Golf Girl's Diary

Social Media Connections Facilitate Global Golf Tourism

2012-01-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

Spain has so many beautiful coastal courses

The fact that social media has us all "so connected" can sometimes lead to... awkwardness. For example, the confidential DM that mistakenly goes out to everyone is actually fairly common, and the consequences can be... unpleasant, to say the least. Or what about the "old flame" who suddenly finds you on Facebook and wants to become a "new flame". That's another distressing possibility.

That being said, most would probably agree that such occasional vexations are a small price to pay for the benefits of an interconnected global network; a network that includes people from around the world who share your interests and enjoy exchanging ideas and information. These days I find out what's new in golf - courses, resorts, equipment brands and apparel styles - almost exclusively through my golf contacts on social networks. They share news of promotions and contests, recommend (or warn against) golf products and offer golf tips. You've probably had similar experiences.

Back in dark ages... before the Facebooks and Twitters and such... this kind of info-exchange just didn't happen much, there was just no easy way for like-minded people to connect. Particularly if you lived in a distant city or on a far-away continent.

...and so many fantastic golfers.

This came to mind recently when a friend told me she was thinking of taking an early summer trip to Spain... and hoped to play some golf while there... but didn't really know where to begin. Not being a particularly adventurous type, she was vacillating, and asked me if I could recommend anything. Now, I've never played golf in Spain and don't know much about the country's courses, but thanks to social media I know about a dozen people who have played in Spain... and who know first hand about Spanish courses. I'd have no trouble deciding where to spend my time in Spain... and, in fact, I hope to make that trip some day myself. As for my friend, at this point she "doesn't do social media", but I think I may have convinced her to give it a try.

Of course there are some great websites for planning golf holidays in Spain, but if you can get extra input from someone you know... all the better, right? You may even find a Spanish playing partner, and that's the amazing power of Social Media.

Of Davos, Golf and the Imperative Shift to Sustainable Growth

2012-01-28T19:36:00.000-05:00

I've been in the snowy Swiss village of Davos for the past several days... feeling like a bit of an interloper... as the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place around me. It's been every bit as impressive... and just as quixotic... as I imagined it would be.

I'm not here as a delegate... obviously... nor am I here with a media outlet, though I am writing.

For almost a year now I've been assisting a quietly brilliant ~~Master of the Universe~~, ~~Davos Man~~ "world business leader" with a variety of writing projects. I've taken to calling this my "day job" and that's what I've been doing this week... from the Swiss Alps.

My access has been somewhat limited by the ~~minion-ish~~ badge I've been wearing, but the experience has been extraordinary. I've gone to a numerous panels and met a lot of remarkable people and spent quite a bit of time doing last minute research and polishing for the"day job", but even though I'm not "reporting for anyone" or "covering anything", I'll be taking a lot home with me, much of it very pertinent to golf and the current focus on growing the game.

The theme of this year's WEF meeting is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" and the conversations I've had here... in the conference hall, and on the frosty streets of town... all seemed to touch on the idea of an imperative shift towards sustainable growth. What I find striking though, is that almost 5000 miles away, in balmy Orlando FL, the leaders of the golf industry seem to have been focusing on a similar agenda of transformation, and seriously looking at new models at their annual gathering this week during the PGA Merchandise Show.

Regrettably, Murphy's law once again intervened, dropping both of these two events (and the Sundance Film Festival and the Year of the Water Dragon celebrations) on the same block of late January days.

I missed the once yearly get-together with my golf writer and golf manufacturer friends and look forward to reading their reports and catching up with their news during the next couple of weeks. The Farmers Insurance Open and the Abu Dhabi Championship are also taking place now and I've caught only fleeting snippets of each though I've heard latest rumblings (go Ryo / go Tiger).

I'll be back to my normal life... and regular-ish publishing schedule within a couple of days. However, the long journey home begins early tomorrow and it's time to pack up my yeti boots and attempt to sleep.

Ahmad Al Musharrakh - An Emirati Golf Star On The Rise

2012-01-23T09:45:00.001-05:00

Ahmad Al Musharrakh Image Credit: Grace Paras/ANM

He was recently referred to as "the Emirati answer to Tiger Woods", however, when we wrote about Ahmad Al Musharrakh in 2010, he was getting ready for his first Abu Dhabi Championship appearance, and as he tells it, "still very inexperienced".

Now, two years later, as the 2012 Abu Dhabi Championship gets underway, the 21 year-old is the UAE's top ranked national players, and determined to make history.

Al Musharrekh, who secured an invitation to the tournament from Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, is confident he can become the first Emirati to make the cut at this event... and from there he aims to "move up the leaderboard and really compete" ...with what may well be the strongest field ever assembled for a Middle East tournament; a field that includes Abu Dhabi debutante, Tiger Woods, who Al Musharrekh lists as his favorite player.

With its many spectacular courses, the UAE is considered to be at the forefront of golf development in the Middle East and tourists from all over the world flock to the area's stellar courses, but the question of whether the local population is embracing the sport continues to be asked. This puts additional pressure on Al Musharrekh. A good showing at a high profile event like the Abu Dhabi Championship would undoubtedly inspire people from all over the Middle East and North Africa to try their hands at the game. Those who currently play would be motivated to take their games to the next level.

Drama at La Manga - A 6 Way Playoff Decides LET Q-School

2012-01-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

Ladies European Tour Class of 2012

When the grueling "Q-School grind" (as it's known across tours and around the world) finally came to an end today on the pastoral fairways of La Manga Golf Club, thirty golfers from 15 countries had won full playing rights on the Ladies European Tour for the 2012 season.

England’s Jodi Ewart, who earned her LPGA card in December, claimed a two stroke victory, with Swiss amateur Anais Maggetti and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda taking second and third, but the real nail-biter... with so much is at stake... was the six-player playoff for the last two cards.

As it turns out, final card was won... with a six-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole... by Sharmila Nicolette, the talented Bangalore beauty we wrote about earlier this week. The LET website has all the dramatic details.

Golf, The Guy's Girl & The Enduring Issue of the Grass Ceiling

2012-01-18T16:44:00.001-05:00

For what's basically a recreational activity, the game of golf has an odd knack for inciting controversy and contentiousness.

Do a search for the phrase "golf has a reputation", and you'll see this kind of thing:

"...for being anachronistic in its social attitudes and etiquette."

"...for being a very white sport..."

"...for being elitist and traditionalist and ladies, in particular, can find it difficult getting involved in the sport."

"...of causing problems in marriages rather than assisting in reconciliation."

"...as a rather snooty sport enjoyed primarily by the upper-class."

"...for being slow, boring, uptight, and for senior citizens or tightly-wound people trying to do deals."

And those are some of the nicer ones. Golf is a wonderful sport that celebrates nature and unites all kinds of people, but the fact is, the game gets a lot of guff, some of it... admittedly... deserved.

The controversial, lightning rod side of golf was featured in an Forbes.com post by Meghan Casserly yesterday that suggests women are feeling increased pressure to learn and play golf in order to be more like "one of the guys" ...and have a chance of acceding to upper echelons of the corporate world. It's an interesting read and one that had lots of people ~~talking~~ tweeting this morning.

Sharmila Nicollet Shines in Spain at LET Qualifying School

2012-01-17T00:37:00.000-05:00

Sharmila Nicollet...... walking - photo: Golf Digest Online

We first wrote about Sharmila Nicollet in December of 2007 when she won a challenge match, paired with Laura Davies, at the EMAAR-MGF Ladies Masters, India's first ever LET event.

Just 16 at the time, the talented Bangalore beauty impressed Davies who told reporters, "I played with this 16-year-old girl and I can say from my experience she has the potential to become a really good player".

Four years later Nicollet is 20, and she'll have "the whole of India" behind her as she enters the third round of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School tomorrow in a three-way tie for second... just one shot behind leader, Jodi Ewart (England).

The 90-hole Q-School Final is being played on the two world-class courses at La Manga Club, in Murcia, Spain.

Golf is now the fastest growing sport in India... a country where cricket is revered... and to have this charismatic young golfer playing in global competitions at the highest level will surely be an inspiration for other Indian women who aspire to play the game... either recreationally or professionally.

Oh, and FYI, if you're into following professional golfers on Twitter, @MissNicollet 's tweets are often remarkably ~~drôle~~ ~~perceptive~~ awesome.

Golf for Global Understanding & The Axis of Eagle Golf Circuit

2012-01-15T03:34:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I told you about adventure travel entrepreneur, Dylan Harris, and the Inaugural Iranian Amateur Open.

The tournament is set to take place from the 20th through 22nd of April, when golfers from around the globe will meet at Teheran's Enghelab Golf Course for three days of competition.

Golf's rapidly growing global reach makes this possible, and the fact that The Iranian Amateur Open will allow a diverse group of international players to rise above the current cacophony of geopolitical saber rattling and get together on a golf course, makes the event exceptionally pertinent, laudable and uplifting. Over the past year I've met many golfers who feel that the game has the power to unify and inspire, and many who share my belief that it can help overcome cultural barriers.

As for Dylan Harris, the intrepid organizer of the Iranian Amateur Open recently announced that the Teheran tournament would be part of a circuit that will also include the 2012 North Korean Open.

Putting a positive turn on divisive term, he's calling it the Axis of Eagle Golf Circuit ...and rumor has it additional tournaments will be launched later this year, possibly in Cuba and Northern Iraq.

Harris' company Lupine   Travel focuses on unusual destinations and Full packages, including tours of each country and entry to the tournaments can be arranged through Lupine Travel at www.lupinetravel.co.uk. or +44(0)1942 704525

Ryo Ishikawa Officially Comes of Age, Remains Ultra-Intense

2012-01-12T02:34:00.000-05:00

Early this week Ryo Ishikawa officially "came of age". In Japan the second Monday of January is "Coming of Age Day", a special holiday day where those who've reached 20, the age of majority, are celebrated with festivities, ceremonies and parties.

Soon after the celebration the intrepid young golfer was heading to Hawaii for the Sony Open which begins tomorrow. In the meantime, an intense ten hour practice round at Waialea Golf Club golf course seemed to demonstrate that the hardworking Japanese superstar had paid little heed to the words of Lee Westwood who a couple of weeks ago suggested that Ishikawa was "far too intense" and "needed to get away from golf more".

The young phenom will be paired with Webb Simpson and K.J. Choi at Sony, and it's a pretty sure bet they'll be one of the most followed groups.

The Golf Channel's Randall Mell suggested that the "Bashful Prince" was in golf's "hot seat" as he hasn't yet proved himself on US soil. While some readers agreed with that assessment, many disagree, citing his myriad wins in Japan... and his youth. In any case, lots of us are expecting (and looking forward to) a Ryo Ishikawa PGA Tour win in 2012.

As one commenter perceptively wrote, I think a win by a Ryo Ishikawa will do the world of golf a lot of good.

Note: Many thanks to Noriko, a friend and an avid Ryo Ishikawa fan in Japan.

Golf Pinning Takes Off - Golf Image Curation With Pinterest

2012-01-11T13:11:00.000-05:00

My boards on Pinterest

Much as I try to avoid cliches, I'm going to use a really overused one here: A picture is worth a thousand words. There, that wasn't so bad, was it? ~ The fact is many (most?) of us are "visual" by nature. We comprehend and retain information much more effectively when it's presented visually. Visuals enhance our emotional connections as well.

That's what's behind the massive popularity of photosharing sites like Flickr and Instagram. Our multimedia lives are now inundated with imagery, much of benign or categorically unaesthetic, some of it incredibly gorgeous, powerful, moving... or downright magical.

Enter Pinterest. A self-described "online pinboard" that allows you to organize and share the mountain of imagery you run into on the web. It's been around for over a year, used for the most part, by designers, decorators and DYIers. Recently however it seems to be opening up to a wider swath of the online population, and growth has been... impressive. In fact, Pinterest is now one of the top 10 social networking sites.

I originally discovered Pinterest because, as the owner of a quixotic Victorian mansion. I'm continually seeking home decor inspiration. The decor blogs I love led me there, and I was soon spending much too much time purusing victorian design pinboards.

Up till very recently there wasn't much of a golf presence on Pinterest, but that's quickly changing. A few days ago digital-sports-media-guru, Kathleen Hessert, tweeted about Pinterest and encouraged golfers to start "pinning" their passion for the game. It seems quite a number have heeded her call because golf pins are now beginning to proliferate.

So check out golf on Pinterest, if you're visually inclined and you love the game, you'll certainly find images that delight and you may even be inspired to create your own pinboards. But proceed with caution, like lot's of good things, Pinterest can be addictive.

Oh by the way, my pinboards are here.

French Golfer Joanna Klatten's Memorable Maiden Win

2012-01-09T02:13:00.000-05:00

Joanna Klatten Women's Victoria Open photo: via iseekgolf.com

A first professional win is probably always going to be memorable, but there were a couple of things about Joanna Klatten's maiden victory that really set it apart.

It was the French player's first trip down-under. She was in Australia for the Women's Victoria Open, and after a rather amazing bogey-free final round that included three birdies and an eagle, the one-time Georgia State Panther headed to the clubhouse with a two shot lead... and little doubt that the win was hers. After all, the only threat was Haeji Kang of South Korea, and she was trailing by two halfway up the par-four 18th.

But in golf... as in life... one must always expect the unexpected, and the unexpected certainly did happened yesterday at Spring Valley Golf Club. It came in the form of a last minute eagle by Kang, which interrupted the slightly premature celebration going on in the club house. A tense playoff ensued before the ~~slightly tipsy~~ French golfer did, in fact, lift the Victoria Open trophy.

I'd say that definitely qualifies as memorable.

Offer of Unlimited Sex Proves an Effective Golf Promotion

2012-01-05T17:54:00.000-05:00

It was intended to be a prank, but the victim (in this case Gold Coast Country Club general manager Craig Baldwin) got the last laugh.

In early December at the course outside of Brisbane, Australia, a creative prankster switched up some letters, turning a roadside billboard that announced Unlimited Golf Fees and a Golf Expo, into one offering Unlimited Sex.

Before long phone calls were coming expressing ~~shock~~, ~~curiosity~~ interest in the audacious offer.In the end, Mr. Baldwin seemed rather delighted with the results.

Ryo Ishikawa - Words Worth Remembering for 2012

2012-01-03T13:49:00.003-05:00

Ryo Ishikawa Photo: Khalid Redza /Asian Tour via Getty Images

If you read this blog... even occasionally... you probably know that Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa is a favorite of ours. We love the quiet reserve that earned him the nickname "Bashful Prince" ...and the exhuberantly colorful sartorial style that had one writer calling him "The Pink Pantster"

2011 was a challenging year for the young champion both on and off the course. He finished the season winless, and at 51 in the world, one spot shy of earning automatic qualification for the Masters.

He'll now need to make the top 50 a week before the Masters, or winon the U.S. PGA Tour, to qualify for a spot in the field at Augusta. To that end the player who was recently called "too intense" by W#2 Lee Westwood, will be playing very... intensively between now and April.

When epic natural disaster struck his native Japan almost a year ago, the then-19-year-old announced that he would donate all of his golf earnings for 2011 to the Japan relief fund. I don't know exactly how much that ended up being but by mid-October it was approaching $1.5 million. It was what he said about his donation however, that earned Ryo Ishikawa a place on business writer Jena McGregor's list of the past year's most inspiring leadership quotes:

“As my social status in Japan is getting higher, I believe that is one of the responsibilities, to provide for those people who are in need."– golfer Ryo Ishikawa, on his decision to donate all of his 2011 earnings to earthquake relief in Japan.

The list appeared yesterday at On Leadership the blog McGregor writes for TheWashingtonPost.com. She explains that she finds Ishikawa’s quote memorable for a couple of reasons, "...one is his use of the word “responsibility” to describe what he believes he owes the Japanese people because his status in the golf world has risen. The second is his remarkable willingness to donate all of his earnings of last year to earthquake relief. So many people in power are paid far more handsomely than Ishikawa, and yet we don’t know of many who have made such generous gestures."

