Golf Travel Can Easily Become Addictive

I'm back in my Connecticut office this morning going through the myriad photos and videos from my two awesome weeks of travel in Greece.

The sun soaked days flew by. As expected were ultra-impressed by the historical relics and picturesque beaches the country is known for, but we also discovered a nascent golf culture that's setting the stage for a significant growth in golf tourism here in the coming years. Over the next days I'll be posting about the resorts I visited... and as we head into 2010 I'll covering some of the exciting new golf developments in Greece.

I'll also be traveling to other amazing places where golf tourism is developing... and, while playing in Greece, I think we may have discovered a perfect destination for our next golf travel adventure:

We were on the terrace at the delightful Crete Golf Club having drinks after our afternoon round and noticed an attractive couple of stylish seniors (looking like they just stepped out of a Cialis ad - minus the bathtubs) seated next to us. They were having an animated discussion about the Course we'd all just played. It wasn't long before they engaged us in their conversation and we came to find out that though they were indeed from the US, (Grosse Pointe, MI, originally) they now lived in Central America, in Panama to be exact. They explained that Panama, like Greece, has discovered the wonder of golf... and the benefits of golf tourism.

It seems that quite a number of North Americans are choosing to retire in this Central American country and take advantage of it's great weather, Atlantic and Pacific Beaches, low taxes, and now...golf. According to our new ex-Michigan friends, millions have been spent recently to make Panama a first-class golf destination and the courses are amazing. While we're not ready to relocate at this point they told us that there were some fabulous Panama hotels and resorts that would be perfect for a golf trip.

So as I lay the ground work for a January golf escape I'll definitely be thinking Panama. Maybe we'll even get to see those matching bathtubs.

Photos: Greece Golf Travel on a BMW Bike & Porto Rafti Church © GolfGirlMedia ❀ Το Γκολφ στην Ελλάδα, Greek Golf Tourism

Golf on Crete - Two Days, Two Courses ... To Come

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...and I even managed some time at the beach. The real beach, not the bunkers (spent some time there too).

Now however, I'm back in Athens, and the city is teaming with returning vacationers. Everywhere you look you get a sense of the end of summer, though warm weather often prevails till late October and even the winter months are mild compared to ours in New England. The golf courses are open... and enjoyed... all year round too.

I'll be posting on the Crete courses in the coming days. Right now we're heading to a friends Kolonaki apartment for dinner. We may try to get another round in at Glyfada tomorrow before taking off for home on Sunday.

It's been an awesome trip, one that's given me a better understanding of the universal nature of perceptions (and misconceptions) about golf and how passionate golfers... in all corners of the world, it seems... are dealing with them.


Το Γκολφ στην Ελλάδα, Greek Golf Tourism

Traveling Golf Girl Brings Along Her Fave Five

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I'm about to head off to a reputedly beautiful golf course on the island of Crete.

There's nothing like golf travel to open ones eyes to the myriad possibilities this game holds.

Variations in topography and climate, as well as local and exotic vegetation, create distinct experiences from place to place, and require you to adapt your game...sometimes even your entire strategy. Add to that the fact that you may be playing with a dubious and unfamiliar set of rental clubs, and the challenges are amplified.

For this particular trip we debated long and hard about bringing our golf clubs. Not only were we encountering draconian baggage restrictions on Delta Airlines, but we were already carrying many pairs of obscure and expensive designer jeans for Greek friends who seem to be obsessed appreciate such things. And jeans, designer or not, are heavy.



My solution was to take one golf bag for both Nick and I, and each bring five clubs. That would keep the number of bags - and the weight - down. It was then that I asked the golfers on Twitter and at the Business Golf Country Club which clubs they'd choose if they had to play with only five for an entire summer. I posed the question that way because I wanted to determine which clubs they were actually most attached to day-to-day. I automatically included my putter, which I have an unhealthy attachment to and my amazing Sweet Spot driver, so it was the other three items I was interested in knowing about... and I got lots of replies (thanks so much to the repliers).



Though there were many variations, basically, the theme was this: 1 hybrid, 1 iron, 1 wedge. Duh, right? In the majority of cases, it was 3H, 7I + 56*/60* wedge. Which is what I went with in the end.

