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Sequel to 'seven days at the links of utopia' goes spiritually deeper in 'golf's sacred journey' book series.

At the outset of his newest book, Johnny's U.S. Open: Golf's Sacred Journey 2 , sports psychologist and author Dr. David L. Cook wants to make one thing perfectly clear – the movie "Seven Days in Utopia," based on his first book in the series, is quite different and not as spiritually deep as either book.

"These performance journeys that we are on and these success callings that we are on, that include winning and losing, are really part of a bigger story," Cook told The Christian Post in a recent interview. "I wanted to make that real clear in the book and so that was the real purpose of this book sequel."

Cook, who has coached scores of top athletes for game day including PGA Tour winners, NBA World Champions and MVPs, Olympians, National Collegiate Champions, and many top executives at Fortune 500 companies, said the first book, Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia , was really a look at what it takes to be great in one of the games of life – golf.

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"A director came along and read it and said this should be a movie and then all of a sudden Robert Duvall became involved, and interestingly this evolved into something huge," he explained. "All along I knew at some point there needs to be a sequel."

Cook said he knew that he would eventually have to address a question posed in the first book.

"I left people hanging in the first book, this guy's putting for victory, the ball goes towards the hole and at that point I end it creatively without telling if it went in or not because at that point I'm really hoping that people get the message, because at that point it really doesn't matter whether the ball goes in or not," he said. "I wanted to leave it up to the [reader's] imagination, but I wanted the story to go much deeper. Most people got it, but I went ahead and wrote the ending and put it on the website  (three years ago) and a million people have viewed that."

Cook said that once the movie came out, thousands of more people came onto the website to read the "stand-alone chapter" and discover whether the putt was made or not. Eventually, he decided that the chapter would serve as a "bridge" between the two books.

He filmed a reading of this bridge chapter in the Waresville Cemetery in Utopia, Texas. The cemetery is located in the center of the "Links of Utopia" golf course and was the location of the defining Easter morning cemetery scene in the book and movie, Cook writes in the introduction of Johnny's U.S. Open .

He posted the reading of the chapter on the website as an open invitation to anyone who wanted to continue their journey and "bury their lies" in the Buried Lies Cemetary in Utopia, Texas.

"I could not have imagined what would happen next," Cook writes. "Over one million people have gone to the website didhemaketheputt.com  after the reading of the book or watching the movie. Thousands have sent their buried lies for us to bury in Utopia."

Cook holds retreats one or two times a year in Utopia that include the burying of lies.

"I give people the chance to take the lies that have really held them back in their life and remove them and bury them," he told CP. "They send them to me (by email) and I bury them. We do that in the cemetery in Utopia. It's a symbolic representation of 'I'm going to get rid of these. I'm going to remove the lies that I sort of live my life by and I'm going to accept the truth that God says I am instead of the lies that the enemy or the world says I am.'"

He adds, "We have had thousands and thousands of people come to Utopia, probably more people than have come to the 'Field of Dreams' baseball field, on a trek and search to bury the lies, to look where the movie was filmed, to play around the golf course and just to think and go to that cemetery."

Cooks said the experience of seeing what has come out of the book and the movie has been both humbling and overwhelming. A woman's prison has used the book as study material and "went out into the prison yard to bury their lies."

"A woman from the prison said that this little golf book started a revival in the prison," Cook said.

He explained that the book sequel has several messages.

"One is grace. I think that the ending is about grace, which is the Gospel. [Secondly], the power of influence that God gives us. The title of the book is Johnny's U.S. Open . Johnny did not go to the U.S. Open, but Johnny changed the world by what happened at the U.S. Open," he said.

The third message revolves around the two terms that he says he's coined.

"One is 'dream seed.' Dream seed is that purpose-calling design that we have that God puts into us and calls us out," Cook explained. "A lot of people get that seed and never plant it. It stays inside of them. Second term that I coin around that is God puts 'dream guardians' in our lives and He also calls us to be a dream guardian. What I mean is that it is someone that sees in us when we can't see it ourselves and calls out of us greatness and purpose and calling that God has put in us."

In his explanation about the sequel book, he says, "Everybody that saw the movie, you have to get that out of your head because I wrote this book as though the movie had never been made. Hollywood changed up the characters. There's a great message in the movie, but because of the way movies are made, it's shallow and changes the character."

In his books and work as a personal coach in sports and business, Cook says his goal is to work on the "heart and mind journey" of individuals and adds, "God has a deeper purpose than just holding the trophy. God gave me this awhile back, He told me that 'sports psychology is not your foundation, it's the platform that I've given you for sowing seeds.'"

On the Web,  http://www.linksofutopia.com/cms .

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Seven Days in Utopia

After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher. After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher. After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher.