If you're a Ryo Ishikawa fan you can do what we did and send the inspiring golf star New Year message here.

2012 A Year of Hope ...and Golf for Global Understanding

2012-01-02T01:47:00.000-05:00

Golf in Iran (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2012!

If you put any credence in the Mayan calendar your New Years celebration was probably somewhat subdued last night. After all, according to many interpretations of that document, this marks the year catastrophe and cataclysmic natural disaster will bring about end of the world... on December 21, 2012 to be exact ... Not exactly uplifting news.

Personally, I'm rather sceptical of the whole doomsday thing and... worst case scenario... we've got almost a full year left... to work on swings/putting, to help grow golf by introducing non-golfers the joys of the game, and to connect with golfers around the world. There's a lot to look forward to.

Introducing a Very Engaging Blog About... Golf Litigation?

2011-12-31T03:32:00.001-05:00

If you're not a hardened golf geek... or an obsessed trial junkie... the subject may first glance seem ~~extremely boring~~ somewhat platitudinous; worthy of an occasional post perhaps, but not nearly enough to constitute an ongoing daily blog.

As it turns out, however, golf generates a prodigious amount of legal wrangling. More than any other amateur sport according Thomas H. Sawyer, author of Golf and the Law. And it goes way beyond the errant balls and reckless swings that might first come to mind.

This is where Rob Harris comes in. He's a Connecticut lawyer who advises business clients on ways to avoid or minimize the risks associated with litigation. He's also a passionate golfer, and his new blog, Golf Dispute Resolution, features regular posts on interesting legal disputes that have a golf connection. Categories like Injuries, Celebrities, Golf Equipment and Quirky & Unusual to name a few, reflect the remarkable variety of cases he covers. Stories are also search-able by state/country... so you can find out what kind of litigation is taking place on and around your local course.

Harris is an engaging story-teller who turns legalese into something lyrical... in short succinct posts. In addition to his blog he animates lively discussions golf and the law on Linked In at the Golf Dispute Resolution Group, which is were I met him yesterday.

I'm quite sure that 2012 will bring many interesting stories on the intersection of golf and law, and Rob Harris is the perfect person to tell them.

A Variation on the Golf Club Sex Discrimination Theme

2011-12-28T01:59:00.000-05:00

I don't imagine Steve Frye is very popular on the fairways of Eagle Vines Vineyards & Golf Club. At least not on Ladies Day.

Mr. Frye, it turns out, is currently attempting to put the kibosh on "Ladies Day" at Eagle Vines, alleging that when he visited the Napa Valley course on Monday, Dec.13, 2010, they were illegally charging male golfers $44 for greenand cart fees vs $30 for women... because it was "Ladies Day".

So, Frye has filed a sex discrimination lawsuit ...against a promotion designed toattract more women to play. The Frye vs. Eagle Vines case is scheduled for a hearing on May22 in Napa County Superior Court. Read more about the case at NapaValleyRegister.com.

Though many are dismissing Frye's suit as frivolous, The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has supposedly sent a letter to Eagle Vines saying "possibledisciplinary action could be taken against the club’s alcoholicbeverage license".

This sets a troubling precedent when you consider that courses offering allkinds of golf promotions... discounts for public safety andmilitary personnel, Junior and Senior discounts, etc... could now be subject to costly lawsuits. If that happens all golfers may end up paying more for their rounds. And Steven Frye may wish he'd never attempted to squelch "Ladies Day".

Day After Christmas. A Good Day for Golf

2011-12-26T15:29:00.001-05:00

my vintage Christmas card collection

Well, that was the plan. The reality? An ultra-windy day, with a bright sun that provided little warmth, which was fine as we slept till noon after a late night that included excessive amounts of food, drink and merriment... which was awesome. Belated Best Wishes.

Mobile, Social, Global: It's Divotr, A New App for Golf Fans

2011-12-19T20:26:00.001-05:00

The idea actually germinated a while back... a couple of years ago, to be exact.

I was chatting with Doug Farrick... a fellow New Englander and golf blogger of note at GolfDash... about some remarkable experiences I'd had, via social media, with golf fans around the world.

As an early adopter on Twitter I'd encountered a highly engaged... and very engaging... group of global golf fans and had spent numerous summer weekends in front of my laptop sharing the excitement of pro golf tournaments... that I otherwise would've watched alone, in the climate controlled solitude of my cloistered ~~man~~ woman cave. The 2008 Players Championship was where it really hit home for me; watching Sergio Garcia win in a playoff with Paul Goydos was infinitely more exciting in the (virtual) company of several hyper-excited golf fans in Spain than watching all alone... with only my Corona Lite as company.

Doug had had some similar experiences, and we both agreed that golf fans... like fans of any sport... tend to have much more fun in real time and collectively, than they do alone. Seeing as how we're both fans of myriad players and a number of different international tours, we decided we needed to find a way to refine and enhance the global fan experience that we were beginning to develop a taste for on the rapidly growing platform called Twitter.

Fast forward a couple of years; Twitter has experienced explosive growth (the tweets-per-day count has risen from 2 million tweets to over 2 hundred million) as have other social networks... some of them only months into their existence. The mobile space is also evolving at an astonishing rate, and that's where Divotr comes in.

Divotr is the fruit of that long-ago chat I had with Doug. It's a new mobile/golf/social app that'll take global fans of all stripes to an awesome new level of real-time interaction. We're almost ready to launch, and while we put the final pieces into place you can get early access and the latest updates via email and Twitter. Just sign up at our launch page. Encourage your golf-fan followers to check us out as well.

I look forward to seeing you soon on Divotr... and I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a great year for golf fans.

The Remarkable Passion & Myriad Talents of Justin Timberlake

2011-12-16T00:54:00.000-05:00

An awesome illustration for Mirimichi's Cool Player's Club

For the first time ever... in history... an iconic golf brand has appointed a noted actor slash grammy-award-winning performer slash former Mouseketeer... as its creative director. By the way, the multi-faceted appointee has also been named "Most Stylish Man" AND "Sexiest Man" by GQ and Cosmopolitain magazines, respectively.

However I think we can assume it's Justin Timberlake's extraordinary passion for golf got him the gig with Callaway, and I don't imagine there were many golf industry insiders who didn't quickly see the ~~wisdom~~ brilliance of the appointment when it was announced yesterday.

Here at Golf Girl's Diary we first wrote about Justin Timberlake... and golf... over five years ago. At that point he was merely the "Sexy Back" singer with a great golf swing. During the ensuing years his "thing for golf" only got stronger. We saw him play Carnoustie...and tee off in Abu Dahbi. On Madonna's 50th birthday we saw him gift her with golf lessons. 2008 however, was the year JT really made his mark on golf. His relationship with Callaway took off when he signed an agreement to play the Company’s equipment and carry a Callaway branded golf bag. He sponsored a major tournament for the first time and appeared on the cover of Golf Digest magazine.

2008 was also the year Justin Timberlake planed the renovation of the golf course he purchased, the course that would be called Mirimichi. This is where I feel JT's passion for golf shines most brightly. When the course he played on as a child was set to be sold to developers Timberlake bought it himself and put $16 million into renovations, transforming it into the most eco-friendly course in America... and one that can serve as a model for a more sustainable type of golf center.

With US golf participation declining... 2011 marked the fifth year rounds are down in this country... golf businesses are actively attempting to distinguish themselves, while the industry itself struggles to reverse the current trend and "grow the game" with new audiences. Justin Timberlake has what it takes to do both and now may be in a position make it happen. It's something the game can look forward to in 2012.

As Rio 2016 Approaches, Some Tennis Lessons for US Golf

2011-12-12T13:48:00.001-05:00

Golf may benefit by looking at tennis via wikia.com

Most professional and amateur golfers, as well as casual and advid fans, are delighted to see the sport return to the Olympics.

The 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro will welcome golfers for the first time in over a century, and inclusion is predicted to have a major impact on the game's reach, particularly in places where the sport has not previously had the opportunity to grow.

However, for the US, and other countries where the game is "mature", there's a lesson to be learned on the potential downside of Olympic inclusion. It comes from the world of professional tennis, a world where an American male hasn't won a Grand Slam since 2003, and where for a period earlier this, year there wasn't a single American ranking in the world's top 10. Some say the US tennis decline can, at least in part, be traced back to 1984, the year tennis became an Olympic Sport.

"When it [tennis] became an Olympic sport, other countries got on the bandwagon, and smaller countries began developing players." That's how Angel Lopez, director of tennis operations at the San Diego Tennis & Racquet Club put it, and with that in mind it's easy to imagine that by the end of this decade the World Golf Ranking may feature fewer US players.

These young golfers in China get get elite instruction from Cindy Reid

Commitment to early and ambitious player development is clearly key when it comes to creating competitive athletes, and in an attempt to attract more young players to the game... and eventually hook the best of them... the USTA has invested more than $8 million this year on 10 and Under Tennis an initiative that includes smaller courts and less "bouncy" balls. The idea is to encourage an entry level version of the game that will allow more children to start learning and playing from a younger age... and enable them to build confidence and avoid bad habits.

US Golf would seem to be in a perfect position to introduce an entry level version for it's beginners. There are numerous organizations focused on bringing young players into the game, The First Tee, the USGA's Junior Links and the LPGA's Girl's Golf however thus far there seems to have been little interest in the establishment of a shorter format.

US Kid's Golf has developed an excellent program with their Family Course Setup, that has the backing of the PGA of America and a partnership with Pinehurst. It's the type of initiative that could really help to grow the game from the ground up should more courses, particularly public courses, decide to implement it.

2016 will come quickly... so will the end of the decade. Golf should start taking a cue from tennis right now.

The Little Linksters Challenge: Seeking the Best Young Golfers

2011-12-11T22:26:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again... time to head over to Brendon Elliot's Little Linksters and show off your golf swing! That is, if your age is somewhere between 3 and 8. Because if so, you're eligible for the Best Pee-Wee Golf Swing in North America Contest. There are great prizes to be won... and some amazing celebrity judges on hand to select the winner.

Visit the Little Linksters website for more information about the contest and the Little Linksters Program.

Also, here's our post about last year's contest.

Tees the Season: Fore Contextual Ads & Personalization

2011-12-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

She loves golf and the color pink. There's an ornament for that. From: PersonalizationMall.com

For the past couple of days I've been followed relentlessly... by a tiny lady in a golf cart. She wears pink from head to toe and carries her clubs in a pink bag.

As I navigate the net, she appears everywhere; lurking in my sidebar with a perpetually ~~miniacal~~ radiant smile. And just when I feel like I've finally lost her... there she is again. If she wasn't so cute, the word stalker might even come to mind.

This Golf Chick© Personalized Ornament is a perfect example of of the amazing... and slightly disconcerting... power of internet advertising in the era of social context. And, chances are, if you haven't yet found your own version of this smiling rose colored divot diva, you will. Even if you don't use social networks like facebook and twitter. You probably use search engines, everyone (except my father) does, and in doing so you're providing rich fodder for some well-targeted, very persistent, advertising.

My husband who shuns the social sites and looks down upon online oversharing, has been pursued by a mysterious silver plated cigar cutter for the past couple of weeks, and the secretive cigar aficionado doesn't seem to mind one bit, in fact I think he even ordered one... for self-gifting purposes.

I'll probably order a couple of the little golf cart ladies too. Not for myself (my holiday decorating style is understated and traditional) but for a couple of the gals I play golf with during the summer. It's cute and inexpensive... and the personalization makes it special. And the best part is I didn't have to go looking for it - ~~she~~ it found me. Thanks to contextual advertising.

Golf Ball Carving - An Artful Way to Recycle Your Balls

2011-12-06T02:14:00.001-05:00

This swirly mint-green orb would make a very unique statement hanging on the branches of your Christmas tree, wouldn't it?

You may at first think it's been carved from some kind of exotic stone... or perhaps shaped out of milky green jadite.

You wouldn't even be close. This trinket is actually hand carved from the inner core of a golf ball. The mint green color is the color of the golf ball core and the delicate gold ring around the center of the sphere is painted on by hand.

Decorative carved golf balls are created by hobbyist woodcarvers who've discovered that the materials in the core of various brands of golf balls make an excellent carving medium.

A selection of different styles and colors are available on Etsy at a shop called Sticks 'n Stones. You'll also find them on Facebook where the styles are somewhat more whimsical.

And, if you have any kind of appreciation for homemade handcrafts, you're bound to like these balls.

Sex, Booze & Belly Putters: The Power of Paradoxical Intention

2011-11-29T19:37:00.001-05:00

The Belly Putter Trend - Photo via PGA.com

Paradoxical Intent is wonderful technique that you've probably used before... whether you know it or not.

It's a form of mind control that seems counterintuitive at first glance because it relies on ... well... a kind of reverse psychology that you impose on yourself.

P.I. can be applied effectively in myriad situations where negative thoughts or persistent fears repeatedly surface... and result in lack of confidence and poor performance. Does that sound like golf to you? It does to me and, I sususpect, to many golfers... both amateur and professional... particularly where it really counts: on the putting green.

Negative thoughts, lack of confidence... both seem to play a part in the current belly putter boom on the PGA and European Tours.

When Adam Scott began transitioning to a belly putter it was about building confidence at a time when his his career seemed stymied by self-fulfilling putting insecurities. Sergio Garcia, famous for periodic putting struggles, once called his Monza Spider a "safety net"and carried it in his bag along with his more conventional Rossa Monaco.

If the aforementioned golfers had used paradoxical intent, they may have been able to conquer their performance anxieties without reaching for the "long stick".

In a recent article on IrishTimes.com, psychologist and author, Padraig O'Morain described P.I. as a technique where you "pretend to want the thing you fear":

"So if you have a fear of blushing you actually tell yourself before going to a party that you have every intention of blushing, so much so that you are actually going to light up the room on your own. When you do this, the fear is no longer crippling. It seems to me that this technique is based on not suppressing thoughts but allowing them and, instead, having a laugh at them."

Mr. O'Morain talks about the how technique might be applied to problematic behaviors in that can arise in various areas of our lives, including sex, substance abuse... and golf.

"I'm not going to miss!" Photo: Golf Girl Media

Research has shown that a conscious effort to avoid certain thoughts will almost inevitably lead to increased thinking about those thoughts and if the thought is about a behaviour, increased likelihood of engaging in that behaviour.

I've always found it strange that my putting... and my game in general... almost always seems to be substantially better when I'm sure it's going to be really bad. When I feel like I haven't been practicing enough, when I'm playing at a difficult course or simply when I'm feeling a little off... I almost always play well.

In retrospect that's not so strange because, in fact, I'm using paradoxical Intent. Having resigned myself to playing badly, I'm not obsessing about it... an early mistake doesn't devastate me, an OK shot thrills me and I'm just having fun with it. In a totally counterintuitive way my "cavalier attitude" quickly leads to increased confidence. That's the power of Paradoxical Intent and i's definitely something to think about... or not.

Denying your Desires Makes Them Stronger

The Travelers Championship: An Exemplary Gift of Golf

2011-11-29T17:09:00.001-05:00

The Travelers Championship. Here in Connecticut it's our biggest sporting event, and something we look forward to all year.

A rich history, an impeccable organization and a relaxed, friendly vibe haved helped make it the second most attended PGA Tour event annually, behind only the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

If you live in CT you've probably already got it on your calendar, and if you're from elsewhere it's a great occasion... and an awesome time of year... to visit our lovely coastal state. I'm mentioning this because a couple of excellent ticket packages are available right now... and either one would make a stellar holiday gift... for just about any golfer or golf fan on your list. Including yourself naturally. See you in Connecticut.

Click here to order your package now !

Cyber Monday Golf, US World Cup Win & Rory's Spirited Ladies

2011-11-28T04:51:00.000-05:00

With the holiday season in full swing, golf deals are everywhere

It's official: as of this morning, the requisite overindulgence of Thanksgiving has been replaced by an inevitable pre-Christmas consumerism blitz. Early estimates indicate a record 226 million shoppers hit stores and cyber shops during the four-day holiday weekend, and today... might I remind you... is "Cyber Monday".

