Amazon.com Esalen Institute founder Michael Murphy's divine meditation on the royal and ancient game defied categorization when it was first published in 1972， and it still does. Instantly hailed as a classic， Golf in the Kingdom is an altogether unique confluence of fiction， philosophy， myth， mysticism， enchantment， and golf instruction. The central character is a wily Scotsman named Shivas Irons， a golf professional by vocation and a shaman by design， whom Murphy， as participant in his own novel， meets in 1956 on the links of Burningbush， in Fife. The story of their round of golf together culminates in a wild night of whiskey and wisdom where， as Shivas demonstrates how the swing reflects the soul， their golf quite literally takes on a metaphysical glow. The events alter not only Murphy's game， but they also radically alter his mind and inner vision; it's truly unforgettable. For a golfer， Murphy's masterpiece is as essential as a set of clubs. --This text refers to the Paperback edition. From Library Journal This book offers a view of golf in a more philosophical and even mystical light. This 25th-anniversary edition includes additional reflections by Murphy. Though golf is definitely a fanatic's game， half of this is written for laughs.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition. See all Editorial Reviews