Normal Sport 2: An illustrated collection of all the bizarre, amazing golf moments of 2022

by Kyle Porter (Writer), Jason Page (Illustrator), Brendan Porath (Editor)

An illustrated collection of all the bizarre, amazing golf moments of 2022. A look back at everything from Charlie's twirl to Harry's (very different kind of) twirl. From Spieth flirting with literal disaster to Scheffler eyeing every trophy in his line of sight. From Mito’s shock to JT's dagger, Cam's close to Rory’s despair, from grains of sand to a league perhaps built on them.

We cover everything from A to Zalatoris, including (and there are many, many pages about this) Tom Kim flexing on the universe. While the premise of the book is focused on the preposterous—like UK golfers carrying around two lanterns on their golf bags at the U.S. Open, Tiger sitting down to a presser next to a motorcycle, and a beaver in a boat zipping around the Phoenix Open—we also get steep on Scottie’s tears, Tiger’s pain, Rory’s grace and [takes deep breath] a foreign monarchy spending $800 million on a new golf league with political, cultural and moral implications.

Normal Sport 2 is a look back at another insane year in golf as we dive into everything that mattered and a bunch of stuff that probably didn’t.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

466 pages, ebook

Published December 5, 2022

About the author

I'm a writer and a builder. Currently I cover golf for CBS Sports, which means a lot of different things depending on the day. Coverage of the modern game includes columns, podcasts some on-camera work and, of course, Twitter. It's the last of these that helped produce my books, Normal Sport 1 and 2.

Golf, from my viewpoint, is so often a way to worship God. For an earth rich with unique contours and teeming with subtle beauty that I get to travel to and see so very often. And for a game that has been, from the very beginning, probably the most relational of any sport ever created. What good gifts those are, and how rarely do I consider them, much less praise God for their creation.

In the past I built and sold Pistols Firing, an Oklahoma State sports website, and contributed to Joy in the Sorrow -- How a Thriving Church (and its Pastor) Learned to Suffer Well.

I'm also an elder at Mosaic Church in Richardson, Texas, where I live with my wife and four kids.

Reviews

[Bob Mcbobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kyle Porter is one of my favourite golf writers. His ability to see beneath the surface and find the heart of any story is unmatched. His writing is the literal opposite of so many of the cynical viewpoints we see in all sports media today. He is a calming ocean breeze in a sea of never ending noise.

“Normal Sport” is a book idea he had in 2021 that was successful enough to spawn this sequel (and a third edition that is out as I write this). They are automatic purchases for me because it’s the best place to get full dose of Kyle’s writing in one convenient place. This year’s edition also featured some wonderful guest writers who share a similar ethos, and I enjoyed their contributions, too.

My only knock on this edition of the series is that it was a bit too long. Easily understandable in a year with so much upheaval in the professional golf world, but I think this series works best when it can be quickly consumed between the end of one golf season and the start of the next.

[Jon Jester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly no better comprehensive summary of the year in golf than Kyle’s Normal Sport. An addictive read for admirers of golf on just about any level.

[Stephen Nand-Lal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really a fantastic recap of the bizarre year that 2022 was in golf.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough to any fellow golf enthusiasts!!

[Rebecca Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

KP gathered a talented group of friends for Normal Sport 2. This was a great look back on a memorable and tumultuous year in the crazy sport of golf. Fun content for both die hards and casual fans. I really hope we get a new edition every year.