In the quaint coastal town of Ardgirvan, Scotland, Gary Irvine's lackluster life is veering towards disaster. With his marriage on the brink of collapse and his golf game hopelessly subpar, Gary's prospects seem dim. His wife, Pauline, eyes a future with the wealthy carpet mogul Findlay Masterson, leaving Gary grappling with the specter of a loveless existence. Meanwhile, Gary's brother Lee navigates the perilous underbelly of Ardgirvan, ensnared in a web of criminal folly that draws dangerously close to the town's feared crime lord, Ranta Campbell. But fate has a peculiar twist for Gary—a freak accident on the golf course leaves him in a coma, and upon awakening, he discovers a miraculous transformation in his golf swing. Suddenly, Gary's abysmal golfing skills are replaced with unparalleled prowess, catapulting him from local embarrassment to the cusp of golfing stardom. As Gary ascends the ranks of the golfing elite, his and Lee's paths diverge into wildly unexpected directions. Pauline and Masterson concoct a sinister scheme to secure their future, one that ominously hints at a deadly conclusion. Amidst the backdrop of familial turmoil and criminal intrigue, "The Amateurs" weaves a darkly comic tapestry of ambition, betrayal, and redemption. John Niven crafts a riveting narrative that explores the depths of obsession and the unbreakable bonds of blood, all while capturing the absurdity of chasing perfection in the game of golf. With sharp wit and biting humor, this novel is not just for sports enthusiasts but for anyone who relishes a story of how extraordinary circumstances can irrevocably change our destinies.