This book was truly boring and dull.

The only redeeming feature was that the print was larger and it was relatively short.

Perhaps someone with a keen interest in golf might find some enjoyment in this book.

Travis, on the other hand, is facing a difficult situation. His marriage is in a bad state and he has lost his job.

As a result, he decides to take a year-long class in golf with the hope of being on the PGA senior golf circuit.

However, after missing Christmas dinner with his family, he finally makes up his mind to join the class.

Unfortunately, this decision leads his wife to decide to divorce him.

It seems that Travis's life is about to take a significant turn, and it remains to be seen how he will cope with the challenges ahead.

Will he be able to succeed in the golf class and build a new life for himself?

Only time will tell.

The best thing about this book is that it was a quick and easy one-night read. However, it was rather boring. I do enjoy golf, but this book had an excessive amount of detail about the lay of the ball and the lay of the course. There was really only a tiny bit of information about life, family, and such. To call any of it a miracle is also a bit of a stretch.

It seems that the author focused too much on the technical aspects of golf and neglected to provide a more engaging and well-rounded story. The lack of depth in the exploration of other aspects of the characters' lives made it difficult to truly connect with them.

Overall, while the book may have been a quick read, it failed to leave a lasting impression. It could have benefited from a better balance between the golf-related details and the more human elements of the story. Maybe with some revisions and a greater emphasis on the latter, it could have been a more enjoyable and memorable read.

4 Stars for Miracle on the 17th Green (audiobook)

James Patterson and Peter de Jonge have crafted an engaging tale that is brought to life by the talented Brian Bascle in the audiobook version.

The story follows a husband and father who finds himself in a rather desperate situation. He is down on his luck and has reached a crossroads in his life.

Deciding to take a huge risk, he bets everything on golf. It's an all-or-nothing situation for him. Either he manages to go professional in the world of golf or he stands to lose everything that is truly meaningful to him.

The plot is filled with excitement and anticipation as the reader/listener roots for the protagonist to succeed in his seemingly impossible endeavor. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Miracle on the 17th Green is a great choice for those who enjoy sports-themed stories with a touch of drama and a whole lot of heart.

I truly relished this short and effortlessly readable novel. It held a certain charm that made it even more enjoyable than Patterson's Miracle at Augusta.

The story was engaging from the very beginning, and I found myself quickly immersed in its pages. The characters were well-developed, and their emotions and actions felt genuine.

One of the aspects that I particularly liked was the theme of following one's heart. The protagonist's decision to do what his heart told him to do was both inspiring and relatable. It made me reflect on my own life and the choices that I have made.

Overall, this novel was a delightful read that I would highly recommend to others. It was a quick and easy escape from reality, and it left me with a sense of satisfaction and a smile on my face.

This short and easy read was truly a delight for me,

even though I have no prior knowledge or understanding of golf.

The author did an excellent job of presenting the subject matter in a way that was accessible and engaging.

I found myself quickly immersed in the story and eager to learn more about the world of golf.

Despite my lack of familiarity with the sport, I was able to follow along and appreciate the details and nuances that were shared.

It was refreshing to read something that could introduce a new topic in such a simple and enjoyable manner.

I would highly recommend this read to anyone, regardless of their knowledge of golf, as it offers an interesting and entertaining perspective on the sport.

Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A remarkable story unfolds about a man who experiences a truly miraculous day on the golf course. This extraordinary day serves as a catalyst, inspiring him to pursue the opportunity to try out for a chance to play professionally. However, life has a way of presenting challenges simultaneously. Right around the same time, he unfortunately loses his day job and, even more painfully, his marriage.

I must admit that I'm rather glad this was a short book. The reason being that I really don't have a penchant for detailed sport play by plays. If it had been longer, perhaps I might have been inclined to give it a 3-star rating. But as it stands, its brevity has its own charm.

Unintentionally, I've been on a streak of reading really short, quick reads this Summer. I'm not much of a golf fan, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this one or if I would like it. However, as I'm catching up on Patterson books, I didn't want to leave anything out. I found this novella to be completely unrealistic and lacking in substance. I may not like golf, but I know it's one of the most challenging sports of all time. The idea of someone magically becoming good at golf in their 40s, in the middle of a midlife crisis, and on top of that, beating some of the best golfers in history in one of their first tournaments is, quite frankly, bullshit. It's not believable in any way. It's maybe even less believable that a wife who wants out of the relationship would come around so easily as described. And why is it that in golf stories, there's always some mystical all-knowing caddie along for the ride too? The whole thing is just a dumb male fairytale. It's like thinking your dad, who shot hoops in his driveway all his life, could go out and beat Michael Jordan in basketball. Please. And after reading the afterword, I'm not even sure how much involvement Patterson had in writing this, other than the framework of the idea. Maybe this is where all that speculation (truth?) about his lack of involvement in his own books began. Anyway, unless you're a golf super fan or in need of some sporting fantasy, I think most people can very safely skip this one.

