What do you think?
Rate this book
Golf and the Spirit: Lessons for the Journey
Golf. It's the ultimate head game. And when nothing but the best advice will do, along comes M. Scott Peck, M.D., the celebrated psychiatrist and author of the best-selling self-help book of all time, The Road Less Traveled .
In Golf and the Spirit , M. Scott Peck writes a book for beginners and masters alike--and even for nongolfers. It goes beyond mechanics to explore the deeper issues, ways of successfully managing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of this most wonderful, maddening, deflating, and inspiring game.
Playing side by side with M. Scott Peck on an imaginary course of his own design--complete with illustrations of each hole--you will come to see the profound truths in this seemingly simple game. Appreciate that life is not linear. Come to understand your own anger and how to heal that which gets in your way. Accept the gifts of humility. Appreciate kenosis, the process by which the self empties itself of self. Benefit from teachers. Know that in weakness often there is strength. Realize that to experience the blessings of golf and life fully, you must accept the divinity that underlies all things.
Like the best-selling volumes of Harvey Penick and Michael Murphy, Golf and the Spirit makes a unique contribution to the literature of golf and life. It goes beyond the body to address the heart and soul of the game, creating a rare opportunity for transformation in the lives of its readers, both on and off the fairway.
It seems to me the human condition is most basically that we are willful creatures living in a world that, much of the time, doesn't behave the way we want it to. We live in the tension between our will and reality. Sometimes with great effort and expertise, we can change reality or bend it to our will. At other times--also with great effort and expertise--it is we who must change by coming to accept the limitations of the world and of ourselves. How we do this--how we deal with the hazards of life--is quite akin to how we deal with the hazards of a golf course.
Sooner or later golfers who stick with the game long enough will almost always come to see it as a metaphor for life. But the word metaphor fails to do justice to all that golf has to teach us. I would go even further and say that, in its own way, golf is life and, not only that, life condensed. If we choose to use it as such, I believe that golf, next to marriage and parenthood, can routinely be the greatest of life's learning opportunities.
In Golf and the Spirit , M. Scott Peck writes a book for beginners and masters alike--and even for nongolfers. It goes beyond mechanics to explore the deeper issues, ways of successfully managing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of this most wonderful, maddening, deflating, and inspiring game.
Playing side by side with M. Scott Peck on an imaginary course of his own design--complete with illustrations of each hole--you will come to see the profound truths in this seemingly simple game. Appreciate that life is not linear. Come to understand your own anger and how to heal that which gets in your way. Accept the gifts of humility. Appreciate kenosis, the process by which the self empties itself of self. Benefit from teachers. Know that in weakness often there is strength. Realize that to experience the blessings of golf and life fully, you must accept the divinity that underlies all things.
Like the best-selling volumes of Harvey Penick and Michael Murphy, Golf and the Spirit makes a unique contribution to the literature of golf and life. It goes beyond the body to address the heart and soul of the game, creating a rare opportunity for transformation in the lives of its readers, both on and off the fairway.
It seems to me the human condition is most basically that we are willful creatures living in a world that, much of the time, doesn't behave the way we want it to. We live in the tension between our will and reality. Sometimes with great effort and expertise, we can change reality or bend it to our will. At other times--also with great effort and expertise--it is we who must change by coming to accept the limitations of the world and of ourselves. How we do this--how we deal with the hazards of life--is quite akin to how we deal with the hazards of a golf course.
Sooner or later golfers who stick with the game long enough will almost always come to see it as a metaphor for life. But the word metaphor fails to do justice to all that golf has to teach us. I would go even further and say that, in its own way, golf is life and, not only that, life condensed. If we choose to use it as such, I believe that golf, next to marriage and parenthood, can routinely be the greatest of life's learning opportunities.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 1999
42 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
M. Scott Peck
122 books1,679 followersMorgan Scott Peck was an American psychiatrist and best-selling author who wrote the book The Road Less Traveled, published in 1978.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 1, 2017
This book did not particulary interest me. Many times I would find myself rather bored and tense while the author rambled on about how golf relates to life. As one could see, this could become rather repetetive. the Author developed his own 18 hole fictional course, where each hole described a different aspect of life. Only, somehow, he would start talking about his marriage, or how he served for America. Not only did this not relate to how Golf and the human spirit are related, but these digressions tended to not exactly be entertaining. Overall, I would not recommend this book, but keep in mind some advice may serve as helpful..
September 3, 2013
Like some of the other reviews that I've read, I was a little bit distracted by Peck's use of the feminine pronouns in reference to God. I don't disagree with it, but it was distracting nonetheless. The 19 hole layout was cute, but I would also say that this book attempted to cover too much ground. I felt like there was some filler in between really good points. I found his description of golf as a spiritual discipline to be wonderful. It will certainly help me as I continue to struggle with my golf game in the future. Overall, worth reading despite the above-mentioned issues.
