Dark 'n Stormy Golf at the Deutsche Bank Championship

Actually it wasn't dark or stormy, just a typical New England, end-of-summer day. Low clouds and mild, misty air gave the lush, rolling fairways of TPC Boston a soft, slightly brooding feel on Saturday for the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.

The course, designed by Arnold Palmer, is set in the Great Woods of Norton, MA, about 45 minutes south of Boston and is one of just a handful of courses in MA with Audubon sanctuary status. It's very pretty, in a natural New England woodland way. I love that. More than anything,

OK, I'm totally not a morning person, so we got there around noon, and soon came upon the fabulous 10 acre practice area where a number of players, including Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia, were working with coaches and caddies. It was quite awesome to watch these superstar golfers at such close range after following them all summer on television. They are amazing and awe inspiring in person.

Thanks to an awesome invite from a gracious friend, we spent the afternoon in a sky box over the 17th green. Due to the holiday weekend, Saturday was round 2, and the great thing about round 2 is that everyone is still in the running. Because, as will inevitably happen in golf, some of the best players didn't make the cut. Retief Goosen, Paul Goydos, Paul Casey are among the guys who won't be playing today. Ian Poulter won't be either, and he looked none too happy (though still pretty fabulous, IMHO) by the time he reached the 17th. He attempted to explain why later in the day. Padraig Harrington my awesome Irish cousin, who also missed the cut, graciously signed my Inesis cap at the end of the day... with a smile. How awesome is that?

So where does the Dark 'n Stormy come in? Well that's what we were drinking ...all throughout the afternoon. It's a magical melange of Gosling's Black Seal Rum and ginger beer. It's warm and refreshing...spicy and soft...all at the same time. It's my new favorite cocktail and it was an awesome addition to a wonderful day at the Deutsche Bank Championship. (or anywhere else for that matter)

Dark 'n Stormy

1.5 oz. Gosling's Black Seal Rum
Top with Barritt's Ginger Beer
Garnish with Lime (optional)

Serve on the rocks.

Golf Digest Brings Sexy Back with Upcoming JT Cover

Leave it to the well connected, fashion-forward golf guys at Styled to a Tee, to tip me off on this:

Justin Timberlake is doing Golf Digest. The cover, I mean. Isn't that brilliant? I think it is.

The popular grammy award winner, with a single digit handicap, will appear on the November issue and will most likely generate interest (and news stand sales) way beyond the normal base of dedicated golfers and golf fans. In fact, I won't be surprised if a number of these issues find their way into the hands (and hearts) of teenage girls... who've never even held a golf club. And that's what I like about the idea.

I know there'll be some golf curmudgeons purists who'll complain that an actor/singer/entertainer, no matter what his handicap, should not grace the cover the publication they aptly consider, "the paper of record for the sport of golf".

Some will probably object to JT's awesomely untraditional golf wear by J. Lindberg. Others will bristle at his sometimes salacious lyrics:

*...dirty babe
You see the shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave...

Yes. Admittedly his lyrics are a bit... on the racy side... and those are the printable ones. But that's the way lyrics are today. And Mr. Timberlake's songs are as likely to be playing in the Cafe on the Green at your prestigious suburban Country Club as in an edgy urban nightclub.

The fact is, our national (and global) culture is changing. Golf culture has to keep pace or it will become impertinent and unpopular and worse yet... inaccessible to all but a select few. And I don't want that to happen, do you?

For much more on Justin Timberlake's impressive golf resume, and Golf Digest's bold decision to feature him as their November cover model, check in with the guys at Styled to a Tee. No one knows the inside story like they do.

* Lyrics from 'Sexyback', Justin Timberlake

Jill McGill - An LPGA Veteran Takes Golf to the Troops

While controversy swirls around the LPGA's English Only edict, one of it's members is quietly making a difference far away in the desert of the Middle East.

Jill McGill, a six foot tall San Diego surfer girl, who's been a tour player since 1996, is currently with a group of golf professionals presenting golf clinics to soldiers stationed in Iraq.

Jill is there with a group that includes Larry Laoretti of the Champions Tour, PGA Tour veteran Paul Carlson and retired LPGA player Suzanne Strudwick... who is actually blogging about the adventure over at the LPGA's website... and it sounds like they're having a truly amazing experience.

