Golf in the Kingdom

By Michael Murphy,

Book cover of Golf in the Kingdom

Book description

"...for golf's soul surfers, Golf in the Kingdom is holy scripture." -- Golf

A spiritual journey, a lush travelogue, a parable of sports and philosophy-John Updike called this unique novel "a golf classic if any exists in our day."

Paired with a mysterious teacher named Shivas Irons, Michael Murphy is…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked Golf in the Kingdom as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book is an absolute classic and should be in the library of every golfer who has ever touched those extraordinary moments we call the zone or flow. Murphy’s encounter with the enigmatic teacher Shivas Irons, has him questioning reality as he understands it with his logical mind. As their encounter unfolds, Murphy begins experiencing an opening of his perception to a deeper and more profound awareness of the forces and energies that can align to help create the perfect shot. This book shows how important it is to ‘get out of your own way’ and find your inner swing. 

From Jayne's list on mind-body golf.

This strange little book was published in 1971 by Michael Murphy and has sold well over a million copies and been translated into 19 languages. It’s fiction, but it’s also philosophy, mysticism, mythology, and a little golf instruction, too. It tells the story of someone named Michael Murphy (!) who’s on a visit to Scotland to play a little golf, and who runs into a golf pro/shaman named Shivas Irons (one of the great character names in literature). The first half of the book tells the enchanting story of the Scottish friends Michael meets, who all like to talk about…

From James' list on golf fiction.

Golf in the Kingdom is not about playing golf for eternity on that heavenly golf course in the sky. Rather it is about golf in the British Kingdom, wherein golf had its Scottish origins. I liked it because it is about a young fellow searching for meaning in life, who is traveling to the far east to find his existential roots under the guidance of some eastern religious gurus. 

Since he was passing by the British Isles along the way, he decided to take a brief detour and check out his golfing roots, golf being another passion he had. In…

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