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22nd out of 30 books
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32 voters
Golfing with God: A Novel of Heaven and Earth
Herman "Hank" Fins-Winston was a pro golfer destined for greatness. Now he lives in a condominium on the thirteenth fairway of one of heaven's glorious courses – a fact he finds surprising and amusing, since for one reason or another, a fair percentage of golfers never make it to paradise. Hank is having the time of his afterlife until he's summ...more
Paperback, 286 pages
Published
May 11th 2007
by Algonquin Books
(first published October 28th 2005)
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There is a lot of golf in this book which I don't really care about, but Merullo is a good writer and makes it fairly interesting. There is also a lot of spirituality in this book and it really appealed to my fuzzy--I believe in everything--version of God. Some may find certain notions in the book offensive. Free love is available in Heaven, if you want free love, but it is not Heavenly hooking up, it is the union of Souls. I found the ideas in this book to parallel many of my own, and the notio...more
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I am hooked on Merullo's books that include god. This is the third one I've read and liked allot.Here are some quotes: pg 82" But why? ..why does god allow it? I't like golf, if life were too easy, most souls would flounder, it's really human's troubles that move them toward grace. The pain is very real- sometimes it even cripples a soul for a life or two, but it's not forever. Just do your best. Go forward with courage and good will.pg 137: Everyone gets the punishment he deserves. Sometimes ce...more
I probably would have rated this book higher if I hadn't just read Breakfast with Buddha. In fact, I read this because Breakfast with Buddha was so good I was intrigued by the title "Golfing with God". The story is good, but it took a little while before I was totally absorbed and it just doesn't have the humor that Breakfast with Buddha does.
If you are a golfer, this book may be a more compelling read as it uses a golfing metaphor to help explain why we should be more present and in the moment...more
If you are a golfer, this book may be a more compelling read as it uses a golfing metaphor to help explain why we should be more present and in the moment...more
This was an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great story, but even better life lessons.
1- We must call out to God - Too often we just wait for Him to show up to solve.
2- The process is continual growth. And that growth is not going to be easy or comfortable
3- We must be good students. Be open to new experiences, and learn to trust, and not ask so many questions.
4- Accept that to grow we must make some changes in our lives. And those changes are going to be difficult
5- Life is...more
1- We must call out to God - Too often we just wait for Him to show up to solve.
2- The process is continual growth. And that growth is not going to be easy or comfortable
3- We must be good students. Be open to new experiences, and learn to trust, and not ask so many questions.
4- Accept that to grow we must make some changes in our lives. And those changes are going to be difficult
5- Life is...more
A unique story... and lots of great lessons! Ones to remember: 1- We must call out to God - Too often we just wait for Him to show up to solve.. 2- The process is continual growing - and growing or expanding is uncomfortable. 3- We must be good students - open ourselves up to the experience, be humble enough to learn, show up to class with a basic trust in the teacher. 4- Accept that to grow and learn, something must change - and there is usually some discomfort with change. 5- This is so NOT a...more
This is an enjoyable book that may help you reassess your relationship with the powers that be.... or you may find this book an entire crock of crap. I enjoyed Merullo's "Breakfast with Buddha" much more. It resonated better than this book. I don't mind golf, but I think you have to have a serious love affair with it to thoroughly love this book. Plus, I found it's view of heaven either too narrow or too individualistic. I would only recommend this book to open-minded friends who already have a...more
The theology got in the way for me on this one. I didn't agree with most of it - so I had a hard time getting into the story / empathizing with the main character. I'm also not a HUGE fan of golf so didn't relate with that element either. I read this book because I wanted to be able to discuss with a friend...I don't think I ever would have just picked this one up. But it is Roland Merullo who wrote the genius "In Revere, In Those Days"....sigh, he just didn't deliver for me here.
I would recomm...more
I would recomm...more
I had enjoyed reading "Breakfast with Buddha" by this author or I would not have picked it up in the first place since I am not a golfing fan and avoid cheesy religious fiction...that being said, I thought this book was a creative and entertaining idea about what the afterlife would be like if you were a golf fanatic. It doesn't take itself too seriously and it has some really nice moments where you find yourself reflecting even if you didn't mean to. I thought the book was charming.