The group gets around in Blackhawk helicopters. They've had to deal with sandstorms and extreme heat, temperatures sometimes soar above 120F. But, despite the challenging conditions they've managed to set up driving bays and chipping nets and putting mats for their clinics. Callaway donated equipment and the golfers handed out hats and other gifts. It seems the turnout has been excellent, and the soldiers have been gracious and enthusiastic and according to Suzanne... lots of fun to be with.

I took these photos of Jill back in the spring at the Sybase classic. At that time I was impressed with this quintessential California girl's impressive stature, brilliant blondness and friendly demeanor. Now, several months later, I'm impressed with her courage and generosity.

Photographs © Golf Girl Media

Golf is Global, Right? Or Am I Missing Something?

LPGA golfers are a worldly bunch... that's for sure.

Membership includes 121 international players, from 26 countries. And these global golf girls travel the entire world for their tournaments, with twelve non-US tournaments currently in their season long schedule.

So it was surprising to hear of a recent edict requirement presented by LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens on the subject of LPGA language skills. In essence, the new rule is that that by the end of 2009, all players who have been on the tour for two years must pass an oral evaluation of their English skills... or face a membership suspension.

A common language in organizations and institutions, presumably brings with it increased efficiency and fewer errors, and is not, in itself, objectionable to most. In fact, quite a number of the international LPGA players who were presented with this mandate recently, agreed with the premise... in principal.

What is disturbing about the situation is the way it's come down... the way it appears to have been presented by the LPGA, as a one-size-fits-all rule. The PR team does not seem to have been able to present the positive aspects of basic linguistic uniformity. They don't seem to have succeeded in reassuring some of their best players that their cards would not be pulled out from under them, and they've been unable to avoid the appearance of American arrogance, and sponsor pandering. There seems, in the way this matter has come to the attention of the press, to be little regard for golf's international growth and huge international fan base.

One of my favorite golf writers, Jason Sobel, presents his position on this issue in a podcast here, and as usual I agree with him.

What do you think?

Golf Comic Books - A Funny Obsession

We all know someone who's obbsessed with collecting something. Sometimes it's something substantial that resonates wealth and tradition...say Ralph Lauren's historical car collection. More often it's something tacky whimsical like ceramic poodles or pez despeners.

Of course golf memorabilia is a huge category for collectors. So much so that there's an official Golf Collector's Society with over 1400 members from 15 countries, "dedicated to preserving the treasures and traditions of the game of golf". Now I'm not a collector by nature but I have to admit I'm fascinated by old golf stuff. Everything from old hickory shaft clubs to trading cards from the 1950s. Recently however while cruising for retro golf goodies I discovered a niche that seems to be growing in popularity... and it's a really fun one: Golf themed comic book covers.

It seems Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and The Flintstones all enjoyed golf in their day...Archie and Veronica too. And now there are quite a few obsessed scavengers determined collectors focusing in on this niche. As a result prices have gone skyward ...faster than Elroy Jetson's rocket scooter.

Some of the earlier covers now fetch upwards of $25,000, making them as unafforaable as the antique irons I covet. Luckily, there are some great examples to enjoy on-line, and If you're anything like me you'll be fascinated by Barney Rubble's prehistoric Swing and Casper's Ghostly putting skill. What I really impressed me though were the sexy covers from the "True Love" series, one of which is pictured at left. Who knew golf comics could be so salacious?

The problem is, now I really want to read the story.

The Fedex Cup - What a Difference a Year Makes

Congratulations to Vijay Singh on his exciting win at The Barclays yesterday.

The fabulous Fijian set the final round on fire in a breathtaking playoff with Sergio Garcia offering up a display of putting prowess he's not been known for lately. These happen to be two of my favorite players and the playoff was an awesome show of determination and competitive spirit that was very exciting to watch. Ridgewood Country Club was by all accounts a stellar venue as well, despite some inauspicious "burrowing animal" holes that Sergio encountered towards the end. Ultimately this was the kind of event they had in mind when they created the Fedex Cup.

It was a whole different story in 2007. To the extent that when I wrote about Vijay's first round melt down in Harrison last year, I actually felt compelled to create a consolation cocktail... the one that launched last year's Fedex Cup Cocktail Contest. I've published it again here in a much more celebratory ambiance. Don't forget to submit your entry... and here's to the Fedex Cup.