And here's the thing... I feel like I'm playing better here - with just my five clubs - than I play in CT with my full set. And the courses definitely haven't been easier. OK, yes... I have missed a couple of shots that I might I'm convinced I could have made had I had "the right clubs." But basically, I feel like the pared down set has removed some of the distraction that comes with a myriad of choices. After all, I'm a recreational golfer who's been playing for three seasons, and just broke 100 a month ago.



I packed my Sweet Spot 3H which is currently my favorite club. It's 19* of multi-faceted, playing perfection, and it's one of three Sweet Spot hybrids I play with regularly. They're all stellar and uber-stylish. With it's pink on black stripes. It's inspired some major club-lust here, and on my next trip I have a feeling I'll be over Sweet Spot golf clubs instead of designer jeans. My 7I is far more basic, as 7Is should be. It's a no-nonsense relic from my first days of golf and the Ram set I got for $80 at Target. Finally there's my Cleveland 56* CG11 wedge, which is what I feel most comfortable with around the greens, in the traps and - to be honest - on any shorter shot. It just works for me. Oh BTW, with room for only one pair of golf shoes I chose my PUMA black & whites. A good choice.



So there you have it. My solution to the golf vs. baggage restriction issue, a dilema golfers will probably encounter more and more frequently as airlines attempt to trim costs. And yes, of course Nick has been blaming his every mishit and each of his blatant miscalculations on a missing club that would have been perfect for that shot.

But you wouldn't do that, would you?

My awesome Sweet Spot 3H and my favorite PUMA golf shoes ❀ Photo by Golf Girl Media Το Γκολφ στην Ελλάδα, Greek Golf Tourism

Notes From A Golf Adventure in Greece - Part I

Where I am right now - in the Athens suburb of Philothei - things are quite normal now; parents are pushing prams to the park and tourists are making dinner plans. It's a typical mid-August evening in the Greek capital.

There was a whole different scene going on over the weekend though, a fairly stressful one. In a number of Athenian suburbs, just beyond the hills surrounding the city, massive forest fires raged.

Fortunately the worst appears to be over for this part of Greece, with no loss of life. A lot of homes were lost though, and thousands were evacuated. My thoughts go out to them as they pick up the pieces.

Despite the smokey air in many sections of the city, the seaside community of Glyfada remained fairly untouched. There was just a slight haze, as evidenced in the photo below. This allowed us to hit the fairways and greens of the Glyfada Golf Club on both Saturday and Sunday. I'll be telling you about my experiences on this fun, friendly course and some of it's unusual features later this week. For now though I'm heading out to the Island of Crete to experience two reputedly delightful golf venues.

My first stop will be Crete Golf Club, the island's first 18 hole course. From what I've heard, it's quite challenging and features some amazing views and impressive terrain.

Then I'll head to the Porto Elounda Resort, for golf at Porto Elounda Golf Club . It too sounds awesome, I'm quite sure I'll need to investigate the resort's Six Senses Spa after my rigorous round after all it's been described as the best on-site spa in the world by many.

Greece is a country on the verge of a major golf tourism transformation, with a major resort in the Peloponese region set to open in the Spring, so it's great to get to see some of the resorts and courses that'll play into this sun-soaked country's golf future.

Stop back for more Golf in Greece in the days to come.




















Photos by Golf Girl Media ❀  Το Γκολφ στην Ελλάδα, Greek Golf Tourism

The Sexiest Woman Alive Plays Golf Barefoot

The ultra sexy woman in question is Halle Berry, and she did, in fact, come out on top of Esquire's famous list last year.

Not long ago she was spotted on a the golf course with an entourage that included her little girl, 16-month-old baby girl Nahla, and Nahla's Dad, Gabriel Aubry

Ms. Berry wore a somewhat unconventional golf outfit that featured ... a lack of footwear.

OK, most of us couldn't get away with such a subversive style statement. But then most of us aren't Halle Berry.

Solheim 2009 - Kerr-Creamer Butt-fives Criticized

Solheim Day two of is dawning in Sugar Grove (I love that name) with clear skies and the home team ahead by one.

Day one was long but compelling; a winning finish by the star pairing of Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer - after a battle that lasted almost six hours - set the tone for the day.

