Working Out Before the New Year

I spent the afternoon in the gym...so I'm in really good shape for the new year.

My Boston friends got here ...and my New York friends got here...after hours and hours on the road...Yay. So ... The party starts at 9:30...in a couple of hours.

BTW, I'll be live streaming at midnight here. Stop by if your in the area. Happy New Year.

Golf Girl is Waits in the Snow for a New Year

My friends are on the road from New York and Boston. They're Brave. Or Foolish. Or highly motivated.

BTW - I'm listening to French pop music from the 60's & 70's, because I'm in a really weird mood.

Golf Girl's New Year's Eve - On Hold for Now

The best laid plans of mice and men...and golfgirls...often go awry. Or run into major snowstorms.

We had it all set up. We were going to spend New Year's Eve at the awesome fabulous MGM Grand Casino at Foxwoods resort.

Located up in the woodsy Northwest corner of CT, it's a great place to celebrate. There's an awesome opulent champange dinner in the ballroom, then after the clock strikes midnight we head to one of the night clubs and engage in some joyous debauchery till the wee hours of the new year. We've done it in the past and it's always been a great way to end/begin a year.

Nick and I drove up to Ledyard last night and were expecting our posse of fabulous friends to arrive during the day today. And that's were the awry part came in. What was projected to be light snow tapering off at midday today, now looks like a major storm that may last...till next year. Literally.

So now we're here, waiting to see if our fellow revelers will be able to get up here. And as you can see from the photo above (which I just snapped with my Nokia E71) it doesn't look too hopeful right now. But I'm still hopeful. It might clear up and if it doesn't Nick and I will just have to celebrate here in a more ...understated... way.

I'll keep you posted as we count down to 09.















I brought tons of New Year's tiaras and top hats and noise makers with me too!!!

The Guy Girdle Improves the Physique & the Golf Swing

It's a huge trend... and I'm sure you've read about it.

After all, it's being talked about from Ireland to Australia... and all over the USA.

What we're discussing here is - to put it in the simplest possible terms - a slimming undergarment for guys ...a guy's girdle.

Sometimes they call it a compression undergarment...or a core precision undershirt...or simply shapewear. The "cute" name they've come up with is "the Mirdle".

It's an ultra tight body suit that gives the wearer a distinctly leaner look. And now it's being purported to improve the wearer's golf swing ...and prevent injury, thanks to the support it provides for the back and shoulders.

That's what I call multi-tasking.

Paula Creamer Adopted by Future Golfers

Awesome, outside-of-the-box ideas are what golf will be needing in 2009.

Already, the economy has taken a toll on recreational golf, and the myriad businesses that depend on it. Rounds are down, that we know. The National Golf Foundation expects less than 85 courses to open in 2008, the lowest in 20 years. It also expects around 100 golf courses to close. Furthermore, at this point, most economists agree there's little chance for a soft landing or a quick recovery.

Bringing young fans and players to the game is more urgent than ever, and it's something many of us talk about. But then we realize what we're up against. The game is expensive and time consuming, and often associated with out-of-shape senior citizens or exclusionary, elitist millionaires.

Let's face it, golf is not an easy sell, especially when you're trying to reach a young audience who've never been exposed to the joys of the game.

Enter Paula Creamer... and 24 other LPGA Tour pros, and a program called Adopt-a-Player.

It's simply one of the best ideas I've ever heard of for exposing uninitiated youngsters to the game. Adopt-A-Player revolves around the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, It targets 3rd and 4th grade school children in Eastern Pennsylvania (were the Open will take place). The kids build a kind of electronic "pen-pal" relationship with a player who'll compete in the tournament. Paula's participation is featured in this story and it's pretty obvious that both she and the kids who've adopted her are already getting a lot out of it.

I'll be updating this article later today, and I'll be covering the program often as we head into 2009, because I really feel that the idea is stellar.

In the meantime read more about it here. Let me know if you think it's as awesome as I do.

Hoping for Fun, Flirty, Fashionable Golf in 2009

A brand new year is about to begin... and it's a year most feel will be spent in continued economic turmoil.

So I thought it might be fun - though admittedly rather superficial - to begin winding up 2008 with a fluffy, fabulous retrospective of flirty golf fashion. Basically it's an amalgamation of gorgeous girls, guys and golf clothes...set to some jaunty British rock.

