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The Mulligan: A Parable of Second Chances
Now a major motion picture!
Everyone deserves a second chance on the course--and in life. Join golf pro Wally Armstrong and author Ken Blanchard as they condense decades of practical know-how into a simple book with an incredible, inspiring sometimes we all need a mulligan.
Meet Paul McAllister. An Ivy League-educated founder of a multimillion-dollar business, Paul was a success in almost everything except life and golf. It only took one Pro-Am afternoon, one short putt, and one airborne putter to send his world flying in a different a mulligan!
Golf's gracious do-over, a mulligan, was the beginning of Paul's own second chance. Guided by the wisdom and advice of an old pro, Paul learned about priorities, self-confidence, and playing a good game both on and off the course. You'll learn all
The importance of friendshipsThe true meaning of forgivenessDetaching from outcomes and embracing positivityThe value of having mentors to guide you along the wayWritten in a parable style, The Mulligan will give you a second chance to change it all, improving your life and your golf game along the way.
Praise for The Mulligan:
"Wally Armstrong and Ken Blanchard not only understand golf, but life and the value of relationships. They have put together a story that should warm your heart, help your golf game, and just may touch your life."
--Jack Nicklaus, golf legend and 1974 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame
"For those who have learned that golf is more than just a game, The Mulligan will be welcome reading that will provide helpful insights not just for their golf game, but for their lives as well."
--Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Champion and 2002 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame
Everyone deserves a second chance on the course--and in life. Join golf pro Wally Armstrong and author Ken Blanchard as they condense decades of practical know-how into a simple book with an incredible, inspiring sometimes we all need a mulligan.
Meet Paul McAllister. An Ivy League-educated founder of a multimillion-dollar business, Paul was a success in almost everything except life and golf. It only took one Pro-Am afternoon, one short putt, and one airborne putter to send his world flying in a different a mulligan!
Golf's gracious do-over, a mulligan, was the beginning of Paul's own second chance. Guided by the wisdom and advice of an old pro, Paul learned about priorities, self-confidence, and playing a good game both on and off the course. You'll learn all
The importance of friendshipsThe true meaning of forgivenessDetaching from outcomes and embracing positivityThe value of having mentors to guide you along the wayWritten in a parable style, The Mulligan will give you a second chance to change it all, improving your life and your golf game along the way.
Praise for The Mulligan:
"Wally Armstrong and Ken Blanchard not only understand golf, but life and the value of relationships. They have put together a story that should warm your heart, help your golf game, and just may touch your life."
--Jack Nicklaus, golf legend and 1974 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame
"For those who have learned that golf is more than just a game, The Mulligan will be welcome reading that will provide helpful insights not just for their golf game, but for their lives as well."
--Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Champion and 2002 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame
- GenresSports
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2010
17 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth H. Blanchard
314 books1,851 followersKen Blanchard, one of the most influential leadership experts in the world, is the coauthor of the iconic bestseller, The One Minute Manager, and 60 other books whose combined sales total more than 21 million copies. His groundbreaking works have been translated into more than 27 languages and in 2005 he was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 21, 2022
Ken Blanchard and Wally Armstrong have created a parable that will either have profound, new insights or relevant reminders for most, if not all, readers. The characters and events in the book might seem to be over-simplified and without nuance, but that is the purpose of a parable – to illustrate succinctly the love of God and how to live according to His will.
The two protagonists of the story are the Old Pro and Paul McAllister, and the former helps the latter find out how to achieve his golf goals (have fun, develop relationships, and enjoy the scenery) and his life goals. Even though I understand the authors’ desire to simplify and focus on their theme, they are inexplicably dismissive of two other golf goals – competing and exercising. In fact (on page 56) the Old Pro asks, “Is it [the reason Paul plays golf] for fun, for camaraderie, for beauty, or for the competition?” This implies that having fun and competing are mutually exclusive, and I find that – for most recreational golfers – friendly competition is one of the best ways to have fun.
It is noteworthy that – in the acknowledgements - Wally Armstrong thanks Dr. David Cook (author of “Seven Days in Utopia,” another excellent book with a similar message linking golf and life) for “teaching me the mental truths of golf: 'see it, feel it, trust it.'” Dr. Cook’s “see it, feel it, trust it” approach is similar to the “Visualize, practice, and commit” concept taught by the Old Pro in “The Mulligan.”
The two protagonists of the story are the Old Pro and Paul McAllister, and the former helps the latter find out how to achieve his golf goals (have fun, develop relationships, and enjoy the scenery) and his life goals. Even though I understand the authors’ desire to simplify and focus on their theme, they are inexplicably dismissive of two other golf goals – competing and exercising. In fact (on page 56) the Old Pro asks, “Is it [the reason Paul plays golf] for fun, for camaraderie, for beauty, or for the competition?” This implies that having fun and competing are mutually exclusive, and I find that – for most recreational golfers – friendly competition is one of the best ways to have fun.
It is noteworthy that – in the acknowledgements - Wally Armstrong thanks Dr. David Cook (author of “Seven Days in Utopia,” another excellent book with a similar message linking golf and life) for “teaching me the mental truths of golf: 'see it, feel it, trust it.'” Dr. Cook’s “see it, feel it, trust it” approach is similar to the “Visualize, practice, and commit” concept taught by the Old Pro in “The Mulligan.”
February 25, 2025
Ideas from the book:
* People committed to doing something have a 'no matter what' philosophy.
* ... Friendship is what love looks like when it is put into practice.
* As you look at your day, focus on what you want to accomplish, not on the obstacles that might be in your way.
* People committed to doing something have a 'no matter what' philosophy.
* ... Friendship is what love looks like when it is put into practice.
