The Prodigy: A Novel [Paperback]

From award-winning sportswriter John Feinstein,The Prodigyis a YA novel about a teen golfer poised to blaze his way into Masters Tournament historyand hell face secrecy, sacrifice, and the decision of a lifetime to get there.

Seventeen-year-old Frank Baker is a golfing sensation. Hes 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 progolf has taken its toll on the family bank account, and his dad is eager to start cashing in on his sons prowess. Frank knows he isnt ready for life on the pro tourregardless of the potential richesso his swing coach enlists a professional golfer turned journalist to be Franks 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 himand his father. But Franks entry in the Masters hinges on maintaining his standing as an amateur. Can he and his secret adviserwho has his own conflictskeep Franks dad at bay long enough to bring home the legendary green jacket?

John Feinstein(19552025) was a renowned sportswriter and the author of more than forty books, including the #1New York TimesbestsellersA Season on the BrinkandA Good Walk Spoiled. He also authored numerous sports-related mysteries and adventures for young readers, including the Benchwarmers trilogy andThe Prodigy, the story of an amateur teen golfer playing the Masters. His first young adult mystery,Last Shot, won the Edgar Allen Poe Award. John worked as a sports columnist and commentator for theWashington Post, The Golf Channel, Sirius XM Radio, and Comcast Sportsnet. He died at age sixty-nine in 2025.

Feinstein does a good job of driving his tale down the fairway by putting his protagonl“(