Preferred Lies: A Journey Into the Heart of Scottish Golf

Sometimes engaging, sometimes sappy, this one-man account of golf in Scotland was a fun read for me - a golfer with enough experience in life and the game to empathize with Greig's introspection. Although I didn't always agree with his conclusions, his insights into the emotions we and others carry around the track with our golf bags were amusing and enjoyable. If you love golf and have played long enough to appreciate that it is truly more than a game, you will probably enjoy this book. It sometimes goes too far into the personal feelings of the author and presumes a universal empathy that probably isn't there, but he is usually forgiven in the next paragraph. At times, Greig's prose is truly moving, but I suspect it will annoy others. If you are interested in the "heart of Scottish golf", perhaps you should look at other sources. This is a personal account and study of one man's psychological musings about his life, in and out of golf.

Andrew has written a true gem here. His insightful, caring, and expansive thoughts lead the reader through some great golf courses, truly endearing characters and one person's journey from the edge of death to a fully lived life. I came away with an appreciation for more than just the game of golf, but the people and their stories entwined in the day to day activities of citizens of a country where golf is more than a game, but truly woven into the fabric of society. Andrew's descriptions of the people and the places leaves the reader with the sense that they have met these people and played a round of golf with them. A really good book!

"Preferred Lies", like a once-in-a-lifetime round of golf on a special golf course, is something one savors as you move through it. Andrew's wit, insight, depth, humor, and choice of words delight the reader with their imagination and intention. It is an honest book - and therefore one that was easy to relate to and come away with impressions and thoughts that shall last. This is a work of art that comes not only from Andrew's creative and entertaining spirit, but from his heart. That is the highest recommendation that I think one can give for any endeavor.

You need not be a golfer to appreciate this book. The sub-title is misleading, for Scottish golf is not the subject of the book, but rather its backdrop. The book is much more about Greig himself - his life, friends and family. Greig used this book as an excuse to evaluate his life after a near-death experience. Golf? Golf is the glue which holds the story together. Golf is a constant both in Greig's life and in the lives of Scots in general; it counts time as Greig journeys both back in time and into the future. As Greig plays the various golf courses on his way to recovery, an incredible array of characters join him for 18 here, 12 there (yes, 12 holes - hey, it's Scotland). It is amazing how Greig is able to sketch these people so quickly - their appearance, their background, and their character. Through these people, Greig makes observations about himself, his country and our world. And yes, he comments quite a lot about golf. Greig's style is refreshing; his prose is direct and honest, yet at times it has on a nearly stream-of-consciousness feel. Not in a bad, unstructured way, but in an "in the moment" way. Throughout the work, his poet's eye for detail and use of imagery makes this book one of the best written works I've read in several years. Yes, a working knowledge of golf is helpful when picking up the book, but anyone can enjoy it.

Andrew Greig, a Scot, is a poet, a nonfiction writer and a novelist who, as a junior, was a golf champion in Fife. This book combines all that and more. At one point the author states that he's not sure whether he's writing for the golfer or nongolfer. Having read it, I'm not sure either, but I'm a golfer with some familiarity with Scottish golf courses, including a number of those that Greig visits during his journey rediscovering golf and himself, without which background I'm uncertain whether I would have finished the book. Now, having finished it, I expect to be reading it again. You want beautiful writing? You've got it here. You want "new age" golf? You've got it here. You want a little humor? Same answer. The story line, such as it is, has the author visiting 18 or so famous, not-so-well-known (to Americans such as I) and barely golf courses around Scotland after a 35-year absence from the game and just upon recovery from a life-threatening illness. Although here and there we get some tidbits about the golf courses themselves, the point of the book is "golf and life" -- specifically, Mr. Greig's life. On the golf side, I think of Scots as social, match play players. Mr. Greig doesn't fit that image. He prefers to play alone, and therefore for him it's medal play against the course and himself. In spite of his long absence from the game, he still cares about the score. He concludes his final round, at Dollar, alone: "My card records 35 out, 37 in. Total 72, six over par. Not that I was counting. Of course I'm counting. There is still something at stake. There aye will be." Pretty heavy stuff, yes?