A quick Google search for Cyber Monday Golf... or something to that effect... will yield tons of deals, not only on equipment, accessories and apparel, but also on golf travel, greens fees gift certificates and yearly golf passes. So... it's clearly time to do some shopping for ~~yourself~~ the golfers in your life.

While many of us here in the US were enjoying copious amounts of Turkey and the starchy side dishes that accompany it, Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland were on the other side of the world, hard at work on the fairways of Mission Hills' Blackstone Course in Southern China. Huge congratulations to these two quintessential American golf guys for on their awesome and inspiring victory.

The one time I managed to tune in to a bit event's coverage over the ultra-busy weekend, Team Ireland was a two-stroke lead midway through the final round. In the end however, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell finished T4. "We didn't have it out there" McDowell said later, "We had no mojo - we didn't make anything. We're disappointed but this is a high-quality tournament."

Exhibitionists Caroline Wozniacki and Henri Leconte

And speaking of young Rory, could he have been just a wee bit distracted by the recent... activities... of his current and former lady friends?

Mr. McIlroy's gregarious girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki was in Bratislava, Slovakia for an an exhibition match that turned out to be quite...um.... exhibitionistic. Our good friend Bangkok Bobby has the story... and the photos/videos... of what's got to have been the most exuberantly entertaining tennis exhibition ever. Ms. Wozniacki, the world's number one woman tennis player, is clearly a force to be reckoned with off the course as well. Meanwhile, former McIlroy flame Holly Sweeny is set to appear on Irish reality/cooking show Come Dine With Me where amateur chefs and sort-of celebrities compete to see who can host the most fabulous dinner party. Here's the thing though, Holly's dinner has a rather caustic theme: "Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes".

Not surprisingly Rors is reported to be somewhat disturbed by Holly's choice of this particular theme/title, but he's undoubtedly attempting to put it behind him as he heads to the Hong Kong Open and the final full-field event of the European Tour season. He's still got a shot at the Race to Dubai money prize but basically needs a win to surpass Luke Donald.

Hopefully Rory's spirited ladies will just behave for the next couple of weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving !

2011-11-25T13:22:00.001-05:00

Global Golf - The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open

2011-11-21T02:12:00.001-05:00

A couple of days ago I received a message from Dylan Harris, an ultra-adventurous friend of mine who happens to run a travel company.

Based in the UK, Dylan is passionate about golf... and a number of the trips his company runs revolve around the game. But these aren't your typical golf trips... because Lupine Travel specializes in unique destinations, the kind of places some might find... intimidating.

Earlier this year Dylan took a group to North Korea where they played in the North Korean Open. A fun and fascinating time was had by all. Now, the success of the North Korea tournament has inspired, Mr. Harris to plan for a new destination and a new golf event for 2012: The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open. Scheduled to take place at Tehran's Enghelab Golf Club over three days from the 14th to 16th of April, and the event is open to all amateur golfers with an up-to-date verified handicap.

Here's the thing; though there's currently only the one course in Iran, there's a well established Iranian Golf Federation and part of it's recently stated mission is "... to popularize and develop golf among every walk of life..." As such the game has seen a huge increase in popularity over the past several years, particularly among women, many of whom compete regularly on a local and regional level.

So, I've wanted to visit Iran for years. I fully understand that the relationship between US and Iranian governments is rocky... to say the least... but Lupine Travel is adept a managing travel in geopolitically sensitive areas, plus I've spoken to a number of Americans just back from Iran, and what I've heard from all has encouraged me to seriously consider taking this opportunity to be a part of the 2012 Iranian Amateur Open. My intrepid twin sister Cat, is also hoping to make the trip.

We'll keep you posted as our plans develop.

Movember Inspiration - Noted Golf Architect or 70's Porn Star

2011-11-18T01:24:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Noshember... the creative November beard-growing challenge. No Shave November = Noshember.

In response to that post the awesome Aussie Golfer asked, "Is that a rip-off of Movember?" - Turns out Movember is a similar movement... but with a focus on... the mustache.

Anyone who's been watching the Presidents's Cup these last few days has seen some great golf played out on the treacherous fairways of Royal Melbourne. Stylistically speaking, the uniforms haven't received much attention ... but there's one particular style statement does have people talking: Australian golf Geoff Ogilvy's "Movember moment". The normally clean-shaven Aussie golfers is currently sporting a prodigious mustache. Some like it, some loath it but it's definitely getting attention.

Personally I'm just wondering if Mr. Ogilvy was inspired by the famous golf architect or the iconic porn star.

A Naive Wife's Roadside Warning - Golf is Dirty

2011-11-15T00:08:00.000-05:00

The Billboard via BroadSheet.ie

The ambiguous admonition was emblazoned on a massive banner, which was then draped over the side of an 18 wheeler. The truck was then parked in a field overlooking a busy section of Dublin's M50 motorway.

"GOLF IS A PASSPORT FOR A DIRTY WEEKEND AWAY WITH THE LADS. WAKE UP GIRLS... A NAIVE WIFE."

I'm guessing the ad caused a couple of traffic jams... and probably provoked a bit of ~~squabbling~~ discussion when it came under the gaze of querulous commuting couples with... um... golf issues. Because on this mobile billboard, golf was front and center... and once again being disparaged as an activity that encourages infidelity.

The "naive wife" who posted the outdoor ad may or may not have known it would jump to the web and immediately go viral, but that's just what happened earlier this month, leaving many to speculate on the author's identity.

Some were saying the message was part of a political campaign ... other's felt it was simply a marketing stunt, but in both of those cases details were scarce, and clearly the most provocative picture presented was that of the demure wife... left at home while her husband and the lads enjoy a dirty weekend in the company of attractive ParMates... taking her revenge on a billboard.

So we'll just leave it at that.

Ryo Ishikawa: Heading Down Under Alone After Weekend Ace

2011-11-14T11:25:00.001-05:00

JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images

These are certainly some... interesting... times for Ryo Ishikawa.

Over the weekend, the 20-year-old Japanese superstar recorded his second career hole-in-one and came tantalizingly close to defending his title at the Taiheiyo Masters golf championship. In the end an untimely encounter with a water hazard on 18 resulted in a T8 finish for Ryo.

It would have been an awesome win on a number of levels. At second on the Japan Tour money list, Ishikawa has yet to win this year, and because he'll be playing in Australia at the President's Cup this week he's got only two events left in which to claim a 2011 victory.

And speaking of Australia, remember how Ryo was going to introduce the world to his mysterious girlfriend this week in Melbourne? Apparently that's not going to happen. It seems the media frenzy has only gotten frothier since the girlfriend story broke... to the extent that it now includes rumors of pregnancy. While Japan's version of the National Enquirer is no-doubt delighted with these developments this last minute change in plans seems to have been made to avoid the marauding media.

And the latest Bashful Prince buzz? It's now all about the Ishikawa late arrival in Australia. Super-stardom does have a downside. Fortunately, Ryo Ishikawa seems capable of handling just about anything.

Professional Golfer to Wed Gorgeous Model - Ahn & Marco

2011-11-12T09:52:00.001-05:00

Marco & Ahn Shi-Yeon photo via allkpop.com

She made history in 2003 when at 19 years, 1 month and 18 days she became the youngest non-American winner in LPGA tour history.

He's a Korean/Argentine model-turned-actor-turned-pop culture-personality... with a sweet smile and killer abs.

While other lady golfers battle it out in Guadalajara at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, Seoul Sister Ahn Shi Hyun will marry her ultra-handsome boyfriend Marco today at a wedding hall in Cheongdam-dong, which I'm told is a trendy, young Rodeo Drive-ish section of the South Korean capital.

The union of these two talented and attractive young people is clearly a marriage made in marketing heaven. After all, In Korea women's golf is huge. So much so that it just naturally transcends into popular culture, inspiring television dramas like Birdie Buddy... based on a comic book with the same title... and video games such as the ever popular PangYa. Though Ahn has struggled with back problems in recent years she maintains a busy playing schedule and remains a media darling.

Then there's Marco. Like Cher, Usher and Beyonce he doesn't need a last name. Though born and raised in Argentina, once he got to Korea his rise was meteoric. He's now attained idol status.

He was attracted to his bride... according to the PR people... because of their shared interest in sports. And he happens to look great in argyle. ~ Sounds like a winning couple on a multitude of levels. 안녕하세요 Congratulations Marco and Ahn.

Source

Dr. Haruhisa Handa - The Quintessential Golf Ambassador

2011-11-09T12:18:00.000-05:00

The following is an excerpt from the recent interview I did with golf author/publisher Christina Ricci. ~ The entire interview can be found on Christina's blog, Miss Par. ~ A number of Christina's questions dealt with the increasing urgent issue of "growing the game" including this one where she asked me, "...who, in your eyes, is the quintessential Golf Ambassador? In other words, who do you feel is making that extra effort to grow the game?"I answered her, without hesitation, as follows:

These days just about everyone involved with golf is aware that we need to bring new people into the game… and keep current players playing.
Many professional golfers and golf organizations are now involved in initiatives to grow the game. As for the quintessential Golf Ambassador, without a doubt that would have to Dr. Haruhisa Handa.

This Japanese philanthropist has been dedicated to growing the game of golf for almost 25 years. His International Sports Promotion Society has fostered partnerships with golf’s governing bodies worldwide to help develop the game at every level, advising professional tours, supporting their charitable efforts and sponsoring tournaments.

Dr. Handa is the Honorary Chairman of the Legends Tour and an advisor to the European Senior Tour. He’s also Chairman of the Women’s Senior Golf Association and an official Patron of Golf Australia. In addition, Dr. Handa established the first Blind Golf Club in Japan, and is known to many there as the “Father of Blind Golf”. He serves as Honorary Chairman of the Japanese Blind Golf Association (NPO) and Honorary President of the International Blind Golf Association. He relentlessly promotes blind and disabled golf.

Long before “growing the game” became a cause célèbre, this extraordinary man was supporting organizations and efforts that allow young people, those in their senior years, and people with disabilities... from various backgrounds around the world... to be involved with, and inspired by, golf. In my eyes, Dr. Handa is clearly a Golf Ambassador without equal.

How would you have answered Christina's question? Who do you see as the quintessential Golf Ambassador?

Past posts on the awesome Dr. Handa:
The Handa Cup and Dr. Haruhisa Handa
International Showdown by the Sea - The Handa Cup

Catching Up With the Ever-Assiduous Birdie Sisters

2011-11-08T00:41:00.000-05:00

Erica (left) & Myah (right) with Kim Vatis of NBC 5 News Today

I cross paths with the Birdie Sisters quite regularly on Facebook and when I do I'm inevitably impressed with their accomplishments. ~ On and off the golf course, Erica & Myah Jackson excel... and they do so with dedication, energy and humor. They're ultra-inspiring. So much so that we've covered them nearly a dozen times over the past few years right here at Golf Girl's Diary.

2011 has been no exception. It was a summer of great golf for both Erica... now 13... and her 11-year-old sister Myah, culminating a month ago with the IESA State Championship where the sisters were the only golfers representing the Chicago area. Myah shot a 74 for 1st place while Erica Jackson finished in 2nd with a 79.

And the sisters haven't signed off on 2011 quite yet. They both made the field at the Doral Publix Jr. Golf Classic where they'll be competing against some of the best young golfers in the world at Doral Golf Resort and Spa. That takes place December 17-23. In the meantime the gifted golf girls have been hitting the airwaves as well as the fairways, with several recent TV appearances including an interview on NBC News 5 Today.

Read all of our posts on the Birdie Sisters
Check out the Birdie Sister's Website

Momoko Ueda: Pearly Gates Golf Girl Wins Mizuno Classic

2011-11-07T00:20:00.001-05:00

Momoko Ueda 2011 Mizuno Classic Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Like other uplifting golf stories of the past weekend Momoko Ueda's emotional win at the Mizuno Classic was eclipsed by what's now known in polite circles as the "William's Flap". Blame the golf media or the social networks... or human nature... for that, but it's the way things are these days: bad behavior... ignorant, inflamatory outbursts and old fashioned drunken debauchery will always trump the feel-good narrative. You don't have to be a Kardashian to know that.

For Momoko Ueda however, the weekend was about a long awaited win. Her first victory since the 2009 AXA Ladies Open and her first career win as LPGA member. It was an emotional win that came with a 15-foot birdie putt in a playoff with China's Shanshan Feng.

"I was starting to think I'd never win again," said Ueda, who earned her LPGA Tour card victory at this same tournament in 2007. "It's been a tough four years in America." Rough, but worth it, for the talented 25-year-old player the lad mags have labeled "hot golfer chick" and called "so cute it's painful".

As usual, the bloggers at Mostly Harmless covered the Mizuno Classic from start to finish... with insider's eyes. Their posts are always a great way to get a feel of the Asian tournaments. Then there's the exuberant Bankok Bobby, he has some great Mizuno Classic photos and video on his blog.

I just want to make a brief mention of Momoko Ueda's sartorial style, because as many around the world have noticed... it's awesome. And this goes along with a recurring ~~obsession~~ theme here at Golf Girl's Diary: the Japanese are designing the most exciting golf apparel out there and the Asian players are wearing it in ways that transcend the sport.

Pearly Gates Autumn 2011

Pearly Gates, Momoko Ueda's apparel sponsor, is a golf brand from Sanei International, one of the hippest fashion conglomerates in Japan. You need only have a look at their 2011 Autumn catalog to appreciate the way this company manages to mix golf apparel traditions with both urban grit and runway chic. The result is... quite simply... golf fashion. Something we're just beginning to discover on this side of the Atlantic.

Granted, the fact that much of the golf played in Japan takes place in urban areas... at ubiquitous multi-tiered driving and in chic indoor centers... allows designers to push the envelope in ways that probably wouldn't fly at conservative suburban country clubs in this country, but you've also got to look at the way Ueda, and other players, wear the brand in competition. What you see are outfits that look professional, functional, comfortable and uber-stylish. All at the same time... and I think that's what lot's of us US ~~hackers~~ recreational golfers are looking for.

In any case we'll happily be seeing more of Momoko on these shores, among other things her move from outside the top 48 on the money list to #33 has secured her a 2012 Sybase Match Play spot.

For more on Momoko... and her singular style sense:

Momoko's multi-chromatic website
A Quick 18 with Momoko Ueda
Air Magazine - Interview with Momoko Ueda
Sunny Side Up Momoko's Very Cool PR People
Momoko Ueda - My Favorite Things
Momoko Ueda - Nail Art

Symposium On Affordable Golf - What Could Be More Timely?

2011-11-05T22:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, a Google search for I don't remember what, yielded a result that immediately caught my eye... because it featured the words golf and affordable in the same sentence.

That's how I discovered the "Symposium on Affordable Golf". scheduled to take place on Monday, November 7, at the Southern Pines Elks Club Lodge building, just next to the Southern Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC.

For those concerned about the declining popularity of the game, the topic is as timely as any I can think of. Though several reasons are often sited for the drop-off in golf participation, cost is the most basic. It's the primordial reason... the one that lends credence to other factors such as the time it takes to play a round or the difficulty of the game.

Richard Mandell - symposium founder

The symposium is s a one day event and is remarkable on many levels, starting with Richard Mandell, the force behind the event. A noted golf architect and author of award-winning golf books, the native of Rye, NY also co-hosts a golf radio talk show, blogs for Washington Times Communities and has for the past fifteen years taught a class on Golf Architecture at North Carolina State University. ~ Richard Mandell is clearly passionate about golf and captivated by golf courses.