July 15, 2012
First off let me say, I am NOT a golfer, in fact I hate it. But I got this book for the guy I was dating, who WAS a golfer, so wanted to read it before I gave it to him and b/c it was Scott Peck. Excellent book. He wrote so well, even "I" understood it. Can't give too many details since it was ten years ago, but I do remember how succintly he tied golf and everything about it to a spiritual situation. Thoroughly thought provoking. I was not bored. (note: but did get bored with the guy...)
November 21, 2020
I don't know when you should rate a book five star. I read this books not from the golf perspective but that of spirituality. I read other books of same author on this topic, In other words I wanted to read more of this author work. That's why I could justify the five stars.
I will randomly through things that I learned after the first read of the book
This book includes good bit of Golf knowledge. The knowledge is build up on each chapter, with a good breather of comparison and reflection of real life. I newer know that golf has a complex and easy paradox nature. People think gold if hard but so is life.
When we learn something, don't expect that everything will be straight forward, a steady or linear learning curve. We will hit a wall, this is the time to perform kenosis, clear our egos, Forgive yourself, and don what's next. Like in the game of cricket if a player drops a catch. The quickly he forgets the better he will catch next ball.
There are some good parenting tips and in the end I would never found about the spiritual side of golf and how it connect to our real life if I didn't read this book.
I will randomly through things that I learned after the first read of the book
This book includes good bit of Golf knowledge. The knowledge is build up on each chapter, with a good breather of comparison and reflection of real life. I newer know that golf has a complex and easy paradox nature. People think gold if hard but so is life.
When we learn something, don't expect that everything will be straight forward, a steady or linear learning curve. We will hit a wall, this is the time to perform kenosis, clear our egos, Forgive yourself, and don what's next. Like in the game of cricket if a player drops a catch. The quickly he forgets the better he will catch next ball.
There are some good parenting tips and in the end I would never found about the spiritual side of golf and how it connect to our real life if I didn't read this book.
January 16, 2022
The book was a good way to introduce the reader to spiritual concepts through the lens of golf, and show him or her that golf is a good tool to develop spiritually in life. Concepts like humility, kenosis, trying by not trying, not getting caught up in your score, taking one step back to take two steps forward. I think it very accurate when Peck said golf is like life condensed, in that these human traits will be tested at a very fast pace. If you are of the camp that life is a spiritual journey, and you are aware of the importance of developing these inner peace type concepts within, then these 300 pages can get to seem a bit long in the tooth. But it was still very refreshing to go over again, from an intelligent, enlightened older man's perspective, and see it in terms of golf as well. The thing is you can not force inner spiritual wisdom, you can only introduce the concepts and provide anecdotes and reasons to practice it. But I think the book did a great job. Overall, really nice read, just a bit long.
October 8, 2017
The "front nine" presents a great analogy of the game and its parallels to life, from its ups and downs to its focus and challenges. It is well presented and witty in its observations. But by the "back nine", it goes off the rails a little, meandering quite a bit and stretching the confines of the analogy to the chagrin of the reader. Here, the author strays from general connections between the game and one's life and focuses almost entirely on the author's own biography and proclivities.
September 7, 2020
I've been playing golf badly for many years. Recently, I reread this book as part of my commitment to anger management. I enjoyed this book so much that I am tempted to make it the required text for the beginning golf class I teach. Peck introduces the reader to golf rules and etiquette almost while they're not looking. Unfortunately, I do agree that the book is a bit too long to hold my undergraduate student's attention all the way to the end.
December 16, 2025
This book was given to me by a friend. I enjoyed the reading and can apply some of the principles to disc golf and not just stick golf. This book goes beyond mechanics to explore the deeper issues, ways of successfully managing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of golf by creating 18 holes and a 19th fellowship clubhouse.
January 23, 2019
Great book and very insightful information using golf as the vehicle for the explanations.
March 23, 2021
One page he quotes the Bible
The next he takes the Lord’s name in vain....
I. Can’t.
The next he takes the Lord’s name in vain....
I. Can’t.
January 22, 2025
An insightful look at spirituality, and how you can find it in golf. A rather humorous look at golf and how spiritualamity can help you with the game. In the end, life us about spiritual growth.
January 11, 2026
Fun read, thought provoking, surprisingly deep. Golf as not just a game but a spiritual discipline. The journey of life condensed to 18 holes.
July 16, 2021
Meh
As an avid golfer…and a female one, I found this book somewhat lacking in golf credibility. However, some of the concepts relating to golf were right on the mark and I could relate. It took me awhile to get through…..
