After making it to the finals in the U.S. Amateur championship, 17-year-old golfer Frank Baker, The Prodigy, earns an invitation to the Masters, where he captures the attention of sponsors and greedy agents with his spectacular performance. His single dad, who is struggling to pay bills, wants Frank to turn pro, but Frank knows he is not ready. Frank's swing coach enlists the help of a sports journalist to guide Frank through the challenges of standing up for himself in the cutthroat world of competitive golf. Award-winning sportswriter John Feinstein enthralls us with riveting play by play on real courses with famous golf pros, officials and journalists. The realistic golf jargon, as well as a subplot about Frank possibly losing his amateur status, add to the suspense of his thrilling feats and comebacks during the tournament. In the end a climactic act of sportsmanship shows him to be an honorable young man who deserves to be the master of his own destiny.

THE PRODIGY by John Feinstein is all about golf and celebrity culture in sports. Frank, only 17 and a high school junior has performed surprisingly well as an amateur. His divorced Dad starts seeing dollar signs and pushes him to go pro, even though Frank wants to attend college. The local country club pro along with his friend, a former pro-golfer wannabe and current sports journalist, try to support Frank. Current players, particularly Tiger Woods and his troubled personal relationships, are often mentioned. In addition, there are numerous references to current political figures which distract from the story. I generally like Feinstein's work for adults and for children (for example, The Legends Club or Last Shot), but this one (with a 17-year-old protagonist) seems intended to target high school age students and I am not sure that they will be engaged. Those deeply interested in golf and/or current players may enjoy this, but there are also many other golf-related titles older teens could also enjoy: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect; The Match; A Course Called Scotland and so on.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I find the lives of young, elite athletes fascinating, and was eager to meet Frank, the star of The Prodigy.

What I Liked

This book really pulled me into the world of golf. Feinstein took us on tours of world famous courses and stacked the deck with appearances by a ton of major PGA players. I enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the courses, and appreciated the way Feinstein wove the "stars" into Frank's story. They were his competition, but also his mentors, and these interactions showed why this is called the gentleman's sport.

With that said, there was a ton of golf in the book too. We follow Frank through a few practices, the Ams, and the Masters. As someone, who only knows a bit about golf, I enjoyed learning a lot more about the game, which owns my father. I was also sort of impressed, that Feinstein was able to convey a bit of excitement when describing the tournament play scenes. Golf is not known as a fast-paced, exciting game, but I found myself eager to see if Frank was able to get his head in the game and pull out the wins.

Not only was there sports, but there was lots of drama too. Frank's dad was pushing him to go pro, but Frank really wanted to keep his amateur status and attend college. From there, we follow Frank on his emotional journey as he tried to stay present in the game, but also navigate the soap opera, that his life has become. There are villains, cheating scandals, and nefarious plots with a really shocking reveal towards the end.

What I Didn't Like So Much

I have to admit, I am so exhausted with politics creeping its way into every nook and cranny of the world. If I elect to read a book, which involves politics, I make that choice, but even when I read a book which is far removed from politics, it seems to work its way into the story in some unnecessary and irrelevant way, and unfortunately, Feinstein did that in The Prodigy. Sometimes, I just want to read a book, watch a game, see a TV show without having to be subjected to judgement and hatred associated with most political outpourings. This is my current pet peeve, and the inclusion of any political commentary in this story sort of tainted it for me.

I also wanted a little more from the ending. I guess I would have liked to know how it all played out. Some things, major things, were left up in the air. As someone, who grew to like and care about Frank, I would have liked to have gotten a little more closure regarding certain issues.

Overall: This was a surprisingly entertaining and interesting look into the life of a young, elite golfer.

“The Prodigy” drives straight down the fairway and delivers a hole in one. While this book’s target audience is likely YA, it will also earn applause from the Middle Grade crowd and is equally appropriate as a read-aloud for early elementary grade golf fans. Feinstein masterfully infuses fiction with elements of narrative nonfiction by spotlighting high-interest golf lore, exemplary golf etiquette and a supporting cast of well-known professional golfers. Seventeen-year-old prodigy Frank Becker serves as a stellar role model for readers, emulating perseverance, sportsmanship and unparalleled calm under pressure. Two mentors, Frank’s experienced coach and a dynamic journalist, offer a stellar support system as Frank faces challenges both on and off the greens. Tension runs high and foul-play unfolds propelling a powerful trajectory of action. The only thing missing from this book is a well-deserved Green Jacket. ~ Lisa Brennan, Middle School Librarian @noveltalk

Golf loving teens will enjoy that story of Frank Baker's rise to fame. Frank is a golfing phenomenon and his father is eager to cash in on his son's future. He wants Frank to turn pro out of high school. Frank wants to go to at least two years of college before turning pro. On his side are his swing coach Slugger Johnston and Slugger's college friend Keith Forman who now writes about golf.