• Matthew Dean Russell
• David L. Cook
• Lucas Black
• Robert Duvall
• Melissa Leo
• 54 User reviews
• 50 Critic reviews
• 37 Metascore
• 5 nominations

• Luke Chisholm

• Johnny Crawford

• Martin Chislom

• Joe Buckner
• Tae Kwon Oh

• (as Kelly Ann Tilghman)

• Luke's Sister
• (as Madison Burge)

• Luke's Mother
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia At the final tournament, the long haired golfer is PGA pro Rickie Fowler .
• Goofs The morning after a torrential rain near the end of the film, Luke is instructed to bury a box in a small hole dug into the earth. The dirt - whether recently dug or not - would have shown some moisture retained from the storm and would not have been the fine dusty powdered dirt in this scene following that size of a thunderstorm. The hole, too, would have shown some moisture absorbed into the earth.

[first lines]

Johnny Crawford : How can a game have such an effect on a man's soul? The way I see it, how can it not? You don't choose the game, it chooses you. And when it does, life and golf become forever connected. That's how it was for a young man named Luke Chisholm.

• Connections Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.110 (2010)
• Soundtracks Eyes On You Written by Mark Yaeger (as M. Yaeger), Christopher Carmichael (as C. Carmichael), Tommy Coster (as T. Coster), Klaus Badelt , Daniel Rojas (as D. Rojas) and Jacqueline Becker (as J. Becker) Performed by Jacqueline Becker Produced by Klaus Badelt and Tommy Coster Mixed by Mark Vinten

User reviews 54

• cosmo_tiger
• Nov 28, 2011
• How long is Seven Days in Utopia? Powered by Alexa
• September 2, 2011 (United States)
• United States
• Official site
• Bảy Ngày Không Tưởng
• Fredericksburg, Texas, USA
• Prospect Park
• Utopia Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $7,500,000 (estimated)
• Sep 4, 2011

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 40 minutes
• Dolby Digital

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• DVD & Streaming

Seven Days in Utopia

• Drama , Sports

Content Caution

In Theaters

• September 2, 2011
• Robert Duvall as Johnny Crawford; Lucas Black as Luke Chisholm; Melissa Leo as Lily; Deborah Ann Woll as Sarah; Brian Geraghty as Jake; Kathy Baker as Mabel; Joseph Lyle Taylor as Martin Chisholm

Home Release Date

• November 29, 2011
• Matthew Dean Russell

Distributor

• Visio Entertainment

Movie Review

Golf is a mental game. And after scoring a 14 on the 18th hole in his first big tournament, no one knows that better than Luke Chisholm.

Now Luke wonders if he’ll ever pick up a club again. Well, he knows he won’t be picking up that club he snapped over his leg like a twig. But even the ones he hasn’t broken are highly suspect.

After his meltdown, Luke speeds through rural Texas to clear his head. OK, he’s still in the middle of his meltdown when he roars through Utopia, a tiny hamlet of 373 (plus two because someone just had twins). And losing a game of chicken with a bull parked in the middle of the road doesn’t help matters much.

He’s stranded while his car gets fixed. So when Johnny Crawford, a retired golf pro, challenges him with, “Spend seven days with me in Utopia, you’ll find your game,” Luke figures he’s got nothing to lose.

What Johnny doesn’t tell Luke in this movie based on David L. Cook’s best-selling book Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia , is that he’ll be learning how to live life, not just play golf. Nor does he tell him that their practice sessions won’t involve hitting very many golf balls.

Positive Elements

Given the title, it’s a good thing there’s very little that isn’t positive in Utopia . Through Johnny’s wise and patient teaching, Luke learns the conviction, patience, discipline, emotional control and faith it takes to play golf well—and, more important, to live life well.

He does this in part by confronting the lies he’s believed all his life. He has, for example, found his self-worth in his golf performance—and thought that failure in golf means failure in life since he believes his only purpose in life is to play the game. Anyone would believe that lie if they, too, had grown up with Martin, Luke’ overbearing caddy/father who has pushed his son toward “success” since Luke was just a lad. And we clearly see the damage the constant high-level pressure on Luke does.

As Luke heals spiritually and emotionally through Johnny’s instruction and the town’s affection, he’s far better equipped to face his strained relationship with Martin. Once the young man is free from finding his identity in golf—and relieved of the burden to please his well-meaning but insensitive dad—he’s able to see the positives in their bond. Luke even asks Martin to caddy for him again, displaying his renewed trust and respect. Martin, in turn, apologizes for his domineering ways, and the two are reunited in a richer way than they’d ever been able to know previously.

Also in keeping with this theme of healing, Sarah, a young local woman whom Luke admires, says she wants to become a horse whisperer in order to heal damaged horses—and she says she’d like to help restore the occasional broken person too.

