Each hole has it's own short story so it's a very easy read. Some of the stories leave you hoping for a different outcome. Very pleasant book.

No matter the topic or whether the stories are fiction or nonfiction, a collection of short stories will always have some that are really good and some that are not so great. This collection of 18 short stories by Paul Paxton has much more of the former than the latter and the result is an interesting and quick read on various golf situations.

Many sound far-fetched, such as an assasination attempt of the President of the United States by planting a bomb in the cup on the 17th hole. There is a story about an ultra-secret service that uses golf as a cover for husbands to step out on their marriage. Another interesting one,and it was the one to me that was the most realistic, was on a Q-school player who is sweating out his chances to earn his professional card.

The characters in most of the stories are developed fine for short stories and all of them even some of the most unrealistic ones, don’t lack in entertainment. Because each of them are fairly short, this book can be read in several short sessions. However, if a reader wants to get through it in one sitting, it won’t take long to achieve that, either. No matter how it is read, a reader who likes their golf will enjoy this collection of stories on the game.

I wish to thank Matador for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love short stories. Maybe my attention span is growing shorter as I age but this genre makes up a large percentage of what I read. Unfortunately, 18 holes didn't quite do it for me. While the author attempts to put a "twist" or "O'Henry" type ending in the mix, he doesn't quite get all the way in most of the stories. So, instead of unfettered surprise, all I could say most of the time was "Cute". The other issue is the intended audience. I don't think that American golfers will appreciate this book(I certainly didn't) since it has a decidedly "British golf" focus. Terminology, landmarks, etc. make it difficult to relate to the stories. Good idea for the book but the execution lacked significantly and the author made a double bogey!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of 18 Holes, 18 short stories with a golfing theme by Paul Paxton. As someone who played golf for 20 years mainly off an 18 handicap I marvelled at the inventiveness of the stories. The stories explore many angles and provide a short and entertaining read. May be of interest to none golfers as well.

18 Holes is one of the best collections of short stories to be published in a long time. Any golfer would value getting this book as a gift since it captures the uncommon with tales like The Holy Grail, The Hayward Cup, and For The Love Of The Game.
I look forwards to reading more from Paul Paxton in the future because his writing is enjoyable and simple to read.
An independent review for NetGalley / Matador

Thank you to NetGalley and Matador for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

18 Holes is a collection of 18 short stories that incorporate golf as a key element in surprising ways. The stories are funny, witty, and occasionally have darker notes. We’re introduced to a group of terrorists that take up the game unexpectedly, a particularly lucky par 3 hole, and a wheelchair-bound former gang member turned fundraiser and so many more.

The stories were unexpected and punchy. About half were extremely well done and hilarious, while the other half lacked the luster I know Paxton is capable of writing. (This statistic is not unlike my personal golf game…) All the stories’ golf elements felt real to a golfer (except when a competitor pulls out their cell phone during the Masters, a tournament that does not allow personal electronic devices on its premises for patrons and competitors alike). Non-golfers need not worry as the intricacies of the game are not a focal point to the stories but are well-explained when necessary.

My top 3 favorite stories were:
1. All the President’s Men
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
3. Mindfulness

This book - with its amazing cover design - is a great gift for those who enjoy golf and want to add a pop of their hobby to a bookshelf or coffee table display.

The above review has been posted to Goodreads (linked), the book’s Amazon page (which is currently being processed), and will appear on my Instagram within 24 hours.

18 Holes is a collection of humorous and ironic short stories, all with golf as the backdrop. Each story represents a hole, and the book comprises a round of golf. The stories are interesting, although the British lingo may slow you down a bit, but it doesn’t detract from the lesson of the story. Great gift for any golfer who’ll appreciate the tie-ins to the game, but non-golfers will enjoy it as well. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this collection of short stories from NetGalley.

These are 18 very short stories (about 5 pages each) involving golf. Golf is perfect for short stories and many are told in between shots. The stories in this collection are not intended to be hilarious, as many golf stories are. Instead, many of the them illustrate a lesson in life and feature some kind of twist, a few of which the reader can anticipate.

Just three stars. I don't think any of these stories will be retold by me.