AN IRVINE golfer has swapped putting for poetry with the launch of a new book.

Ravenspark Golf Club professional Peter Bond has penned odes to 24 of Ayrshire’s golf courses - including Royal Troon which hosted the Open Championship last week.

And Peter put in a star turn on television ahead of the major tournament last week.

Ayrshire Golf - Chapter & Verse offers advice through poetry on how golfers can improve their game on the courses across Ayrshire.

Peter began writing poetry following the death of his father and being Ravenspark’s resident professional, Peter knows the courses inside out.

Speaking to the Times, Peter said: “A friend of mine suggested to me that I write a book about golf.

“He knew that I did poetry so I put it to golf courses and built it around the 24 courses across Ayrshire running from Irvine to Turnberry.

“I started writing poetry after my father passed away, I found it therapeutic so that’s where it stemmed from.”

He added: “I had tried writing about a number of subject and finally I ended up putting it to golf.

“The members have been delighted with the book and they’ve all given me great encouragement.”

Prior to the start of The Open, Peter was invited down to the iconic eighth hole at Royal Troon - better known as the Postage Stamp - for a live interview on Sky Sports News about the book.

The Irvine man recited part of the verse dedicated to the notoriously difficult par 3 and explained how the short hole can dash hopes of an Open victory.

And as well as his stint on television, Peter even managed to get the backing from a famous golfing namesake.

Legendary BBC golf pundit Peter Alliss described the book as “delightful” in his back page endorsement.

“I mentioned Peter in the book because I played with him in 1975,” Peter added.

“It was great to get his support.”