The camaraderie in Utopia is ideal, by the way. At least it is after Luke and local rabble-rouser Jake get their rocky relationship sorted out. (Jake is aggressively jealous of Luke, and Luke at first takes the bait.) Townsfolk respect and trust each other, and everyone knows everyone else at the local (probably sole) café. In fact, Utopians give new meaning to the phrase “doesn’t know a stranger,” especially when they welcome troubled Luke as one of their own, embracing him in his occasional “unloveliness” as he recovers.

I mentioned convictions earlier because they’re a big thing for Johnny. And he teaches Luke that before he can go forward he has to know why he’s doing what he’s doing. Equally important is the concept of freedom—and it can be inferred that one leads to the other. Johnny also pounds it into Luke that we must overcome our failings and not let them weigh us down. By teaching him fly-fishing, he teaches him emotional control. And, lastly, we’re confronted, as is Luke, but the weight of what we leave behind us. What we’re to be remembered for.

Spiritual Elements

Luke is not in Utopia by accident. Providence (read: God) brought him. At a fork in the road, he “happens to” choose the sign pointing toward the tiny town—seemingly because he hopes for something more in life than the slavish existence he’s lived for a game.

Spirituality, occasionally subtle and at other times bold, infuses most aspects of Utopia . The film opens, in fact, with the words of Isaiah 30:21: “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

Soon after, Johnny tells his protégé that God has a purpose for him, and that His truths will become Luke’s heartbeat and the foundation for his new life. The old pro also mentions respecting tradition, but simultaneously valuing innovation and having a passion for truth. Later he has Luke write down all of the spiritual lies he’s believed. Then Luke buries the paper to signify that he’s discarded them and replaced them with truths. It’s implied that in doing this he’s freeing himself not only of the punishing standards of golf, but of the burden of living without a Savior. It’s suggestive of Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In learning to accept Christ’s easy yoke of truth, Luke can lay down his own punishing lies. When Luke attends a church service—perhaps his first in a long, long while—we can infer that his gradual salvation journey is made complete in his acceptance of Christ.

Regarding the film’s mantra, “See, feel, trust,” David Cook told Plugged In that there’s more to it than just letting your gut guide you or “getting out of your own way” in the middle of a big game: “The second meaning in the book and in the movie is that Johnny challenges [Luke], saying, ‘You need to be on a relationship journey with God.’ And then he pours this teaching into the kid. He says, ‘You’ve gotta see God’s face, feel His presence and trust His love—SFT.’ So Johnny makes it a double meaning, and I guess that’s one of the mainstays of the movie.” To remind him of the concept, Johnny has Luke write “SFT” on golf balls he practices with, and he tells the young man that there’s a “still small voice of truth” leading him.

Elsewhere, a Third Day song mentions being born again. People attend several church services, and Johnny makes sure to point out that he attended earlier in the day when he misses an evening service. A Bible is shown several times, and Luke’s father says it’s been a long while since he’s read it—and that he might be overdue. Sarah says of her father’s death that God works in mysterious ways. Johnny tries to talk himself into believing that part of God’s plan included his ex-wife’s infertility and their divorce. People pray before a meal. A “David and Goliath” story is mentioned. Metaphorical demons are said to be in a golf player’s head.

Sexual Content

Sarah and Luke share an attraction that reveals an innocent sweetness not often portrayed in films today. When smitten Luke tries to gently kiss Sarah for the first time on a particularly romantic night, she pulls away, still considering what their relationship is to be. Her forethought and concern for both of their hearts is commendable—and greatly appreciated in an age when raging, unhindered hormones typically trump prudence. The two share a romantic date or two with no more physical contact than circumspect hugs.

Violent Content

Luke crashes his car through a fence to avoid the bull, leaving him with a minor head wound that bleeds slightly. Before the crash he throws his cellphone out the window, shattering the device. After the crash he smashes his car’s windows with a golf club. During competition, Luke angrily throws his golf clubs and purposely breaks one of them.

Bull riding is shown and men are seen frantically dodging an angry bovine that knocks at least one of them with its horns. A brief fistfight erupts between several guys.

Crude or Profane Language

It’s unscripted, according to a source close to the film, but what sounds like an s-word is exclaimed by a disappointed onlooker when Luke makes a putt. Johnny says “h‑‑‑” once. Jake says “dang.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Johnny mentions his past as an alcoholic, and the significant relationships (and possibly even the career) his drunkenness cost him. He keeps an empty bottle as a trophy symbolizing his soberness. A stray line from someone else references getting drinks later.

Other Negative Elements

The guys lay down a series of friendly (but still monetary) wagers. Luke taunts Jake with a line about “mutton bustin’,” and then, “You know what us tour boys say about hicks and sheep, don’t ya?” Manure (getting on folks) plays into the plot a couple of times. (But it’s not so much exploited for laughs as it is merely accepted as a part of life in this small Texas town.)