The Vijay Singh Sling

1 oz dark rum
1/2 oz cherry brandy
4 oz pineapple juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1/4 oz orange juice
1/4 oz benedictine herbal liqueur
1/3 oz grenadine syrup
1 dash bitters

Combine all of the ingredients in a shaker, fill with ice and shake until the shaker is well frosted. Strain into a tall glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry. Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Safeway 3-way - Cristie Kerr Wins Portland Playoff

Charismatic Cristie Kerr has reason to celebrate.

She just claimed her 11th LPGA title at the Safeway Classic in Portland OR. ...And she won in style! In an ultra-exciting, three-way, sudden death playoff, she sunk an 18 foot putt for Birdie. Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson failed to make their birdies on that first playoff hole.

What makes Cristie's win even more remarkable is that she went into the final round four shots back, but with her characteristic determination, fired off a seven-under 65, for the lowest round of the tournament.

The photo at left was taken earlier this month when I met up with the gracious golf champion at the opening reception for a new Lacoste boutique in Greenwich,(CT).

That evening, just a couple of weeks ago, we spoke a bit about her hectic lifestyle on the LPGA tour. She had just arrived from three weeks... and a couple of big tournaments... in Europe, and was enroute to Ottawa for the Canadian Women's Open. Then directly out to Portland where she finds herself now... trophy in hand.

Quite a busy little schedule, wouldn't you say? But she handlea it all with ease and elegance. She smiles a lot, connects with all those around her, and always looks gorgeous. In addition she generously supports breast cancer research through her foundation, Birdies for Breast Cancer.

I think most everyone would agree, Cristie Kerr is a winner in a multitude of ways.


Photographs © Golf Girl Media

Cristie Kerr and Kelli Kuehne at the New Lacoste Shop

You know about me and Lacoste, right? I've written about my love for the iconic crocodile, and the awesome apparel he represents, on more than one occasion.

Lacoste is all about Sports and Elegance. 75 years worth. The culture and tradition of the brand is French, but its reach is totally global. Lacoste stores now exist across the USA and around the world, and a couple of weeks ago a new one opened in my stately hometown of Greenwich, CT.

The opening was celebrated with an elegant little reception in the streamlined shop on Greenwich Avenue, which is a kind of New England version of Rodeo Drive...and it was hosted by the epitome of Lacoste style, Cristie Kerr.

The thing is, not only is Cristie one of the world's best golfers, she's also cosmopolitan and classy ... worldly... but warm. And she has eyes like aquamarines.

Yes, Cristie Kerr has it all; the talent, the beauty, the personality..the whole package. She was there with her husband/manager Erik Stevens, himself a gracious internationalist who connects easily with everyone. Together they made the store's guests feel welcome and special. As the crowd enjoyed mojito martinis and chardonnay a DJ spun some R&B and custom embroidered monograms were sewn onto colorful pique polos.

Also at the event was another amazing LPGA golfer, Kelli Kuehne, who is so cute, and so much fun.

Kelli... quite simply... animated the entire room with her expansive Texas personality. Kelli is a longtime friend of Cristie's, and the ambience, that early August evening, was like an intimate gathering of friends. Fun and memorable.

When I checked the Safeway Classic leaderboard earlier today I was delighted to see these two awesome golf girls up in the top five, and playing together tomorrow. They're both part of Cristie's terrific Birdies for Breast Cancer initiative. How wonderful is that for the foundation? Oh, and the girls told me they're going to start blogging too... and they'll definitely have lots to say. That prospect gives us all something to look forward to for Fall.


Photographs © Golf Girl Media
Top: Me with Cristie and Kelli on Greenwich Avenue
Middle: Cristie and Erik in the shop
Bottom: Kelli chatting with guests

Golf Girl Gadget of the Week - The Argyle Generator

Earlier this week I wrote about golf inspired fashion trends for fall, one of the key elements being argyle.

I know there are some hip young golf apparel designers out there who hate argyle...and they've created some pretty awesome styles without a single diamond or diagonal checkerboard. But for those of us who can't resist a bit of the plaid inspired pattern, it there's an awesome little widget called the Argyle Generator''. Created by Lauren (Beth) Binkovitz a graphic designer with a unique and engaging perspective, it's an ultra simple little ap that allows you to pick several colors, adjust the line weight and opacity of each and create your own personal pattern. Then you can use it to decorate your desktop or your blog or anything else you design on your computer.