For the time being, it's snowy, and soggy and cold here in CT, so I'll probably not get much further than the lighted bays of my driving range for a while - no short short shorts or tiny little skirts or oversize sunglasses either. It'll be a few months before we see those things around here again.

In the meantime, a fun, flirty golf video sure helps to brighten a gray winter day.

One Last 2008 Christmas Post...then I'll Stop

Just one last little bunch of Xmas snapshots... taken with the new Nokia E71. I'm going to be testing it during the next couple of weeks. My first cell phone was a Nokia, and the company is known to be golf friendly.

Thus far, I'm finding that the 3.2mp camera shoots kind of grainy in low light, well see how it does outdoors in the next couple of days. The E71 has a GPS function that should be good for golf ...and a friend of mine told me about a couple of apps -We Golf- and -INTELLIGOLF- that I might want to try.

In the meantime the photo above is my ultra traditional 12 foot Christmas tree. Sometimes I find myself longing for a modern, minimalist tree... or maybe a kitchy aluminum one...but in my Victorian mansion, both would look a bit odd.















My 19th century staircase with fairy lights.















My formal living room. It's pretty, but rarely ever even go in there.















The fireplace in my less formal living room. The one where I sit on the floor and eat dinner. ...And blog, practice my putting on the Persian carpet, watch golf tournaments on TV... and play the guitar occasionally.

This house doesn't include the massive family room that's become standard in today's 21st century McMansions. I don't get the impression Victorian families liked to be together as much as today's families do.

Maybe they were onto something.

Christmas Eve & Chirstmas Morning

I've been snapping photos with my new Nokia E71... Above are my argyle Christmas cookies! Sugar Cookies & Gingerbread Cookies...cut out and painted with Royal Icing in Golf Girl colored argyle! Aren't they cute??? And they were so much fun to make.















Last night we had Christmas Eve dinner at Cat's Restaurant, Jordan's Hilltop. The cocktail above is "Santa's Sunshine" winner of the Hilltop Holiday Cocktail Contest.
It's amazing!

After a couple/few drinks and a festive holiday buffet we had a Wii Golf tournament. Nick won, which rarely happens on an actual golf course.















Later today I'm having a pile of people come for dinner. So I guess I better get cooking.

One More Round of Golf Before a Long Night's Work

A reader sent me the photo at left from gorgeous St. Luis Obispo.

It seems St. Nick is getting in a final round before his long night tonight. Santa been up to lots of other things in SLO-town, there's even a website about his adventurers.

If you're not familiar with the beautiful town of San Louis Obispo, you'll enjoy your first view in these photographs. You'll also be amazed at some of the activities Father Christmas has been geting up to. He's quite a man.

Barack Obama's Controversial Golf Style Statement

Several months ago I wrote about the great cargo shorts conundrum.

It was spring time... and the golf season was just getting under way. I had received an email from a reader who was struggling with dress code issues at his private club ...and most thorny of those issues concerned the voluminous shorts with multiple pockets.
"
The post asked, "Do cargo shorts belong on a golf course, or not?" ...and it provoked a visceral reaction.

Well the future president of the United States seems to have come down squarely on the side of the cargo wearing kids. Because that's just what he wore when he played in Hawaii over the weekend. Now Mr. Obama sported a neat, tucked in polo and a stylish leather belt but his trousers were definitely cargo.

Unlike others, I've spotted sporting the style the future President looked casually elegant, and I doubt he would run afoul of dress code warriors... no matter the club he was playing at.

I just wonder what he uses as a ball marker??













Credit: Gerald Herbert/AP

Golf on Hold - Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

There was no way to play golf this weekend...we got a foot of snow on Friday, and more yesterday when these shots were taken.

I happen to have a collection of old school snowmen...small statues from the 50's and 60's. I took the collection outside and photographed it ... in its natural element... so to speak. I hope to use the pictures for my digital holiday cards.

Nick hates the small plastic figures. He finds them tacky. That's his problem, because I think they're cute.

We spent most of the weekend indoors; I made Christmas Cookies, Cranberry Sauce and a Velouté de légumes (an awesome French vegetable soup). We had hot cider with bourbon, and eggnog with rum, and an lovely Côtes du Rhône, and actually... I don't remember much else about the weekend. Except that it was good.

Golf Crocs - Will 2009 be the Year? I Hope Not.

A year ago, I wrote with foreboding about the rubbery, multi-colored clogs. The post provoked a decidedly visceral response.

