Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable experience for a non-golfer
Review: *****
I really enjoyed this book, although I am not a golfer. I read it because I enjoy the M. Scott Peck's other work. I found that it excited me about golf at whatever level I end up being involved with it in the future---as a spectator, as a friend of a golfer, or even as a player someday.
As a golfer's adult daughter, I confess that in the past I have thought that golf was just a "silly rich man's game" done for the amusement of those who have nothing better to do. This book blew apart my misconception that was, frankly, based on a total ignorance of the game. This book explains the connection between golf and life, the mysticism involved in the game, and how golf can be a great game just in itself, and too, as so much more.
M. Scott Peck uses his design of a fantasy golf course called Exotica as a literary device to muse about what he has learned from many years of playing. He starts with the first hole, describes it, and writes related things about golfing and life and relationships and mysticism. As he goes, he explains the game so that people like me who have no idea about golf terminology can follow and appreciate what he is saying. He brings in a religious focus too at times, but an intensely personal one (he is a Christian and calls God "Her"), so that each reader can evaluate his religious ponderings in light of their own religious beliefs and see what would hold true for them.
This is not a book about golf tips or instruction, although there is some of this that is really interesting; it is a unique view of golf through the eyes of a long-time golfer that I admire. He is not an especially good golfer (although dedicated) and he is older (60's), too; I loved this perspective as it is where I will be if I do indeed learn to golf! I have learned much from the author in this book, and am eager to become more involved in the world of golf (which surprises me greatly)!
One thing I have already done is bought the book used on audio tape from Amazon to listen to, and am looking to hearing it all again---it's that type of book---I expect to get even more out of it the second time around.
If you are considering taking up golf, or wonder why people play it and think of yourself as just not that type...perhaps you are even a "golf widow" or golfer's adult child...then this is a great book, especially if you are spiritually or intellectually oriented, or if you like Peck's other work.
*****
Rating: 
Summary: Nice shot, but in the rough: `the fairway less traveled?'
Review: A fascinating idea (not the only time someone's tried it, though) which ends up being somewhat pretentious and forced. In terms of the running metaphor which Peck uses throughout, he's played a nice shot, struck the ball quite cleanly, but either his feet or his hands weren't in exactly the right position, and the ball ends up in quite a tricky bit of rough, from where he'll have difficulty with the iron to the green. Cashing this out, he does explain a lot for the non-golfer (some of it a bit ponderous for the golfer, who is the much more likely reader), but the lessons he draws from the game to the rest of life often feel somewhat forced. Granted that golf is indeed one of the best games for bringing out, or for inculcating, human character, I think Peck's material here was worth perhaps a 90-page paperback, not this rather long treatment. The best thing about the book was the invisible subtitle which I guessed at: The Fairway Less Traveled.
Rating: 
Summary: Golf and the environment
Review: As a long-time fan of Peck's work, I was sincerely disaapointed in his championing or golf as a spiritual experience equivalent to parenthood of marriage. Peck gives short shrift to the environmental degradation caused by golf, completely ignores the historical racism in the sport, and, most poignantly, he warmly embraces the elitism that golf symbolizes. It would appear that The Road Less Traveled would also refer to the numerous golf courses where African-Americans are still not allowed to play.
Rating:
Summary: A Golfer's Disappointment.
Review: Despite the fact that he admittedly is a hack at the game of golf, I'd still play a few friendly holes with Dr. Peck. However, I wouldn't recommend his book. To apply a spiritual perspective to golf is a great idea, but one must be proficient in at least one of those two areas. I can forgive him for being a hack with a golf club, but he has some serious work to do on theology and spirituality. He is indirect, unclear and subjective to the point that his words lack authority of spiritual matters. I found myself saying, "Who says?" all the way through the book. He refers to the Bible--that's great, but his take on it is loose, whacky and irreverent! Since when is it okay to curse God (p. 137)? Hello, isn't there a commandment against that? Golf is spiritual, but readers will find themselves grasping at only whispy vapors of that truth in this book. Anything good here? Yes, I agree with Peck that golf humiliates and empties us, and that is a reason to like golf, not hate it. But where do I go with the newfound reality that I am less than I thought I was? Forget this book. Golf on Saturdays and take the humiliation the game offers with you to the pew the next morning. You will gain more.
Rating:
Summary: A goulash of subjective, mystical psychobable.
Review: Despite the fact that he admittedly is a hack at the game of golf, I'd still play a few friendly holes with Dr. Peck. However, I wouldn't recommend his book. To apply a spiritual perspective to golf is a great idea, but one must be proficient in at least one of those two areas. I can forgive him for being a hack with a golf club, but he has some serious work to do on theology and spirituality. He is indirect, unclear and subjective to the point that his words lack authority of spiritual matters. I found myself saying, "Who says?" all the way through the book. He refers to the Bible--that's great, but his take on it is loose, whacky and irreverent! Since when is it okay to curse God (p. 137)? Hello, isn't there a commandment against that? Golf is spiritual, but readers will find themselves grasping at only whispy vapors of that truth in this book. Anything good here? Yes, I agree with Peck that golf humiliates and empties us, and that is a reason to like golf, not hate it. But where do I go with the newfound reality that I am less than I thought I was? Forget this book. Golf on Saturdays and take the humiliation the game offers with you to the pew the next morning. You will gain more.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to his other books.
Review: Golf and the Spirit just doesn't come up to M. Scott Peck's bestseller The Road Less Traveled.He promises golfers and nongolfers alike that this book will "go beyond mechanics to explore the deeper issues, ways of successfully managing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects" of the game of golf. Unfortunately, it seems to read more like Peck's frustrations of the game, and less about the ultimate metaphor for life. Too bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for everyone, but still a great book.
Review: I agree with the reviewer from San Diego. If you're looking for a treatise on how to play golf, you'll probably be disappointed, but you have little right to be since Peck makes no representation that his book is that. Likewise, if you're looking for profound psychological analyses on the basis of Peck's background and/or other works, you will similarly be disappointed. But, again, he makes no such representation.It is simply an analogy between situations in life and in golf, and the ways we may respond to them. And though I did not expect it, I think Peck does offer some good golf lessons, especially for the beginner, since most of what plagues their play is the way they psycholgically and emotionally respond to the game, rather than their techniques of backswing, grip, etc.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book, a fun and insightful read
Review: I am a new golfer but my husband has golfed for years. I enjoyed the life stories that the author shares and was able to relate many of his experiences to my own. My husband thought that some of the golf stories were hilarious. We both found ourselves chuckling and recounting the stories while out on the golf course. The book does contain some history of the golf game, terminology and basic good golf practices. But, as the cover indicates, this is not an improve your golf swing kind of book. Nor is it a theology book. The author simply shares his wisdom by exploring the parallels between life and the game of golf.
Rating:
Summary: Easy Reading, and some "Nuggets" there.
Review: I enjoyed this book, but lack the belief it is for golfers. I suspect the author adapted his spiritual outlook to golf, to gain further audience for his books. Golf is a hot (money) topic to publish on these days. I'd expect this author's measurement of success with this book would not be whether you enjoyed your golf game more... but whether you purchased his core book, "The Road Less Traveled," of which this is only a branch... or "Trailer," so to speak.
Rating:
Summary: a book about life and the sport of golf
Review: i find it to be very thought provoking. it makes me think about how things in my life are reflecting in the game of golf and golf and life. it even provides some rules of golf that i was not aware of. it is soothing to the spirit. i like it a lot.
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