The Prodigy

A teen golfer faces secrecy and sacrifice as he blazes his way into Masters Tournament history in a "terrrific" young adult novel (ESPN). Seventeen-year-old Frank Baker is a golfing sensation. He's set to earn a full-ride scholarship to play at the university of his choice, but his single dad wants him to skip college and turn pro—golf has taken its toll on the family bank account, and his dad is eager to start cashing in on his son's prowess. Frank knows he isn't ready for life on the pro tour—regardless of the potential riches—so his swing coach enlists a professional golfer turned journalist to be Frank's secret adviser. Pressure mounts when, after reaching the final of the U.S. Amateur tournament, Frank wins an automatic invite to the Masters. And when the prodigy, against all odds, starts tearing up the course at Augusta National, sponsors are lined up to throw money at him—and his father. But Frank's entry in the Masters hinges on maintaining his standing as an amateur. Can he and his secret adviser—who has his own conflicts—keep Frank's dad at bay long enough to bring home the legendary green jacket? "Even a reader who has never set foot on a golf course . . . will be enthralled by this fine novel by sportswriter and commentator John Feinstein that brings high drama to every swing, every putt, every hole, as he describes tournament play by a mix of fictional and actual golf personalities (Matt Kuchar, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama)―and a shocking chain of events that sends a teen prodigy to the Augusta National." ―Buffalo News "A great golf novel." ―Kathlene Bissell, progolfnow.com "Well below par . . .in the very best sense." ―Kirkus Reviews "Incredibly entertaining." ―Golf Digest

© 2018 Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Ebook): 9780374305970

Release date

Ebook: 28 August 2018