At that point they had just appeared at the PGA Merchandise Show, and were poised to step onto the fairways and greens of America's courses... as golf shoes.

Multiple on-course Croc sightings were reported to me throughout 2008, however I only saw them once, on a cute, spiky-haired, cartoonish-looking caddy at the Traveler's Championship in July.

Well, the year is almost over, and just when I had convinced myself that golf Crocs would remain a rare novelty in the world of golf footwear I was faced with a review of the cumbersome clodhoppers that seemed to say " not so fast".

It appeared a couple of days ago on the always informative blog The Sandtrap. Written by scratch golfer, Danny Ottmann, who starts off as a skeptic but ends up a believer.

Danny admits that he wouldn't wear them at a "country club or high end course", but claims he'd "certainly wear them on the occasional practice round or practice session at my local muni". Which makes me feel really bad for the range and the local munis.

The thing is, I just find Crocs too awful looking. Too abrasive looking. Too "I don't care it they're ugly, I'm still going to wear them because they're comfortable" looking.

As I said last year. Crocs are only appropriate on cute little children and pretty teenage girls, because, as well all know, anything looks good on cute little children and pretty teenage girls. The rest of us should probably stick with something more...traditional.

Awesome Anna Rawson is a Britney Spears Fan?

Who knew, right?

But that's one of many things you'll find out if you read Will Brinson's recent interview with the amazing Australian.

Mr. Brinson observes all the "unwritten blogging rules" that come into play when you interview a gorgeous golf girl; He dutifully asks about Kournikova comparisons, relationship status and Michelle Wie. Another blogger basic, "the ipod inquiry" produced the Britney Spears revelation.

Ultimately however, the succinct interview does reach beyond the fluff and the fun stuff. What becomes clear is that Anna Rawson, in addition to being enormously talented and exceptionally beautiful, is extrememly dedicated to the game of golf, and highly focused on her own career, which she wisely acknowledges is a going to be a balance of high level golf and glamour projects.

Ms. Rawson also speaks, in an unguarded way, about the benefits to everyone of having Michelle Wie on tour and she's decidedly blunt in declaring that Annika's retirement will actually be "great" for the LPGA tour. While she appears to be open, fiendly and accessible, there's nothing politically correct about this intriguing Aussie... and that's probably just what women's golf needs right now.

Golfer Nikki Garrett Plays a Sexy Honey Bee

This Killer Bee got lots of buzz earlier this week at the lighthearted Jack Newton Celebrity Classic, wearing gossamer wings and a striped tank top over a fluffy little mini yellow skirt.

Nikki's swing does not appear to have been affected much by her wing.

The Jack Newton Classic is a 36 hole pro-am style tournament that celebrated it's 30th year this year at Cypress Lakes Resort in Australia's Hunter Valley. Celebrities and golfers compete on the course and raise money for charity. By all accounts it's an awesome, spirited event that some of the pros see as their “Aussie Christmas Party” on tour.

This year's event was won by Simon Furneaux in a playoff with Ewan Porter (he of the recent Aussie Golfer Facebook Feud).

And if you think Nikki's Bumblebee was the most revealing costume you're mistaken. Fellow golfer Katy Jarochowicz was swinging in ... a towel.

Photograph: Robert Mckell

Depression Era Golf Fashion - Not Very Depressing

The other day I wrote about how the economic downturn was beginning to have an effect on golfers and golf tournaments.

Sponsorship issues and smaller crowds are currently a reality and probably will be during the coming year.

Golfers however have thus far held onto their optimism and many surmise that the economy may not take the hit that some other leisure and activities might, because in golf the passion of players and fans may be able to transcend the hard times.

A reader of mine, himself an engaging blogger, sent me a couple of depression era photos showing that even in the hardest of times, elegant golf apparel was being featured on the covers of fashion magazines. and stylish young ladies were playing leisurely rounds on the courses of New Orleans. Even if we're all feeling the effects of what's going on with the economy, these photos are fun and uplifting.

Original & Unusual - Handmade Golf Items at Etsy

This distinctive necklace is called "friendly competition" and features a visor-wearing Barbie face, encased in some sort of mysterious gel, peering out of what appears to be a lime green bottle cap. At first glance I found it creepy. Now I kind of like it.

It's just one of many items you come up with when you do a search for golf on Etsy. Etsy is the awesome online marketplace where you can buy and sell items that are handmade.