Down early on, Ms. Creamer's 45 foot birdie putt on 16 followed by Ms. Kerr's birdies on 17 and 18, turned the day around. These ladies showed the collected golf fans...on site and on-line... what teamwork is all about.

However, there were some who did not appreciate the... enthusiasm... of the American players.

Lindsey Willhite writing for the Daily Herald said, "I Can't say I'm enchanted by the "butt-fives" that Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer are sharing, but whatever works. If it makes Joe Sixpack tune in, fine by me."

It's fine by me too, and I'm looking forward to day two in Sugar Grove.

[Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images] ❀

Golf Girl's Diary Readers Always Amaze Me

The text on the e-card said "Golf Girl is a Real Doll"

Aw... Thanks ...I ♥ you Carley Robbins, and I hope you do start your own golf blog. Soon.

Cristie Kerr's Quantum Leap - #1 On So Many Levels

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As the Solheim Cup teams prepare to square off in Sugar Grove, one US team member is finding herself in the Number 1 spot in an increasing array of categories. I've written about Cristie Kerr's awesome ascent over the past several weeks, and it just keeps getting more impressive. Let's review her Roster of Ones.

* LPGA Official Money List
* Rolex Player of the Year
* Scoring/Vare Trophy
* Rounds under par
* Top-10 finishes
* Birdies
* Eagles

Now add to those the GolfWeek Sagarin Performance Index, which just put CK at #1, a smidge ahead of Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer. It was
The Constructivist, writing about Cristie's consistency in his excellent blog, Mostly Harmless who called the feat a quantum leap.

I've seen Cristie on the golf course and have always been impressed, A few days ago however, I got to observe her in another roll, that of hostess at the fifth annual Birdies for Breast Cancer Charity Golf Classic and Gala. The exciting event took place just this past Friday at stunning Liberty National Golf Course in Jersey City, NJ. The full day event featured a golf tournament with More than 20 LPGA players and a number of celebrities from the entertainment world. The on-course action was followed by a Todd English dinner, a silent auction, and a poker tournament.

And you know what? Cristie was every bit as dynamic in the hostess roll as she is when playing tournaments. Wearing a gorgeous strapless dress of fuchsia silk, she animated the evening with aplomb. It was several hours of glamorous, glittery, fun and Early estimates are that $350,000 was raised for Cristie's charity, Birdies for Breast Cancer. This year all proceeds will go towards the establishment of the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center at Liberty Health’s Jersey City Medical Center.

I've made a little collage with some the photos from that awesome evening and will post more, along with some video, over the next couple of weeks. I've got to admit I didn't do as much photography/videography I would've liked... Sorry, I was just too busy having fun.

Morefar Golf Course is Back in the Headlines

Resurgent rumblings of taxpayer-funded, AIG excesses - such as the + $7,000,000 CEO pay package they announced today - have provoked a spate of stories on Morefar Golf Course. Including a rather prominent one in the New York Times.

Anyone who reads Golf Girl's Diary regularly knows I've been obsessing writing about this tempting track for a while now. If you google Morefar blog - as the NYT guys most likely did - I'm right up there. Same thing with Morefar AIG.

I happen to live right down the street from the foreboding stone columns that flank the entrance to the forbidden course, and I frequently play at Richter Park, the public course that allows tantalizing glimpses of Morefar's pristine fairways.

Neither the NYT piece, nor any of the other posts and articles that appeared today, revealed anything new about the actual ownership of Morefar, they simply reiterated what I wrote about last fall and this past spring: That though once associated with AIG, the association crumbled with the ouster of Hank Greenberg, who once presided over the bailed-out insurance empire... and that Mr. Greenberg now apparently oversees the course through a secretive entity called Starr International. My posts tell of my own failed attempt to play - or at least see - the course, and my continued interest as stories of additional bailouts and outrageous bonuses kept bubbling into the headlines.

