It's always surprising when the golf season closes. It seems as if one minute you’re in shorts, and the next thing you’re sporting a toque.It seems that things happen pretty quickly in all parts of life, except, unfortunately, on a golf course. This blog isn’t about slow play and how to play faster, which has been covered thoroughly elsewhere.This is about a recent experience that reminded me you can play well—and perhaps even better—by playing … [Read more...]
How do I stop the noise?
October 8, 2021 By
The following is an interview in Fairways Magazine with me about quieting our minds and our pesky inner critic by applying mindfulness to golf. It was conducted by Editor Peter Mumford, an old friend and fellow golf nerd. As golfers, all of us have hit poor shots, maybe had an entire round when nothing seemed to go right. Our emotions take over and our minds are filled with anger, frustration and likely a lot of conflicting ideas … [Read more...]
‘What just happened?’
August 26, 2021 By
You were sailing along quite nicely when suddenly you launch one into the woods. Or hit a shank.It’s like, there we were, not hurting anyone, being nice, enjoying a lovely game of golf—and suddenly, we are victimized by some atrocious shot!After watching the ball sail into the trees, or scuttle into thigh-high fescue, we may stand there for a moment—with our hands on our head and the misbehaving club on the ground—and exclaim, “What just … [Read more...]
Golf culture is preventing us from getting better … and having fun
May 13, 2021 By
In golf culture, it appears the only goal of the game is to 'get better.' In many ways, that dogged pursuit prevents us from getting what we want and from savouring all that golf has to offer. The following was written by Peter Mumford, Publisher and Editor of Fairways Magazine, the Greater Toronto Area golf publication, and is based on an interview Peter conducted with me. I've edited it slightly for length. Geez, I can talk! As … [Read more...]
How Lou Reed taught me to play better golf
April 17, 2020 By
In this blog, originally published in March 2017, I recall Lou Reed telling me in an interview that he didn't worry about what his songs meant. Otherwise, he might 'interfere with the process' of songwriting. Years later, I realized it was a great lesson for golf, writing and any kind of performance. Need a pick-me up during the lockdown? Listen to Rock 'n' Roll from Rock 'n' Roll Animal. I had the coolest job in the world. In my world, at … [Read more...]