I realize there may be a bit of Mars/Venus disconnect when the subject of handcrafts comes up. We Venusians tend to be crafts crazy; well love our glue guns and our glitter shakers, we watch and read Martha Stewart and we're generally intrigued by things DIY. You Martians usually don't get it. But whatever planet you may come from I'm pretty sure you'll find the Etsy golf items interesting at the very least and inspiring if you happen to be crafty yourself.

Personally, I love the Golf Cart Tote Bags, the Golf Themed Wine Glass Charms and the Golf Club Cufflinks. The Tiger Woods Wallet is ...surprising as is the Let's Go Golfing Lamp.

As for "Friendly Competition", I never though of Barbie as particularly friendly, but I'm beginning to really like the necklace.

Golf and the New Economic Reality

No matter who you are, and no matter what kind of rose colored glasses you're wearing, the world looks very different from the way it did just a year ago.

Even if your tag line is "fun, flirty and fashionable" you can't deny the new economic reality. The one that descended on the entire world just a couple of months ago. In my case it's resulted in a pile of unopened 401K statements. This attempt at denial hasn't worked, however. There's just too much bad news out there, if you watch tv or puruse the internet you can't avoid it.

Last week the 20th anniversary of Greg Norman's Merill Lynch Shootout took place at the Norman designed Tiburón golf course in Naples, FL. The Shark Shootout is a unique competition featuring 24 top golfers playing on two-man teams in a mixed-format of modified alternate shot, better ball, and scramble. The tournament, with its lush surroundings in the shadow of the Ritz-Carlton Resort is known for an atmosphere of intimate, exciting luxury.

This year however with the future of sponsors Merrill Lynch and Chrysler looking somewhat ambiguous, and crowds more subdued than in the past, golfers like Fred Couples, Stewart Cink and Mr. Norman himself, were feeling the economic reality and acknowledging that things had changed.

If you play golf, you know the effect negativity and pessimism can have, and you avoid them like the plague. As the Shark said last week, “If we played our golf in a negative mind like that then we would never get anywhere going forward.”

The truth is, as far as the world economy is concerned, no one knows how it's all going to play out. At this point, there's simply optimism or pessimism.

That's why I'm sticking with "fun, flirty and fashionable".

Photo: Last spring when I played at Tiburón.

The Sportee Gal Golf Journal

Just a quick seesmic video to tell you about an awesome golf gift I got for each of the girls I played with last summer. Well all want to improve our games and hopefully, with the help of the Sportee Gal Golf Journal, we will.

Sporteegal's JournalI talk about this great little old fashioned golf journal.

Annika, Anja & Anna Make Memorable Golf in the Gulf

A soaking wet Anja Monke held up the "Lady in Silver" after shooting a final round of four-under-par 68, to win the Dubai Ladies Masters. The pretty blonde from Germany, spoke of the focus it took to maintain her lead, as she played over the excited cheers of Annika fans. That said, Anja had only the highest praise and admiration for Annika, and it was clear she considered it a privilege to have been able to share this final round with her.

And as for defending champion Sorenstam, like she has so many times over the past years, she ended on a high note with an eight foot birdie putt. This time however, it was bitter-sweet, as it was her final hole... in her final tournament... in a storied and stellar golf career.

An enthusiastic crowd, dressed in the royal blue and bright yellow of the Swedish flag cheered her on. Annika herself wore the Swedish colors for this final tournament as well. But, the most distinctive style statement of the tournament however, surely came from Anna Rawson.

The statuesque Australian finished, with Annika, in a five-way tie for seventh, wearing an elegant straw visor with a wide black sash. Anna has become known for wearing distinctive hats. And she certainly wears them well. This one, along with Anja's hard won victory and Annika's fond farewell is one of memories we'll hold on to from this week in Dubai.

Golf Guy Styles - The Grandad Knit & The Harrington

I love PUMA sweaters, and this one seems perfectly suited to golf. It's reminiscent of the cardigans Bing Crosby and Dean Martin wore in the 1950s at Pebble Beach. But with a distinctly modern edge.

Elegant young lifestyle consultant, Terence Sambo, shows you how to pair it with a polo for a perfect golf look. Terence has an engaging, independent fashion blog that's a lot of fun to read.

Much of what he covers in quite urban and rather high fashion, not what you'd generally wear on a golf course. However when it does translate, like in the case of this sweater, the metrosexual golf look is quite cute.

Another unique fashion blog you may wish to check out is French Truckers.

