"...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.”

Now for the 50th anniversary, a beautiful new design and an introduction from Michael Murphy himself

Paired with a mysterious teacher named Shivas Irons, Michael Murphy is led through a round of phenomenal golf, swept into a world where extraordinary powers are unleashed in a backswing governed by “true gravity.” A night of adventure and revelation follows, and leads to a glimpse of Seamus MacDuff, the holy man who haunts a ravine off Burningbush’s thirteenth fairway—the one they call Lucifer’s Rug.
 
“A masterpiece on the mysticism of golf.” —San Francisco Chronicle
 
“A fascination . . . Golf in the Kingdom should have a long and prosperous life.” —Joseph Campbell

Since its first publication, Golf in the Kingdom has been recognized as a classic work on the deeper mysteries of golf-a gospel of those who suspect, or know, that golf is more than a mere pastime.A young man en route to India stops in Scotland to play at the legendary Burningbush golf club and in twenty-four hours, his life is transformed. Paired with a mysterious teacher named Shivas Irons, he is led through a round of phenomenal golf, swept into a world where extraordinary powers are unleashed in a a backswing governed by true gravity. A night of adventure and revelation follow, and lead to a glimpse of Seamus MacDuff, the holy man who haunts a ravine off Burningbush's thirteenth fairway-one they call Lucifer's Rug.Murphy's account reveals the possibilities for transcendence that resides in the human soul, and through mystic-philosopher Shivas Irons, the reader, like Murphy, becomes drawn into new worlds by this ancient and haunting game.

Named one of "The Fifty Best Golf Books Every Golfer Should Read" by Golf Digest

"Mystical" -- The New York Times

"Almost 50 years ago, Michael Murphy penned what many consider to be the definitive book on golf — not that he knew it at the time. But to this day, the magical power and mystical musings of golf in the kingdom inspire" -- Golf

“In the late ’70s, I discovered my caddie Mike [Fluff] Cowan had one book in his possession — a copy of Golf in the Kingdom, which was all torn apart and held together by tape and rubber bands. I said, ‘What is this?’ He growled, ‘Only the best golf book ever written.’ And he was right.” -- Peter Jacobsen

“It gives us the language to talk about the spiritual side of the game, which I have always believed in.” -- Brad Faxon

“a golf classic if any exists in our day.” -- John Updike


"...this book is a slow burn that relies on dialogue to make the reader think and examine why they play golf. As such, the book is best enjoyed by golfers who enjoy the mental aspects of the game and especially those that live for the feeling of peace the sport brings." -- Golflink.com