Commenting on Kiel Christianson’s blog comparing Scotland and Ireland, Rob writes in: I along with two good friends are planning our 40th birthday golfing trips for next year and would like some advice from people states side. We have played in South Carolina and Florida and are now divided over where to go. The contenders are Phoenix, the Rockies or a trip centered around Pebble Beach. Any good advice welcome and for the record we are all single figure golfers. I gotta say, after reading Andrew Resnik’s recent stories about affordable golf on the Monterey Peninsula and David Berner’s story about getting ... full post »

Responding to Jennifer Mario’s glowing blog on all things golf/Hawaii, reader Arnie rips in with this comment: “Gotta disagree. In my opinion the golf in Hawaii has got to be the most overrated in the entire U.S. Sure the views from the Princeville Course are amazing, but the course is uninspiring and tricked up. If I’m looking for views, I can hang on the beach in Hanalei; if I want to play real golf, I look for an interesting, well designed golf course. I’m always amazed how reviewers seem to let the setting of a course cloud ... full post »

The same Ben Crane who caused all the ruckus in June at the Booz Allen Classic when his slow pace ticked off playing partner Rory Sabbatini turned that glacial pace to his advantage Sunday, winning the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee. After the win, Crane addressed his notorious, snail-like pace, telling reporters, “I think it’s a process and I think over the next few months I’ll get better.” A few MONTHS!? Just to not play so slow that everyone on tour groans when they’re paired with you and wants to skull you with a wedge by the end of the round!? ... full post »

Commenting on Doug Carey’s recent blog advising Michelle Wie how to plot her future on (LPGA? PGA?) tour, a reader named Bill wrote, “The PGA Tour is for the best of the best, not for the best white men. Remember it was not that longer ago when they were going to sever (sic) Collard Greens at the Masters! …” Can someone tell me what the heck’s wrong with collard greens!? Does a FOOD have some offensive connotation? Man, I LOVE collard greens! Down home cookin’ like collards and BBQ (be it Texas style or Southern smoked pork) is one of the ... full post »

Now that hurts, mam. Looks like the 74 David Toms signed for after the opening round likely should have been even worse. Toms disqualified himself saying he might have hit a moving ball on the 17th green Thursday when he was putting in for double bogey. Such a violation (a two-stroke no no) meant his scorecard was incorrect which would have meant an automatic DQ. He told reporters: “It was just one of those iffy areas about whether or not a rule was violated, and I was the only one that saw it. I just felt it was better that I disqualified ... full post »

I’m with SI.com’s Gary Van Sickle: Give Tiger the jug now. full post »

In a heroic effort to get us to stop talking about Michelle Wie for at least a few minutes, Tiger Woods came charging out of the gate in the first round of the British Open at the Old Course today, shooting a 6-under 66. When he won the Open on the Old Course five years ago, Woods also opened with a 67. Coincidence? You’d have to ask a conspiracy theorist. Tiger skeptics, read this over and over and over: The guy damn near hit the green with his tee-shot on the 352-yard ninth hole. Amazing. Meanwhile, the great Jack Nicklaus, as I reckoned, ... full post »

Out of the blue, in his July 7 blog, our loose-cannon, Swisher Sweet-chomping pal Rebel Blogger ripped celeb instructor Gary Wiren. “Wiren and his gang are pitchmen who will teach you the same thing as anyone else. Good instruction is personalized, one on one and cannot be done in a seminar,” the Reb wrote, going on to say that “perpetual marketers” like Wiren are like puppy mills whose business it is to get as many duffers through the turnstiles as they can for as much as they can get. Now I know when that hat gets a little tight, the Reb ... full post »

A reader at GolfBoards.com tipped me off to a site that sells logoed gear from Bushwood Country Club (”Bu-bu-bu-Bushwood? A dump!!?"). I’m too busy right now, so you’re going to have to supply you own Caddyshack quote/references here. Sorry. – Mark full post »

Betcha a million quid I can spot the guy at the British Open with way too much money and way too little sense. He’ll be the guy carrying the bag for David Diaz. Take a look at Ebay auction 7167732862. When I posted this, the bidding was up to $7,418. All for the chance to tote a bag for some Aussie hack - and still have to pay to get yourself to St. Andrews and find a place to stay (and based on the caddies staying in my hotel when I covered the 1995 Czech Open in Marianske Lazne, you’ll ... full post »

Ever leave a golf course feeling you didn’t get anywhere near your money’s worth. You know, patchy tees, overseeded or brown greens, etc. Usually complaining in the pro shop is going to get you nowhere. Here’s a tip, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in your area. You’d be amazed at how courses will react when faced with a BBB inquiry. And why not? They’re just businesses like any other, right? Frankly, given the state of the golf industry and the glut of playing options (not to mention other cheaper options competing for our discretionary dough), it’s amazing ... full post »