Not about Golf: The Life Changing Joy of Playing the Game

“My worst day of golf with friends is still one of the best days of my life,” is a phrase Mike Berland lives by.

The world of golf is rife with myths and misconceptions: golf is too expensive, golf is too hard, golf is an elitist sport, there’s no access to golf courses, etc. Mike Berland, is not a professional. He is not a golf instructor. He's not even a great player. What he is is passionate about how the culture of golf can change your life by building personal and business relationships and introducing you to a great worldwide community full of fun, exercise, nature, and play. Golf changed his life. NOT ABOUT GOLF inspires you to change yours.

Not About Golf is a handbook for the golf curious that can inspire you to enhance your business connections, fall in love, and build a unique and fun community.

You’ll also get in shape while walking, talking, and learning the language of golf. And, if you’re really lucky, as Mike Berland has been, you may have the opportunity to travel the world experiencing beautiful natural settings, the great outdoors, and lasting relationships, both personal and professional.

Golf is also getting more diverse, rapidly becoming the game everyone can play. Women have broken the mold of golf tradition, as golf becomes one of the fastest growing sports for women in the country. There are now over 6.4 million female golfers in the United States and 38% of all golfers under the age of 18 are girls. People of color, especially black and Latinos are embracing the sport as they never have before. And an influx of young players is challenging the stereotype of golf as just a game for seniors.

The good news about golf is it’s never too late to start. Golf is a sport you can play for the rest of your life, whether you play on simulators at indoor bars, or you score an invitation to one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. This character building sport which requires emotional control and honesty is a laboratory for positive life-skills, such as; generosity, humility, humor, kindness, and friendship.

Golf teaches us to live in the moment, it teaches us to network and to do business, but at the end of the day this book isn’t about golf. It’s about how each swing, each course, each day can always be better than the last. It's about hope, optimism, and enjoying nature with your community. It’s not about golf. It’s about you.

Mike Berland is a strategic advisor and communications consultant with over 30 years of experience in consumer behavior and trends. MSNBC named him “The Genius Pollster.” Known for his political and business insight, he has appeared throughout the media including on Fox Business Network's Mornings with Maria. He has also partnered with leading brands like Airbnb, OpenAI, Crocs, Estée Lauder Companies, StockX, Microsoft, Meta, and the National Hockey League. 

His book, “Not About Golf” details the life-changing joy of playing the game. Mike debunks the myths and stereotypes of golf while explaining how the sport’s momentum creates social and networking benefits for everyone. 

Mike is currently a Senior Partner at Penta Group.  Previously, he was CEO of Edelman Berland and president of Penn, Schoen & Berland. He has served as chair of the Gotham Chapter of New York City’s Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is a Commonwealth Scholar from the University of Massachusetts.  

He is the author of Maximum Momentum and the national bestseller Become a Fat-Burning Machine. An avid golfer, Mike enjoys playing courses worldwide, building connections and rediscovering the game's joy.