One day last April, I was passing through the area on a Sunday afternoon with my Tap-in Twin sister, Cat, and spontaneously decided to drive up through the stone gates, fully expecting to be stopped in our tracks by the vigilant Morefar bouncers security forces. But strangely enough, we weren't. Perhaps because it was still off-season and late on a Sunday afternoon, there was no one anywhere around. We drove up the narrow, one-lane ribbon of pavement and at the top of a hill came upon the grass tennis court we'd been told about. It was presided over by two whimsically erotic (that's the only way I can describe them) "horsegirl" sculptures. The nubile centaurs were bronze, I believe, and were all the more unique because they each gracefully wielded a tennis racquet.

Unfortunately just after passing the court, and just as we saw the sign indicating the first tee beyond the crest of the hill, the road abruptly narrowed into a cart path. Dusk was falling and it was eerily silent, something told us not to get out of the car and venture forth on foot. We backed down to the stone gates and quickly went on our way.

Though we were able to get in and out of the compound without incident, we weren't able to inquire about the possibility of playing there, and the sublime sculptures we saw only confirmed our suspicions that Morefar was indeed a special place.

In early summer another reader sent me a note about a fundraiser taking place at Morefar, that is seemingly open to anyone willing to pay the sponsorship, which I believe is around $350 for an individual golfer. This charity event happens to fall during a time I'll be traveling, but it allows me to hope that I'll be able to play the course eventually... and though I don't know that it'll be through a charity tournament, I'm pretty sure I'll walk those mysterious fairways someday.

Golf Notes from Greece & The PGA Championship

Admittedly it's a country more famous for gods and goddesses than golf, but for the next two weeks I'll be posting from Greece where I'm on a workation that'll combine business with pleasure.

Greece has a long tradition in sports - after all, it's the country that invented the Olympics - and at a time when golf is poised to become an Olympic sport, Greece is on its way to becoming a medal-worthy golf destination with the Spring 2010 opening of Costa Navarino, a spectacular, state-of-the-art resort complex on a pristine stretch of the Ionian sea in the southwest Peloponnese region. I'll be writing about this ambitious undertaking, and will be covering courses near Athens and on a couple of Greek Islands.

Meanwhile, as I managed my jet lag and got my internet/blackberry coverage set up, the PGA Championship came to its surprising ... no... stunning conclusion. I didn't hear about it until about 3:00AM, when I awoke to the clipped voice of a CNN International reporter announcing the upset. Fearless was the descriptive I read most frequently in the golf media this morning describing Mr. Yang's come-from-behind victory. As I see it, this tenacious, hard working champion will almost certainly have a more significant impact on the future of golf than all three of the other 2009 major winners combined, due to the unique nature of his country's relationship to golf ...and its place in the world today.

Well, I'm debating: writing vs. beach....Ok, see you later.

Breaking Golf News - Alvaro Quiros is Awesome

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Well it's not news to everyone. Some of us have been noticing his ultra-sexy awesomeness impressive game for a while now. After all, he's led the European Tour in driving for the last three years. He's won three times on the European Tour, most recently at the Qatar Masters in January.

But he missed the cuts at the first three majors and kind of fell off our collective radar for a little while. Last week, at Firestone Country Club, interest in Alvaro was reignited with his second round, bogey-free, 5-under-par 65, not to mention a little exhibition he put on with a a 1954 MacGregor Tourney M85 persimmon driver (Ryan Ballengee, eat your heart out).

If there was any lingering doubt about the sexy Spaniard and his off-the-chart spectacular-ness, it was knocked with his performance on the 11th hole par 5 in first round of the PGA Championship Hazeltine yesterday when he stunned Tiger Woods & Padraig Harrington with a second shot... hit with his driver... that rolled onto the green while they were still in the process of putting.

Tiger called the performance "stupid long" and "phenomenal" and as rich Rich Beem, who won the 2002 PGA Championship, and was paired with the dueling leaders, explained “We were like holy S#!T. Just unbelievable." The self-effacing Sr. Quiros tends to explain the secret to his powerful swing in simple terms, like; "I'm tall and I have long arms." He finished round one in a tie for third.

So let's parse this out... Alvaro Quiros is a 26 year old golfer who is impressing the sport's best, he's ultra-nice as well as exceptionally attractive and when he's in the US, he's ...lonely??? "...outside (the course), I'm too alone, which is a difficult situation to manage." OK... I'm certainly not alone in my desire to help this young man out but I'm way over in CT, perhaps there's someone in the Land of 10,000 Lakes who'd like to step up to the plate?

