Across 1903 and 1904 and then jumping ahead to 1908, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote a series of letters to an aspiring poet, later published as his most famous and oft quoted book Letters to a Young Poet. Rilke was only twenty-seven when he first responded to Mr. Kappas, barely more his senior and still a young poet himself.

I helped the UNC Asheville Bulldogs with their mental game and often wrote missives to these young women. These letters to young golfers—edited, expanded, and elaborated—are presented here. Throughout, I quote Rilke’s Letters and also his Letters on Cézanne. The parallel between the artist and the golfer is remarkable. The advice, guidance, lessons in these pages can also be helpful for golfers of any age and at any stage of their game—for anyone who wants to improve their game, to be the best version of themselves, to delight in golf so that it spills over into the rest of life and, perhaps, to let the enjoyment of life spill over into one’s golf game. These letters are philosophical and practical. They are an ode to golf and a celebration of the life that features it—a life that gives golf the opportunity to speak to us as no other game can.