I woke up this morning feeling bummed. I was supposed to play golf at 8:17 a.m. today, but the Ontario government declared that golf courses were closed at 12:01 a.m. I went from bummed to angry as I read that health experts were slamming the government for failing to close manufacturing plants and warehouses, and for depriving people of healthy outdoor exercise like golf or tennis. Then I listened to myself fulminate to my wife that plants are … [Read more...]
Overcoming disaster and putting it behind you
March 15, 2021 By
I believe that a key part of Tiger's resilience in golf and life is because I don't think he takes golf personally anymore. After watching Lee Westwood at age 47 play championship calibre golf for the second straight week with a smile and a sense of fun, I think Westy has a similar approach. The following is from a column called Learning written by Peter Mumford, Editor of Fairways Magazine. In this piece, Peter asks me how I think … [Read more...]
The hardest kind of practice
November 17, 2020 By
Since the U.S. election, I have been practicing acceptance. I practice many things—such as learning songs to play with my band or certain golf shots. Practicing these is not work. Mostly, I enjoy practicing whatever I'm practicing. I just keep at, and eventually, I get it--or close enough. But practicing acceptance is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I don’t know that I’ll ever get it. For now, I’ll have to stumble along, … [Read more...]
Life and even golf lessons from the founder of the Blue Jays
July 19, 2019 By
Simon Sinek, who wrote the influential book Start With Why, probably doesn't know Don McDougall, but I'll bet the author would say the founder of the Toronto Blue Jays has always had a clear sense of 'why. 'Picture: Trot Magazine/Brian Acton We broke a 100. Howard Glassman and I recorded our 100th episode of Swing Thoughts last week. It’s quite a milestone for us or any podcast. Doing the podcast has given us an opportunity to talk … [Read more...]
Realizing what’s important helps Rory break through
March 18, 2019 By
When he knocked in his last putt to close the deal on the PLAYERS Championship on Sunday—mercifully killing off the dominant story of 2019—Rory McIlroy showed little emotion. He didn’t exult or act like he’d got a monkey off his back by finally winning after so many close calls that had the chattering classes of golf wondering if the four-time major champion had lost his ability to win when in contention. Going back to last year, McIlroy … [Read more...]