I took the photo above at the US Open in June. Unfortunately, it's probably as close as I'll ever get to the object of my desires attractive Spanish golfer, but there's no denying Mr. Quiros has now established himself as a certified Spanish Sensation.

Photos: Alvaro Quiros on the 15th at Bethpage Black, US Open 2009 / ©Golf Girl Media ❀

Golf Snacks - Create Your Very Own Twinkie Killer

A couple of weeks ago - when Tiger Woods was being criticized for his supposedly substandard "on-course antics" - it was noted that during one of his rounds he had angrily attacked a peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich.

This spirited snacking was part of a so-called "Tiger Temper Tantrum" which apparently offended those looking to Mr. Woods as roll model for impeccable on-course behavior. It also exposed an issue many of us grapple with while playing golf. What to eat when you have to eat something during the three and a half to five and a half hours it takes to play the average recreational round?

Many choose that ubiquitous rectangle of digestible carbohydrates known as an energy bar... or a power bar... or a protein bar. Whatever you may call it, it's practical and generally fuels the body pretty effectively. Sometimes it doesn't taste great, but that's never really been the point of protein bar.

Well what if you could customize your own bar...choose the texture and the ingredients...make it as sweet, or as salty, or as power-laden as you like? That would be awesome wouldn't it?

Well you can. Bespoke "element bars" are now a reality, and you can whip up yous at the Element Bars website. Then you just need to come up with a name for the bar-chitectural creation, and order it. And within days you'll be munching your mulit-grain marvel on the fairways. 12 bars are $36.

I've got to say, I LOVE this. Some of you may remember my unhealthy appetite for a certain "Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling". Well, people this new element bar of mine will definitely go better with my Michelob Ultra Amber! I'm thinking it may just be a Twinkie killer. ✩

Slow Play Controversy and a Fine for Tiger Woods

In golf, as in most professional sports, there's always some kind of controversy swirling, somewhere. It's only natural.

You take famous athletes with big personalities - blend in some passionate fans who worship those athletes - add lots of rules, many of which are open to interpretation - and throw it all into a mixing bowl of media that includes everything from independent bloggers to the established 24-hour sports networks. It's a classic recipe for controversy. Even Julia Child would agree with that.

Golf's Controversy du Jour, the one some are calling the "Woods-Harrington-John Paramor "on-the-clock" incident" and other simply refer to as the "Clock Kerfuffle", appears to be quite minor on the scale of golf controversies. The underlying topic - slow play - is one that a solid majority of players, both recreational and professional cite as one of golf's most significant problems. Perhaps because of that, there was not much of an outcry to back up the criticism levied on rules official, John Paramor by Tiger Woods yesterday at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Mr. Woods made his feelings known when he and Padraig Harrington were put on the clock at the par-5 16th. For those who don't know Padraig subsequently floundered, a triple bogey snowman ensued, and Tiger took the tournament with a four shot victory.

Then - post-victory - the winner made a couple of statements that, it now seems, may have led him to an undisclosed fine... and though many voiced sympathy for Mr. Harrington's lost opportunity, there was little in the way of support for Tiger's anti-Paramor protests.

At this point you're probably wondering why, other than the fact that *I once dated had a photo taken with him, I chose to illustrate this post with a picture of Sergio Garcia.

Though I'm confident the ruling would have been the same, I couldn't help but wonder if the reaction - on the part of the fans and journalists ...even on the part of Tiger - would have had a different tone had the surly Spaniard been on the clock at the 16th instead of the prim, proper Irishman. I'm quite sure the vibe would have been distinctly different. We probably would have heard a tad more whining too.

Photo: Golf Girl Media ❀

Cristie Kerr - A Magnanimous, Multi-Faceted Life

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She's an LPGA golf champion and a fundraising phenom with her own foundation. She's also getting ready to release her own wine.

And as if that weren't enough... Cristie's one of those girls who looks as good in jeans as she does in an evening gown. (OK... some might find that last observation a tad superficial but damn ...I couldn't help noticing it.)

