About FTH

Ultimately, the way we play golf is about our relationship to ourselves.

The purpose of this program is to expand our mastery and enjoyment of the game at whatever level we play. Ultimately, the way we play golf, like any other sport, is about our relationship to ourselves. We will be seeking to enhance our understanding of life and reaching our potential.

The ‘inner game’ is about what goes on beneath the surface – the mental and emotional states not visible to someone watching. Often we may not be aware of them ourselves. Paying clear attention to our ‘inner states’ and external surroundings helps us play more rewarding golf.

Throughout the week, we learn about the ‘inner game’ – gaining insight into our playing strengths to ultimately bring us to our desired level.

There is a growing interest worldwide in a more ‘spiritual’ approach to golf, from the rise of Tiger Woods practicing meditation and coming from a Buddhist background, to other golf professionals who embrace another dimension of the game beyond the purely technical.

Read what participants say about Fairway to Heaven.

Grow

Create greater awareness of our strengths, behaviors and possibilities for success

Eliminate

Experience new approaches that eliminate obstacles.

Expand

Expand our awareness - both of our game and of our lives.

Deepen

Deepen our sense of self, inner knowing, intuition and confidence

Strengthen

Strengthen our ability to make connections with ourselves, our partners, nature, and the game

Develop

Develop an understanding and experience of community

Reflection

Provide opportunities for personal reflection

Fun & Laughter

Have fun, laugh, find deep relaxation and enjoyment in the week.

Deep Relaxation

Have fun, laugh, find deep relaxation and enjoyment in the week.

Joan Shafer

Executive Coach

I am passionate about supporting people in discovering their natural and learned gifts, talents, and strengths so that they can flourish and lead fulfilled lives.

Vin Harris

Entrepreneur & Meditator

Vin teaches and develops Mindfulness training programmes for individuals, groups and organisations in the UK and Europe.

John Talbott

Sustainability Consultant

John has pursued this quest for golf enlightenment ever since, taking him around west coast of America and then to Scotland and the Findhorn Community.

Fairway to Heaven: The Beginnings

Fairway to Heaven was born in the summer of 1996 when John Talbott and Joan Shafer were pursuing their weekly ‘spiritual practice’, playing the links at Forres golf course in northeast Scotland. They fantasized about running a workshop to share this passion and approach for the game that they had discovered. Their friend, Terry Neal, offered the name and the program was born. The initial publicity through the Findhorn Foundation’s workshop brochure led to a tidal wave of media attention as the story of ‘golf as a spiritual practice’ and ‘mirror of life’ was picked up by the news services and spread around the world. With interviews with the likes of Radio 4 in the UK and articles in many newspapers and magazines including Newsweek and The Times (London), they knew that there was a resonance in the world for Fairway to Heaven. Over the years, Fairway to Heaven has evolved to welcome many different approaches through our guest presenters and participants. These have included Dada Atmacetanananda, Bill Meyer, Printer Bowler, Steve Pressfield and Andrew Greig in addition to Joan, John and Vin. Above all, Fairway to Heaven has come to be about deepening our relationships with newfound friends who share this same love of the game passion for playing. Together, we create the space to share of ourselves, enjoy the journey and ultimately to know ourselves a little better.