Both Slugger and Keith were college golfers who gave the pro circuit a try but weren't able to make it to the pro tour. Keith, at least, should be able to give Frank unbiased advice since he doesn't have a financial interest in his future. On his father's side is Ron Lawrensen who wants to be Frank's agent and who is filling Frank's father's ears with dreams of riches.

This story is filled with golf action and the dropped names of many of the stars of the game. The detailed play-by-play of various rounds of golf might be more than most non-golfers can handle. I played some as a kid and teen and found them interesting. I also liked the insight into some of the big names in the golfing world. I thought that Frank's dad using Tiger Woods's dad as a role model was a realistic vision for parents who want to live their lives through their kids. I also liked that Slugger and Keith were quick to point out that Tiger's life off the course wasn't anything most parents would want for their child.

While I enjoyed this story, I didn't find the characterization of Frank to be completely realistic. I thought he was too mature and too media savvy for even an extraordinary seventeen-year-old. I had trouble believing that he could handle the pressure of the media interviews after his great performances on the course without a falter.

Golf fans won't want to miss this feel-good sports story about a phenomenal young athlete.

This book is an excellent read! Frank Baker, the main character, is a refreshing change of pace. The story is exciting and fast moving and even a non-golfer (like me) will truly enjoy this story. I highly recommend this book. I was disappointed when it ended - I wanted to read more about Frank and his journey through the world of amature and professional golf.

Mr. Feinstein has done it again. He has a habit of writing fiction that has a lot of facts and interesting tidbits contained within. This book focuses on a young extremely talented golfer and the stresses and pressures that can entail. Interspersed with the interesting story you also receive insights into some of the major players personalities. Also a great deal of golf history is included, while not taking away from a great story. As always the author can weave a good tale.

Feinstein does a really great job of bringing the realism of sports to his books. I love his sports mysteries. This is a book to add for those who aren't really into the mystery. Even if you aren't a sports fanatic, you can enjoy Feinstein's books. They are just interesting stories. It is nice to have a new sport to add. Not everyone likes the big 3 sports.

Have read several books by this author and have always enjoyed them. This book was no exception. I recommend this book.

‘Stage fathers always wanted complete control, and anyone who threatened that control—whether from the inside or the outside—was usually thrown off the island.’


Teenage golf phenom Frank Baker is not just country-club good, not just amateur-tourney good, he’s Master’s ready. But the Perryton Prodigy will have to weather the grind and pressure of that 5 inches between his ears (Thanks Bobby Jones), and the varied demands of those around him. Frank and his talent are stuck right in the middle. An Earl Woods of a father, a corporate ‘players representative,’ his hometown swing coach, and a world-weary journalist all vie for his ear and his trust as he just tries to concentrate on getting that little white ball in the hole.


Coming off a good showing at the US Amateur the year before, the expectations are high for the now 17-year-old. The first half of the book places Frank in Los Angeles competing in the current Amateur championship. A series of ups and downs on and off the course drives the tension as his trust in his swing is tested time and again. His success there propels him to golf's holy land in Augusta. Will Frank's dad back off and let him play, or will Thomas Baker's overreaching desires for money and fame get the better of him?


Feinstein gives us an accurate look at what it’s like to live in the world of an up-and-comer on the circuit. The writer’s expertise is apparent from the details of life inside the ropes. Yet, the writing doesn’t get bogged down in the minutea of the sport; he keeps the drama high and the human element intact.


I absolutely love how Feinstein places anecdotes about tour pros throughout the text. He also writes in some of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars as significant characters. This is in no way name-dropping or heavy handed, but provides valuable insights for Frank and the reader.


The Prodigy is an outstanding read. It may be labeled as a young adult novel, but I found topics and themes that would be compelling for any reader. I would say that someone should have some knowledge of golf, yet the author does provide good background info throughout. Very fun read, with great commentary of the game and the roles parents and others should have in the development of young athletes.
Highly recommended.


Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and John Feinstein for the advanced copy for review.

The Prodigy by John Feinstein
Publication Date: 28 Aug 2018
Read courtesy of Netgalley.com

Can reviews have dedications? If so, I dedicate this review to my husband, whose passion for golf rubbed off on me enough to understand this story 😀

Since I'm not a sports enthusiast, I'm pleasantly surprised how much I liked this story. Feinstein provided this reader with a fun time: fictionalized famous golfers (McIlroy, Spieth, Mickelson, etc.), sportsmanship and cheating, the lure of money, and loyalties. I was especially pleased that I was tricked into thinking I knew who the bad guy was at the end. I was wrong, and it amused me to find out I was wrong.

Feinstein knows the game of golf well enough to explain to a non-golfer just enough to follow the main character's journey without being bogged down in the game instead of the action. Characters were well developed and provided a believable plot with realistic emotions.

I'm looking forward to having this book on my high school library's shelves this Fall.

p.s. My H.S.'s golf coach is an avid reader. I'm going to get his take on the story, and I'll then update this review...