Then there's her legendary determination and amazing energy level. Over the next couple of weeks Ms. Kerr will be calling on both of those attributes as she gets ready to host the yearly Birdies For Breast Cancer fundraiser next weekend, and compete with Team USA in the Solheim Cup a the week after that.

Recently, Steve DiMeglio wrote about Cristie's many commitments for USA Today.

Photos: left - Wojciech Migda, right - Wire Images ❀

Join the Par-tee at Pink Diva Golf... and Win Bling

If you're into golf and social media you probably know Pink Diva - she's all over the social networks - and if you're a fashion-forward Golf Girl I'm guessing I know you love the line...because what's not to love?

The Diva does golf apparel and accessories... jewelry and bags too... and she does it with an inimitable style that's ultra-cute, but still a bit edgy. That's a killer combination, IMHO.

I've worn her tee shirts and hoodies for years and they're the ones I keep reaching for because they're cut in a way that flatters to the maximum (I'm very susceptible to flattery).

And lately, this awesome young entrepreneur has been upgrading and innovating. She's revamped her website to integrate everything PD; Her shop, blog, history, links and more...it's all there under one roof... so to speak.

The highlight of the latest Divaesque collection is the stylishly sparkly Golf Bling line. They're 100% tee-shirts and hoodies emblished with hundreds of gilttery Swarovski crystals, and they definitely take Golf Diva style to the next level... times ten! And if you act fast, you can win one!

All you have to do is post at Pink Diva's site and tell her which design you like best....then send an email to: giveaways@pinkdivagolf.com with your Name, email address, and the name of the design you’d like. And remember to let the lady know if you'd like to sign up for her mailing list. But be quick, the contest closes at the end of this weekend and winners will be chosen Monday.

I'm loving my Pink Diva Golf Bling shirt, in fact it's my new favorite way to sparkle. Leave it to Diva.

One Golf Guy's Michael Jordan Fashion Obsession

The Golf Guy in question is none other than the one sometimes known as "Mr. Golf Girl". Yes I'm talking about my husband, Nick.

Nick's never been particularly interested in golf fashion, preferring to stick with the classic khaki trousers + solid polo + golf cap. Always American cut - despite his French background - and always within a very limited color pallet. As much as I've tried to inject some color into his golf wardrobe, he still sticks with his Black, White, Brown and Navy. It's not too exciting but it seems to work for him.

So I was surprised when he seemed fixated on Mr. Jordan's purple shirt during the recent Tahoe Celebrity Golf Challenge. When I mentioned it, he revealed that he'd been obsessing over admiring Mr. Jordan's golf style for years, and considered him the best dressed golfer he'd ever seen on any course, anywhere. So maybe MJ might be just the inspiration Nick needs to change it up... add a little color maybe. I can think of worse golf fashion roll models.

Oh, and if you've ever seen Michael Jordan in his underwear you probably know: a) he looks good in white and b) he represents Hanes. For the chance to win a VIP trip for two to MJ's own Celebrity Golf Invitational at Atlantis, Paradise Island (which looks to be the awesome-est event ever in history) enter the MJ MiniGolf Sweepstakes. There's a fun on line game to play too.

Get Ready for The Wife Swapping Golfers

OK, I know how it sounds, but I assure you this isn't a salacious excerpt from a John Updike novel. Neither is it an intro to the headline act at an upcoming swinger's convention.

It's actually a casting call and it may apply to you...and yours. I received an email from a casting director earlier today. She's looking for "Golf Families" for ABC's Wife Swap. Which is one of the better reality shows IMO. It's the one where two women from drastically different families change places and live each other's lives for seven days.

For this particular episode they want one of the moms to be golf obsessed. As in: your life revolves around getting to a tee time, golf lesson, or driving range and sharing golf with your family. The chosen family will receive a generous financial honorarium.

So, if that's you... and you're interested, please send me an email...with your email, so I can send it on to the casting director who'll then contact you.

You can always find me here: thegolfgirl@gmail.com

The Sharpie Marker - A Versatile Golf Accessory

I've always loved markers.
While other art students toiled with a water color wash, or methodically assembled a mixed media collage, I'd grab a fist full of felt tips and take my inspiration from the pure, Disneyesque colors. Oh I tried other mediums, but always came back to the redolent pens that seemed to simplify...and amplify... the creative process.