“Who knew that golf could have such an effect on a man’s soul?” Johnny narrates during the opening scenes.

His own answer is, “How can it not?”

Once we see how Johnny masterfully interweaves golf with the fundamental life examples he demonstrates to Luke, that answer makes perfect sense. Because with Johnny, all coaching methods translate into life disciplines that profoundly reach beyond the game and deep into Luke’s choices, thoughts and character. Only Johnny could turn fly-fishing from a canoe, for example, into an object lesson in maintaining both one’s golf swing and emotional balance off the course. Why was the fish caught? he asks Luke. The answer, which Luke doesn’t yet know: Because the fish got angry and took the bait, and that took him out of his game.

And the lessons they just keep on coming, each more colorful, creative and useful than the last.

This movie shows us how lives are changed through learning patience, integrity, spiritual balance and faith in God—even in the midst of a culture that idolizes unchecked performance and achievement. So there’s a lot to like in this small-town tale of emotional and spiritual growth—not the least of which is its conclusion: Avoiding the predictably saccharine finales that often plague sports movies and Christian movies alike, Seven Days in Utopia makes its final and perhaps best point through quiet understatement—and by leaving out an important detail. Or at least a detail that you would ordinarily think is important.

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Seven days in utopia, common sense media reviewers.

Great actors and good messages, but very predictable plot.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Kids will learn about the mechanics and skills inv

Many positive messages about unconditional love, h

Johnny is the ultimate role model. He's kind,

Luke snaps a golf club in two out of anger and fru

Luke and Sarah are clearly interested in each othe

Mild insults like "hick" and "have

Golf equipment/accessories company Callaway is omn

One character says he's going to use money for

Parents need to know that this Christian-themed golf drama (which is based on the inspirational book Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia by David Cook) has very little iffy content. There's zero language or sexuality other than chaste flirting between two young adults, and the…

Educational Value

Kids will learn about the mechanics and skills involved in playing golf, but this movie is more inspirational than educational.

Positive Messages

Many positive messages about unconditional love, how a father should love his son whether he wins or loses, and the idea that we need to bury the lies that keep us down. The people of Utopia teach Luke that faith, friendship, and family are all more important than winning. He learns to think of the big picture and how he'd like to live his life, rather than just pursue the top spot on the leaderboard.

Positive Role Models

Johnny is the ultimate role model. He's kind, discerning, selfless, and forgiving, as well as instructive and disciplining -- an allegorical stand-in for unconditional fatherly love. Luke's story is one of redemption and learning that you can't allow anything -- even a passion like sports -- to deceive you into thinking that your self-worth is tied to how well you do on the green, on the court, in the classroom, etc.

Violence & Scariness

Luke snaps a golf club in two out of anger and frustration. He also gets into a brief tussle with two rivals, but it's just pushing and shoving; no punches are thrown. Four guys play Cowboy Poker, in which they all try to stay attached to their chairs while a bull runs around them in a rodeo arena.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Luke and Sarah are clearly interested in each other, but the relationship is so chaste that she won't even accept a kiss from him.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Mild insults like "hick" and "have you choked on anything today?" are exchanged between Luke and Jake. One use of "hell."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Golf equipment/accessories company Callaway is omnipresent: the name/logo appears on clubs, caps, shirts, and golf tournament signs. At one point, Luke's father gives him a new club and mentions it's "Callaway's latest." The Golf Channel is also heavily featured, including golf commentators/analysts Kelly Tilghman and Brandel Chamblee.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

One character says he's going to use money for "drinks," but no one is shown drinking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Christian-themed golf drama (which is based on the inspirational book Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia by David Cook) has very little iffy content. There's zero language or sexuality other than chaste flirting between two young adults, and the violence doesn't go beyond some pushing and shoving and a scene of "Cowboy Poker" (trying to stay in your chair as a bull runs around you in a rodeo arena). There are some very obvious product placements by Callaway and the Golf Channel, but it's a golf movie, so it's to be expected. Although the movie's messages are overtly Christian (a scripture starts off the movie, everyone goes to church and says grace, and a Bible signifies the protagonist's conversion), non-Christian viewers could also see it as a story of redemption and believing in yourself. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (7)
• Kids say (2)

Based on 7 parent reviews

Find yourself, learn and listen to others.

Sports psychology 101= life skills, what's the story.

