‘Dream On’ – One Hacker’s Challenge To Break Par in a Year, John Richardson, The Black Staff Press, £9.99 (From York Press)

‘Dream On’ – One Hacker’s Challenge To Break Par in a Year, John Richardson, The Black Staff Press, £9.99

1:02pm Saturday 21st November 2009 in

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STRAIGHT-TALKING Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrence provided the inspiration for the title of this compelling book after learning of the author’s unlikely golfing quest.

And, as any long-suffering amateur will testify, shedding 33 shots off your game in 12 months is a mission even Tom Cruise might shy away from.

Probably just as impossible are two further conditions of author John Richardson’s challenge – emerging from it with his family life and garden centre business unscathed. It is an absorbing, balancing act as the thirty-something Irishman attacks his target with a relentless and exhausting dedication.

Hundreds of text books, autobiographies, DVDs and websites are devoured during Richardson’s obsession for information and, despite being impressively singled-minded, he also benefits from a willingness to accept and act on advice and constructive criticism.

He soon realises, though, that the evil cynicism of internet forums is best avoided.

Despite the writer’s assertion that golfing success is reliant 50 per cent on ability and 50 per cent on mental strength, it is Richardson’s battle with the mind’s highs and lows that make this such a compulsive read.

A less self-aware and imaginative individual might have concentrated more on the technical aspects of such a challenge but, while these are obviously detailed, they are not recounted in a specialist golf magazine manner – there are no diagrams here.

Instead, every chapter tees off with a sage, motivational quote from a series of famous personalities, which is another nice touch.

All in all, Richardson has penned a story that deserves consideration when the awards for best sports book in 2009 are dished out.