That however was back in elementary school where I temporarily abandoned my artistic aspirations. By the time I was inspired to create art again, computers had become ubiquitous, and I suddenly had access to many millions of colors that could be transformed, texturized or erased with little more than a mouse click.









When I started playing golf however, I rediscovered the joy of marker art, using Sharpies to decorate mark my balls. I collected the full arsenal of colors and found that ball marking could actually be a creative outlet. OK, one time I went overboard and turned my ball into such an overwhelming orgy of color that it hurt my eyes to look at it. Needless to say, that resulted in some less than stellar shots. But I learned from the experience and now observe a self-imposed three color maximum rule.

In addition to decorating and distinguishing my balls, I use Sharpies with my Line-M-Up which gives me some much needed guidance on the green. And when I go to ProAms and tournaments, they're great for autographs; on balls, caps (Padraig Harrington used one to sign the cap I'm wearing above), gloves, programs... even on skin.

Sharpie is social too. Very social. In addition to their excellent corporate website, they have Sharpie Uncapped, a site full of ideas and contests and colorful...whatnots. Then there's the highly engaging Sharpie Blog, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel and a Flickr group. I know. It doesn't get much more social than that. Sharpie simply excels a social media... in large part because of their astute, on-staff social media evangelist, Susan Wassel, aka. @sharpiesusan. Yes, of course they're on Twitter.

Well, I'm playing a twilight round a bit later... I've got to go decorate mark my ball.

An Awesome PUMA Open at Black Bear Golf Club, NJ

 

For those who don't know, The PUMA Open is golf...with a major attitude adjustment... in the sense that some minor rules are broken.

Some traditions fall by the wayside too, and with them quite a few inhibitions. Like the one that dictates you shouldn't use your putter for your tee shots... or the inhibition of wearing three differnt argyle patterns. Simultaneously.

I witnessed both of those occurances last week at New Jersey's Black Bear Golf Club. I was there with Cat for the PUMA Open and it was extremely awsome. The competition was exciting and challenging - if somewhat unorthodox - and there was dinner and a casino evening. I'll have more details for you on this fantastic event plus a video a bit later.

Tiger Woods - Back to Being a Role Model ?

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Well, those who were on his case criticizing him just a week ago for "on-course antics", are probably still not convinced. After all, just today Mr. Woods was seen:

A. muttering and shaking his head.

B. stepping out of his stance and kicking a bug.

C. slamming his 3-wood into his bag (then aggressively attacking a peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich).

Clearly, the tempestuous Tiger still has some work to do if he wants to regain his role model status.

But, if you're talking about "roll models" you might be onto something, at least if you judge from this 33 foot birdie putt he made on the 17th hole today at the 2009 Buick Open.

Tomorrow Mr. Woods takes a one point lead into the final round at Warwick Hills G&CC.

Updated: Oh yes...and then he won.

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images ❀

Christina Kim Sets Aside the Instant Gratification

With direction from her Dad and inspiration from Lee Trevino, Christina Kim finds herself in second place heading into the final round of the RICOH Women's British Open.

It must have taken quite a balancing act for this player... known as one of the LPGA's most animated, and an admitted fan of instant gratification... to follow her father's advice to be patient.

I'm paraphrasing here, but basically what dad told daughter going into Saturday's round was: embrace the birdies, accept the bogeys and take one shot at a time. Simple, sensible advice, but certainly easier said than done, specially when you tend to get teed off on the golf course like Christina admits to doing. In fact Christina recently revealed that her heart-on-sleeve style was reinforced by years of watching Lee Trevino.

On a fashion note, I was extremely impressed with her second round outfit. I love the sleek black-on-black-with-a-tiny-jolt-of-color and I love that it looks really warm and comfortable without looking bulky. I happen to hate cold weather, but Christina's outfit actually made me look forward to playing winter golf... for a couple of seconds at least.

The truth is, I've been a Cristina Kim fan for ages, so I'm just pretty darn ecstatic to see her there where she is this Saturday night.

For a closer look at this LPGA star's unique personality check out the videos (part I and part II) she made with Stephanie Wei of Wei Under Par.

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images Europe ❀