On the cusp of qualifying for his first pro golf tournament, Luke Chisolm ( Lucas Black ) spectacularly flips out on the 18th hole during a televised competition. After the embarrassing flop, Luke drives around aimlessly and takes a spontaneous right turn toward Utopia, Tex., a tiny town of fewer than 400 folks. After crashing his car to avoid hitting a cow, Luke is rescued by elderly rancher Johnny Crawford ( Robert Duvall ), who offers him a place to stay until his car is fixed. When the Golf Channel airs footage of Luke's disastrous game, Johnny, a former PGA player himself, strikes a deal with Luke: Stay in Utopia for seven days, and he'll have his game back. Luke agrees, and the two embark on a week of eccentric lessons in the spiritual and physical aspects of golfing.

Is It Any Good?

The acting is so good here, it's a shame the message misses its mark. There's nothing wrong with an inspiring sports movie; some of the best in the genre -- Hoosiers , Remember the Titans , Miracle -- are classics that families will be watching together for generations. But there's a line between inspiring and evangelizing, between moving and cheesy, and this golf drama crosses completely over into eye-rolling territory. It's not the actors -- the cast boasts two Academy Award winners (Duvall and Melissa Leo ), plus Black, Hurt Locker vet Brian Geraghty , True Blood vamp Deborah Ann Woll, and Emmy winner Kathy Baker . It's the movie's Cars -meets- Karate Kid -via-Sunday School plot that drags it down. Not to mention that golf isn't the most exciting sport to begin with, so there's a generally soporific tone to the entire endeavor.

On the bright side, the cinematography is lovely (lush greens and blues), Black never looks awkward swinging a golf club, and the soundtrack features a memorable selection of contemporary Christian tunes. Duvall's take on a Mr. Miyagi-ish mentor is quite amusing, although possibly unintentionally so -- as in the scene when Johnny ludicrously allows Luke to take the controls of a small airplane as it begins to plummet through the air. Painting and fly-fishing are one thing, but flying a plane? No. The movie's general message that winning is never more important than what's in your heart is a wonderful lesson for all budding athletes, but the delivery is too heavy-handed.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the story's message that family, friendship, and faith are more important than any game or competition. Is this a lesson that teen athletes should take to heart? Are kids pressured to be exceptional athletes by their parents?

How does Luke's relationship with Johnny mirror other "hero-guide" friendships in movie history?

Why are sports movies so popular? How does this one compare to other inspiring sports tales ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 2, 2011
• On DVD or streaming : November 29, 2011
• Cast : Lucas Black , Melissa Leo , Robert Duvall
• Director : Matt Russell
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Utopia Films
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts
• Run time : 98 minutes
• MPAA rating : G
• Last updated : March 31, 2022

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Movie Review | 'Seven Days in Utopia'

Robert Duvall Is Back in the Saddle, Playing a Mentor to a Young Golfer

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By Stephen Holden

• Sept. 1, 2011

Face it: the image of a golfer sinking a putt conveys little of the visceral thrill of a batter slamming a home run or a boxer scoring a knockout punch. To pretend otherwise is to risk being accused of sports hubris, an attitude that the humorless, mystically fortified golfing movie “Seven Days in Utopia” embraces unashamedly.

A stultifying hybrid of athletic instruction film and Christian sermon, the movie, directed by Matthew Dean Russell, is based on David L. Cook’s 2009 inspirational novel, “Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia,” a kind of Southern-fried, Christian “Tuesdays With Morrie.” Utopia is the name of the idyllic little Texas town, population 373 (according to the screenplay, credited to four writers including Mr. Cook ), where Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black), an ambitious young professional golfer, lands after an embarrassing public meltdown.

In a rage after a humiliating loss, Luke runs his car through a fence on the property of Johnny Crawford ( Robert Duvall ), a weather-beaten rancher and former golf pro who arrives in his pickup truck and gently takes Luke in hand. Johnny volunteers to coach Luke if he will spend the next week in Utopia, where the rancher houses the young golfer in his trophy-filled office and treats him like an honored guest.

This peaceful little oasis of piety and good will might be described as an anteroom of heaven. It even has its own resident angel, Sarah Hawkins (Deborah Ann Woll), a pretty waitress and aspiring horse whisperer with a flowing strawberry-blond mane.

Luke and Sarah’s chaste romance is a minor sidebar in a story that’s all about finding God while finding your golf game and realizing that the game isn’t everything. At the same time, God’s golf lessons, channeled through Johnny, help Luke regain his confidence, and in the climactic scenes he faces off with an unflappable champion, T. K. Oh (K. J. Choi) at the Texas Open.

Under Johnny’s tutelage, Luke finds a new and better grip and learns patience during a fly-fishing trip with his mentor. A sort of born-again Zen master, Johnny teaches Luke to paint his shots (literally on a canvas) before making them. He takes Luke aloft in a small airplane, then cuts the engine, leaving it to Luke to make a smooth landing.