* As you look at your day, focus on what you want to accomplish, not on the obstacles that might be in your way.
April 15, 2022
#TheMulliganMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork
I was asked if i review this new upcoming book and movie. So glad I said yes! We all have had a time in our life where we could use a Mulligan. I'm sure I need plenty. Something I said or did and should not been done in the spirit I did it. Be really nice to have that second chance to make it right. A mulligan is not just for those playing golf. Which is where you know that term most from. sometimes we just made a mess of something in our lives. Need that forgiveness. The movie was wonderful bought back a memory from my teenage years. I actually have met Pat Boone and watched all his movies and loved his singing. Through my cousins gospel group they sang with him and I was on that trip. They did breakfast after the concert and I was there to get to chat with him. He is what he shows he is. Wonderful Christian man. He was a excellent choice to play the part of the old Pro. The book was well written and the production of the movie is awesome with a wonderful message. Thank you for letting me be a part. I'm asking for a Mulligan in my life right now. 5 star
I was asked if i review this new upcoming book and movie. So glad I said yes! We all have had a time in our life where we could use a Mulligan. I'm sure I need plenty. Something I said or did and should not been done in the spirit I did it. Be really nice to have that second chance to make it right. A mulligan is not just for those playing golf. Which is where you know that term most from. sometimes we just made a mess of something in our lives. Need that forgiveness. The movie was wonderful bought back a memory from my teenage years. I actually have met Pat Boone and watched all his movies and loved his singing. Through my cousins gospel group they sang with him and I was on that trip. They did breakfast after the concert and I was there to get to chat with him. He is what he shows he is. Wonderful Christian man. He was a excellent choice to play the part of the old Pro. The book was well written and the production of the movie is awesome with a wonderful message. Thank you for letting me be a part. I'm asking for a Mulligan in my life right now. 5 star
January 18, 2026
A "mulligan" is an unofficial golf term for a "do-over" or second chance on a poorly
GOLF - Game Of Life First
In life, as in golf:
You get good breaks you deserve.
You get good breaks you don’t deserve.
You get bad breaks you deserve.
You get bad breaks you don’t deserve.
Sometimes you are performing or playing better than you should and you have to deal with success.
Sometimes you are performing or playing worse than you should and you have to deal with failure.
In golf this all takes place in four-and-a-half hours with that little ball staring at you at you and nobody there to hit it but yourself. In life it occurs every moment of every day.
The three rules of golf: Don’t hurt anyone, hold people up or ruin the environment.
GOLF - Game Of Life First
In life, as in golf:
You get good breaks you deserve.
You get good breaks you don’t deserve.
You get bad breaks you deserve.
You get bad breaks you don’t deserve.
Sometimes you are performing or playing better than you should and you have to deal with success.
Sometimes you are performing or playing worse than you should and you have to deal with failure.
In golf this all takes place in four-and-a-half hours with that little ball staring at you at you and nobody there to hit it but yourself. In life it occurs every moment of every day.
The three rules of golf: Don’t hurt anyone, hold people up or ruin the environment.
January 9, 2024
Gotta be one of those books you read if you are into golf. Helps you to understand the big picture of the game. also provides you with a bigger perspective on which your game could improve and probably your life could also improve.
October 28, 2017
A classic Blanchard book.
Easy to read.
Clear message.
Full of hope.
Easy to read.
Clear message.
Full of hope.
September 24, 2019
Great book on golf life and faith
August 23, 2021
So much good advice about golf...and life!!! Loved reading this book!!!
December 20, 2021
Given to me by Mark Danzy and read on the plane after going home in Dec 2021 for my brothers wedding!
January 21, 2022
Great read about golf psychology. Easy read. Everybody needs mulligans on and off the golf course!
April 26, 2022
Thought provoking
The Mulligan opened my eyes! I enjoyed every moment of this book and will begin to put it into practice!
The Mulligan opened my eyes! I enjoyed every moment of this book and will begin to put it into practice!
September 27, 2024
Amazing book recommend everyone read!!!
December 31, 2024
Wonderful short story about faith, life & of course golf. I'm looking forward to watching the movie based on this short story soon. Very uplifting & positive.
January 3, 2025
Great book for self-reflection regardless of your religious affiliation
March 4, 2017
Excellent book about golf and life in general. Not necessarily a book about improving your golf swing but definitely will improve your golf game. Highly recommend this book to all my golf friends.
Read
April 29, 2011Wally Armstrong pro golfer, and Ken Blanchard walk you thru time tested steps for improving both your game and your life by introducing you to the Ulitmate Mulligan. I highly recommend this book, it really moved me.
September 19, 2011
It was a very inspirational book about golf, second chances and your relationship with god. It really was an amazing book and a very short quick read and you don't have to play golf or even like it to enjoy this book...i sure don't and loved it. Highly recommend!!
November 13, 2013
It was a very inspirational book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page. Before I picked up the book though I didn't realize it was mostly about God and Jesus. A little predictable but still very enjoyable. Makes for a nice, quick read.
August 28, 2010
A good quick read. I like the moral of this story. I'd love to have an "Old Pro" in my life.
June 21, 2012
This book is truly a great read, teaches about life and golf. Game Of Life First!!
October 5, 2013
I enjoyed the book. It's a quick read with some great thoughts on life, even if it is a bit cheesy or predictable at points.
September 7, 2014
This is a short, but powerful read for golfers and non-golfers alike. It does a great job of putting life in perspective. Predictable at times, it still is worth your time.
Read
March 18, 2016I liked this book becasue it was about golf. It was a short but good book. It also has a good message.
June 16, 2016
This book was just not for me. The points were obvious and I am not a big fan o f golf.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews