In October 2015, the Chinese Communist Party banned its 88 million members from excessive drinking, improper sexual relationships⌠and holding golf club memberships. But, with âthe rich manâs gameâ about to appear in the Olympics for the first time in 112 years, they also began to spend unprecedented sums on their own national golf team.
Through the lives of three men intimately involved in Chinaâs bizarre golf scene, Dan Washburn paints an arresting portrait of a country of contradictions. A villager named Wang sees his life transformed when a top-secret golf resort springs up next to his farm â despite the building of golf courses being illegal. Western executive Martin, whose firm manages the construction of golf courses, is always looking over his shoulder for Beijingâs âgolf policeâ. And for security guard Zhou, making it as a professional golfer could be his way into Chinaâs new middle class. Using the unique lens of The Forbidden Game, Washburn gleans rich insights into the politics and people of one of the most powerful and enigmatic nations on earth.