One Man’s Simple Life: an introduction
In a world that’s often moving too fast, One Man’s Simple Life offers a moment to pause, reflect, and find meaning in the quiet beauty of everyday living. Curated by James Dodson—bestselling author, celebrated golf writer, and world traveler—this newsletter is a personal space where I share reflections on life, love for golf, timeless wisdom, and the joy of living simply.
With over 40 years of experience in journalism and an award-winning career as a columnist, essayist, and historian of golf, my work spans everything from sports to gardening, travel, and personal introspection. One Man’s Simple Life isn’t just about golf; it’s about the rich, nuanced journey of life itself. Here, you’ll find a blend of:
Essays and Reflections: New writings and re-shared works on the simple pleasures of life—whether it’s a quiet morning in the garden, a round of golf, or a spiritual moment of peace.
Global Inspiration: My travels have taken me to gardens and golf courses around the world, from the majestic Pinehurst to New Zealand’s Tara Iti. I share these experiences through photos, course reviews, travelogues, and more, offering a window into places where nature and sport meet in harmony.
Exclusive Archives: Delve into the archives where my career has taken me from contributing to over 50 publications worldwide—including Yankee Magazine, GQ, Women’s Day, Travel & Leisure, and more. These archives feature everything from Martha Stewart’s first interview to brutal crime investigations in the Deep South during the 1980s Atlanta. You’ll find award-winning columns from the Atlanta Constitution Journal, rare interviews with legends like Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan, and clips from my time as a contributor to Golf Magazine and Departures magazine.
Multi-Media Content: Dive deeper into my world with exclusive audio interviews, book excerpts, and behind-the-scenes looks at my writing process, as well as meditations, product reviews, and golf stories that span decades.
What sets One Man’s Simple Life apart?
A Storied Career: Over my 40-year career, I’ve written for more than 50 publications worldwide, covering everything from lifestyle to politics. My books like Final Rounds and A Golfer’s Life have become staples in golf literature. But this newsletter goes beyond the page, offering a more intimate look at my life’s journey—both on and off the golf course.
A Love for Nature: Whether I’m chronicling a favorite golf course or reflecting on my global garden tours, this newsletter brings together my love for nature, simplicity, and storytelling.
Exclusive Access: Free subscribers will enjoy original essays, travelogues, and golf content, while paid and founding members unlock deeper insights with archive access, rare footage, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including readings from my forthcoming book, The Road That Made America — A Pilgrim’s Travels on the Great Wagon Road, scheduled for reals from Simon & Schuster Publishing in late spring 2025.
One Man’s Simple Life is where I share the wisdom of slowing down, embracing simplicity, and appreciating life’s quiet joys. Whether you’re a lover of golf, a seeker of timeless stories, or just someone looking for a thoughtful escape, there’s something here for you.
Join me in celebrating the simple pleasures of life, and thank you for being part of this journey.
Why Subscribe to One Man’s Simple Life?
One Man’s Simple Life is a place where I share my reflections, essays, and insights from a life spent exploring meaningful moments — and people — that often go unnoticed. When you subscribe, you’ll gain access to my latest work, timeless archives, and exclusive content that goes beyond the page. Here’s what you can expect as part of this journey:
Free Subscription
Original Essays & Reflections: As a free subscriber, you’ll receive new essays where I reflect on everything from simple living to spirituality, travel, and the joys of everyday life. These are my personal musings—often inspired by a morning spent in the garden or time with loved ones—sent directly to your inbox.
Travelogues & Golf Stories: I’ll take you along as I revisit some of the most celebrated places in the world of golf, and journeys into nature that shaped my own understanding of this world — and its healing powers.
Book Recommendations & Meditations: I’ll share books that have moved me, whether they’re literary, golf-related, or focused on spiritual growth, alongside meditations that help me find balance and clarity in life.
Paid Subscription
Archive Access: By becoming a paid subscriber, you’ll unlock access to my full archives—award-winning columns and essays, and reporting from publications like Golf Magazine, The Atlanta Constitution Journal, Yankee Magazine, Departures, Global Golf Post, and GQ. You’ll also find rare interviews, including my conversations with legends like Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan, and features on subjects that matter to me, like travel, gardening and faith.
Audio Content & Recorded Readings: Paid subscribers get exclusive access to my audio recordings. Whether I’m reading an excerpt from one of my books, an essay from the archives, or how I find peace in the sublimeness of nature, these recordings are a way for you to experience my work — and voice — in a more personal, intimate format.
Multi-Media Content: You’ll also find exclusive videos, photos, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my life and work. From a day on the golf course to travel recaps and rare memorabilia, this is content I’ve curated just for my subscribers.
Founding Members
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access: As a founding member, you’ll gain access to my creative process. I’ll share behind-the-scenes notes, sketches, and the steps I’m taking as I work on my upcoming book, Wagon Road, debuting Fall 2025.
Live Journal & Q&A Sessions: As a public speaker in high demand, I’ll be keeping a live journal during my travels for upcoming book tours and special events, and founding members will get exclusive access. You’ll also be invited to live Q&A sessions, where we can dive deeper into topics you care about—from writing and golf to life’s simple joys.
VIP Content: Founding members get early access to new essays, course recaps, interviews, and more before anyone else. You’ll also receive special invites to virtual events, where we can connect directly and discuss the stories and experiences that matter most.
Why Subscribe?
A Deeper Connection: In a world that’s constantly on the go, I want to offer a space where you can slow down, reflect, and find meaning in the simple things. As a subscriber, you’ll join a community that shares my appreciation for life’s quieter moments.
Exclusive Content: From archived essays to rare interviews and multimedia features, you’ll get access to stories and insights that you won’t find anywhere else.
Direct Engagement: Paid and founding members will have opportunities to engage with me directly through live events, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my work. It’s my way of sharing not just my writing, but the journey behind it.
If you’re passionate about golf, curious about the world, or simply looking for thoughtful reflections on life, I hope you’ll join me on One Man’s Simple Life. Subscribe today and let’s explore this journey together.
About James Dodson
James Dodson is a national bestselling author, a four-time winner of Golf Book of the Year awards, an acclaimed columnist, essayist, and a passionate devotee of the "three G’s"—golf, gardening, and God.
His writing has been featured in over 50 publications worldwide, covering topics as diverse as sports, politics, world affairs, memoirs, and biographies. He is also the authorized biographer of golf legends Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.
A member of the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, Dodson has won dozens of major w writing awards and been honored with the Society of the Long Leaf Pine award. His Substack serves as a hub for his writing, video interviews, past clips, golf memorabilia, multi-media content, product reviews, course reviews, and more.
Get in touch
I always enjoy hearing from readers, so if you have any questions, comments, or topics you'd like to discuss—or just want to share a story—feel free to reach out. You can contact me directly at jwdauthor@gmail.com.
Whether it’s about something you’ve read, an idea you’d like to explore, or simply to connect, I look forward to hearing from you!