Johnny has conquered his own demons, most notably a love of the bottle, which cost him his marriage to a woman whose loss he still mourns. No one plays wise old coots more convincingly than Mr. Duvall, now 80. He imparts as much gravity and heart as any actor could to Mr. Cook’s folksy homilies, of which the most insistent is embodied in the motto “see it, feel it, trust it” that Luke scrawls on his golf balls as “s.f.t.”

The film’s religious aspect is held in check until the last third, at which point “Seven Days in Utopia” swoons into its own solemn sanctimony.

SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Directed by Matthew Dean Russell; written by Mr. Russell, David L. Cook, Rob Levine and Sandra Thrift, based on the book “Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia,” by Mr. Cook; director of photography, M. David Mullen; edited by Robert Komatsu; music by Klaus Badelt; production design by Clark Hunter; costumes by Molly Maginnis and Amy Maher; produced by Jason Michael Berman and Mark G. Mathis; released by Visio Entertainment. Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes. This film is rated G.

WITH: Robert Duvall (Johnny Crawford), Lucas Black (Luke Chisholm), Melissa Leo (Lily Hawkins), Deborah Ann Woll (Sarah Hawkins), Brian Geraghty (Jake) and K. J. Choi (T. K. Oh).

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Seven days in utopia: film review.

In the sports drama, based on David Cook's best-selling novel, Lucas Black plays a talented golfer who drops out of the sport after being publicly humiliated; Robert Duvall and Melissa Leo also star.

By Todd McCarthy

Todd McCarthy

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An otherwise cornball, inspirational tale about finding God through golf, Seven Days in Utopia must be given full credit for coming up with something new in movies: To learn what happens at the end, you’ve got to go online. After carefully building up to a climactic scene in which the underdog hero must sink a long putt to win a sudden-death playoff, the camera looks away, narration intones to the effect that the protagonist now has a higher calling so it doesn’t matter much in the big picture whether he won or not and, if you actually want to know who came out on top, you must go to  www.didhemaketheputt.com . This homemade, whole milk, finger-lickin’-good, G-rated piece of American cheese isn’t the sort of thing most urban viewers are accustomed to consuming but, if Visio Entertainment knows how to reach down-home Christian audiences, Utopia will find open arms across a wide swath of the Bible Belt and through the South.

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Based on David Cook ‘s best-selling 2009 novel “Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia,” which has been particularly popular among struggling athletes, the spiritually oriented film also has the wit to gently kid the idea that God might take a personal interest the outcome of sporting events, a belief that seems quite common among Southern school football teams and even in the NFL. Obvious in theme and intent and dedicated to hitting every point right on the head, this independent production boasts a very fine fine cast and most certainly possesses the sincerity of its convictions in the existence of a higher meaning to life than sport scores and financial rewards.

The Bottom Line While corny at times, this sports drama -- based on David Cook's best-selling novel -- is sure to find a welcoming audience with its down-home Christian message.

“How can a game have such an effect on a man’s soul?” Robert Duvall ‘s wise old guy queries in voice-over both at the beginning and the end, just before we see young Texas golfer Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) experience a total meltdown during a tournament. He’s so distraught after this potential career-crusher that he crashes his car through a fence. But the fence’s owner, rancher Johnny Crawford (Duvall), far from minding, takes the lad in and, suggesting that it might change his life, invites him to be his guest for seven days in the tiny town of Utopia.

And Utopia it quickly seems to be. Ensconced in a deluxe cabin, waited on hand-and-foot by the lady of the house ( Kathy Baker ) and immediately admired up and down by the lovely red-haired waitress ( Deborah Ann Woll ) at the picture-perfect town cafe, Luke couldn’t be blamed for thinking he might have died and gone to heaven. Like some zen master, former golfer Johnny, who has his own private course, uses unorthodox means to get Luke to relearn the sport from square one, from finding a new grip through inner conviction to discovering how to snatch victory from certain defeat by taking Luke up in a small plane, cutting out the motor and having him figure out how to glide to safety.

Under Johnny’s tutelage, it’s all as easy as pie; in one short week, Luke not only gets his game back but is inspired by example to quit drinking and is shown the way to the Lord in the bargain. And, oh yes, the waitress is learning to be a horse whisperer, so material for a sequel is there if warranted.

Lessons learned, Luke enters the Texas Open and stuns the golfing world by tying the top player (real-life pro K.J. Choi ), prompting the playoff.

Black looks pretty good swinging the clubs and, once he shakes off Luke’s residual bitterness, opens his characterization up with humor and ready accessibility. Duvall can play an avuncular cowboy sage in his sleep, but there’s truly no one on Earth you’d rather see dishing out homespun aphorisms, so it’s pointless to resist the pleasure of watching him do what he can do better than anyone else. Baker and Melissa Leo , as the waitress’ mom, are not asked to exhibit a fraction of their talent, but they further class the joint up.