This book was a quick read. One needs only a smidgen of an imagination to enjoy this book but I guess it's helpful to be a golfer. While I know that there are hidden meanings in most of the book, one can enjoy it just the same as light reading [took me 1 1/2 days:]. I guess to delve into it's depths, I will have to read it again, and someday, I might.
I always like reading different ideas of God, Heaven and the Christian Life perspective. This was a different perspective and a very enjoyable read. I know absolutely nothing about golf and still "got it" and very much liked the message. Anyone who understands and loves golf should REALLY enjoy this book.
Jun 08, 2011
Jay
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
religion-and-spirituality
A very good book, makes you think about things. I'm agnostic, so you don't have to be a devout churchgoer to enjoy this book. If you ever wonder why we're here; why you're here now; or why you are where you are on this earth, this offers some interesting thoughts.
God brings a teaching golf pro to heaven to help him/her with a case of the putting "yips." Observations on life and the life-after intersperse this entertaining story. Recommended to me by a retired minister who golfs with my father-in-law.
"Golfing with God", by Roland Merullo, is an easy to read fun look at a golf pro, finding himself in heaven, and then finding out that he is going to help God with His golf game. This light hearted story goes between heaven and earth.
Don't expect to find any theology here. A Good read to relax and enjoy.
Don't expect to find any theology here. A Good read to relax and enjoy.
entertaining narration of a golf pro stuck unexpectedly in heaven as the golf pro to God. He thinks he's teaching God a thing or two but only to find..... Amusing and light, with some sensible spirituality and wisdom worked in there.
I found this book to more of an extended parable than a novel. I'm not sorry I read it, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as Breakfast with Buddha, where I found the characters a lot more compelling.
Not as good as Breakfast with Buddha, but still worth a read. I liked it. If I knew more about golf, all the golf-as-model-for-the-spiritual-journey stuff would be more meaningful to me, I'm sure.
This is a funny, irreverent story of a golfer who should have been a better player. If I understood golf and golf terms, I would have enjoyed it more. It gives you an ecumenical idea of heaven and God.
I really enjoy Roland Merullo's work. I picked this book up after having flown through Breakfast with Buddha. I'm not even a golfing fan but still found myself glued to the story and couldn't hardly put it down. I love a book that keeps me hooked like that!
What an amazing adventure. Takes you through a thrilling adventure between heaven and earth that engrosses you with its perfect description that makes every aspect seem vivid in our imagination, at the same time leaves you with a new way of seeing life and challenges your spirit to want to do better in this world.
I would recomend it to anyone who wants an out of this world expirience.
I would recomend it to anyone who wants an out of this world expirience.
this was fine, but I definitely preferred 'Breakfast With Buddha' over this book. Nothing particularly negative to say- it just wasn't as captivating.
The title of this book caught my attention. Ultimately it was the golf that held my attention. The god part was a strange mix of new age philosophy and Eastern mysticism. Creating god in your own image may be a popular pastime for modern thinkers but if you want the truth, look to the Bible alone.
Although I am not a golf player or fan, I enjoyed Hank's journey of self-realization through his game with god and others.
once again mr merullo makes a great case for life lessons as literature, but after 'breakfast', not quite as impactful.
Liked the book even though i don't play golf. I would suppose a golfer would enjoy it even more.
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The humor and characters are captivating. As a non golfer I highly recommend this book.
This was just a wonderful book that reminds us of the presence of God.
Terrible theology marginally redeemed by interesting gold descriptions.
Not my favorite book... Not much of a golfer...
Author loves to golf - lots of golf info
Mar 17, 2012
Ruth
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any golfer or someone who knows a golfer or anyone who liks novels that have a big take on life.
Recommended to Ruth by:
stumbled upon it at Amazon.
I LOVED this book. Kept going back and re-reading passages to make sure I didn't miss anything. I don't golf but saw so many parallels to life that I was continually smiling.
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ROLAND MERULLO is the acclaimed author of twelve previous books, including Revere Beach Boulevard, In Revere in Those Days, A Little Love Story, Golfing with God, Breakfast with Buddha, Lunch with Buddha and American Savior. Merullo has won numerous prizes, including the Massachusetts Book Award for both fiction and nonfiction. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children.
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