There’s nothing truly special about my favorite golf shirt. It’s an all-white NIKE mock T (you know, the ones with no collar). I got it at Harbor Town at Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head way back in 2004 when those shirts were cool. I guess that makes it special because it has the famous lighthouse for its crest. But none of that matters to me. It just “feels” right. It fits perfect. It’s got that extra soft material. It’s white so I can wear it on the hottest of days and it doesn’t cook me up. I don’t have ... full post »

I’ve never had a Tiger Woods moment on the golf course until yesterday. Granted it wasn’t the U.S. Open, but it was MY U.S. Open. Every time me and my buddy Kevin get together for a round, we play for our prized trophy – a Pebble Beach towel we purchased in 2003 after playing the country’s most famous course. We’re both average players by most standards – 13 handicaps – but we each show those glimpses of greatness that make the game so much fun. Deadlocked in a dual at Northville Hills, a fun Arnold Palmer just 25 minutes from ... full post »

I got my first look at the “Big Break X: Michigan” last night. I liked what I saw. I’ve been to Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs just a couple times, so it’s always a special treat to see it again, especially those cool scenery shots on TV. It’s evident this show is big for Michigan and Boyne USA Resorts. The summer images are delicious for golfers not used to playing in the northern woods (Florida, Arizona, Texas, that’s you!) Pure Michigan, the state’s official advertising campaign, has been pumping out commercials during the telecast to showcase our lakes and beaches. Last ... full post »

I don’t remember my first par, do you? But I’ll sure as heck remember my son’s. A recent trip to Boyne Highlands Resort in northern Michigan, the site of this fall’s “Big Break X” on the Golf Channel (more on that later), provided the memorable moment. We were playing the free par-3 course behind the resort, a 9-holer that rides up and down the ski slope. I even dragged my non-golfing wife along for a few shots. It was the perfect family event. It was the kind of amenity that EVERY golf resort worth its salt should have. If they ... full post »

Let me start by saying I love fall golf in the northern climates. The trees splash colors of all kinds. The courses aren’t crowded. They’re much cheaper, too. Sound’s like golf heaven on earth, right? Faster, cheaper, prettier rounds. Now here’s a reality check. There are plenty of horrors when it comes to fall golf. The morning tee time is brutally cold. The greens have been aerated. They’re bumpy, slow and sandy. There’s only a six-hour window to play in the most ideal conditions, from roughly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s generally windier even on the nicest of days. ... full post »

Who knew golf in the dark could be so much fun? We’ve all been there before – desperate to finish a twilight round with the sun below the horizon. The last time I did it was a real bummer. At LPGA International a few years back, I hit my drive down the middle, but then proceeded to lose my next two shots – one in the dark, one in a marsh. That ruined an otherwise great day on a good course. My most recent dance in the dark was much more thrilling. Deadlocked in a tight match at Greystone Golf ... full post »

Just received my copy of “The WOW Factor” by Barney Adams, a book about the rise of Adams Golf. I like it for two reasons: The straightforward take not on the amazing rise of the Tight Lies (who didn’t have one of those?), but on its fall. It tells readers some amazing insights at how the golf equipment industry works from the inside. It’s a tough, competitive business. If you’re a club-maker trying to make it on what you think is a home-made home run, forget it. It might be a great idea, but you’ll never compete in today’s market. The second ... full post »

As exciting as it was to watch the Americans win the Ryder Cup Matches at Valhalla Golf Club, it also conjured up a sad memory in one regard. It reminded us Michigan golf fans just how bad our Ryder Cup experience was. There were few good memories from the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills. The only one I can recall was the day before The Matches when Captain Hal Sutton announced Tiger and Phil would play together. It was all downhill after that. There were few roars, like the ones the Kentucky crowd did every 10 minutes. There was no ... full post »

Let me say it’s great to be back blogging for TravelGolf.com. I’ve been writing and contributing to this site going back roughly a decade. Almost since its inception. I’ve teed it up on golf courses all around the world and plan to continue until going until my bad back gives out on me (probably another 10 years is about all that’s left!). I’ll put my knowledge of courses, resorts and golf destinations up against anybody in the biz, so if you have questions about where to stay, where to play, feel free to ask away. As we all know, cyberspace is ... full post »