottish pro named John Stark. Stark explained the appeal of the land on which the game began:

Do you know what I mean when I say linksland? Linksland is the old Scottish word for the earth at the edge of the sea—tumbling, duney, sandy, covered by beach grasses. When the light hits it, and the breeze sweeps over it, you get every shade of green and brown, and always, in the distance, is the water. The land was long considered worthless, except to the shepherds and their sheep and the rabbits, and to the early golfers. You see, the game comes out of the ocean, just like man himself! Investigate our linksland, Michael, get to know it. I think you’ll find it worthwhile. Drop in on your travels. I’ll be curious to know what you learn.

Bamberger learned a lot. He also knows how to convey that knowledge to others. In essence, he learned that golf requires an honest approach to one’s self. By the way, that’s not a bad lesson for other areas of life, is it?

Review Date: July 27, 1998

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To The Linksland

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