As an avid golfer…and a female one, I found this book somewhat lacking in golf credibility. However, some of the concepts relating to golf were right on the mark and I could relate. It took me awhile to get through…..
December 28, 2012
Give me that ol' time golf and religion! For fans who remember when Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt discovered how poorly porn and religion went together will appreciate Peck's attempt to bring together the past time of golf and god. While the book does help the case of duffers who need a rationale to avoid Sunday worship services, Peck's hyper-political correctness (M.'s actually refers to "Her Kingdom" in describing heaven) makes for an unreadable mess. The cliched division of the book into 18 chapters around imaginary holes Peck "designs" to teach us spiritual lessons comes across as plain weird. In short, as Tim Tebow has taught us religion and sport don't go great together.
August 15, 2015
Having only read one other Peck book - The Road Less Traveled (which I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from) - I can't yet call myself a die-hard fan of his work. Still, having enjoyed and appreciated this book just as much - a "how not-to" guide that likens the game of golf (hole by frustrating hole) to the spiritual journey of life - I'm inclined to believe that I might enjoy some - if not all - of his other books as well. Though a beginning golfer and a lifelong agnostic (closer to atheism than not), I still found so much to love and learn from in this book. Highly recommended to open-minded golfers and non-golfers alike!
December 6, 2016
Peck, best know for his book The Road Less Traveled, is a psychiatrist and author of 13 books. He makes it clear up front in this book that this is not a "how to play golf" book, but rather a how "not to play golf" book. He creates an imaginary golf course called Exotica and uses it to explain resemblance of the golf journey and life journey. There are a lot of funny stories, poignant stories, and very good lessons I can recommend this book for everyone - whether you play or not. I can also tell you that as a beginning golfer it's great to know so much of my game is "normal".
October 28, 2011
I listened to the 4 tape, 6 hour abridged version of this book.
It started out pretty well, and there is no doubt golf and life have lots of parallels to be draw. He does a good job of explaining this and the first half is very good. But the second have is spent on alot of rambling diatribes and the concept of the 18 holes is pretty much abandoned. Maybe a 9-hole version would have sufficed? :)
It started out pretty well, and there is no doubt golf and life have lots of parallels to be draw. He does a good job of explaining this and the first half is very good. But the second have is spent on alot of rambling diatribes and the concept of the 18 holes is pretty much abandoned. Maybe a 9-hole version would have sufficed? :)
March 26, 2008
I normally don't read "self help." This really isn't that kind of book, but provides a great insight to life and dealing with challenges. Plus he throws in some golfing stories. I gave this book 3 stars because I'm a tough critic, but it probably deserves 4. Good book, will give some thoughts on attitude and life.
October 8, 2008
I liked the link between golf and life, and this book gives you some good pointers on life and it's many challenges. The point of view is a little old for my taste. I understand that I can benefit from the teachings of a wise man, but relating to them is another story. Book is a lot less about golf than you would think.
September 19, 2009
Having recently taken up golf, I was seeing spiritual lessons in the game. And so it was real neat to read Peck's book which is all about relating golf to the spiritual life. At time funny and other times deep, Peck's book is very interesting. It does lack real depth...he begins to scratch the surface of some profound spiritual truths, but they don't go as far as they seem they could go.
June 22, 2012
The first half is really solid. The second half is very religious. At times, Peck tries to avoid preaching about religion, specifically Christianity, and does okay, but for the majority of the second half he focuses on spirituality as a link to God. Read the first half, take it in and put the book down.
January 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I've been trying to convince anyone who cares to listen to me, that golf is a microcosm of life. I need to practice more of the spirit side of golf than fundamentals and this book puts things in perfect perspective. Peck adds a touch of spirit, religion, humour and psychotherapy to this novel.
June 24, 2016
"You would get to love golf, and your life"
I have never played golf in my life, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. M. Scott Peck uses a full game of golf - to go with you to play the whole course - and shares reflection of how to live our lives. Amazing. Now I have learned so much about life, and for sure, golf.
I have never played golf in my life, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. M. Scott Peck uses a full game of golf - to go with you to play the whole course - and shares reflection of how to live our lives. Amazing. Now I have learned so much about life, and for sure, golf.
September 23, 2009
Would recommend to every golfer who enjoys both the sport and the spirit of living.
September 9, 2010
I actually liked the first few chapters of this book, but like many golf courses where the holes all seem the same, I became bored after about the 8th hole.
June 10, 2012
Fabulous book on living a fulfilling life, using golf as a metaphor. Love Scott Peck's ideas and philosophy.
July 31, 2011
Learn kenosis, you will appreciate and enjoy your golfing experience after reading the book.
July 21, 2015
The book had good points, but overall was slow and boring.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews