J. McCullough
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J. McCullough was a Scottish author and avid golfer of the late 19th century. His fame rests solely on two books, Golf in the Year 2000; Or, What is to Come (1892) and Golf: Containing Practical Hints, with Rules of the Game (1899).
McCullough wrote his latter book under "J. McCullough" and his earlier one under the pseudonym "J.A.C.K." Sources conflict as to whether his first name was Jack or Jay. Most other biographical information on him is completely lacking.
Golf in the Year 2000 is a novel about golf which also may be classed as a specimen of Victorian science fiction. In it the main character and narrator, Alexander J. Gibson, falls into a deep sleep in the year 1892 and awakens in the year 2000.
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The rather simple plot follows Gibson as he is introduced to the wonders of the dawning 21st century by his host, the current owner of the house where Gibson lay sleeping for 108 years. Like Gibson, the host is a passionate golf player. Much of the story revolves around the two men's visits to the golf course, where Gibson learns first-hand the radical changes that technology has made to the game. There are golf clubs that automatically keep their user's score, driverless golf caddies or carts, and special jackets, which everyone must wear, that yell "Fore!" whenever the player begins his swing.
Modern readers are fascinated by the many startlingly accurate "predictions" contained in Golf in the Year 2000. These include bullet trains, digital watches and television (although those specific terms are not applied to them).
One of the novel's "predictions" is the liberation of women. In the book, women have achieved full equality with men ... only not exactly. Gibson learns that the women of 2000 dress like men, hold key positions in business and government, and, in fact, do almost all of the work--while the men play golf full time. In the view of the fictional narrator, this is a true utopia.
Golf in the Year 2000 has an odd Victorian charm that appeals to general readers as well as golf enthusiasts and fans of speculative literature. The book made news in January, 2005, when an American collector of golf memorabilia named James Espinola paid $2,240 at auction for a rare first edition. The book has been reprinted from time to time over the years and in March, 2005, the full text was put online for the first time (text (http://www.golf-in-the-year-2000.com)).
McCullough's other book was a work of instruction. Golf: Containing Practical Hints, with Rules of the Game opens a window on a simpler era in the game, and for that reason may be considered outdated by modern players and fans. Nonetheless, its understanding of human foibles as they manifest themselves on the golf course give it a timeless quality, and McCullough's good humor and wit make it a pleasure to read even for non-golfers.
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