This emotional connection to a game currently losing ground, is no doubt what inspired him to host the first Symposium on Affordable Golf one year ago. ~ The unique cross-section of participants at last year's event is described on the symposium's website,

"The 2010 event was attended by 75 people "with a passion for the game and a stake in the business. Included in that number were fifteen golfers whose only stake was to continue playing a game each of them loves. Their input was a key component of the Symposium’s success as it is rare to have the end-user side by side those of us who serve them sharing concerns, ideas, and solutions to the challenges the business (and the game) faces going forward."

The course at Southern Pines Golf Club where symposium participants will play.

You see, what's really unique about the Symposium on Affordable Golf is that it's open to anyone with a connection to the game and a concern for its future... and its free.

There's some excellent feedback from the 2010 symposium on the forums at Golf Club Atlas. The response indicates a well-executed event that resulted in an open forum on how to look at golf in a different light, and an exciting exchange of ideas on how golf might be made more accessible/affordable to a greater swath of the population.

Richard Mandell's white paper presents the major topics and outlines the many ideas. Quite a few of the concepts will be familiar, but seeing them presented the way they are here, allows one to better grasp the cause-and-effect dynamics that come into play whenever discussions of growing the game take place. {continued}

The 2011 event will take up where 2010 left off, openly encouraging attendees to look at golf in a different light. The speakers are stellar, the topics timely... and the agenda includes an optional round of "affordable" golf on an enticing Donald Ross course. I really regret that I won't be able to attend. Though I feel I'm quite connected to what's going on in the golf industry, I wasn't aware of the Symposium on Affordable Golf until yesterday, and I just have too much going on. However I'll be there next year and in the meantime I'm hoping others did discover it in time, and will be there to add to the discussion and perhaps, share some insights post-symposium.

It's a fact of life that in our current all-about-page-views golf media environment a predictably lame comment by Stevie Williams... or a random WozniAckilroy rumor will be covered ad nauseum; picked apart, anylised, tweeted and retweeted... by everyone from the most casual Sunday blogger to the sport's most esteemed scribes. That's not the case for an event like the Symposium on Affordable Golf. Pertinent as it may be to the golfers and golf business people of today, a story like this can be easily eclipsed by golf's more tabloid-ish tales.

Related Links

Take the The Golf Experience - Your Way! survey. Results to be discussed at the 2011 Symposium on Affordable Golf.
Richard Mandell talks about Affordable Golf.
A profile of Richard Mandell by Stephen Goodwin of "The A Position"

CT Golfers Can Look Forward to Playing Again Soon (UPDATED)

2011-11-02T23:26:00.000-04:00

As soon as the snow melts...

Here in Danbury, CT we've been without electricity for four days now, however, the storm that caused so much damage had a silver lining...of sorts. It's happily been followed by a stretch of stellar weather. Snow is steadily melting and our cleanup effort continues. As I predicted earlier, most of our local courses will be reopening... despite the fact that many of them are still without electricity.

I received an email from The Golf Club at Oxford Greens this morning, with the photo a left to illustrate their message:

"When the Snow Melts... We will be back open! Currently, we are without phones and power, but you can still book your tee time online. We hope to be up and running by the weekend. We will send out a notification via email when we are open. Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you soon at Oxford Greens!"

The message on Richter Park's F acebook page was a bit less optimistic but none-the-less leaves room for hope:

"The October 30th snow storm dumped 17 inches on Richter Park. As of November 1st, power, telephones and email are still out. Our crews are assessing damage. As of today we are uncertain as to when or if we will reopen for the season."

Richter Park is defined by the woodland it's built upon, and this particular storm took an enormous toll on exactly the kind of noble deciduous trees that line its fairways and greens so restoration to playability will be a huge effort.

The point is, golfers in the area and in the entire storm-stricken zone will definitely have places to play they'll just need to find them. A couple of years ago I played some wonderful winter golf at Richter Park the weekend after Thanksgiving. I know I'm not done yet.

UPDATE: Another gorgeous day in Danbury has taken care of much of the remaining snow, so I stopped at Richter Park to see for myself how the cleanup was coming along. There were several crews out and they've made amazing progress. So much so that a reopening next week sometime seems like a very real possibility. That's the goal according to the those I spoke to and it definitely seems do-able from what I could see. Then when I arrived ~~home~~ at my temporary office a bit later I noticed I had received an email announcing the 1st Annual Richter Park Turkey Shoot ... to take place on Saturday, November 12th. So things are clearly looking better for area golfers.

Noshember: Seeking PGA Players Who Dare to Go Natural

2011-11-01T01:52:00.000-04:00

Noshember is a yearly event that I don't claim to understand... at all.

For those unaware, it's a kind of celebration of unkempt manly-ness that revolves around a month long boycott of the common razor.

The goal... for those who decide to participate... is facial hair. And in this case more clearly means better.

The main focus is a kind of "creative beard challenge" that has contestants posting photos and stories chronicling their quests for the perfect beard. There's also merchandise to be bought: Noshember sweatshirts and beard head hats in a number of colors.

Another very important Noshember tradition... and one I do understand... is the charity component. Those who participate have friends and relatives sponsor them (and their barbe) throughout the month to help raise money for a charity of their choosing.

Celebs like Keanu Reeves and Brad Pitt have been known to be a part of the event. So why not professional golfers. The four above for example. Each exemplary when it comes to giving and each seems to have a certain affinity for stylistic manscaping, so why not. They've got to get started, Noshember begins tomorrow.

Oh, and LPGA players needn't feel excluded, Noshember isn't just for guys. Girls are encouraged to participate as well, but um... I'm not going to go there. Here are the rules for ladies.

Golf and Goblins Postponed by October Nor'easter

2011-11-01T00:47:00.000-04:00

The view from my window late afternoon on Saturday the 29th.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Here in Connecticut, the end of October is generally splendid, featuring brisk air, ample sunshine, clear blue skies and the "perfect sweater weather" that makes golf... and other outdoor activities... a pleasure.

This year however something freaky happened: a snowstorm of historic proportions hit a large swath of the eastern United States on Saturday the 29th, putting a frosty, destructive damper on late-season golf plans. Downed tree limbs have caused widespread power outages and made roads impassible. So much so that in many areas Halloween celebrations were canceled or downgraded much to the dismay of local youngsters. Some CT towns have considered throwing postponed Halloween celebrations next Saturday, but no one seems sure exactly how that'll work out.

Sadly, quite a few golfers I've spoken to these last couple of days seem to see the storm as a signal to hang up their clubs, though they readily recount stories of playing till mid-December in "normal years". Some of them are convinced courses won't reopen, while others appear to abide by some ancient, unwritten "first snowfall-last golf round" rule.

Photo: Cameron Kittle, The Overlook Golf Club, Hollis,NH

I spoke to staffers at a several courses near me... here in Southwestern CT... and most plan to open within a few days. Other course across the "October Snowpocalypse" zone have posted emphatic messages on their sites and Facebook pages, as in: COURSE IS CLOSED TODAY DUE TO SNOW ON COURSE---WE ARE NOT CLOSED FOR THE SEASON!!!! Hoping to Open for Walking on Weds!!! Will keep you posted!!!

Though it's true that heavy snowfall often signals the end of the golf season this freak storm, coming early as it did, will in most cases be an exception... and after a less-than-stellar 2011 golf season, many parts of New England courses could really use an extra month of business. So if you play and you live and an area that was hit by the historic October nor'easter, Keep an open mind. Don't put your clubs away and do check with the courses in your area. Your best rounds of 2011 may be yet to come.

Kardashians on Kourse to Enter the Golf Accessories Market

2011-10-27T18:52:00.000-04:00

What the Kardashian Kollection Golf Towel might look like

The Kardashians have been called celebutantes, fame whores and TV's face of evil... and granted, those labels don't conjure up a particularly appealing image.

At the same time, the flashy family is frequently described as brilliant and talented... and few would deny the raven-haired clan's ability to collectively generate buzz and make headlines.

Over the past few years the Kardashians have harnessed this ability into an international super brand that... despite the numerous haters... manages to turn legions of consumers into ardent and unquestioning followers willing to buy any and all Kardashian-branded products.

When it was announced recently that the ubiquitous glamazons were extending their Kardashian Kollection to include home decor, it's hard to imagine there was much surprise in marketing circles. "Kardashian Kollection Home" will include products like flatware.. and candlesticks.. and bath mats and... you're probably wondering where golf comes in, right?

Well, the collection will also include golf towels... "for the men in the family"! Other manly offerings may include beer mugs, shot glasses and playing cards. Admittedly, in the Kardashian family golf seems to be seen as something guys do. Girls... after all... are too busy shopping, decorating, applying make-up and... building billion dollar brands.

Ryo Romance has golf journos "exceeding social norms"

2011-10-26T02:47:00.000-04:00

Ryo At the Canon Open, Oct 2011 • • • Photo by Sankei via Getty Images

At barely twenty, Ryo Ishikawa has already had more experience with the press than most players ever will, and he's often been praised for the grace with which he handles the throngs of reporters who track his every move.

Recently however things have been getting a bit out of hand. To the extent that the youthful golf champion's manager... who also happens to be his Mom... felt it necessary to release a statement yesterday.

The unusual statement got right to the point: "There exists a woman whom Ryo Ishikawa is going out with".

It seems the ultra-endearing "Bashful Prince" has a girlfriend. She's actually a classmate from junior high school and the relationship's been going on for almost three years. Rumor has it the lucky lass will be officially introduced at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne next month. Meanwhile the story is creating a media frenzy in Japan.

It's gotten to the point where family, friends and sponsors of the superstar golfer have been bothered by "news-gathering activities exceeding social norms in the form of making surprise night-time visits and shadowing."

My good friend Norikio... always an excellent source for breaking golf news out of Japan... told me there were four security guards shadowing Ryo on the course recently, which must be extremely distracting. And there can be little doubt that fan frenzy, media madness and subsequent security needs will only increase as the President's Cup approaches and this story develops.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Tour heads to the ABC Golf Club this week for the Mynavi ABC Championship where Ryo Ishikawa has a stellar history. He won the tournament in 2008, and was runner-up last year. Right now Ryo is going for his first win of the season... and we're hoping he'll get it here.

At Golf Girl's Diary, the self-proclaimed headquarters of the US Branch of the Ryo Ishikawa Fan Club, we wish Ryo... and his young fiancée... the best.

A Demure Naked Lady Once Rewarded Golden Age Golfers

2011-10-25T19:49:00.000-04:00

Bartlett Hills C.C. - June 15, 1929

It was the early summer of 1929 and America was in the last frothy throes of a decade-long period of economic prosperity. Bobby Jones would soon soon win his third U.S. Open in a dramatic 36-hole playoff at Winged Foot, meanwhile Tilly himself was putting the finishing touches on Ridgewood Golf Course, and few months later... on the eve of the Wall Street Crash that would lead to the Great Depression... a baby boy by the name of Arnold Palmer was born in Youngstown, OH.

But on June 15, the golfers at Bartlett Hills Country Club were focused on the fairways and greens of their own course in the pastoral countryside outside of Chicago. It was Glen Garry Dae and members were competing for a very distinctive trophy. This was not a standard silver loving cup or a common engraved tray.

On that long ago summer day the winning golfer was rewarded with dainty bronze sculpture of a young lady. She wasn't carrying a golf bag...or swinging a club, in fact, her pose had nothing whatsoever to do with the game. She appeard to be doing a kind of march-mimicking dance, her eyes demurely downcast ... oh, and for some strange reason she happened to be stark naked.

Granted, the golf apparel of the day was not particularly flattering, and certainly would do nothing to highlight the ample attributes of this statue's attractive subject, but the integral nudity does seem a bit out-of-context for a golf trophy.

Now, nearly a century later the diminutive lady has lost much of her luster. The once-proud figurine was recently up for auction on e-bay. The discription mentioned "some wear to thigh and navel" which was visible in the accompanying photos.

In the end, the oddly endearing golf trophy sold for a modest $85.00.

If you like golf antiques and collectibles you may also enjoy these posts:

GolfOMeter - Golf Gadget of the Month
David Williams Solves a Golf Memorabilia Mystery
Vintage Louis Vuitton Golf Bag Up For Bid
Another LV Golf Bag Gets Away

Sergio Garcia Reclaims Golf's Most Whimsical Trophy

2011-10-23T14:09:00.000-04:00

THAT WAS THEN Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe

It's been a while since Sergio Garcia last hoisted a trophy.

Back in the fall of 2008 when he won the HSBC Champions and ascended to the rank of World Number Two, Sergio seemed poised to fulfill long standing predictions of golf greatness as the planet's top player.

In reality it was the beginning of a three-year title drought, and an abrupt reversal of fortunes for the tempestuous Spaniard.

Shortly before HSBC, there had been a win at the first ever Castello Masters... an especially meaningful win because Señor Garcia actually hosts this tournament, at his home course, surrounded by friends and family.

At that time we were introduced to the Castello Masters' decidedly unusual trophy. It looks like... well... some have suggested Mr. Potato Head, and frankly, I've got to agree. With a golf club in hand and a hat that looks like something Bill Murray might put on for the Pebble Beach ProAm, the effigy does resemble that tuberous toy we all had so much fun with as kids. In other words, it's adorable. And in October of 20008 El Niño was the first to win it.

THIS IS NOW Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe

Fast forward three years. Today a more mature Sergio Garcia has reclaimed the sirenic statuette, winning the Castello Masters winning by 11 strokes on a course he first concquored as a child. A year ago it was 17 year old, Matteo Manneserro who took home the trophy, becomming the youngest to ever win a European Tour event, and in 2009 Sweden's Michael Jonzon broke a daunting 12 year drought, at this event and earned a "thumbs up" when he kissed the cute trophey... on the lips.

Sergio seems to have saved his kisses for girlfriend, Nicole Horrex, however there's little doubt that the hugely talented player was very pleased to be reunited with the whimsical Castello Masters mascot.

If you like Sergio you may enjoy these posts:

Much Maligned Mr. Garcia Wins the Players and Praise
Golf Gossip: Sexy Sergio Flying Solo at Valhalla
The Saturday Sergio Sat on the Sidelines
Sergio Garcia - Masters '09 Status: It's Complicated
Sergio Garcia - A Tempestuous Golfer Explained
Sergio Garcia's Milestone Birthday Signals Maturity
Sergio Garcia's Haircut Gets Mixed Reviews
Masters Tradition: My Pic is Sergio Garcia (video)

Play Your Way to an Awesome Indoor Putting Green

2011-10-21T11:10:00.000-04:00

Here's a unique contest... and it that might even help you keep your putting up to par during the upcoming winter respite.

It takes place at SteveLaporte.com. What you'll notice first when you get to the site is green... a lot of green... and quite a selection of greens too, as in putting greens. A variety of expertly engineered, high quality mats... like the one that was famously featured on the HBO show, Entourage. And if you're an aspiring Ari Gold's or a would-be Luke Donald... or even if you just want to hone your skills at home from time to time... you now have a chance to win a Steve LaPorte putting green for your abode.

All you have to do to enter is putt... virtually. This is how it works: make your way over to Steve's place, that is www.stevelaporte.com, and play 18 holes of Mini Putt. Get a score of 30 or better and submit it to Mr. Laporte to be registered to win a 4'x9' indoor putting green to be given away on Dec. 16th. 2011.

Visit www.stevelaporte.com for additional details and don't forget to bring your flat stick.

Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 2

2011-10-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago a lively Linkedin discussion broke out concerning global preferences in golf attire. The topic was launched by Dennis Allen of Back Nine, the new multi-media golf lifestyle and entertainment network.

He posted this: "Golf fashion - is it boring in the USA or is it just me?"

The thing is, Dennis has a unique perspective. He's an American who majored in Japanese and International Business at the University of Washington, then spent 25 years in the sports industry. Fluent in Japanese, he's traveled the globe in top positions with some of the world's most prominent golf manufacturers including TaylorMade-adidas, Acushnet and Bridgestone. Well, there were numerous responses to the sartorial query. They came from men and women involved with golf in a variety ways both here and in Asia... and indeed, most agreed that there IS less variety on US fairways, and on our golf retailer's shelves.