Or you can just be inspired by it. That's fun too.

Golf Course Controversy No. 987 - Pull Cart Policy

I snapped the photo above at Richter Park last weekend, as play resumed after a rain delay.

I was extremely impressed with this golfer's simple but stylish outfit, and the way it perfectly matched her bag... and even her pull cart. She had the whole thing going on, including her game which, I later observed, was stellar.

Of course I immediately donated my standard black pull cart to charity Nick with plans to get the pretty pink version. ASAP ...You see, I love to color coordinate...to the extent that I'm sometimes known as "Miss Matchy-Match"...so the decision was second nature.

Then yesterday, as I was researching my prospective purchase, I came upon an interesting post by Heather, whose new blog, Real Women Golf brings a fun new voice to golf blogosphere. In her post...and in an accompanying survey...Heather asks, "Should pull carts be allowed on course?" It seems there are courses that allow golfers to carry their bags, but don't allow pull carts...largely for aesthetic reasons! Then there are others that only allow aspiring pullers to use course provided wheels thus ensuring uniformity.

I've got to admit, I've never encountered this practice myself, but then again, any time I play at an ulraluxe course I'm usually playing with Nick. And if you play with Nick and his panoply of cigars, drinks, garments, rule books stuff...you're riding.

So, have you experienced pull cart prejudice anywhere? ... or is this just an isolated case of rules overreach by condescending country club officials? And what do you think of the issue? Weigh in here ...and with Heather's survey at Real Women Golf.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a pink pull cart to pursue.

Fedex Cup 2008 -The Wide Realm of Possibility

As the second playing of the Fedex Cup takes off with the Barclays this week, last year's cacophony of complaints seems a distant memory.

A subtle change to the points system (and the absence of a certain red shirted wonder) have left the race open to myriad possibilities. And myriad possibilities are definitely a good thing. Consider the contenders: Kenny Perry, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington come to mind immediately, but then you've got GGD faves like Vijay Singh, Geoff Ogilvy, Anthony Kim and Ryuji Imada right in there too. And the realm of possibility goes much further than that. How about fan favorites Rocco Mediate and Paul Goydos?
It's possible.

So as the playoffs begin, with exciting storylines and infinite possibilities, so does the second annual Fedex Cup Cocktail Contest. Rules are the same as last year. You just need to create a drink based on a contending player. Check out some of last year's entries here.

The creative mixologist who comes up with the winning brew will win a copy of the awesome Mulligan's Golf and Cocktail Club, as well as a bundle of Golf Girl merchandise. Here's to the 2008 Fedex Cup.












I could handle a Poulter Pink Passion round about now

Fall Fashion Trends Inspired by Golf Tradition

"Smart tartan and clubby argyle". Sounds pretty golfy doesn't it?

Well, it just so happens these looks are in the spotlight for Autumn, in Elle Magazine's trend report for Fall'08. You can always count on Elle to distill the varied elements of the couture collections down to succinct ready-to-wear trends.

So, they translate runway fashion to street fashion...then we just have to take it all back to the fairways. This fall, that shouldn't be too difficult at all.




















I put the outfit above together in a flash on Pikkee. With the exception of the amazing Nebuloni shoes everything's available at the LPGA proshop, and I think it's the perfect fall Fairway Fashion statement.

(Thanks Mary Rambin for the heads up on Elle's trend report - You always know just where to look.)

Golf at Renewed Richter- Beware the Beautiful Bunkers

The major rebuild that took place during the Spring affected all 54 sand traps at Richter Park. They look beautiful but are deeper ... much more challenging to get out of.

I know, I know... the best way to get out is not to get in. Well I managed to avoid them all. I still didn't break 100, but posted my second best score...ever. 104. And my 104 is a real 104 because I count every thing. As in: Every. Thing.
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Check out the rest of my photos from that awesome albiet rain delayed, adventure at inspiring Richter Park. They're on my Flickr.

Of Rain Delays & Rainbows - Unpredictable August Golf

This bucolic scene took place at Richter Park yesterday, shortly after we got back on course after a rain delay forced us to retreat to the Cafe on the Green and have a couple/few glasses of wine mid-round.

