But those new Callaway and Ping clubs are sure shiny!

Leave it to TravelGolf.com’s resident curmudgeon Tim McDonald to diss golf’s new space-age technology. Just because McDonald’s been playing in the same pair of backwards Florida swampland overalls for the last 40 years doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t want a few updated tools.

And McDonald completely misses the point (as usual). The new equipment’s not about improving your score. What golfer with half a brain worries about improving his score? Improving your score! So passe. It’s all about gaining a little edge in the status department. McDonald must think the guys driving around in Hummers are doing it for the fuel milleage too. Or that all those guys in throwback jerseys are just huge fans of Nolan Ryan.

Which brings up my brilliant BadGolfer solution. Forget plopping down $500 for that new hulking driver. Just buy the bag. I have a brand new state-of-the-art Nike golf bag that I got on discount for about $40. It makes everyone think I must be carrying some impressive clubs. The fact that my clubs are really Golden Bear cheapies that have been around since the yonder days of McDonald chasing his first social security check are immaterial.

New bag, new headcovers, it works like a charm.

And if you really want to go crazy, get the latest golf shoes. I have golf shoes that Canadians flip out over. While it’s a little disconcerting to have other guys complimenting you on your shoes…heck, with my game I’ll take it.

Jennifer Mario has made me see the light.