Walt Disney World® Golf Blog

Before his recent passing, Mr. Palmer authored a new memoir entitled “A Life Well Played: My Stories“ by St. Martin’s Press, that gives us some insights into the diverse life that he led, from his on-course career in golf, including his friendships and rivalries, to “Arnie’s Army”, to his off-course life, family and business adventures. Mr. Palmer was a prolific writer, with 11 previous books in print, dating back to 1965.

I just received my own copy of the new book, which I had pre-ordered some weeks ago, before its release and Mr. Palmer’s passing, and look forward to reading it fully.

 

Untitled 1 Arnold book2

The book, which is 258 pages long, contains some great photographs of Mr. Palmer on the inside covers and more written treasures inside.

While I have not yet read the book cover to cover, the last chapter in the book, “The Final Lesson”, grabbed my immediate attention. It begins:

I want to leave you with this thought, a confession, if you will: I never cared for the nickname “the King.” At times, it has made me uncomfortable and even a bit irritated to be referred to that way. I know it was meant to be flattering, but there is no king of golf. There never has been, and there never will be.

Golf is the most democratic game on earth, a pastime of the people that grants no special privileges and pays no mind to whether a man is a hotel doorman or a corporate CEO. It punishes and exalts us all with splendid but uncompromising equal opportunity.

The remainder of that chapter, indeed the entire book, continues to give us some insights into the character and the heart of the man, whose impact goes far beyond the game that we play. Mr. Palmer set the standard, not only for how to play the game, but how to conduct one’s life.

I am reminded of my favorite golf quote by Mr. Palmer:

Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening – and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.

“A Life Well Played: My Stories” is an important addition to the library of anyone who loves this game that we play and wishes to gain insights, not only into the life of a legend, but life lessons that we can all value