Rating: 
Summary: A Bogey for Bob Cullen
Review: This book has three things going for it: A great cover, the perfect title and GOLF. But that's about all it has going for it. The lightening bolt hitting a GOLFER'S upturned club on the cover is the worst nightmare in GOLF. Next, the very clever title sums up the book's premise perfectly by giving a mulligan, GOLF'S version of a second chance, in real life to GOLFER Bobby Jobe after he's blinded. And, as I appear to be the first to report, Bobby's last name obviously refers to Job, who was tested by God in the Bible. Both Jobe and Job passed their respective tests after leading hedonistic and selfish lives, although I think it must be harder to play GOLF blind than it is to endure all those biblical horrors. And finally, the book is about GOLF. Bill Clinton could write a book on GOLF etiquette and ethics, and I'd read the...thing. I wasted a beautiful Sunday afternoon watching those no-name GOLFERS fumble their way through the last round of the U.S. Open long after Tiger had fallen from contention. Tiger was on his way back to Orlando in his private jet after he finished his fourth round early. He was probably playing Nintendo, but I was still watching GOLF. This is all to say that Bob Cullen starts off with three stars in this review because of the GOLF aspect of his book. And I'm giving him one more star for keeping GOLF at the center of his stupid little story. But Bob, listen to me. You've tarnished the sacred game of GOLF with [garbage] situations, an unbelievable premise, a dumb romance and ridiculous subplots. You start with a mystical bolt of lightening and end with an earthquake. Aren't you a little heavy on the symbolism? I know, I know, I know. You got this lightening bolt thing from "The Natural," right? Did you know that this great book by Bernard Malamud had dark undertones, with the hero actually throwing the big game in the end? Anyway, I'm talking here about the movie, which took the high road that you missed. You start and end "A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe" with beautiful symbolic and mystical acts of nature. But in between there's lots of good, old-fashioned garbage. Bob, you mix the mystical with the banal in your book. How about a little consistency? You know and describe GOLF as well as anyone, but you're not good at writing Harlequin novels. Go high or go low. Your game is all over the place. Stick to your knitting. You abruptly change gears from your mystical start into 300 pages of hillbilly shenanigans, [garbage] situations and municipal GOLF course nonsense. Then, you weave a love story into your plot with Greyhound, that dolt who caddies for Jobe. Let's face it, Bob, Greyhound missed the bus. You write nearly 400 pages and Greyhound scores a few kisses from Angela, the angel who's babysitting Jobe? A few kisses?!? This is 2001, Bob. Someone should score in this book, and I'm not talking about a great round on the GOLF course. What, you're trying to write a fairy tale? Don't tell me you're taking the high road here, Bob, since you sure throw around the profanities and try to expose the underbelly of the PGA Tour. All your little subplots detract from the main premise of the book, which is redemption. But you sure tie up all those distracting tangents. Does the blind Jobe return to the PGA Tournament, how does the odious Little Dickie do in the big event, does Greyhound get the girl, what happens to that ridiculous municipal course back home, how is the long-departed and insane father dealt with (his constant muttering about Ben Hogan gets old real fast, by the way), does the mother avoid the creepy car dealer, etc. I've never seen so many loose ends tied up so efficiently. If only real life was that tidy. Hey, Bob, you're a GOLF expert. Stick to what you know and avoid what you don't. Leave the cheap romance novels to authors who don't understand GOLF. Go high or go low.
Rating: 
Summary: No "Mullicants" needed with this story...
Review: This book is extremely well written and provides amazingly vivid descriptions allowing the reader to picture everything in their mind. Whether you are an avid golfer or the weekend hacker, this story will keep you entertained from beginning to end. It touches your golfing funny bone and is a compelling HUMAN story as well. Not just for golfers, it is for fathers, sons, mothers, girlfriends and anyone else who can pick up a book and read. The book reminds you that sometimes you can take a mulligan in life and get things right eventually! It will make you laugh, cheer, get angry, maybe even bring a tear to your eye...and will definitely make you want to hit the links!
Rating:
Summary: Lots of Plots, Both Golfing and LIving Going On
Review: This is a well written work with many plots occuring simulataneously: earthquakes and lightning strikes, schizoprhenia and egos and oh, yes, golf. Cullen weaves all of this is into a readable, enjoyable romp through a comeback pro who becomes the agent for change for the Tour, for his caddie, for a family and for his therpaist. This ends in unpredicable ending, but some of it you just knew from the start it had to end happy as it eventually turns out. The plot keeps you going, with its subtle twists and turns. Knowing there are more pages keeps you reading because you know it can't end like this. Put it in the category with Flatbellies and The Green.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of Plots, Both Golfing and LIving Going On
Review: This is a well written work with many plots occuring simulataneously: earthquakes and lightning strikes, schizoprhenia and egos and oh, yes, golf. Cullen weaves all of this is into a readable, enjoyable romp through a comeback pro who becomes the agent for change for the Tour, for his caddie, for a family and for his therpaist. This ends in unpredicable ending, but some of it you just knew from the start it had to end happy as it eventually turns out. The plot keeps you going, with its subtle twists and turns. Knowing there are more pages keeps you reading because you know it can't end like this. Put it in the category with Flatbellies and The Green.
Rating:
Summary: This Is Good
Review: Whether you're a golfer or not, "A Mulligan for Bobby Jobe" is a mighty fine read. Buy it and read it, and you'll soon be singing its praises among family and friends.
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