We were just finishing up the 9th hole when the sirens went off. The storm clouds had rolled in in a matter of minutes and thunder had begun to rumble in the distance.
The sky opened up and it poured torrentially while we enjoyed our unexpected lunch break. Then, right on cue about 40 minutes later, it suddenly cleared up, and we were off again, to start the back nine in lingering mist and occasional sprinkles. The photo above was taken on the 12th green.

Later, on the tee at the 14th, we encountered a rainbow. How perfect is that?



Click on the photos above to enlarge. On the second one you can even see a trace of the rainbow - BTW I realize Nick's oversized rain jacket isn't too flattering but it kept me dry. I'll be posting additional photos of this awesome day later.

Madonna Turns 50 - Gets Gifted with Golf Lessons

One of the great things about golf is that it actually gets more appealing as one gets older.

There are about six million U.S. golfers over age 50 and that number is expected to grow as more and more baby boomers reach the half century mark. So it's no surprise that when Justin Timberlake... a stellar golfer himself... was seeking a birthday gift for a certain, soon-to-be-50-year-old material girl, he thought of golf...and got her a gift certificate for golf lessons. Pretty thoughtful, Mr. Sexy Back.

My guess is that Madonna will learn quickly... and become a good player herself. After all, she's in great shape, and I get the impression she's very competitive. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if she broke 100 before she received her AARP card.

He Actually Showed up to Play Golf this Way...(Updated)

...at a private country club no less. Here's the memo that ensued -->

Subject:Dress Code Vilolator of the Day
Importance: High

This guy had Baggy skateboard Camouflage Cargo shorts. Shoes: (non visible) Flip Flops. Shirt: street, un-tucked, rolled up sleeves. His buddies did not look much better.

[Redacted] told them nicely that they had to conform and buy some clothes in the proshop. Three cheers for [Redacted]. I nominate him for employee of the month.

Enforcing the dress code is the answer to this problem.

Update Just to clarify: this memo was written by a friend of mine who is a board member at a country club. He knows I write about golf fashion and dress codes, and as such, he shared with me the memo and enclosed snapshot. So far opinions on this...outfit...have varied from "totally unacceptable - that kind of thing should never be permitted on a course" to "totally fine - dress codes just reinforce golf's elitist image problem". Oobgolf reblogged this post and also got diverse reactions. What do you think?

Standout Golf Shoes from a Creative Canadian

"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty."

If that quote from Imelda Marcos resonates with you... at all... you'll want to have a look at the amazing Nycole St. Louis golf shoe line. Yes, these are definitely golf shoes for the shoe whore aficionado.

Nycole is Canadian, she's based in Mont Tremblent, the whimsical Quebec mountain village famous for its ski slopes and chalets, but also known for its breathtaking golf courses. So Nycole does boots and golf shoes. And for both lines she selects leathers from Italy. But not just any leathers; these are uniquely colorful leathers, metallic and prints too. ...And she blends these eccentric colors and textures with ultra traditional elegant styling. The resulting look is pretty awesome. In my opinion. And the Imelda quote definitely resonates with me.

Golf in Dubai Just Keeps Getting Better

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know I've been dreaming of a Dubai golf trip for a while now. In fact, since I began writing this blog almost two years ago, I've done over a half a dozen lustful posts on the the dessert kingdom and its rapidly growing golf culture.



Well, it just keeps getting better. In fact, even getting there is getting better. Emirates, the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, has recently introduced the A380, a twin-deck, super fuel-efficient aircraft, that's been configured to provide a suprelative flying experience for all who enter its cabin.

Economy Class is fitted with seats that each feature over 1000 channels of on-demand movies, audio and TV, on a 10.6" Digital widescreen. Of course each seat also has its own laptop power supply and USB connection. In Business Class seats fully recline to a 79” long flat bed and include personal storage, massage features and a privacy divider...and every seat has access to the aisle. A personal high tech work space and mini-bar are built into each seat as well.

Then there's First Class, and that's where things get really sexy over-the-top luxurious. The steamy shower scene above...the one that ends with a rendevous in a swanky cocktail lounge with a waterfall and mood lighting...that all takes place in First Class on Emirates. Yes, there are two shower spas on the A380, as well an on board lounge for flirting socializing. And the seating? Sumptuous. Private. Suites. OK? BTW, I first read about this ultra-lux avaition experience on Julia Allison's Non-Society blog lifecast, and I can easily imagine the fabulous Julia ensconced in one of those first class suites.