Some attributed this to customer preference, suggesting that, in general, Americans don't care much about dressing stylishly for golf and would often prefer not to make a statement with their golf apparel. Others feel that years of draconian, country club dress codes have created a culture of golfers unable to see beyond the most basic boxy, polo shirts and correspondingly shapeless kahkis. It was also suggested that the US Market's preponderance of portly golfers... might be part of why there isn't more style on our courses.

Christina Thompson is another highly authoritative voice who weighed in on this subject. She's the founder and owner of Golf4Her, one of this country's top on-line destinations for women's golf apparel and accessories.

Golf4Her features an expansive collection of the best pieces from dozens of the best women's golf wear brands, including many of the awesome independent brands that aren't often available at the big-box stores and country club shops. It's all carefully curated by Christina herself, and with their stellar customer service, a great rewards program and an engaging social media presence, and it's no surprise that Golf4Her has customers from all over the world.

Christina posted some observations on international shopping styles: "Based on what we see every day, our European and Asian customers love the high-fashion styles, our customers here in the US are a little slower to take those risks" She added that she sees that changing now, as fashion-forward golf styles are becoming more accessible to US golfers. --->

A 2007 report by the Japan Market Resource Network on "The State of the Japanese Luxury Brands Market" speaks about several consumer trends that have no doubt contributed to the unique way golf apparel... among other things... is marketed in Japan. The end of Japan's bubble economy in the early nineties and the "lost decade" that followed, resulted in changes to Japanese attitudes and behavior. Consumers who at one time flocked en masse to the same luxury brands, began to seek unique products and higher levels of individuality.

Additionally, throughout the 80s and 90s Japanese women had been delaying marriage until later in life... or foregoing it entirely. The result was that far more women were in the workforce... for the long haul... and had higher levels of disposable income than ever before. In many cases these women continued to live with their parents, and their presumably insouciant, rent-free, lifestyle earned them the label of "parasite singles".

Notwithstanding that unflattering sobriquet, when studies came out revealing that many of these ladies were spending close to 10% of their annual income on fashion, companies and brands took notice. In the golf apparel and accessories market, large established companies... as well as newer, smaller companies... began looking beyond the sport's core constituency of middle-aged, male suburbanites and focused on a less obvious demographic: young, female, city-dwellers. While the segment didn't have a long history of engagement with the golf, they had become the country's most voracious fashion consumers. Also, at about this time Ai Miyazato, Momoko Ueda and a number of other Japanese professional golfers began achieving global success on professional tours. All of those elements... plus the fact that just about every neighborhood in every Japanese city has at least one driving range... took Japan's golf apparel market in the young, hip, cute, vibrant direction that so differentiates it from our US golf apparel market.

Annie Jaroszewicz, is the founder of Equipt for Play her company creates golf shoes and gloves that would fit perfectly on the shelves of Japan's most stylish golf emporiums. They're designed with a remarkable attention to detail and an exceptional eye for style.

Having observed the world's professional golfers at tournaments and in the media, Annie decided to visit China and Japan last year because she was "flat-out fascinated by the passion that Asians feel for this sport and how it’s expressed in the fashion they wear." Her observations are recounted in a blog post that presents a first-hand look at the Asian golf fashion scene ...through American eyes. It's a must-read for those interested in golf's Asia/America sartorial distinctions. Annie's observations from the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show are also quite revealing.

I realize that there are profound societal and structural differences between Japan and the US, but current economic conditions here do in some ways mirror those that existed in Japan a couple of decades ago. Could that lead to golf fashion shift here? It's definitely something ~~I'll~~ many of us will be watching for.

Read Part 1

Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 1

2011-10-14T13:49:00.003-04:00

I've often marveled at the sheer variety of golf apparel and accessories available in Japan... not to mention the unabashed whimsicality of many their designs. You may have seen my musings on the subject right here a time or two. Or ten.

Well, once again I'm pondering the puzzle of Japan's disproportionate, golf-product plenty. This time due to a online encounter with the item above.

It's a putting mat, and it's pink... and that probably seems implausible to many here in the US because... who would ever buy a pink putting mat? Particularly one emblazoned with hearts and flowers, like the Women's Flat Putt L.

East/west cultural differences not withstanding, I think it's safe to assume that this product is targeted at a young, female market. As would be most of the items featured here, and a seemingly endless number of similar sites. Clearly, there are many dozens of Japanese companies large and small, targeting this particular golf demographic... each offering a plethora of product in a multitude of colors.

The abundance isn't limited to the young ladies market either. When it comes to golf stuff, men, women and juniors... avid and occasional golfers alike... all seem to be served with a dizzying array of options in Japan and remarkably, one notices that in addition the voluminous offerings of local companies, US companies like Callaway offer an impressive selection of products exclusively for Japan.

Here in the US, our choice of products just seems to substantially more limited than in Japan... and that's what I've always wondered about... because when you look the number of golfers in each country the disparity doesn't seem to make sense. What is it that makes the two markets so different?

With the game's increasingly global reach this is a timely topic, and a couple of weeks ago it inspired a lively LinkedIn chat I'll talk about ~~later today~~ tomorrow in Part 2 of Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity.

Read Part 2

Of Golf Girls, Golf Refugees And The Perfect Golf Course

2011-10-11T12:17:00.000-04:00

"Expectations have gotten totally out of control"

I've been a fan of Golf Refugees... and their elegant black balls... for years.

I first discovered the indie eco-golf brand several years ago and was immediately impressed by their passion for golf and their unwavering efforts to fostering a more sustainable game.

Cheeky British humor and killer design are the hallmarks of their awesomely eclectic line of products. An unwavering commitment to carbon neutrality, organic cotton and a "greener" game are what sets them apart. Earlier this year, as the world was celebrating Earth week, Golf Refugees submitted proposals to the governing bodies of golf to revise their Rules of Golf to incorporate "green" measures.

As expected, the initial response from the "powers-that-be" has been... tepid. However, encouragement has come from enlightened golfers across the globe and there's evidence that more courses are now using using recycled or reclaimed water and returning their tracks to a more natural state.

In a Facebook discussion on the topic of golf and sustainability, Golf Refugees' Peter Gourse asked for my thoughts on "the perception of the perfect golf course". Here's what I told him.

Shop Golf Refugees Awesomeness here
The Most Awesomely Innovatice Golf Product Ever

Golf Ball Painting: An Artistic Autumnal Activity

2011-10-09T12:35:00.000-04:00

Here in New England the month of October is know for crisp, clear days and dramatic displays of fall foliage... and the many hues of Autumn make the final weeks of our waining golf season uniquely wonderful. However there is a bit of downside to the seasonal display... particularly for golfers who have difficulty keeping their balls on fairways. Such players quickly learn that those gorgeous golden leaves have a voracious appetite for golf balls...fallen foliage will devour your small dimpled sphere without leaving a trace, which can be... frustrating.

I know that frustration first-hand unfortunately but I still charmed when I came upon this whimsical idea for an activity that makes the meeting of golf balls and autumnal colors into an awesome fall art project for kids. Little Linksters ~~myself included~~ are sure to love this one.

Story source / photo: Happy Hooligans

A Chance To Play Winged Foot While Lending a Helping Hand

2011-10-07T16:36:00.003-04:00

Winged Foot, The Putting Green at Dusk Photo: Golf Girl Media

"Winged Foot is, in sum, a temple to the spirit of golf." -- Joseph C. Dey

Winged Foot is magic. You feel it the moment you pass through its stately stone gate. Even if you've never played golf... and know nothing of it's history... you sense the magic of the place. It's something that goes well beyond the iconic tree-lined fairways and sloping pear-shaped greens.

The exclusive slice of Westchester County that contains two of the country's top golf courses is beautiful... but not breathtaking. What's breathtaking is an ambiance of cloistered contentment that surrounds the majestic stone clubhouse and envelopes its private parkland. Its allure transcends Tillinghast and his masterful "Golden Age" architecture.

I consider myself very luck to have been able to play both the East and West Courses and they remain my most memorable golf experiences to date, but as a private, invitation-only club, the opportunity to play at Winged Foot is very hard to come by. So when a good friend of mine told me the story of Sue Memhard and the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation it resonated on a couple of levels.

The Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation provides assistant to women facing cancer. Sue is it's founder and a two time breast cancer survivor, she's now in treatment for the third time and has accumulated substantial uninsured medical bills herself. As founder however, she's not eligible for Emerald Heart's grants so the foundation's Director of Grants, Elyn Jacobs has organized a raffle and is selling raffle tickets, in the form of tax-deductible donations for Sue, via Lend a Helping Hand charity.
The lucky winner and two friends will enjoy a round of golf and lunch at Winged Foot Golf Club.

Tickets are $50 each and only 200 will be sold. The drawing will be held on October 12th, 2011. For additional information about Sue and Helping Hands see Elyn's blog post and feel free to email her with any questions you may have at elyn @emeraldheart .org.

To buy a ticket

Go to Sue's page at Lend A Helping Hand, click the DONATE button under Sue’s photo/bio, and follow the instructions for Paypal or credit card payment. In “Special Instructions” put “GOLF” and provide the email address at which you would like to be contacted if you are the winner. You will receive a receipt for your taxes.

Helping a woman who's helped so many others is a truly commendable. I thank you in advance for your support and wish you the best of luck at a chance to play Winged Foot.

Map Your Golf Travels: An Artful Display of Places You Play

2011-10-06T10:05:00.000-04:00

Everyone has a dream... or two. Actually if you're a golfer you probably have several. They're the courses you long to play... and I'm guessing you have them on a list somewhere. I know I do. I keep mine in a golf journal I've created. It takes up two pages.

There is however a more dynamic, inspiring... artful... way to keep track of the US courses you've played and/or those you dream of playing.

It comes from a company called Map Your Travels, it a graphically striking map of the United States that features a hundred top public golf courses in the country and it's mounted so that you can use the included pins and flags to mark past golf adventures and future golf dreams. Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Blackwolf - they're all there. The map can be personalized and comes in a dark wood frame, ready to hang.

It makes a great gift... for yourself or for a golfer in your life. And with gift-giving season right around the corner... timing is quite propitious.

Visit MapYourTravels.com

Sergio Garcia In An Awesome Omega Olympics Ad

2011-10-04T03:32:00.000-04:00

Sergio Garcia in a gorgeous setting... what more could one ask for on dismal Monday?

Thanks to my German friends at Hook & Slice, I discovered this breathtaking video earlier today. It's from watch maker ...and global golf sponsor... Omega and it promotes the 2016 Olympics. As most know by now the games will be held in Rio in 2016 and will include golf for the first in over a century.

In other Sergio news, guess who now holds the PGA Tour's three-putt-avoidance record? Well, that would be El Niño at 131 consecutive holes, which is almost as impressive as his tee shot in this video.

Is Bubba Watson Justin Bieber's New Swagger Coach?

2011-10-03T13:43:00.000-04:00

Newsflash: The "coolest job in the world" is officially available.

You see, word is out that tween-dream singing sensation Justin Bieber, has lost his "Swagger Coach". One can only assume a replacement is being sought and it appears big-hitting PGA golfer Bubba Watson might be on the singer's short list.

What's a "swagger coach"? you may be asking ~~as I did this earlier this morning.~~

Well, for those of you not in-the-know, a swagger coach is an integral part any self-respecting pop culture idol's team these days. They shape a star's style in subtle ways and... just... sort of... keep said star on a swagtastic trajectory to ever-increasing awesomeness. OK, I think we used to call them stylists, but clearly the job discription has evolved... and along with it, the title.

Justin Bieber's swagger coach, Ryan Good, was responsible for the singer's headline-making haircut earlier this year... and "The Biebs" himself explained the job to journalists thusly: "I have a swagger coach that helps me and teaches me different swaggerific things to do." Now however, Mr. Good has left to "pursue his own dreams" ...and suddenly Bubba Watson's tweeting about hanging with "The Biebs"? That's where the "swagger coach" speculation comes in.

I know, it may seem like a stretch, but don't forget Bubba once had his own apparel line, he also appears to have a well-honed sense for when an all-important hairstyle change-up is called for. Then there's the "Golf Boys" video that came out earlier this summer... and showed the world that Bubba Watson can "Swing it like a boomerang-a-tang tang" with the best of them.

So who knows? I can only suggest you follow @BubbaWatson on Twitter for updates.

If you liked this post you may also enjoy these Bieberific stories:
Golf Games: Sex + Justin Bieber = A Birdie on Twirdie
Rickie Fowler is Hot, Justin Bieber is Cool
Justin Bieber Golf Video: He Putts... and Goes Nuts.

TeeTime - Plucky Texas Terrier Gets Free Golf for Life

2011-09-30T14:09:00.000-04:00

Photo: John Dewey

Grapevine is a Texas town with a charming historical district, eclectic art galleries and... not surprisingly... numerous wineries. It's also home to Grapevine Golf Course.

A recently renovated Byron Nelson and Joe Finger design, Grapevine is one of the most popular courses in an area known for great golf.

Well, a number of years ago a small, scrappy Jack Russel terrier began frequenting the fairways of Grapevine Golf Course. Players started calling her "TeeTime", and she quickly became fixture; helping keep the course clean by chasing away pesky geese... and accepting offerings of food from golfers and staff in return. It was a perfect arrangement until a run-in with a coyote, a storm drain and an overzealous Animal Control Authority nearly killed the courageous canine.

Grapevine golfer John Dewey tells her harrowing story at JackRusselLover.com and it's quite an adventure. Fortunately the ending is upbeat. So much so that "TeeTime" is now "back on course" and ... has even earned her own Facebook page.

Meet MiniKawa: Ryo Ishikawa's Cute New Club Cover

2011-09-27T17:23:00.001-04:00

Photo: Yoshihiro Iwamoto

If you happen to be in Nagoya Japan this week for the Coca Cola Tokai Classic, you may notice a cute little guy in blue tagging along behind superstar golfer Ryo Ishikawa.

Well that would be MiniKawa, latest addition to the Bashful Prince's club cover collection. With spiky black hair, a visor and cool looking Swans he's clearly another Ryo wannabe... and on the fairways and greens of Miyoshi Country Club he'll protecting his idol's equipment... so to speak.

However, covering Ryo's club is just a part-time gig for the diminuative MiniKawa. He's actually a full-time mascot for Aquarius, an ultra-popular sports drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company and promoted by Japan's top athletes, including the amazing Japanese women's soccer team and the "Three Kings": star swimmer Kosuke Kitajima, stellar soccer midfielder Keisuke Honda and of course, the awesome Ishikawa, Ryo.

From what I gather, Aquarius comes in quite a number of flavors and is uniquely tasty/refreshing/energizing/AWESOME! Unfortunately it's not available in the US, and as a result there are plaintive postings on myriad message boards by Aquarius-addicted Americans who tried the bubbly beverage in Japan... and are now desperately seeking a stateside source for the elusive elixir. Apparently there isn't one.

For now, if you're in the US you'll have to enjoy the elusive elixir vicariously, through Ryo and the other athletes at the impressive Aquarius-sports website. The site's packed with videos and interactive games and MiniKawa will be there to greet you, he's not bilingual however, so if your Japanese language skills are lacking you may want to bring a translator.

Special thanks to Noriko Imada for keeping us up-to-date on all things Ryo.

Sophie Sandolo Posts Best Golf Job Ever on Facebook

2011-09-27T16:15:00.000-04:00

"Looking for a Caddy for the Ladies French Open at Paris International from Thursday thru Sunday... Anyone available? Thanks :)"

When Sophie Sandolo... the gorgeous global golf star known for both her achievements on the Ladies European Tour (including 18 top 10 finishes) and her elegantly erotic calendars... was in suddenly in need of a caddy in Paris for the upcoming Lacoste Ladies French Open, she took a modern, practical approach and updated her facebook status with the above.

Needless to say, the response was enthusiastic and voluminous. Within the space an hour the job had been filled... and one lucky caddy will be spending a long autumnal weekend on a splendid Jack Nicklaus course just outside of Paris... with one of the sexiest women in golf.