French Truckers is a delightful group blog about Fashion, Beauty, Health and Seduction ...for Men. It's the English version of a famous French website “Comme un camion” (“Like a truck”) taken from the French expression “to be handsome as a truck”.

Yesterday the truckers posted a fascinating story on the mysterious origins of a golf jacket known as the Harrington. The jacket has nothing to do with player-of-the-year Padraig, but you'll probably be quite surprised to know were it did get it's distinctly Irish name.

And you sure learn a lot when you spend an afternoon reading metrosexual fashion blogs.

Dubai - The Cosmopolitain Cast of Golf Girls

I started this week in Dubai and that's where I'm winding it up; in that sparkling city on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, currently hosting the LET Dubai Ladies Masters.

Annika Sorenstam took the lead today and appears to setting up a classic fairytale ending to her storied career. Other awesome international golf girls at the top of the leaderboard are Australian, Nikki Garret, Russian, Maria Verchenova, Italian, Veronica Zorzi, English, Johanna Head and German, Anja Monke.

With such a multitude of different nationalities it sounds more like a Miss World pagent than a golf tournament. The fact that they're all beautiful undoubtedly adds to that somewhat superficial perception.

Golf in Dubai has a comprehensive site for the event that includes a daily photo gallery. The photo above is Anna Rawson and Maria Verchenova, both look pretty amazing, stunning gorgeous. There I go sounding superficial again. Sorry, I'll try to avoid that in the future.

Golf Girl Gifts - Partial to Plaid and Risqué Wine

OK, I know I promised to be keep it simple this year.

A fragile economy and anti-luxury mindset is definitely the order of the day. However, I found a wonderfully fun luxury gift list, and I can't resist sharing it.

It's a handpicked collection of awesomeness called Top Shelf and it features a slew of cool and unusual products. Some are actually affordable too. Many, of course aren't, including these stunning wool tartan shoes by Roger Vivier or the limited edition wine collection...12 extraordinary wines each with a label based on a risqué, retro cover illustration from the iconic magazine.

There's nothing wrong with a little fantasy during the holidays, right? You can check out the whole selection in a slide show on Cocktail Match. While you're at it why not explore their awesome site and join the network... and stop by at my Champagne Bar for a little holiday tipple.

Here's to the holidays.

The Twin Trajectories of Michelle Wie & Britney Spears

What do pop star Britney Spears and golfer Michelle Wie have in common?

When that question was jokingly posed last year on humor sites and golf blogs, many chuckled smugly at the answer punchline:

"Both love sparkly accessories, can’t drive very well, and are riding a hot ascent to the top before they drop the ball".

Well, if either Michelle or Britney were at risk of dropping that metaphoric ball, both appear to have recovered it for now.

I always thought it facile and excessive to compare Michelle Wie to Britney Spears. However, at this particular juncture their trajectories do show similarities:

Britney Spears - the former child star and teen singing sensation is once again selling out concert venues and getting glowing reviews for her latest CD... while it shoots up the charts. This rebirth of the Britney brand comes after the world's most famous meltdown; a cataclysmic downward spiral that included substance abuse, arrests, rehab and a losing custody battle. Ms. Spears also shaved her head, gained weight and temporarily ceased to wear underpants... while sales of her CDs and merchandise declined.

Michelle Wie - the former child golfer and teen golf sensation recently finished well at Q-School and gained full playing status on the LPGA tour, declaring, “It feels like a clean slate, a new beginning, and I finally feel like I really earned it.” And no one's doubting she'll boost attendance at LPGA events in 2009. But as we all know, Michelle too had a meltdown of sorts, though it didn't include the dark demon of substance abuse. The golfer wasn't arrested, or sued or seen going commando either, and her only stint in rehab was for an injured wrist. The root of Michelle's meltdown was a temporary decline in her prodigiously peerless golf game...due to injury and overreach, and it temporarily cost her the respect of certain fans, peers and ...golf writers.

So though the stories really aren't very similar, the trajectories are. Imagine looking at the two careers on a line chart and I think you'll see what I mean. The happy part is that for both of these gorgeous, talented young women, the lines seem to be going in the right direction now.

Natalie Gulbis on Inspiration, Dating & Michelle Wie

Earlier this month the always affable Shane Bacon, of FanHouse Golf, caught up with Natalie Gulbis, and they chatted about all manner of things. The resulting interview is a revealing read.