Now I'm officially planning my Dubai golf trip, and I'm definitely planning to begin my trip with the New York-Dubai direct on Emirates. From there I've just got to decide which of the golf courses to play. Golf in Dubai lists nine, with more on the way, designed by legendary golfers and golf course architects. They all sound fabulous.

So, I'll keep you posted, but at this point I'm hoping for a February 2009 golf experience, in an over-the-top desert kingdom that just keeps getting better.

Golf's Hwy 18 - Don't Miss the Mini-Marathon

If you happened to miss either of the first two episodes of golf reality show Highway 18, you can catch up on Tuesday when the GOLF CHANNEL airs a mini-marathon starting at 8 p.m. ET. The series premiere, which featured a surprise guest appearance by Arnold Palmer, will kick-off the marathon at 8 p.m. ET. The teams will then battle it out in two swamps – one filled with gators and the other the home of the Florida Gators – in the second episode at 9 p.m. ET... followed by the series’ Rnewest episode at 10 p.m. ET.

It's an amazingly fun show, and the contestents are great. I wrote a bit about two of them, Charlotte Campbell and her brother Rob, last month. You remember Charlotte? She's the ultra cute golf girl who's created her own line of glittery ball manks. And the host of Hwy 18 is none other than Keri Murphy, the talented presenter of the Trivia Contest on GolfNow. (she's really cute too BTW)

So grab some popcorn, settle in, and catch up...with the golfers of Highway 18.

The PGA Championship and a Superlative Sergio Garcia

I had a pretty great time watching the PGA Championship today. The afternoon was drizzly and gray, and ideal for being at home with my MacBook + TV, which is what I require to watch a major these days.

I log onto Twitter once the players get to the back nine, and watch the action unfold with dozens of other golf fans, from all over the world. Today there were Sergio supporters from Spain AND a Padraig posse twittering by phone from a pub in Dublin. It got kind of crazy as the the two Euro golfers, Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia, vied for the lead.

In the end Padraig prevailed, with an impressive display of pressure putting, but not before Sergio showed his amazing skills AND his slightly mellowed demeanor. I'm sure he was crushed to have to keep the mantle of "Best Player Never to have won a Major" after coming so close to shedding it, but the truth is, he played well, and everyone was commenting that he seemed more mature...less emotional. He'll get rid of the "BPNWM" moniker eventually, it just wasn't quite his time yet. The thing is, whether you like him or not, Sergio Garcia is an ultra entertaining player to watch.

(Photo: Getty Images: Warren Little)

Golf is Assuredly a Mystifying Game

"Golf is assuredly a mystifying game. It would seem that if a person has hit a golf ball correctly a thousand times, he should be able to duplicate the performance at will. But this is certainly not the case." Robert Tyre Jones

I love that quote. Leave it to Bobby Jones to so perfectly present this particular golf conundrum. I love the photo too. It was matched with the Bobby Jones quote in the most recent issue of 19th Hole a new golf-inspired luxury and leisure publication based in Atlanta.

When you wish to see the most beautiful golf equipment, apparel and accessories, presented in the most luxurious settings... by the most talented stylists and photographers... you're going to reach for 19th hole. Because that's what it is. The magazine has wonderful articles about cuisine and spirits too. As well as awesome golf travel destinations... and much more.

Have a look the summer issue now here. You'll probably what to subscribe. I did... and now of course I'm making a my wish list.

Girl's Golf - Learning to Play in a Ladylike Way

According to Thomas Bendelow, a golf expert interviewed by the New York Times, women don't learn golf as easily as men.

Women don't learn as easily, he says, because they "are not accustomed to taking regular exercise," and, he adds, "they want to play golf the way they play croquet". (yes... croquet... that's what he said.)

"Women don't use their arms," he continued, "they have no use for them above the elbow. That makes it hard for them to learn golf".

If this sounds a bit "off" to you, and I really hope it does, it's because it was written in 1898, a couple of years before the turn of the last century. I came across it today in the "Gray Lady's" archives.

As much as I was turned off by the article's cavalier acceptance of the limits imposed on women back then, I've got to admit I was seduced by it's quaint language and the picture it painted of a society far more naive and innocent than ours...far less complicated.

