Travis McKinley #0.5

Miracle on the 17th Green

... Show More
Travis McKinley's life has drifted sideways. His job, his marriage, even his children all feel disconnected and distant. Has he really accomplished nothing of consequence in his life? One Christmas Day, Travis plays a round of golf and finds himself for the first time in the zone--playing like a pro. In astonishingly short order, Travis is catapulted into the PGA Senior Open at Pebble Beach, where he advances to the final round. And while his wife, his children, and a live television audience watch, a miracle takes place that changes Travis, and his family, forever.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1996

This edition

Format
160 pages, Paperback
Published
May 5, 1999 by Back Bay Books
ISBN
9780316693356
ASIN
0316693359
Language
English

About the author

... Show More
Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women's Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
37(37%)
3 stars
30(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
The description "Way too schmaltzy - quite boring" is rather concise. Let's expand on it.

This particular thing is way too schmaltzy. It has an excessive amount of sentimentality that borders on being overly sappy. It lacks the depth and authenticity that would make it truly engaging.

As a result, it becomes quite boring. The constant stream of overly emotional elements fails to hold the interest of the audience. It doesn't offer any real substance or surprises.

Instead of captivating and inspiring, it simply drones on, leaving the viewer or listener feeling unfulfilled and disengaged.

It's a shame that something with such potential could be so marred by this excess of schmaltz, making it a rather lackluster and forgettable experience.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Patterson and de Jonge present a touching tale of a man striving to follow his passion. Travis McKinley is stuck in a rut. He despises his job, his marriage has lost its sparkle, and his connection with his children seems to be waning. The only source of comfort for him is the golf course. On one Christmas Day, McKinley has the round of his life. When he loses his job, he decides to pursue his dream of playing on the PGA Senior Tour. After attending qualifying school, he earns a year on the Tour, where he gets to mingle with the greats of the game. However, his family takes a backseat to his dream.

McKinley earns the right to play in the PGA Senior Open at Pebble Beach, the most prestigious event. On the final day, his threesome includes his heroes, Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd, after three days of intense play. It is on the 17th Green that McKinley gains a new perspective on the world, which changes everything and helps him put things into perspective.

The novella is Patterson at his most sentimental, which isn't to everyone's taste. But for a quick read to pass the time, it has its merits. The story has some predictability, but its central theme is strong enough to keep the reader engaged, especially as the authors have recently written a sequel. This golf-themed story aims to inspire and evoke a tear in the reader's eye.

Overall, it's a decent effort from Messrs. Patterson and de Jonge, although it's not likely to receive glowing reviews for its content.

Do you like or hate this review? Check out an ever-expanding collection of others at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 15,2025
... Show More
I'm not a big review writer,

but I truly adored this book!

It is an absolute gem that combines heartwarming moments,

humorous anecdotes, and deeply touching scenes.

Even if you've never set foot on a golf course or have no interest in the sport,

fear not!

The story within these pages is about so much more than just golf.

It delves into the human experience,

exploring themes of love, friendship,

and personal growth.

The characters are well-developed and relatable,

drawing you into their lives and making you care about their fates.

The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow,

allowing you to lose yourself in the story from start to finish.

This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm heart.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
... Show More
Quick read - Here is a nice story about a man in his 50’s. He gets fired from his job, and around the same time, his wife tells him she wants to file for divorce. It seems like everything is going wrong for him. However, golfing becomes his saving grace. Against all odds, he somehow manages to get good enough to play in the senior PGA Open.

This is a remarkable turn of events. If I were more interested in golf, I think I would’ve rated this story even higher. But even as it is, it’s a cute story. It shows that even in the face of great difficulties, there can be a glimmer of hope and a chance for a new beginning. The man’s determination and love for golf help him to overcome the challenges he faces and achieve something truly remarkable. It’s a story that can inspire us all to keep going, no matter what life throws our way.
July 15,2025
... Show More
A cute sappy love story - but with all the great stuff out there, I think it was a bit of a waste of my time spent reading.

My author loyalty is waning as I'm realizing that not all of James Patterson is great.

Maybe if I enjoyed golf, I would have appreciated more of the meat of the book and of the main characters' accomplishments.

However, I cannot say I would recommend this.

The story might have had its charm, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The characters seemed a bit one-dimensional, and the plot didn't have enough depth to keep me fully engaged.

Despite its cuteness, it lacked the substance that I look for in a good book.

Perhaps for some readers who are fans of sappy love stories and golf, this book might be a great choice.

But for me, it just didn't do it.

I'll have to think twice before picking up another book by James Patterson in the future.
July 15,2025
... Show More
It was a rather concise book.

Surprisingly, it focused a great deal more on the sport of golf than on life in general.

Even though I was aware that its subject matter pertained to golf when I selected it, I had anticipated that there would be a more elaborate storyline regarding the man's family.

However, the plot turned out to be highly predictable.

There were no real surprises or unexpected twists along the way.

The events seemed to unfold in a rather straightforward and foreseeable manner.

Despite this, the book did manage to provide some interesting insights into the world of golf.

It described the various techniques and strategies involved in the game.

Overall, while it may not have been the most engaging or captivating read, it did offer a certain degree of value for those interested in golf.
July 15,2025
... Show More
The story is truly good.

However, there was an abundance of golf terminology within it that I simply didn't understand.

It seems that having a knowledge of this specific terminology is really essential in order to fully appreciate the story.

This lack of understanding on my part is the one thing that I didn't enjoy about the story.

Perhaps if I had been more familiar with the golf-related terms, my experience of reading the story would have been more fulfilling.

Nevertheless, the overall quality of the story is still quite commendable, despite this one aspect that didn't quite sit well with me.

I guess it just goes to show that sometimes, a lack of knowledge in a particular area can slightly dampen the enjoyment of an otherwise interesting piece of literature.

Maybe in the future, I'll make an effort to learn more about golf terminology so that I can better understand stories like this one.
July 15,2025
... Show More

I listened to the audiobook along with Alex. He was truly impressed and gave it a full 5 stars. The reason behind his high rating was that he really appreciated the detailed golf play by play that was presented. It added a whole new dimension to the story and made it extremely engaging for him.

The story itself was also very nice and filled with hope. It had a certain charm that kept us both hooked from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep us on the edge of our seats.

Overall, it was a great listening experience with Alex. We both thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook and would highly recommend it to others who are looking for an interesting and uplifting story, especially those who have an interest in golf.

We are already looking forward to our next audiobook adventure together.

Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.