You’re Still Away is a deeply honest, often funny, and unexpectedly moving exploration of golf―not as a game to be conquered, but as a lifelong relationship to be endured, tested, and ultimately embraced. Part memoir, part psychological inquiry, the book follows a mid-handicap golfer and longtime golf journalist who has spent decades studying the best players in the world―while never quite figuring out his own swing. From walking inside the ropes during the dominance of Tiger Woods to grinding through humbling weekend rounds with friends, he occupies a rare middle ground: close enough to greatness to understand it, but far enough away to remain one of us.
What emerges is not a story of transformation or triumph. There is no miracle breakthrough, no late-career plunge to scratch. Instead, You’re Still Away asks a more compelling question: how do you love a game that refuses to love you back? Through encounters with tour pros, coaches, sports psychologists, and his own endlessly flawed golf adventures, the author uncovers a different kind of expertise―not in how to master golf, but in seeing the rewards when you don't. Why do we warm up perfectly and play terribly? Why do we repeat the same mistakes we swear we’ve learned from? Why does hope persist, even when evidence suggests it shouldn’t?
The answers extend beyond the course. At its core, this is a book about expectation, failure, identity, and the quiet, stubborn act of continuing to try. It challenges the idea that improvement is the only goal, arguing instead for something more sustainable: finding meaning in the pursuit itself. For anyone who has ever walked off the 18th green frustrated yet already planning their next round, You’re Still Away offers both recognition and relief. You may never arrive―but that was never really the point.
Coming in spring 2027 from Back Nine Press, but you can pre-order now!
Praise for WIN AT LOSING: How Our Biggest Setbacks Can Lead To Our Greatest Gains
"Instructive reading for anyone who wonders how to cope with defeat — at work, at sports, at life . . . Reading the stories from the other side of famous defeats, as well as the psychological benefits of those defeats, is incredibly useful." — Chicago Tribune
"Weinman interviews fascinating figures and demonstrates that it’s not whether you face adversity, but how you view it that matters." — ChangingtheGameProject.org
"Weinman engages his readers with a light, humorous tone while sharing stories from the likes of soap opera actress Susan Lucci and former presidential nominee Michael Dukakis about managing setbacks and emerging winners...Readers (especially sports fans) interested in the subject of failure will enjoy this thought-provoking analysis of beneficial losses. " — Publishers Weekly
"Award-winning sports journalist Sam Weinman gives readers a series of powerful testimonies to the crucial part losing plays in our lives, showing how we can turn even the worst setbacks into comebacks." — Beliefnet
"Readers of all interests will be able to connect. . . . The clear, conversational, and self-aware writing creates an enjoyable read with a worthy takeaway." — Booklist
"An outstanding book! In a series of riveting chapters, Sam Weinman portrays spectacular failures -- huge, public failures-- that helped people grow instead of crushing them. You will be inspired." — Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of "Mindset"
"Because we live in a country where our most admired citizens are labeled 'winners,' we often fail to appreciate the tremendous value of defeat. Well, thank goodness for Sam Weinman, whose ode to dropping the ball, missing the shot, failing to rise to the occasion is a beautiful—and important—reminder that second place often trumps first. A blissful read. — Jeff Pearlman, New York Times bestselling author of "The Bad Guys Won"
"Sam Weinman took on a fascinating challenge when he decided to look into how people deal with loss--NOT just in sports, but in many walks of life. His reporting is thorough and insightful, allowing the reader a view of how those who are the best at what they do, deal--and grow from-defeat." — John Feinstein, New York Times bestselling author of "A Season On The Brink"
“Sam Weinman will have to do his own winning from losing in some other forum, because his book is terrific. And, although its genesis was sports, it’s really about how to be a better, happier, less annoying, and more self-aware person.”—David Owen, author of "My Usual Game"
“What’s the thread that unites the highest performers in sports, business, and life? They’ve all faced failure and defeat…and emerged stronger for the experience. Sam Weinman takes readers on an entertaining journey that shows how getting knocked down is part of all of our lives, and how each of us can grow and learn from the experience.”— Mark McClusky, New York Times bestselling author of "Faster, Higher, Stronger"
“We always hear and read a great deal about winning and the joy of success. WIN AT LOSING is all about the other side of winning and the truth that no one wins without losing many times. Learning from losing is a big part of success. WIN AT LOSING is a wonderful read.” —Bob Rotella, Ph.D.,New York Times bestselling author of "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect
About WIN AT LOSING:
An engaging, inspiring exploration of the surprising value of setbacks—and how we can use them to succeed
As an award-winning sports journalist, Sam Weinman has long studied the ripple effects of losing. But as a father of two competitive boys, he struggled to convince them that failing—whether losing a hockey game or bombing a math test—can actually be a critical part of success. So he sought out the perspectives of men and women who have turned significant setbacks into meaningful comebacks—and sometimes even new careers—to illustrate how we can not only overcome defeat but grow stronger from the experience.
Order Win At Losing: AMAZON|BARNES & NOBLES|INDIEBOUND
Blending firsthand interviews and advice from professional athletes, business executives, politicians, and Hollywood stars with expert analysis from leading psychologists and coaches, Win at Losing reveals how renowned figures—from Emmy Award–winning actress Susan Lucci to golfer Greg Norman and politician Michael Dukakis—have prevailed and even triumphed in the aftermath of loss, humiliation, and rejection. In showcasing the ways our most difficult moments can be turned into powerful growth opportunities, this lively and moving guide asks readers to redefine what constitutes success and failure, and offers an essential blueprint for harnessing the power of setbacks to achieve what we want in life.