Matthew Dean Russell , a veteran visual effects hand, overshoots, overcuts and simply tries to hard, especially in the beginning. But his evident affinity for the material gradually overcomes the programmatic point-making of the storytelling (four writers are credited on the script), allowing the film to eventually find its way and retain its purity of intent.

Production: Utopia Films Cast: Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll, Brian Geraghty, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Jerry Ferrara, K.J. Choi, Kathy Baker Director: Matthew Dean Russell Screenwriters: David L. Cook, Rob Levine, Matthew Dean Russell, Sandra Thrift, based on the novel “Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia” by David L. Cook Producers: Mark G. Mathis, Jason Michael Berman Executive producers: David L. Cook, Jess Stainbrook, Joseph Coors Jr., Ray C. Davis, Robert A. Innamorati, Rick Jackson, Phil Myers, Ken Herfurth, Lucas Black, Robert Carliner, Mary Vernieu, Lou Waters Director of photography: M. David Mullen Production designer: Clark Hunter Costume designers: Molly Maginnis, Amy Maner Editor: Robert Komatsu Music: Klaus Badelt with Christopher Carmichael Rated G, running time 99 minutes

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Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel: 7 More Days in Utopia

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In Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel , the book that follows bestselling Golf's Sacred Journey , professional golfer Luke Chisholm returns to his winsome and wise mentor, Johnny Crawford, for what he's best at: advice. This time, Luke needs help of a different sort. He needs guidance on playing in the most difficult golf tournament in the world: the U.S. Open. Victory is in sight.

From bestselling author and performance psychologist Dr. David Cook, Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel is the fascinating byproduct of counseling thousands of athletes over the decades—from PGA Champions to Olympic athletes. His expertise weaves throughout this suspenseful and memorable sequel.

Luke's story unfolds from the practice course of Utopia, Texas, to the fairways of the U.S. Open. It's there that T.K., Luke's rival, re-enters the picture. Their rivalry comes to a head at the U.S. Open. Their clash is epic, the payoffs and costs are great.

In this memorable book, readers will acquire lessons about golf and life that they never expected as Luke and T.K. overcome gripping fears, trials, and brokenness as they pursue their God-given dreams. Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel will deeply inspire readers both on and off the green.

This is a story of two golfers. This is a story of redemption. And in the end, it's not just about a game.

Product Details

About the author, table of contents.

Forewordy Tom Lehman 13

Introduction 17

1 A Return to Utopia 21

2 Johnny's Round Pen 29

3 Freedom in the Chaos 35

4 The Utopia Pre-Set 41

5 Annie's Revelation 47

6 Obra Maestra 57

7 Solo Day 65

8 Guardian of Her Dreams 69

9 Dream Seed 91

10 Danny's Passion 97

11 The Secret of the Round Pen 107

12 The Patriot Club 111

13 The U.S. Open 119

14 TK's Epiphany 125

15 The Final Hole 133

16 The Gift of Grace 143

Conclusion 147

Epilogue 149

Acknowledgments 151

About the Author 153

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Customer reviews.

ENCOURAGING AND EQUIPPING THOSE ON LIFE'S SACRED JOURNEY… 

The Links of Utopia  is a (501c3) non-profit organization named for the golf course found in the book and major motion picture Seven Days In Utopia: Golf's Sacred Journey . It encompasses the mission of the founder, Dr. David Cook, and his 40+ year sacred journey. The Links of Utopia  exists to call out, encourage and equip those beginning or continuing on their own sacred journey. The organization includes Dr. Cook, a support staff, and an army of volunteers (Johnnies) who are using the book(s) to impact the life of another.

Utopia is a real place.

It's the setting for the book and movie, Seven Days In Utopia , and now the sequel, Golf’s Sacred Journey, the Sequel , by Dr. David L. Cook. It's a place where your life and golf can be transformed - where you can journey from success to significance. You will find truth, encouragement and an opportunity to use your influence here.

History of Utopia

The Links of Utopia setting for the book and movie,  Seven Days In Utopia: Golf's Sacred Journey , is a blend of fact and fiction. There really is a Utopia, Texas (find it with your GPS at 29.616402N, 99.526623W), and there is a 9-hole golf course. 

Johnny is fictional. The real Golf Utopia is owned by Lou Waters and managed by his son-in-law Robert Sullivan. It opened in 2001 and includes several water hazards and only one bunker. Fifty of the 400 local residents are members of Golf Utopia. 

And there is a cemetery adjacent to the golf course. The Waresville Cemetery is named for Captain William Ware who first settled the area in 1852. Among others, his daughter Sarah Ware Kincheloe is buried there. She was killed when she stood between her children and attacking Lipan Apaches in 1866 and took 17 arrows in her body. 

