Play It As It Lies: A Journey through Fatherhood and Golf

Book Synopsis: About the Book

Being a father may be the greatest and scariest experience of many men's lives, but there's no map or manual; every dad must find their way. Matthew Filner tells stories from his first 18 years as a parent to share the lessons he's learned. He also takes us through rounds he's played at iconic golf courses, to show us the many parallels between golf and parenting. The result is an entertaining read, with something for everyone.

Advanced Praise

“Golf and fatherhood are two of the most challenging and wonderful things a man can undertake—full of wonder and unexpected happiness one moment followed by nagging worry and various stages of quiet terror the next. In both experiences we learn as we go. Someone once said that a good father's joys and fears are private—for he dare not speak of one, and will not speak of the other. In Play It As It Lies, Matthew Filner has done a masterful job of chronicling and revealing the various stages of fatherhood through the prism of the game he dearly loves, as he and wife, Theresa, navigate the ups and downs of everyday life raising their sons Aidan and Elliott. Aside from the yeoman's tour Filner provides of some of America's finest layouts, you may see vivid glimpses of your own struggles and small triumphs in pursuit of both games. In the end, we must play everything in life as it lies—and thereby find both joy and meaning in the process.”

—James Dodson, New York Times-bestselling author of Final Rounds and Ben Hogan: An American Life

“As a game so often shared between fathers and their children, golf is a game that many of us can't separate from memories of our dads. Matthew Filner's Play It As It Lies is a moving testament to why those memories are the greatest gifts golf can give us. Whether you're a father or daughter or son or grandfather, there is a story here to remind you that golf with dad is as good as golf gets.”

—Tom Coyne, New York Times-bestselling author of A Course Called Scotland, A Course Called America, and others. He is senior editor of The Golfers Journal.

“Play It As It Lies is an artfully crafted frolic through the rollercoaster we call parenthood. Golfers will particularly relate to Filner's hunger for a quick emergency nine at the muni, and will be surprised to see some of the places the game takes the author. Golf is used as a canvas to reflect, make connection, and just plain have fun. Parenthood is a journey that gives us the ability to teach and to grow. It's not too dissimilar from golf. As unique as some of Filner's storytelling is, it's a path familiar to many of us. The author leads us down that sacred path beautifully.”

—Laz Versalles, golf writer/producer

“Fatherhood is a journey without a roadmap. In a unique way among sports, golf can provide a framework for life. In Play It As It Lies, Matthew Filner explores his singular path through parenthood and the greatest game of all. Without a map, we can all learn from his experiences as a father and golfer.”

—Jim Hartsell, author of When Revelation Comes and The Secret Home of Golf

“Becoming a parent changes a lot of things, but for us golf sickos, it forever changes the way we play and experience golf. We become teachers instantaneously, hoping that over time the infant turned toddler turned kiddo will get into the game that we care so much about. Matt nails this entire experience perfectly in Play It As It Lies as he weaves the forever journey of teacher, instructor, caddie, cart driver, and much more as a golf dad.”

—Shane Bacon, national sports broadcaster, podcaster, and writer, author of The Golfer's Zoo

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