Natalie talks about her awesome "Who's Behind Your Success" contest and the inspiring fan who won it. She touches upon Annika's retirement and on the media obsession with Michelle Wie. She also reveals her own feeling on playing with the PGA boys. Shane even gets Nat to open up about dating. Well, sort of. At least he tries.

I've known Shane for a while now and he's always a pleasure to talk to, Ms. Gulbis is know for her friendliness as well. And both of them went to UA, so there's an affinity that results in a frank and entertaining interview.

You may wish to skip the boys-will-be-boys comment section however, or be prepared for some rather sophomoric meanderings.

Golf Girls Head To Arabia for the Dubai Ladies Masters

It's the season ending event for the Ladies European Tour, and it's getting underway right now in the desert playground of Dubai.

For the past two years the Dubai Ladies Masters has been a colorful and exciting tournament. The the culture of cosmopolitan glamour that defines the city seems to spill onto the course; with golfers wearing decidedly more colorful... and often more risque... outfits. Photos of the tournament's off course events frequently feature sumptuous and exotic banquets and middle eastern dancers. You almost get the impression that the week is one big party.

Well this year, by all accounts, there will be a big party. The Swedish press are dubbing it the "Annika Sorenstam Farewell Party" and considering that Annika is the only golfer to have won the this tournament her impending retirement certainly has a special meaning and according to local sources, the entire area is flooded with international journalists.

The on course action promises to be ultra exciting too, because though on the verge of her retirement Annika is certainly hoping to kiss that whimsical "Lady in Silver" trophy one more time.

The Golf Girl Holiday Special Re-Release

Every year at this time the "holiday specials" start flooding the airwaves. A couple of nights ago I watched the old Charlie Brown special. That's the one I look forward to each December.

OK, I know, I'm not Charlie Brown, but here's my last special for those who didn't catch it (or anyone who's nostalgic for brighter economic times). My 2008 show will be up next weekend.

The Awesomeness of Michelle Wie

Yay!

Finally I feel like I can write multiple, euphorically adoring Michelle Wie posts without being accused of being some kind of warped Wie Warrior. (not that I ever minded that title)

If anyone's still wondering what I find so fabulous about "The Big Wiesy" check out the above video. And wonder no more.

As you can imagine, I'll have my fingers crossed that all goes well for Miss Michelle this weekend.

Michelle Wie's Lime Green Birdie Shirt (Updated)

She's been called a fallen princess but it looks like she's picked herself right back up.

Wearing an awesome, lime-green, long-sleeved, mock-turtle-neck, dry-fit shirt, she had her driver out today and wasn't afraid to use it. In return the big stick helped her achieve a a 7-under 65 today. That stellar round included four birdies in a row.

So for now, the fallen princess is the comeback kid, and I'm shopping for that lime green shirt.

Update: Here's a prosaic piece on the agony and the extasy of LPGA Q-School by the iconic Ron Sirak.

Golf in America - Annoying or Awesome?

The way you respond to that query probably depends, more than anything else, on how you feel about golf carts.

Allister Tait is a golf journalist with an eye for on-course oddities. Acutely aware of the absurd and outrageous, he writes for GolfWeek with a a matter-of-fact voice that frequently belies the farcical nature of the story he's covering. He's British, and the embodiment of stiff-upper-lip style.

A couple of days ago he posted this provocative piece on a game with which he's not familiar: Golf. As it's played in America.

And, as I said, a lot of it comes down to carts. They're second nature to us and an oddity to the English, and that makes for a multitude of subtle differences in how the game is played. Mr. Tait brings these dissimilarities wryly into focus in his fun post, Annoyed in America.

Golf in an Economic Downturn - The Fun Factor

I've always been thought of as very athletic, because of my natural physical ...attributes... like strength and endurance.

Growing up, my Dad, a phys-ed teacher and coach, pushed me to do every possible sport...to no avail. Because what I don't have is the "competitive gene".

I've always hated competition (waiting on the starting blocks at swim meets for the gun to go off is my absolute worst childhood memory). I never felt motivated to be "first". So I never was. I did OK with gymnastics, and I made the field hockey and basketball teams, but that was more for the social aspect, Unlike some of my teammates, I was never really into the competition part.

I loved cycling, by myself, and later rollerblading, scuba diving, rock climbing, snowboarding... outdoor physical activities that were not competitive. I could just never get excited by the idea of "being the best" or "beating the rest".