The population of Utopia has fluctuated with drought and economic cycles, but in 2010 it stood at 227. Home also to giant cypress, oak, cedar and "lost maples," Utopia is located in the Sabinal Canyon on the Sabinal River about 80 miles WNW from San Antonio. Utopia grew out of the Waresville settlement and was nearly named "Montana" in 1884. However, another Texan town had that name, so residents reconsidered. Good thing too. Can you imagine, "Links of Montana"?!

David L. Cook

David Cook is a speaker, consultant, coach, author, and film-maker in the field of Sport and Performance Psychology.  He served as "Mental Training Coach" for the San Antonio Spurs from 1996 – 2004 that included two World Championships. Golf Digest (2013) named him one of the “Top 10 Mental Game Experts” in the world of golf.  He is currently coaching several of the Tour’s top players. As past president of the National Sport Psychology Academy he is known as a leading authority in the science of Peak Performance.  He has coached performers from the PGA (over 100 players), NBA (two NBA MVP’s, David Robinson and Tim Duncan), NFL, MLB, Olympics, and collegiate national championship ranks.  His business clients have included The PGA of America, Exxon Mobil, Sprint, HP/Compaq, USAA, Heinz, American Express, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Texas Instruments, Bayer, Interstate Battery, StorageTek, Pitney Bowes, US Filter, State Farm Insurance, Robert Half International, Key Bank, Conoco/Phillips, and many others.  

In 2006 he released his first performance novel, Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia that was featured in the USA Today Life Section in the fall of 2009.  This book was made into a movie, Seven Days in Utopia , summer of 2010 with academy award winners Robert Duvall and Melissa Leo and was released in theaters across the country September of 2011.  This movie was built around the performance principles he speaks about in his keynotes. He served as Executive Producer on this project and President and Chairman of the Board of Utopia Films the Production Company. The book sequel, Golf’s Sacred Journey, The Sequel , was released in May 2018.   The Psychology of Tournament Golf: Playing Your Best When it Means the Most was released Christmas 2014.

Dr. Cook's consulting firm bridges the gap between the sports and business arenas.  He is the former Director of Applied Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Kansas (1984 - 1996) where his peers elected him President of the National Sport Psychology Academy in 1992.  During his twelve-year tenure at K.U. he counseled over 2500 athletes and coaches and directed the graduate program in Applied Sport Psychology.  He also directed the Mindset Academy at the Westin La Cantera Resort, a nationally recognized mental training academy for aspiring competitive golfers from 2001 - 2006.  David’s articles have been featured in Golf Magazine, Golf Illustrated , and Golf Tips .  In 1988 David represented the United States at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece.

David received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 1980.  He completed his Ph.D. in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Virginia in 1984.  He is married to Karen and has two daughters.  They live in the Hill Country of Texas.

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Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel: 7 More Days in Utopia

Golf is more than a game. Behind every stroke and ace, there are hours of practice. Before every trophy, there is sacrifice. At every driving range, there are successes and failures. And inside every golfer, there is a story.

In  Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel , the book that follows bestselling  Golf's Sacred Journey , professional golfer Luke Chisholm returns to his winsome and wise mentor, Johnny Crawford, for what he's best at: advice. This time, Luke needs help of a different sort. He needs guidance on playing in the most difficult golf tournament in the world: the U.S. Open. Victory is in sight.

From bestselling author and performance psychologist Dr. David Cook,  Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel  is the fascinating byproduct of counseling thousands of athletes over the decades--from PGA Champions to Olympic athletes. His expertise weaves throughout this suspenseful and memorable sequel.

Luke's story unfolds from the practice course of Utopia, Texas, to the fairways of the U.S. Open. It's there that T.K., Luke's rival, re-enters the picture. Their rivalry comes to a head at the U.S. Open. Their clash is epic, the payoffs and costs are great.

In this memorable book, readers will acquire lessons about golf and life that they never expected as Luke and T.K. overcome gripping fears, trials, and brokenness as they pursue their God-given dreams.  Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel  will deeply inspire readers both on and off the green.

This is a story of two golfers. This is a story of redemption. And in the end, it's not just about a game.

Product Details

• Title : Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel: 7 More Days in Utopia
• Cook, David L.
• Lehman, Tom
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication Date: 2018
• ISBN: 9780310350187

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Golf is more than a game. Behind every stroke and ace, there are hours of practice. Before every trophy, there is sacrifice. At every driving range, there are successes and failures. And inside every golfer, there is a story. In Golf's Sacred Journey, the Sequel, the book that follows bestselling Golf's Sacred Journey, professional golfer Luke Chisholm returns to his winsome and wise mentor, Johnny Crawford for what he's best at: advice. This time, Luke needs help of a different sort. He needs guidance on playing in the most difficult golf tournament in the world: the U.S. Open. Victory is in sight.From bestselling author and performance psychologist Dr...

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