Seven Days in Utopia: Golf's Sacred Journey Paperback – August 10, 2011

Bought this book for my husband since he is an avid golfer. He really doesn’t care for reading but lives this book!

Author can give characters thoughts were as the movie, although very good, is unable

This book speaks the language of every golfer. More importantly, it reveals a grander vision than golf. It shows how to be great at golf and even greater at life. Highly recommend!

This was one of those times when I saw the movie before I read the book. Normally I don't like to do that as it colors the movie that plays in my imagination while I'm reading. But in this case, the movie and book told the story equally as well. It didn't hurt that the main characters in the movie were played by Robert Duvall (one of my favorite actors) and Lucas Black. There were differences between the book and the movie but they didn't detract from the main point that God loves us and, in this case, set up a divine appointment that allowed someone with wisdom about life to share that with another person who was struggling with their identity. Although the book uses golf as a teaching tool, the lessons are about life and the fact that golf is just a game where success only yields temporary rewards whereas succeeding in life brings eternal rewards.

Fills in a lot of holes from the movie. Lots of wisdom here.

I heard David L. Cook talking about his book on a local radio program, and thought it sounded like a great book on golf. I looked over the covers and inside flaps, read a bunch of pull-quotes about the book, and thought it sounded like a good book about golf.As I read the first 8 chapters I marked passages, bent pages and made mental notes of tools to use on the golf course. Dr Cook's methodology for approaching the game is very useful. The simple mantra of "See it, feel it, trust it" helped my focus immensely.So imagine my surprise when in chapter 9 the book suddenly takes this right turn to focus on becoming a born again Christian. Or at the very least, on converting to worship a Christian God.Now, before anyone jumps down my throat let me say that I believe Dr. Cook has the right to write whatever book he wants, and to discuss his religious beliefs as much as he wants. Free country, and I believe in that right.But I also believe that a book that preaches so heavily should state outright that it is going to do so. Everyone who is so viciously defending Dr Cook would be singing a different tune if he had written 8 chapters about golf and 3 chapters on converting to Muslim, or 3 chapters or becoming a Satan worshipper, or...you get my point.I'm not mad about his message, I'm mad that he BLINDSIDED me with it. So mad, that I'm having a hard time actually using his valuable golf advice on the golf course.So: if you are a golfer looking for good mental game advice: read the first 8 chapters of this book. Take notes. Then put the book down before you read one word of Chapter 9. Let the end of the book go, it's not important.If you already believe in the same god as Dr Cook, you'll love where he takes the book. Personally, I wish he had been able to achieve the same level of spirituality and self-awareness without making it religion-specific. It takes what otherwise would be a wonderful, global message and renders it relevant to a specific niche.

As an avid golfer myself…such an eye opening book. There are many principles in here to take to your golf game. Then, there is such a nice surprise in the book. You have to read it to find out. 😊

I just started playing golf again after a ten year break. This book renewed my love for the game and helped me become firmer in my faith. Absolutely loved it!

Can't wait to read it!

Definitely a game changer. I had read about the book itself and the comments about it pale in contrast of the content.

Great book to help you with your game!

After years of technical instruction, this was a pleasant departure. A way to get out of your head and strike the ball without a hundred swing shots cluttering your mind.

I enjoyed reading the book . Whether it will help my game is an interesting question indeed! . There are definate lessons to learn .Rythmn, Balance and Patience the last of which I have yet to learn to put in my game .