And I think that's a genetic thing, an inborn temperament. I suspect lots of parents make a mistake here. They sense their child's physical ability but don't sense his/her competitive spirit (or lack thereof) and everyone ends up disappointed and frustrated. When star athletes aren't spawned from ...all those expensive lessons...it's a letdown. Doing the sport "just for fun" doesn't quite cut it.

Often, at a party or social gathering, I'll find myself talking gushing about golf, and some guy will say to me "I wish my wife played golf" and when I tell him he should buy her some lessons and a set of clubs, he'll inevitably say. "Oh no, that would never work, she's not athletic like you are - she'd never be able to learn."

And that's the thing; I think what these guys are actually thinking is; she'd never be compelled to excel, or to be No.1 so why bother.

And, they just write it off...their wives do too, because the perception among many is that golf is not worth playing "just for fun". And that's where I'm trying to change some attitudes. I love golf, even though I'm not good...at all. I work on my game with lessons and at the range, but I'm just not desperate to improve, I'm much more about the fun factor.

I'm really convinced that this philosophy needs to be accepted ...and even embraced...if we want this game...and the courses, instructors, manufacturers and tournaments... to survive and thrive, this economic downturn. Because quite frankly, the vast majority of us humans, no matter how "athletic" we may be, will never be excellent at golf. But we sure can have fun with it, and that's how we'll grow this game.

Winter Golf ... Kept Warm, Dry and Stylish

We played 18 holes of golf yesterday, in the stark, desolate landscape a CT winter.

Actually it wasn't really stark or desolate, we're in the the suburbs of NYC - not the Yukon territory, but it was cold and dank, and totally devoid of the lush green of summer.

But I was fine! - Except for my face, which was frozen and my hands which I could hardly feel by about the 5th hole.

My torso however, stayed warm and dry. And unlike our previous couple of rounds where I looked like a cross between the Michelin Man and the Pillsbury Dough Boy (no photos available), I wore one efficient item of outerwear. Yes, instead of that bulky rain jacket over that chunky windproof fleece...thing, I wore the ultra-slim, ultra-insulating Cameron Jacket, from the Typhoon Collection by Sunice. It's perfect for the chill wet windy days we'll be playing in around here for the next while.

Check out my full review on About.com Golf for additional details on this exemplary item of outerwear.

Holiday Wine from Award Winning Vintner, John Daly

These days, when you read about John Daly, the story will most likely include details of an overserved evening at Hooters, or a knife fight with a former wife. And there'll always be mention of a penchant for diet coke and Marlboro lights.

Right now, the one-time Wild Thing is in Australia, at the Hyatt Regency Coolum resort - where he once drowned a problematic putter - to try for the $1.5 million Australian PGA Championship, which starts Thursday. He's struggling on the green and but trying to focus on his game.

Well, while doing my Black Monday shopping today, I came upon a perfect Christmas gift for my French, "wine chauvinist" husband: John Daly wines.

OK, I know... wine and John Daly don't even seem to belong in the same sentence. However, what most cynics don't know is that Mr. Daly's flagship wine, Perfect Round, won a gold medal, and "Best of Class" in the "Red Blends" category, at the inaugural Wine World of Sports competition at the LA International Wine & Spirits Awards. Pitted against prestigious contenders from top producing regions, The Perfect Round made the top ten list of sporting celebrity wines, having won one of only four best of class awards.

John Daly wines come in three different ranges and number of varietals. There are even several awesome gift baskets one can order. So yes, you may wish to do some shopping there like I did.

As far as my highbrow husband is concerned, I think he's in for some interesting wine tasting during the upcoming holidays.

Cyber Monday - Online Shopping for Holiday Golf Gifts

Office productivity is going to be way low today!

Yes, it's Cyber Monday and that means that when American consumers fire up their computers today, chances are many will head directly to online shopping sites. There are tons of awesome sites for golf gifts, and I'll be writing about lots of them over the next couple of weeks.

For Cyber Monday evangelists, a good place to start might be... cybermonday.com. They have golf gifts galore, for every budget. After all, they're part of shop.org, the guys who actually coined the technoshopping term, back in 2004 when research showed that 77% of online retailers noted a significant increase in sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving in 2004.

So, happy shopping and check in here daily for links to some of the awesome golf gift sites and the great deals they're offering.

I love retro at this time of year. The illustration above is from a 1950s ad for Reynolds aluminum