The piece is about a group of girls taking golf lessons during winter in a gymnasium. It talks about "exciting times in which the balls are flying around the big hall in such gay fashion on these cold Winter days". (Obviously, gay had only one meaning back then and it wasn't the one that's most common today).

In speaking about the small carpeted putting surfaces, the writer explains to his 19th century readers that, though indoor golf "may not sound very attractive, with a club once in hand, a putting green has a fascination not to be withstood." Old fashioned language yes, but the message resonates as much today as ever.

I'd definitely recommend you read the article. It's fun and fascinating and it transports you back through history to that earlier world; a world where long irons were called "cleeks", tees were made of paper and "short skirts" fell just above the ankle.

It's not that I'd ever want live in that era, but I like reading about it, and sometimes it even inspires me to act more ladylike...for a couple of minutes.

Create Your Own Golf Word Orgy (Awesome)

You know how every once in a while you come across something so fabulous you just want to tell everyone about it...But then you don't really want people to know about it because it's so good you want it to be your secret...And then, in the end, you've just got to share it because it wouldn't be fair to keep it to yourself?

Well that's what happened with me and Wordle. Wordle is a website that takes your text and magically mixes it up into a beautiful "orgy of words" (my discription). You can enter a page of text or even a URL... or you can selectively enter chosen words. In each case an amazingly formatted word cloud will result and I assure you, you'll be delighted. Yes delighted I said, and I mean it. It's that much fun.

I actually discovered Wordle on Meghan Asha's ultra amazing blog. Meghan is a gorgeous geek (yep, they exist)... one of the fabulous Non Society girls. Since she was nice enough to share it with her readers, I thought I should be too.

Of course the first thing I did was to put in golf words. The wordle above is just a snippet of the wikipedia entry for "golf". Yep, believe it or not. ...And the two below are two different renditions of one of my favorite blog posts. The one I wrote recently about the Lacoste family. There are tons of stellar wordles on the site too.

So give Wordle a try, use your imagination and create your own orgy. Believe me, it's fun!





























Update Had to add this "PGA Tour winners from 1997 to 2007" by reader Cal. Such a perfect graphic representation of Tiger's dominance.

Beijing Olympics Pave the Way for Golf in China

The sacred flame arrived in the Chinese capitol this morning, and in just a couple of days fireworks will burst forth from "The Bird's Nest" (as China's Olympic National Stadium is affectionately known) signaling the start of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

For China...and for the entire world...the impact that this international sporting event will have will be nothing short of transformational. The years leading up to this Olympic summer have already transformed the city of Beijing physically, but it's the collective cultural and psychological transformation, that I'm thinking about. China will undoubtedly look at itself differently... and we, the rest of the world... will never again imagine China in the way we used to imagine it. China is going to be on display for the next couple of weeks as it never has in it's history.

Golf is not currently an Olympic Sport, and that's a whole nother story, but a couple of China's golf courses will featured during the games, in the equestrian events, which will be held in Hong Kong, not Beijing. The Cross-Country part of the competition will take place at the Hong Kong Golf Club and the adjacent Beas River Country Club in Sheung Shui. It's extremely hot and humid in Hong Kong, so huge misting tents have been brought in with large fans that blow icy sprinkles of water on the horses thus cooling them after a race. (I get the impression some of my TX golf buddies wouldn't mind that kind of post round cooling system at their courses right about now).

The fact is, many of China's courses will be discovered, visited and ultimately publicized, by Olympic spectators from all over the world who decide to incorporate a round of golf into their Olympic visit to China.

Mission Hills, is the worlds largest golf complex and comprises 12 signature courses designed by golf legends: Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Zhang Lian Wei, David Leadbetter, Greg Norman, Jumbo Ozaki, Vijay Singh, Annika Sorenstam and David Duval. The golf club recently introduced special golf packages in advance of the Beijing Olympics on the premise that many who come to China for he games "will take an extended vacation and stay to explore Beijing as well as other parts of China".

Like just about everything else in China golf seems ready to grow. In a major way - and very quickly. Not long after the excitement of the Olympics dies down, China will be setting up to host its first ever LPGA tournament. The new event will take place from Oct. 24-26 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in Haikou, the capital of the island dubbed "China's Hawaii". Sounds kind of ...nice...doesn't it?