If you liked this post, you may also enjoy reading:
Enviable Assets - Sophie Sandolo's Golf & Glamour
Sophie Sandolo Speaks Out

On The Road to More Pars - A Golf Growing Crusade

2011-09-24T02:05:00.311-04:00

If Christina Ricci has her way, The Road to More Pars will soon become increasingly well traveled. You see, Christina is passionate about golf... and ultra-committed to seeing the game grow. ~ To that end, the intrepid marketing executive from Boston, Massachusetts has developed a virtual media empire focused on bringing more players to the game... and making the game more enjoyable, satisfying and fun for all golfers.

Not that long ago Christina was a thirty handicap with a goal: to drop to a single digit handicap within five years. And she did just that, in fact she was down to a five within those five years. She's now a 3.2, and aiming for scratch. At the same time, the long-legged brunette has committed herself to helping others to accomplish their golf goals.

Christina's Golf Survival Guides are unique among instructional golf books in that they're designed to be used on or off the course. Spiral bound, sturdy and portable, the format is highly visual and easy to follow; presenting tips, drills, instruction and information with detailed illustrations and high quality photography. A companion set of DVDs as well as an on-demand golf video and fitness library are also available on Christina's site. In addition at the iTunes App Store you can find the survival guide for iPhone and iPad. Then there's Miss Par, Christina's blog and a great place to go for news on the the latest golf fashion, golf gear and golf gossip. But lets get back on the proverbial road, shall we?

Christina's latest venture... and her most awesomely ambitious yet: a golf travel/game/reality/adventure show, aimed at the sport’s most under-served demographic: the female golfer.

To get an idea of what you'll see On the Road to More Pars check out the website. Then, watch the sizzle reel... and make sure you vote YES if you like the concept of this golf-growing show. And by the way, a nationwide search will get underway soon for seven cast members... Christina's Golfer Girl Roadies... who'll live the adventure On The Road to More Pars. Women of all ages and ability levels... golfers or aspiring golfers... are encouraged to start preparing an audition video. Sample reels are on the site to inspire you.

Christina Ricci is a true golf evangelist and a brand-builder par excellence. As golf industry executives and associations ponder future growth of the game Christina has taken the club by the shaft... so to speak... and launched a movement.

Check out Christina's interview with me at Miss Par!

The Awesome "Getting to Know Alexis Thompson" Infographic

2011-09-22T17:08:00.017-04:00

{See Full Size Image}

Although she's already quite familiar to fans of women's golf, Alexis Thompson hasn't yet become a household name, despite the fact that she's made golf history... a couple of times already.

At age 16, the newly crowned Navistar LPGA Classic Champion is seen by many in golf media as the great American hope for women's golf.... and some are even suggesting she may singlehandedly save the LPGA. However, most of the folks I've been speaking to at the driving range and on the golf course this week, have no idea who Alexis Thompson is. Granted, these people have mainly been men... recreational golfers who probably don't know Ricky Fowler from Dustin Johnson, either.

In any case, the ascension of Alexis is an engaging story, that presents us with a compelling young player, almost certainly destined for LPGA stardom, and that's what inspired me to create this "Getting to Know Alexis Thompson" infographic. Consider it a visual representation of random info on Alexis.

Since her historical win at the Navistar Classic on Sunday there's been a bit of controversy about the exact path Lexi will take to full status on the LPGA Tour... you see, no one's ever won an event before attaining the LPGAs minimum age.

For the moment however, the Tour is busy over in Ireland with the 2011 Solheim Cup so a final decision has not been made, but whatever the outcome is, it's a pretty sure bet that we'll be seeing lots of Lexi in the months and years to come.

Presidents Cup - Top 10 Spots Set, Ryo Fans Rejoice

2011-09-19T15:31:00.000-04:00

The automatics are in, with ten of the 12 spots on both the international and US teams set... and here they are. It's now up to the captains to make their two picks. In fact, US captain Fred Couples has already confirmed that one of his two will be Tiger Woods, leaving room for just one more US player... and it seems that pick is still very much up in the air. "We still have another week, but that could easily change anyone's mind," Couples said. "I want these guys to know that the Tour Championship is still deciding my second pick."

On the International side, Greg Norman is also studying his options. With the event taking place in Australia, The Shark has the added pressure of on-site fan support weighing on him, but appears to be keeping it in perspective. "I'm picking the player, not the flag," Norman said. "How they have played in the last 90 to 100 days is important to me. I'll be looking at their scores and the consistency of how they play."

Meanwhile, fans of Ryo Ishikawa were happy to see him get in after recent struggles put him on the bubble. A captain's pick in 2009, Ryo is the youngest player ever to compete in the Presidents Cup and his debut at Harding Park impressed many.

The 2011 Presidents Cup will take place at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from November 4-11.

Ryo Ishikawa: Of Milestone Birthdays and Growing Pains

2011-09-16T14:55:00.008-04:00

お誕生日おめでとうございます石川遼

Ryo Ishikawa, the Japanese teen we've been watching for almost five years is turning twenty.

When he first caught our attention almost five years ago. It was the summer of 2007 and "The Bashful Prince" was a newly minted fifteen-year-old pop culture icon, having recently become the youngest winner ever of a men's tournament on the Japan Tour.

With a whimsical nickname and a disarming smile, he soon made his way to the international stage, turning professional in 2008, and by the end of that year becoming the youngest player ever to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings. US golf fans discovered the young phenom in 2009 when he played in PGA Tour tournaments for the first time.

A series of impressive achievements followed as Ryo made his way to the top of the global "Promising Young Guns" shortlist. It sometimes seemed like nothing could go wrong this precocious trajectory to the top... but... it was sort of inevitable there'd be some growing pains somewhere along the way.

Early this week I heard from friends in Japan that Ryo had been fined nearly $30,000 for missing two recent Japan Tour events. A shoulder injury... backed up by a note from his physician... was the reason for Ryo's withdrawals, but that didn't sway the powers-that-be at the Japan Tour... nor did the golf star's commitment to donate all of his 2011 income to the Japan's earthquake relief fund. Then, just today at the ANA Open in Sapporo, Ryo missed the cut in his final round as a teenager. The star was a bit wistful when asked to comment on his upcoming birthday, "Lonely birthday - I had planned to play this weekend". And so go the growing pains for a very young player who has risen mercurially in world golf.

It's quite clear that Ryo is eager to compete with the top ranked players in the world, declaring recently that he "hoped to become a player who has the option of playing on the U.S. tour" at the same time he's become such a huge star in Japan that he's often seen as having single-handedly increased Japanese participation in the game... and vital to its continued growth. One can only imagine the newly-minted-twenty-year-old is feeling the pressure of the weighty decisions that lie ahead, however he's always shown remarkable thoughtfulness and maturity. Despite the pressure and a few metaphorical speed bumps on his road to the top, there's little doubt among fans and followers of the game Ryo's rapid rise will continue. お誕生日おめでとうございます石川遼

Thanks go to Noriko, a fellow Ryo fan from Japan who always keeps me informed.

Consistent and Creative: Yani Tseng's Winning Style

2011-09-12T18:03:00.009-04:00

Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images North America

Yesterday's playoff victory at Pinnacle Rock was just one more sign: Yani Tseng's LPGA dominance is incontrovertible, unambiguous and actual.

Ten career victories, five majors by age 22, money milestones, POY honors and quantifiable uber-consistency... these are some of the highly visible results of Yani's stellar game.

But lets get really superficial and shallow for a minute and talk about the girl's look.

As much as Yani Tseng's distinctive personal style, may not appeal to a Bleacher Report Swagger kind of guy... or to those who swear by FoxSports Incomplete Coverage ... there are lots of us who do appreciate her special fashion sense.

Simplicity, it would seem, is at the base of Yani's sartorial strategy:

• A fitted cap (Adams Golf) and half jacket shades (Oakley)
• Classic tops in bright colors and close fitting bermuda shorts with a destinctive belt (Lacoste)
• Simple solid-colored shoes (Footjoy)

That's pretty much it... the Yani Tseng style playbook. Like her game, Yani's on-course look is consistent... yet it's also very creative because, as she demonstrates week after week, consistency and creativity are not mutually exclusive.

The last really dominant LPGA player was Lorena Ochoa who, like Yanni, is 5'6". The two champions also have Lacoste in common, so it's not surprising to note a few stylistic similarities between them, but it's the details that make the difference, and personality adds that extra something that creates a personal style. Like Lorena Ochoa before her, Yani Tseng has a winning one.

You may also like:

Yani Tseng

Yani Tseng, Cristie Kerr & the Crocodile

LPGA Prognostication Derby

Arab Golf Championships Take Mideastern Golfers to Morocco

2011-09-09T01:02:00.007-04:00

During the upcoming week male and female golfers from fifteen countries will take to the fairways at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in Rabat, capitol of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The 31st Arab Golf Championships begins on September 14th and golfers from Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Bahrain, Syria... and Morroco... will compete at the Robert Trent Jones designed golf venue in Men's, Women's and Junior categories.

The Arab Spring brought a wave of protests and demonstrations to cities and towns across the Middle East and North Africa.. and unrest continues in many places. There's a new sense of pride and empowerment in many parts of the region... but also a sense that the upheaval will continue for some time to come. Some sporting events in the Middle East have even been canceled, so it's testament to the dedication of athletes, organizers and sponsors that this... and other golf events... are taking place as scheduled.

We've written in the past about the growth of golf in Middle Eastern countries, and efforts to bring the game to the local, native-born populations. We've also done stories on some up-and-coming players including Ahmad Al Musharrakh and Khalid Yousuf who'll both be representing the UAE next week in the Moroccan capital.

The UAE contingent will also include the Dr. Rabab Al Haj... a physician at Dubai Hospital... who'll be competing for individual honors in the women’s category.

Along with fellow Emeraiti golfer Eida Al Mehairbi, Dr. Al Haj made history at last year's Arab Golf Championships forming the UAE's first women's team to compete in the event.

The standard of the golfers and golf facilities in the Middle East has risen substantially over the past decade. The fact that the game will return to the Olympics in 2016... as well as the announcement of the new MENA Golf Tour.... ensures that the game will continue to grow in the years to come.

Bunker Basics - The Golf Girl Sand Save Money Shot

2011-09-02T16:58:00.003-04:00

Before I started playing golf my exposure to different types of courses was limited to the occasional televised snippet I'd catch by chance. Green and flowery or wet and wind-swept, as a disinterested non-golfer, the nuances were basically lost on me... a golf course was simply a golf course.

They all had bunkers though, and from Augusta National's pristine pools of pure white quartz to the deep, straight-faced pot bunkers of many Open Championship venues, I naively saw them as over-sized sandboxes where you might even find a child's pail and shovel, or a plastic starfish.

Then I started playing the game... and I quickly developed an major aversion to any kind of sand on a golf course. I soon began to see bunkers as hazards to be avoided, and with my limited skills there was no way I could consciously avoid anything. So I struggled to understand the dynamics of a sand shot. I listened to the advice of instructors and took tips from random strangers who seemed to get up and down with ease. Everyone told me it was simple, but it wasn't. Not for me. I tried it all and no nothing worked, Until I started doing what some of my friends did: deftly picking up the ball and gently tossing it out of the hazard. You see, being a purely social golfer I had that option.

As you may know, I recently decided to take my game to the next level. I found a stellar instructor and we've started working towards that end. I've re-engineered my swing and I'm finally developing the kind of consistency that's allowing me to make quantifiable progress. However, time and scheduling being what it is, we've not yet gotten into the traps to work on bunker play... and though I'm now substantially better at avoiding hazards, I still encounter them... all too frequently. So a couple of weeks ago when I was playing with Golf for Beginners editor Stacy Solomon and saw her confidently execute a sand save from a deep, green-side bunker, I naturally ~~begged her~~ asked her for a sand trap tip, and what she shared with me was ultra-simple but has helped me tremendously. She told me to visualize a dollar bill underneath the ball, with the ball sitting squarely on George Washington's face, then swing to lift the entire bill out of the sand, following through with a full finish.

Apparently that tip's been around for a while, but I'd never heard it before, and it somehow enabled me to put into affect much of the other advice I'd gotten. For me it was just a really good visual, and I find that a good visual is often the key to understanding a concept in golf.

Speaking of good visuals here's the gorgeous (major understatement) Suzanne Haney making up-and-down look easy, while husband Hank narrates.

Check out Suzanne's YouTube channel for more excellent golf tip videos.

An Unwelcome Interloper Leaves Golf Courses Waterlogged

2011-08-30T23:44:00.003-04:00

Tunxis Plantation Golf Course in Farmington, CT - - - Photo: courant.com

The past couple of days have been picture perfect here in Connecticut; temps in the high 70s... bright sunshine... low humidity. Ideal weather for golf. Except that many courses have been closed due to flooded fairways and waterlogged greens, remnants of the weekend visit of an unwelcome interloper by the name of Irene. The branches and debris she left in her wake have made numerous roads... and quite a few cart paths... impassible. Power outages remain widespread.

I know first-hand about the power problems as my home/office/etc has been without electricity since Sunday morning ... and word has it restoration may may not happen for several days.

So I've armed myself with patience and pragmatism, and found some innovative ways to work around the outage. My posting here... and on the social networks... may be a bit less frequent for the time being as I generally do that in bed, late at night. These days I'm actually sleeping at around midnight, which, it turns out isn't that bad at all.

Withing the next day or so I suspect most of our courses will reopen and I'm hoping to get a couple of rounds in before the end of Labor Day weekend. I'm hoping the extra sleep will result in lower scores.

The Liberty Cup - Cristie Kerr's Two-Day Charity Golf Event

2011-08-28T23:59:00.000-04:00

Windows were rattled, branches were broken and a number of streets were flooded but Metro NY managed to avoid the worst of hurricane Irene.

Most New York City subways, buses and commuter trains will be back to normal tomorrow morning after a complete shut-down in anticipation of what could have been a far more destructive weather event.

Better yet, the next several days are expected to be dry and sunny. That's welcome news, especially if you've got a major charity golf event planned... and that's the position Cristie Kerr finds herself in. This week the LPGA mega-star will host the two-day Inaugural Liberty Cup Charity Golf Tournament.

The event kicks off tomorrow evening with a welcome reception at PH-D, an otherworldly space on the rooftop of the new Dream Hotel. On Tuesday professional golfers and stars from the sports & entertainment worlds will head out to Jersey City and breathtaking Liberty National Golf Club for the Liberty Cup Pro-Am. The day finishes with a Cocktail Reception, Dinner, an Auction & Awards and will benefit Kerr’s Birdies for Breast Cancer Foundation and the Christie Kerr Women’s Health Center at the Jersey City Medical Center, as well as other Jersey City Charities.

The event promises to be spectacular, especially now that a certain uninvited guest by the name of Irene has left town. For more information, visit cristiekerrgolf.com

Artful Facebook Nudity Leads to Golf Team Suspension

2011-08-23T17:55:00.019-04:00

Is artful nudity a breach of golf etiquette? Photo via SFGate

Competetive golf is a demanding, highly diciplined pursuit, so it's only natural that players might want to let loose a bit when they're not on the course.

Off-course activities can sometimes go awry however, and the inventive young men of the Bethany College golf team appear to have earned themselves a suspension for their playful take on a team portrait.

The photo in question had the attractive athletes posed in row on grassy hillside. The team's camaraderie was visible in their jaunty smiles, and their collective nudity added a refreshing element of light-hearted, joyfulness.

Yes. That's the thing, the guys were all stark naked... but each and every one of them had taken care to assure that their "male parts" were artfully obscured behind a strategically placed driver. A couple of the guys even added a club cover.

