Natural Hazard: The Diary of an Accident-Prone Golf Writer | Mainstream Sport

Dive into the world of Norman Dabell, a seasoned journalist and broadcaster whose nickname, Natural Hazard, hints at a life on the edge of misfortune and misadventure. With more than two decades covering Europe’s golf circuit, he has witnessed the drama, the personalities, and the unpredictable rhythm of tour life. This book retraces his pursuit of the traveling circus—from the historic fairways of St Andrews to sunlit courses in Sun City, and from warm Malaga to the textured greens of Morocco—offering a front-row seat to the sport he covers with wit and warmth.

What makes this volume feel fresh isn’t just the places—it’s the voice. The chapters read like a well-tuned broadcast, with crisp observation, a dash of humor, and enough honesty to feel intimate. You’ll sense the crackle of early-morning carts, the hush before a swing, the scent of fresh-cut grass and clubhouse coffee, and the electric energy that accompanies a crowded leaderboard. This is travel writing that leans into sport’s social side—the banter, the backstage camaraderie, and the occasional mismatch between intention and outcome.

A few highlights you’ll encounter

• Destination-rich storytelling that follows major stops and emerging stars across continents.
• Memorable moments that reveal how chance and character shape a tournament’s course—sometimes with a hopeful birdie, sometimes with a misstep.
• On-the-ground details that bring travel planning, media rooms, and early-morning tee times to life.

Notable anecdotes and tone

A standout moment features a surprising turn on a Spanish course involving a major-winner, with a ball finding an unexpected ally on the fairway. It’s a reminder of golf’s whimsy and the human side of professional play, told with affection rather than cynicism.

• Vivid scenes from the 1990s and 2000s, mirrored in today’s tours and venues.
• A sense of history through the author’s lifelong front-row seat to the sport’s evolving faces, from rivals to legends.

The book invites golf fans and travel readers to see the circuit through a narrator who’s seen it all—yet remains curious, amused, and hopeful about what comes next. It doesn’t promise perfect outcomes; it offers a vivid mosaic of moments that could be part of any golfer’s journey and any sports reader’s shelf.