I plan to write more about golf in China in coming months. Everything about it fascinates me: the sheer newness, the extraordinary potential and the unique Chinese style that combines traditional beauty and modern functionality.

So, Beijing here I come...hopefully soon.

Photograph: © Olympic National Stadium during a rehearsal for opening day of the 2008 Olympic Games. (Andy Wong/AP)

Golf Fashion - Outfit Ideas Made Simple

Everyday I get two or three emails about golf fashion.

Yesterday I got one from a gal in Indiana who had finally ditched her boxy shorts for close-fitting capris and was having trouble finding a properly proportioned top, and another from a sprightly senior golfer whose husband finally seemed ready to modernize his golf look after three decades of the same conservative, monochromatic outfits.

Both asked me if I could help them find something. What I normally do in these cases is recommend one or two sites where they can look around... or send them a photo or two of things I've found in the past that I feel might work for their couture current conundrum... and that's fine, I suppose.

But I've always longed for a better solution. One that would allow me to easily present a full concept; an outfit template, or just some random pieces that they could easily visualize and put together.

Enter pikkee.com I came upon this great site via Mary Rambin's awesome fashion/tech/lifestyle blog. Take my word for it, Mary is ultra energetic, well connected and able to spot the good stuff.

Anyway pikkee.com is like a virtual dressing room where you can bring in tons of pieces from all over, then put them together any way you want. You post them on your own page...like I did... then you can have you friends register and comment on them, or make suggestions, or created outfits of their own. It's highly social and interactive. Each piece can be named too. That way when someone clicks on an item they can see who makes it, and where it comes from.

Pikkee is not specifically for golf but that's what I'm using it for. And I think it'll go a long way in helping me guide some of the inquiring, aspiring golf fashionistas who write to me.


Brands featured above--> Glove: Gloveit, -->Shoes: Aerogreen, -->Sleeveless sweater: Izod, -->Skort: Lacoste, -->Cap: Vintage Lacoste

Golf Legends Share the Lead at Bridgestone (Updated)

UpGoing into the final round at the Bridgestone Invitational the legends in question, Vijay Singh and Phil Mikelson, share the lead with one of England's' top golfers, Lee Westwood. And Stuart Appleby is right behind them. So nothing is certain this Sunday morning.

But what I want to know goes beyond Akron, OH...beyond this particular World Golf Championship event, to something more... visceral: which one of these two golfers is the most "popular"?

To some the answer might seem obvious. A friend of mine suggested that Phil would come out on top because "he's an American and he has a hot wife". And as trite as that may sound, maybe it's reason enough for some to choose Mickelson. However, I've encountered a fair number of Mickelson detractors over the years, and I know I'm not alone in my unwavering admiration for fabulous Fijian, Vijay Singh.



These two players are decidedly polarizing, and it's well known that they're not the best of friends. So, I want to know, once and for all, what you think. Not of their golf ability per se, I want to know which one you like better, it's as simple and as complicated as that. That's what I mean by visceral, so please vote, I want to get tot the bottom of this.

Update: Congratulations Vijay!!!

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images, left and right; Sam Greenwood, via Getty Images

Weekend Golf Stories - The Girls at Sunningdale

With British Women's Open well underway, the girls of the LPGA will be center stage all weekend at windy Sunningdale.

The action is on the Old Course, where Cristie Kerr had the low round of the day yesterday, an amazing 65, bringing her to -8. She's now in a tie for fourth.

Fellow American Julie Inkster has been hovering towards the top of the leader board since the tournament began and is currently third behind a Ji-Yai Shin / Yuri Fudoh tie, while defending champion Lorena Ochoa, along with Japanese star, Ai Miyazato and the iconic Natalie Gulbis are in a three way tie just behind Cristie and Bo Bae Song. There's lots of golf yet to be played in this, the last, major of the LPGA season, and it looks from here, like it'll be quite exciting.

On this side on the Atlantic we saw Michelle Wie miss yet another cut, that after a hopeful round on Thursday. She was playing with the guys, as she's want to do, and, as always, seemed pretty immune to the ample criticism she received for her efforts. So, Michelle is out of the running at the Reno-Tahoe Open and that brings me right back across the ocean to Sunningdale. Yes, it's the Girls I'm following this weekend.