Controversial photographic inspiration - photo: Joe McNally/Getty Images

It seems the Bethany "Swedes", were inspired by photo of the UCLA Men's Golf Team... in a similar state of déshabillé... that was published in Golf Digest way back in 2004. One can only imagine the Bethany boys were completely confident that their fun-loving photographic foray wouldn't be deemed offensive. When the pic found its way to the pages of Facebook however, someone was indeed offended and that person sent an angry email to the team's coach. Hence the (three game) suspension.

Some see the suspension as an epic over-reaction to a harmless bit of fun, while others feel the punishment is fitting of the crime. Many have attributed the severity of the suspension to the fact that Bethany College is a small Lutheran school in a socially conservative state (Kansas), however, when the UCLA - Golf Digest photo was published there was also a substantial negative reaction. It turns out male nudity... even when there's no emphasis on sex or sexuality... is still quite provocative. Unfortunately the Bethany College Swedes seem to have learned this the hard way.

The team is planning to appeal the suspension.

Sources: kansascw.com , sfgate.com

Revisitation: A Changing World & The Golf Courses of Libya

2011-08-23T00:38:00.002-04:00

Six Months ago, the world was watching Libya as protests began to spread across the country from the eastern city of Benghazi. At that time many felt the North African nation would quickly be liberated... that it would just be a matter of weeks... or even days... till Muammar Qaddafi, the county's impetuous leader, resigned or fled. After all, it had happened in neighboring Egypt and Tunisia.

But in the months that followed rebel forces took control of key cities... then saw that control shift back into the hands of pro-government elements. There were Nato air strikes... and counter-attacks... and despite a no fly zone and other protective measures authorized by the UN Security Council... thousands of citizens were killed. The Arab Spring turned into a sanguinary summer in Libya.

During the past week however, the the anti-government forces appear to have taken back many of those key cities and we're now hearing they've advanced on Tripoli... and that Qaddafi, may have fled. Though fierce fighting clearly continues in and around the Libyan capitol, it does now seem that a tipping point has been reached, and the Qaddafi regime really is on the brink of collapse. That thought inspired me to revisit the post I wrote six months ago in the early days of the Arab Spring.

A Changing World & the Golf Courses of Libya - February 22, 2011

True: I write about golf. But I've got to admit I'm finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the momentous events taking place in North Africa and the Middle East. Popular uprisings that started in Tunisia, and spread quickly to Egypt, are now inspiring the populations of neighboring lands to reject leaders who had once seemed invulnerable. An historic geopolitical change... one that'll shape the future for everyone on earth... is clearly underway.

And it sometimes makes writing about Tiger and tournaments and the latest golf fashion trends feel... I don't know... ~~ridiculously inconsequential~~ somewhat trivial?

Yes, but I love writing about golf... it's what I do in this space... and presumably, it's what readers come by for. So while I'm finding myself intently watching what's happening in the world, I've always got golf on my radar... and I've discovered that the game is present just about everywhere, in some form or fashion.

Right now all eyes are on Libya, where protests are ongoing, violence is escalating and Muammar Gaddafi is clinging to the power he's held for over four decades.

The stakes here are particularly high, as this vast North African nation is one of the world's top oil producers and its beleaguered is ruler one the planet's most unpredictable.

Despite its rich historical past and extraordinary archaeological sites, tourism is not highly developed in Libya largely due to the capriciousness of its leader. International hotels are scarce... to non-existent. In fact Marriot, the first global brand to have property in the country, opened the JW Marriott Hotel Tripoli in the Libyan capitol a mere two weeks ago. As a result, the country's four golf courses can't exactly count on tourists to fill in those open tee times.

The golfers in Libya are mainly expats. You'll also find Libyans who learned to play while caddying for the oil company executives who introduced golf to the country in the 60s. ~ In Tripoli they play at the Tripoli Golf Club or the Tajura Golf Club, both 18 holes courses. There's also a course in the eastern city of Benghazi and one in the oil refinery town of Brega. The courses are all sand and the ex-patriot website expatarrivals.com qualifies them collectively with ... "as a high level golfer you won't find them very challenging, but not bad for a good day of distraction."

I was hard pressed to find pictures of any of them. The photo at the top of the page is from The Wrigs in Libya, a blog that chronicles the adventures of a Canadian family living the expat life in Benghazi. It's part of a post written in August of 2008 and the caption reads:

"This is the 18 hole golf course across from the Al Fadeel hotel. It's a Par 68 course. We have yet to play but are planning on it. They have recently added another ATCO trailer and repainted the clubhouse as well as done some upgrades to the tee boxes."

From the looks of it the Wrigs never did get to play that desert course... and their most recent post... from a couple of days ago... tells of their reluctant departure from Bengazhi. They're returning to Canada for the time being, in the face of Libya's increasing violence.

The prospect of a new government in Libya... one open to international tourism... has to be extremely tantalizing to golf course developers. With some of the best preserved archaeological sites in the world, an expansive Mediterranean coastline and an ideal climate, the country would be a perfect place for golf resorts...lots of them... and ambitious architects are no doubt already thinking that if the right kind of government came in, oil-producing Libya could become the next Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Unfortunately however, the contumelious Colonel Gaddafi seems prepared to resort to extreme violence in his attempts to say in power, and the road to Libya's future as an international golf tourism destination could be long and perilous. We'll be watching what happens in the coming days and weeks, and hoping for the best.

Updates: The JW Marriott Hotel Tripoli is reportedly been taken over by snipers. There are also reports that it's on fire. Earlier this evening the hotel's website posted the following: "Due to the political unrest in Libya, the JW Marriott Hotel Tripoli is not accepting incoming reservations until further notice. The safety and security of our guests and employees is our top priority and we will continue to evaluate the situation."

The Wrigs haven't gotten back to Lybia and don't seem to be planning a return trip any time soon. Their blog, The Wrigs of Libya is now simply called The Wrigs and chronicles their current life in Western Canada.

A Twitter account @MuamarsGolfCart has been created for "Ghaddafis Golf Cart" dispensing sophomoric tweets such as:

Awesome Infographics - PGA Championship Visual Overview

2011-08-19T13:02:00.017-04:00

Infographic by BlueClaw for Direct Golf UK

Before the final major of the PGA Tour's 2011 season is relegated to the golf history books, you'll want to have a look at the attached infographic, created for specialist golf retailer, Direct Golf UK by the creative folks at Blueclaw Media.

If you read this blog you know about my obsession with infographics... and golf infographics in particular. Professional golf is all about stories and statistics, so it lends itself perfectly to engaging data visualization.

Here, a brief history of the PGA Championship is presented in a graphical style that's fresh and whimsical. It includes some of the tournament's more remarkable players, venues and records, and takes us right up to Sunday's Keegan Bradley win.

Next week the Fedex Cup playoffs begin, and I think we can look forward to seeing some more infographic creativity as the four event series unfolds.

Here's the full sized version.

Garrulous Golf Instruction, Sexy Shakira Style

2011-08-19T02:11:00.002-04:00

Some simply know her as a beautiful and talented singer but Shakira also has an affinity for golf, one that's been quite well documented... in fact, it's been featured in the pages of this blog in the past.

A couple of years ago the gorgeous Colombian spoke to celeb golfer George Lopez about her love for the game. He was clearly impresses. Shakira also counts professional golfers among her fans... and one very famous retired golfer. Yes Lorena Ochoa is a "Fanatica" de Shakira...

After you see this Shakira Instructional video, you'll probably be one too.
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Another First for Icelandic Golfer Olafur Loftsson

2011-08-15T20:06:00.002-04:00

Ólafur Björn Loftsson Courtesy: Charlotte Sports Information

A few months ago Ólafur Björn Loftsson, hit his first hole-in-one, in round 1 of the A-10 Championship. His ace helped the Charlotte 49ers make history, winning a League-Record Sixth A-10 Men's Golf Title.

Then... just yesterday... the young man from Gardabaer, Iceland captured another history-making win at the Cardinal Amateur in Greensboro, NC. That victory secured him a spot at this week's Wyndham Championship where he'll be the first Icelandic golfer ever to compete in a PGA Tour event.

Though not yet known for its professional golfers, Iceland does have a unique and vibrant golf culture, with 65 courses, and an active national golf union. The season...which generally runs from late May to early September... is somewhat short, but the days are long. In fact, midnight golf is generally playable all over Iceland between June and the later part of July.

By the way, here's the video of Ólafur Loftsson's awesome ace.

...and for more on golf in Iceland check out the following:

The Iceland Open Experience: An Awesome Adventure

Golfer's Lament: When Iceland Lives Up to Its Name

NYC Area Golf Experiences - Putnam National Golf Course

2011-08-14T23:40:00.009-04:00

Stacy Solomon, Mike Wolfe & I - Photo: Golf4Beginners

This past Thursday, the New York metropolitan area enjoyed what will probably be its most beautiful summer day of 2011. In a season that frequently featured oppressive heat and high humidity, the clearblue skies and bright sunshine were pleasantly tempered by cool breezes and the occasional cottony cumulus.

It was a perfect day for the impromptu "mini meet-up" and casual round of golf, arranged by golf blogger and social media specialist, Stacy Solomon of Golf for Beginners. The venue was Putnam National Golf Course in Mahhopac, NY, about 50 miles north of midtown Manhattan.

Joining Stacy and I was golf media multi-tasker Mike Wolfe, who produces the WAMGolf blog and radio show and runs WAM Enterprises, a social media marketing company. Stacy's husband Barry... who you may know as co-host of the Golf for Beginners podcast... rounded out our foursome.

Stacy Solomon, Mike Wolfe & I - Photo: Golf4Beginners

As I circumnavigated glittering Lake Mahopac on my way to the course, I thought back to the one and only time I'd played at Putnam National. It was a couple of years ago on an unseasonably mild day in early October, and what I remembered most was how the brilliant fall foliage extended up the surrounding hills to provide a colorful vista at almost every hole. Since then I've wanted to get back there, and this was a great opportunity.

When our round got underway I was again reminded that at Putnam National elevation and rolling terrain shape the playing experience here... for golfers of all levels... while delighting anyone with an appreciation for the beauty of woodland nature.

From my own perspective... that of a purely social golfer who just recently began an earnest effort develop a more serious game... there were challenges at every juncture. My playing partners also found the course challenging, but their substantially more developed skills allowed them to fare much better, which is to be expected. As I told them, "... like Tiger, I'm tinkering with my swing and need more time to get it back on track" ... and believe it or not they were too nice (or too polite) to balk, even at that ridiculously pretentious joke.

Stacy showed some exceptional sand skills when she managed to save par after finding a tricky green-side bunker on the 8th, an uphill par 4. Then she offered me a tip that I've since used effectively. Mike not only has a great sense of humor he's also an impressive golf strategist and a straight hitter. He deftly avoided the rough which was quite thick and demanding of accuracy. As for Barry, he'd played the course on a number of occasions and was able to clue us in on what to expect as we made our way around the course. It was a pleasure to be part of this golf media foursome.

Putnam National is clearly a course that can be enjoyed at a variety of levels which would make it a fine venue for corporate outings, business events or casual rounds... as well as a place where avid golfers can compete. The putting green and driving range appear well set up for those who wish to get some practice in and the Grille Room where we had drinks after our round is friendly and relaxing.

As the summer turns to fall and nature transforms this hilly landscape into a burnished wonderland, it's the perfect time for golfers living in... or visiting... the New York metropolitan area or Hudson Valley would do well to check out Putnam National Golf Course.

Je Cherche le Foulard Golf - Seeking Golf Scarf

2011-08-12T00:04:00.005-04:00

If I could create a silk scarf, with a golf theme... it would look a lot like this. Hot pink and turquoise...lots of flowers and whimsically rendered little golf things. Oh, and in theory it's also available in a navy/pearl gray combination. In case the pink/turquoise ~~makes you want to thow up or something.~~ is too girly for you.

The thing is, these scarfs were once available at the French Golf Federation's website... for 90 €... However that's apparently no longer the case... and I'm wondering where I can now get a hold of a few. Any ideas.

Ryo Ishikawa - Grace, Game & A Growing US Fanbase

2011-08-08T13:33:00.011-04:00

Ryo Ishikawa - Bridgestone Invitational / Photo: AP

I was on my way out of Akron when I received the photo at left in a message from my Japanese friend, Noriko. With it she wrote:

"Ryo has played greatly ! Hope he plays well at the final round. I believe you like his cute smile below ..."

Heading north on OH-8 N towards Twinsburg, the midwestern landscape simmered in the steamy late afternoon sunlight. I wasn't in Ohio for the tournament... I was actually attending ~~a somewhat peculiar~~ a uniquely interesting international convention for twins... but that's a whole nother story.

When I found out I'd be able to fit in several hours at the Bridgestone Invitational on Saturday I jumped at the chance, and that turned out to be the day Ryo Ishikawa fired off the bogey-free six-under par 64 that put him into solo second place behind Adam Scott who eventually lifted the trophy... and Scott was stellar... that's for sure. Rickie Fowler was superlative as well, finishing in a tie for second with world number one Luke Donald. Another impressive Aussie, Jason Day, shared the T-4 spot with Ryo. But it was the "Bashful Prince" who stole the spotlight... and grew his US fan base substantially... on Saturday.

If you read this blog you know I'm a huge Ishikawa fan. I first wrote about Ryo over four years ago as he prepared to compete in Junior World at Torrey Pines. Since then the Japanese teenager has appeared in the pages of Golf Girl's Diary over fifty times... to the extent that some have suggested I rename the blog "Ryo Ishikawa's US Fan Club". I haven't done that, but as PGA Championship week gets underway here are a couple of my Ryo posts from years past.

Welcome Back to America Ryo Ishikawa

Ryo Style - Ishikawa Awesomeness at the HSBC Champions

Adoring Female Fans Covet Ryo Ishikawa's Balls

Everyone Loves Ryo - ハニカミ王子 - Golf's "It Boy"

Remarkable Ryo Ishikawa - Best Dressed Golfer of 2009

Maki Uchida - Golf Photography That Transcends Golf

2011-08-03T02:49:00.002-04:00

Photos: Maki Uchida / Uchida Times

The allure of golf is hard to explain, even for those with a passion for the game.

Whether one plays obsessively several times a week, or simply makes a point to watch The Masters each year, it's often hard to answer the inevitable, "what do you like about golf " question.

If you're reading this blog, you know the question I'm talking about. It's the one posed with a look of abject incredulity... in a tone laden with scepticism. And when you hear it, that's when you realize... you actually don't even know what it is you love about the game.

If you're an avid player, you probably say something about the challenge of the sport... or the the connection with nature. Maybe you tout the social side. If you're simply a fan, you may mention the show of skill and the prospect of an exciting finish. In either case however, you realize that there's something else to it. Something intangible... something that goes beyond the game ...and that elusive... something... is what's so perfectly captured in the work of Japanese photographer, Maki Uchida. Whether his subject is a famous professional golfer, or anonymous members of the gallery, he captures the feeling that goes along with the game... and the result is so compelling.

On his blog, Uchida Times, the photographer presents his work with unique humor and creativity. My Japanese is a work in progress, so I used translation software which isn't perfect but the photos themselves speak volumes and in essence, reflect so much of what we love about the game.

The Inspiring Story Behind Scott Stallings' Rookie Win

2011-07-31T20:25:00.006-04:00

Way back in March, when this was happening... I wrote this:

c/o BNET/Chief Executive Golfer

March 17, 2011 - A couple of days ago I finally got a chance to check out Chief Executive Golfer, a blog written by PGA Tour rookie, Scott Stallings, for BNET, the CBS interactive business network.

The PGA Reshuffle: What Happens When You're Not Making Money was what caught my eye. It was Scott's most recent post, and as I read it... then read his previous posts... I was captivated by the narrative. It's Scott's personal story and it brings to life his dreams... and his disappointments... many of which are certainly shared by touring pros everywhere as they attempt to build sustainable golf careers. I'd first heard about Scott... and his blog... via an interview he did for The Grill Room, with Golf Magazine senior editor Alan Bastable.