A wonderful triumph worth reading!

It's about time I was led to reading this lovely little fantasy! As a tournament volunteer who is intimately familiar with the Pebble Beach Golf Links, I can tell you that some poetic license has been invoked regarding the competition. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. In fact, it was a joy to read and brought back fond memories of my days as a Walking Scorer. The detailed descriptions of the golf course and the players' strategies added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative. I found myself completely immersed in the story, rooting for the characters and eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Perhaps one day I'll have the opportunity to walk with Mr. Patterson and Mr. Dr Jonge and experience the excitement of a golf tournament firsthand once again. Overall, this is a charming and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good sports story or a touch of fantasy.

This was truly a most delightful read.

After having just completed a rather difficult classic read, this book came along at precisely the right time.

Although I am not a golfer myself, I still found this book to be extremely entertaining.

The story line was engaging and entertaining, the conflicts presented were realistic, and the solutions offered were believable.

If you happen to be a golfer, it would be an added bonus as you would surely revel in the hero's experiences and no doubt learn even more about the game of golf.

All in all, this is a fun and relaxing read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable book to pass the time.

Whether you are a golfer or not, you are sure to find something to enjoy in this engaging and well-written story.

So, pick up a copy today and get ready to be entertained!

I was initially skeptical about whether I would enjoy this book. For starters, I'm not exactly a die-hard golf enthusiast. Additionally, I haven't been overly fond of any of the books that James Patterson has co-written with Peter de Jonge. However, this particular one turned out to be a pleasant and unexpected exception.

Travis McKinley finds himself at a stage in life where he begins to look back and wishes he had made different choices. He is a moderately successful advertising executive. He has three children and is happily married to an OBGYN. One Christmas Day, he decides to play a round of golf at the club he belongs to in Winnetka, Illinois. He ends up having what seems like the round of his dreams, nailing putts that he would normally struggle with. He becomes so engrossed in his success that he misses Christmas dinner.

What's even more astonishing is that this appears to be the beginning of a pattern. Every time he plays a round, he seems to score a 69. After being laid off from his less-than-exciting job, he decides to try out for the PGA Senior Tour. Travis' wife, Sarah, is not pleased to hear this news and thinks he should grow up, which turns out to be an indication that she is not as content in the relationship as he is. Nevertheless, all of this doesn't stop him from deciding to pursue his dreams.

In this feel-good novel, readers have the opportunity to witness that sometimes dreams can indeed come true, especially when it comes to being true to oneself. Travis gets the chance to compete against some of golf's greatest players, such as Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino, and show them that even an underdog has a fighting chance.

This is undoubtedly a fairy tale-like story, but that's perfectly fine because sometimes we simply want to read a story where everything works out beautifully and everyone lives happily ever after.

This is the prequel to Miracle at Augusta.

I truly relished this book. However, I had no liking for Miracle at Augusta whatsoever! The story in this prequel may not be overly believable, but Miracle at Augusta was simply beyond belief!

I firmly believe that if you are a golfer and a devoted fan of James Patterson, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Conversely, if you don't fall into those categories, it might be best to skip this one and instead read Alex Cross.

The prequel offers an interesting perspective and sets the stage for what follows in Miracle at Augusta.

Despite its lack of complete believability, it still manages to engage the reader and hold their attention.

For golf enthusiasts and Patterson fans, it could potentially be a captivating read.

But for others, it may not hold the same appeal as Alex Cross.

It really depends on your personal interests and preferences when it comes to literature.

So, choose wisely based on what you know you'll enjoy the most.

What a remarkable story!!! James Patterson has crafted a tale that is rich with themes of hope, redemption, love, faith, courage, fortitude, forgiveness, and gumption.

Surely, there are countless other words that could be added to this wonderful mix, but let's now delve into describing the story in more detail.

Travis McKinley, an ad writer residing in Winetka, IL, despises his job. He isn't overly fond of his life either, yet he deeply loves his kids and adores his wife, Sarah. However, things have taken a turn for the worse at home. Sarah, a highly talented doctor, earns significantly more money than Travis. While this didn't initially bother him, lately, it has become a source of contention.

On Christmas morning, Travis decides to head to the golf course for a round, even in the Chicago area during Christmas. As he plays, he hits his shots astonishingly well, to the point where he can't believe it himself. He continues to play, curious to see how long this streak will last. But in doing so, he misses Christmas dinner with his family. His beloved wife tells him she's going to file for divorce, and his kids simply shake their heads in disappointment.

To make matters worse, when he gets to work, a rather obnoxious employee informs him that he's being let go. So, what does this unemployed, soon-to-be divorced 50-year-old father of three do? He goes to the ATM and withdraws $3000 for the Senior Tour Qualifying Tournament. The winners of this tournament get to play in the Pro Am Tournament and tour for a year against golfing legends like Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, and Raymond Floyd.

This is the captivating story of how Travis McKinley embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning to find happiness and appreciate his family. I truly hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.