Scott started the blog a couple of years ago and writes regularly. His early posts find him grinding along on the Nationwide Tour. He describes the frustration when he narrowly missed getting on the PGA Tour in 2009 and the joy of finally getting there in 2010. He talks about the crazy travel schedule, the relationships he has with his caddie and swing coach, the money issues and missed cuts... and the sheer unpredictability of it all. For the casual golf fan... and even for avid fans... I suspect many of the stories in Scott's blog would be a revelation.

c/o stallingsgolf.com

Scott is a preachers son, raised in Oak Ridge, TN. His quintessential Middle American innocence and unaffected enthusiasm come through clearly in his writing. He travels 300 days a year with Jennifer who he first met when they were both... in kindergarten. They started dating in seventh grade and she's now his wife. Though she's as beautiful as any of the PGA Tour wives mentioned in the reality show story (of last March), her look is decidedly more "winsome, storybook princess" than "fierce bad girl glamazon".

Jennifer manages the couple's complicated, constantly changing itinerary and acts as devil's advocate for her sometimes overly optimistic husband. She's also a talented photographer... and a prolific blogger in her own right. Life on the Road is where Jennifer chronicles the unconventional touring pro lifestyle from a partner's point of view. Like her husband she describes the hardships as well as the joys and paints an engaging, eye-opening picture.

c/o PGATour.com

Scott missed the cut for the Honda Classic so right now he and Jennifer are in rain soaked Bogota, Colombia for the Nationwide Tour's Pacific Rubiales Bogota Open. Scott's currently in a tie for 22nd as the last group finishes their second round and the third round gets underway. Rules don't allow for play on Monday so the the tournament... and the next move for Mr. and Mrs. Stallings... will be decided this afternoon, on the completion, it's hoped, of 54 holes. Theirs is far cry from the lifestyle of the top players.

c/o stallingsgolf.com

For Scott Stallings and other PGA Tour rookies... and for all of those trying to reach the PGA Tour through the Nationwide Tour or regional and developmental tours... the stakes, week-in and week-out, are arguably far greater than they are at the top, where players have status that allows them to worry much less about keeping their jobs. To my mind, these rookies... and aspiring rookies... have a far more dramatic story to tell. A good showing has got to mean more... and a heart break must be far more heartbreaking... when the specter of starting over at Q-school is hanging over one's head.

If these stories can be heard over the cacophony that surrounds the glamorous lives of top players, I'm sure they'll find an enthusiastic audience... even in this fragmented golf media landscape. In fact, with the proliferation of new online golf platforms and multimedia golf entertainment networks, a well produced web series starring Scott and Jennifer Stallings might not be that much of a stretch. In the meantime check out Chief Executive Golfer and Life on the Road for an ultra-engaging glimpse into the lives of the real rookies of the PGA Tour.

In a one-hole sudden death playoff today, Scott won the 2011 Greenbrier Classic.

Ai Miyazato Has The World's Sexiest Golf Swing

2011-07-27T11:07:00.001-04:00

I want what she's having.

Ai Miyazato brings an extraordinary grace to the golf swing... even in the pouring rain. Hers is one of those swings that many attempt to copy... for obvious reasons.

Beating the Heat With Night Golf at Highland Greens

2011-07-24T02:32:00.005-04:00

Night golf at Highland Greens

For the past week, it's been a sauna around here.

The National Weather Service issued heat warnings, then Excessive Heat Warnings. Cooling centers have been set up in most cities and towns.

ER Physicians... who've been seeing twice their usual number of patients due to heat-related ills... are suggesting that everyone "try to avoid exercise or any exertion outdoors during the daytime hours". So much for golf, right? Well, not necessarily it turns out.

If you happen to live in southwestern Connecticut you can actually play golf at night on a challenging, well kept nine hole par three.

Highland Greens is located in Prospect, CT, just 15 minutes from Waterbury and a half hour from both Danbury and New Haven. The area has a colorful history that dates back to the revolutionary war, and the course... which was built in the early 60's... features deep green side bunkers and a man-made pond on the 7th hole requiring up to a 145-yard carry over water.

I couple of days ago I headed up there with Jordan and my twin sister, Cat. We teed off at 8:00pm. Though the temperature had reached almost 100* that day, the evening was pleasantly cool, and the illumination is so well done that the darkness was never a hindrance. Highland Greens is a woodland course and the layout meanders through dark forests that continually pulse with the eclectic sounds of nocturnal animals and insects. Playing at night was a unique experience... slightly eerie, but awesome... and I definitely want to do it again. I'm also curious to play there during the day, and will certainly do so... once the heat breaks.

I only had my Motorola Atrix with me that night but managed to get a couple of short clips that capture a bit of the Night-Golf-in-the-Middle-of-the-Woods vibe.

"An Excuse for Eccentricity" - Golf Inspires Prada

2011-07-21T01:38:00.003-04:00

Creators of golf apparel often cite the fashion runways as inspiration for their designs, but the reverse was true last month in Milan at Prada's 2012 Menswear show in Milan... and the ironic thing is: Miuccia Prada hates golf.

Then again, the Italian designer has been quite open about being inspired by things she's not fond of and in this case she did admit that the wacky world surrounding golf, with its eccentric dress codes and good-taste-be-damned point of view, had rather captivated her.

If you like Loudmouth Golf styles... on steroids... with a dash of Lilly Pulitzer... on crack... you'll surely love this collection.

More on the Prada line... and reaction to it... tomorrow. In the meantime you can get a bit of an idea of what I'm talking about by checking out the clip below:

Identical Swingers: Curious Tales of Twin Golfers

2011-07-19T13:19:00.001-04:00

A couple of years ago I wrote a fun little post about twin golfers.

Being a twin myself... and a mediocre but enthusiastic recreational golfer... it was a topic that intrigued me, and I was delighted to find several sets of female twins playing professionally in different parts of the world.

Seoul Sisters Aree and Naree Song, mediagenic Brits, Samatha and Johanna Head, and at-the-time up-and-coming Irish tweens, Lisa and Leona Mcguire were the golf girl twins of the moment.

All of them have remained in golf; the Song sisters have gone in slightly different directions, with Aree once again playing on the LPGA Tour after winning her way back at Q-School, while Naree now coaches golf at Rollins College. Samantha and Johanna Head have taken time out from playing to put together and host The Tour Experience, a one day golf event where ladies and men join them to experience what life on a professional golf tour is like, and at sixteen, the Mcguires are quite simply on fire.

As for Cat and I, we're like many recreational golfers with ultra-busy lives; while we've continued to have fun on the course and get out for social rounds and scrambles as often as possible, our less-than-stellar swings have seen little improvement and our short game short comings have persisted. That is until recently, when we decided it was time to take our games to the next level.

For the past couple of weeks we've been working with a truly exceptional instructor whose unique approach has made a remarkable difference for both of us already. Our goal is to hone our games and develop the competitive skills to get beyond the social/scramble stage by the end of this season, and we're both looking forward to the possibility of playing in some amateur tournaments in 2012.

Over the next several months I'll be introducing our and keeping you posted on our progress. In the meantime however, a couple of weeks from now Cat and I will be playing in tournament quite unlike any other: The Twins Day Golf Tournament. It's part of the Twins Day Festival a huge gathering of twins from all over the world that takes place each year in... Twinsburg, OH. We've never been but it sounds like it has the potential to be very... ~~weird~~, ~~wacky~~, interesting. It won't be highly competitive... but we do hope to win. We'll keep you posted.

Tee It Forward and Weigh in for a Chance to Win

2011-07-15T19:16:00.003-04:00

Check your ego at the tips & play like a Tour Player

If you haven't tried it yet, this would be the ideal weekend to tee it forward.

TEE IT FORWARD... for those who don't know... is a new national initiative from the PGA of America and United States Golf Association that's encouraging golfers to consider switching it up a bit... and playing from the same relative distance as a touring professional would over 18 holes.

Perhaps you think you're doing that already... and maybe you are... but chances are great you may not be. Based on average amateur driver distance/tee selection, many... if not most... amateur golfers play on courses that are proportionally far longer than the typical PGA Tour layout.   In other words, based on the average length of their drives, lots of ~~guys~~ golfers are insisting on playing from distances that... proportionately... would intimidate any PGA Tour player.

Subversive as it may sound to some, what's being advocated with TEE IT FORWARD is, simply, playing from the set of tees best suited to one's abilities. Whether those tees are red, blue, gold or... purple with pink polka dots. It's all about making the game more fun, faster and probably a tad less frustrating. Everything's explained at the PGA and USGA websites. There's also a great story on how the always innovative Barney Adams (founder of Adams Golf) initiated PLAY IT FORWARD   ... and the reason I suggested this might be a good time to try it out is that it's the final weekend to enter the TEE IT FORWARD sweepstakes. All you have to do is head over to PlayGolfAmerica.com, click on the “TEE IT FORWARD” banner and then the “Enter Sweepstakes” button. There you'll be able to weigh in with your thoughts and/or experiences on this new initiative... positive or negative... and you'll be automatically entered. The prize... by the way... is a stay-and-play package for four at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Runners-up will win two tickets to either the 2012 U.S. Open Championship or the 2012 PGA Championship.

So why not try teeing it forward this weekend you may find yourself playing more like a Tour Player.

Golf Pigeon: An Awesome All You Can Eat Golf Buffet

2011-07-13T01:13:00.010-04:00

Illustration via golfpigeon.com

It's amazing how much golf there is on the Internet these days.

News coverage, at the professional level, is non-stop... and thanks to niche golf bloggers with eclectic passions, it goes way beyond the top-tier tours.

Any kind of golf product or service you can imagine... and a few you probably never imagined... can also be found; presented and reviewed on myriad sites and blogs and discussed (in sometimes heated exchanges) on forums or via Twitter.

Of course there's plenty of less-than-stellar golf content out there... spam-y sites with tons of garish ads and no original anything... but there's much more that's remarkably good, and I keep telling myself I'm going to create a directory of the good places... but I never quite get around to it. Someday... maybe. In the meantime let me tell you about one site... a relatively new one... that combines a lot of the best elements of a good golf place.

Golf Pigeon, which launched earlier this year. describes itself as a kind of "all-you-can-eat buffet for anything golf" and that seems pretty accurate to me; it's a high quality golf buffet... with lots of variety. You'll find news and reviews, training tips and videos and... just a week out of BETA testing they have users in 122 countries. So it's more than a little global.

Illustration via: golfpigeon.com

Initially... I've got to admit... I was attracted to their adorable logo... a fierce-looking little pigeon emerging from a golf ball shell (above)... but what sold me on the site were the contests and the pigeon coop where you can redeem "pigeon points for some great golf gear... and of courses, the human element.

After all when a site is social it's the users that make the difference and The Golf Pigeon population is very diverse, but collectively fun, and easy-going to the max... which is a really good way to be when you're talking about golf. They're also passionate about the game.

Oh, one more thing: Golf Pigeon has a partnership with Rickie Fowler and they're currently doing a rather awesome contest with truly excellent prizes.

Hats Back tests one's ability to wear a PUMA hat... backwards... like the fabulous Mr. Fowler does.

So check out Golf Pigeon, I think you'll be glad you did.

Derek Jeter: Memorable Golf Shots & Augusta Dreams

2011-07-11T01:15:00.005-04:00

The weekend's biggest sports story didn't revolve around golf. That's not to says there isn't a connection, however.

When Derek Jeter hit the 3,000 mark on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, he broke baseball records and secured himself a spot in the baseball hall of fame.

Golfers and golf fans may wish to know a bit more about the mega-star's golf preferences, and while those preferences have surely changed somewhat in the couple of years that have passed since the clip below was made, it does give you an idea of the ultra-famous short-stop's golf sensibilities.

And... Derek Jeter's Celebrity Golf Classic has been taking place for the past eight years and raising money for children's charities. You've got to admire that... even it you're not a Yankees fan.

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Ryo Ishikawa - Words Worth Remembering for 2012

2012 A Year of Hope ...and Golf for Global Understanding

Introducing a Very Engaging Blog About... Golf Litigation?

A Variation on the Golf Club Sex Discrimination Theme

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Mobile, Social, Global: It's Divotr, A New App for Golf Fans

The Remarkable Passion & Myriad Talents of Justin Timberlake

As Rio 2016 Approaches, Some Tennis Lessons for US Golf

The Little Linksters Challenge: Seeking the Best Young Golfers

Tees the Season: Fore Contextual Ads & Personalization

Golf Ball Carving - An Artful Way to Recycle Your Balls

Sex, Booze & Belly Putters: The Power of Paradoxical Intention

The Travelers Championship: An Exemplary Gift of Golf

Cyber Monday Golf, US World Cup Win & Rory's Spirited Ladies

Happy Thanksgiving !

Global Golf - The Inaugural 2012 Iranian Amateur Open

Movember Inspiration - Noted Golf Architect or 70's Porn Star

A Naive Wife's Roadside Warning - Golf is Dirty

Ryo Ishikawa: Heading Down Under Alone After Weekend Ace

Professional Golfer to Wed Gorgeous Model - Ahn & Marco

Dr. Haruhisa Handa - The Quintessential Golf Ambassador

Catching Up With the Ever-Assiduous Birdie Sisters

Momoko Ueda: Pearly Gates Golf Girl Wins Mizuno Classic

Symposium On Affordable Golf - What Could Be More Timely?

CT Golfers Can Look Forward to Playing Again Soon (UPDATED)

Noshember: Seeking PGA Players Who Dare to Go Natural

Golf and Goblins Postponed by October Nor'easter

Kardashians on Kourse to Enter the Golf Accessories Market

Ryo Romance has golf journos "exceeding social norms"

A Demure Naked Lady Once Rewarded Golden Age Golfers

Sergio Garcia Reclaims Golf's Most Whimsical Trophy

Play Your Way to an Awesome Indoor Putting Green

Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 2

Golf Apparel & Accessories: The Asia/America Disparity - Part 1

Of Golf Girls, Golf Refugees And The Perfect Golf Course

Golf Ball Painting: An Artistic Autumnal Activity

A Chance To Play Winged Foot While Lending a Helping Hand

Map Your Golf Travels: An Artful Display of Places You Play

Sergio Garcia In An Awesome Omega Olympics Ad

Is Bubba Watson Justin Bieber's New Swagger Coach?

TeeTime - Plucky Texas Terrier Gets Free Golf for Life

Meet MiniKawa: Ryo Ishikawa's Cute New Club Cover

Sophie Sandolo Posts Best Golf Job Ever on Facebook

On The Road to More Pars - A Golf Growing Crusade

The Awesome "Getting to Know Alexis Thompson" Infographic

Presidents Cup - Top 10 Spots Set, Ryo Fans Rejoice

Ryo Ishikawa: Of Milestone Birthdays and Growing Pains

お誕生日おめでとうございます 石川 遼

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Arab Golf Championships Take Mideastern Golfers to Morocco

Bunker Basics - The Golf Girl Sand Save Money Shot

An Unwelcome Interloper Leaves Golf Courses Waterlogged

The Liberty Cup - Cristie Kerr's Two-Day Charity Golf Event

Artful Facebook Nudity Leads to Golf Team Suspension

Revisitation: A Changing World & The Golf Courses of Libya

Awesome Infographics - PGA Championship Visual Overview

Garrulous Golf Instruction, Sexy Shakira Style

Another First for Icelandic Golfer Olafur Loftsson

NYC Area Golf Experiences - Putnam National Golf Course

Je Cherche le Foulard Golf - Seeking Golf Scarf

Ryo Ishikawa - Grace, Game & A Growing US Fanbase

Maki Uchida - Golf Photography That Transcends Golf

The Inspiring Story Behind Scott Stallings' Rookie Win

Ai Miyazato Has The World's Sexiest Golf Swing

Beating the Heat With Night Golf at Highland Greens

"An Excuse for Eccentricity" - Golf Inspires Prada

Identical Swingers: Curious Tales of Twin Golfers

Tee It Forward and Weigh in for a Chance to Win

お誕生日おめでとうございます石川遼