AUTHOR ARCHIVES
Kiel Christianson,
Equipment Editor and Senior Writer
Kiel Christianson has lived, worked, traveled and golfed extensively on three continents. His publications include poetry, political commentary, food and wine reviews, scientific articles, and, of course, golf and travel pieces for the WorldGolf.com Network, as well as Vue Touristique, Western Mass Golf Magazine, Carolinas Golf, Golf Vacations and Michigan Links Magazine. As senior writer and equipment editor for WorldGolf.com, he has reviewed courses, resorts, and golf academies from California to Ireland. Kiel currently resides in Illinois with his wife and their two children. Read his golf blog here.
Editorials
Michigan Course Reviews & Features
- LochenHeath still public, for now
- Birds of a feather: Eagle Eye Golf Club opens at Hawk Hollow
- Par-3 Shootout is Treetops' ace in the hole
- Grand Traverse Resort becomes part of gaming empire
- Traverse City: Golf and much more
- The Preserve in Fenton: Endangered No More
- Calderone Farms Golf Club in Grass Lake
- Grand Haven Golf Club in Grand Haven
- The Tribute at The Otsego Club in Gaylord
- St. Ives Golf Club in Stanwood
- Grande Golf Club in Jackson
- Tullymore Golf Club in Stanwood
- Black Lake Golf Club in Onaway
- Elk Ridge Golf Club: Sunrise Golf at its Best
- Timber Ridge Golf Club: 2001 Update
- Marion Oaks Golf Club in Howell
- Faulkwood Shores Golf Club in Howell
- Pinecroft Golf Club in Beulah, MI
- Elliott House B&B in Beulah, MI
- Moose Ridge Golf Course in South Lyon
- Pierce Lake Golf Course in Chelsea
- Whispering Pines Golf Course in Pinckney
- Williamston's Brookshire Inn and Golf Club
- Bucks Run Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant
- Centennial Acres Golf Club in Sunfield
- Blackberry Patch Golf Club in Coldwater
- Comfortable Grand Ledge Country Club
- The Emerald at Maple Creek in St. John's
- East Lansing's Timber Ridge Golf Course
- Hawk Hollow Golf Course in Bath
- Mason's El Dorado Golf Course
- Willow Wood Country Club in Portland
- The Majestic at Lake Walden
- Forest Akers West at Michigan State
- The Medalist is Poised for Greatness
- Quail Ridge Golf Club: Michigan's Newest Treasure
- The Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe (Grand Rapids)
- Downtown Grand Rapids Comes Alive
- Mendon Country Inn: Home Cooking in River Country
- Island Hills Golf Course in Centreville
- Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Howell
- Thousand Oaks Golf Club (Plainfield Township)
- Timber Ridge Golf Course (East Lansing)
- Thoroughbred Golf Club (Rothbury)
- Double JJ Resort: Something for Kids of All Ages
Michigan Golf Resort Reviews
- The Inn at St. Ives: Stanwood Becomes a Golf Destination
- Robert Trent Jones Masterpiece Course at Treetops
- Riverwood Resort in Mt. Pleasant
- A-Ga-Ming Resort
- Overview: Thunder Bay Golf Resort in Hillman
- Thunder Bay Golf Resort Course in Hillman
- Smith Signature at Treetops
- Smith Tradition at Treetops
- Tom Fazio Premier: Classic Treetops
- Threetops Par 3 Course at Treetops Resort
- Course Review: High Pointe Golf Club
- Waterfront Inn Resort Hotel: Relaxing by the Bay
- Overview: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
- The Bear Golf Course at Grand Traverse
- The Wolverine Golf Course at Grand Traverse
California Reviews and Features
- Industry Hills Golf Club and Pacific Palms Resort"
- Barona Creek Golf Club combines great golf, gaming at high-end resort
- KZG's Hollywood HQ entertains golfers with custom-fit golf clubs
- Temecula Creek Inn pairs fine wine with great golf courses
- Southern California golf: Searching out affordable fun on and off the course
- Robinson Ranch in Santa Clarita offers private-club ambience
- Mark Mungeam on the (re)making of a U.S. Open venue
New England Golf Feature Stories and Course Reviews
- Green Mountain National gives Vermont golfers loads of beautiful scenery, hard shots
- By the Time We Got to Woodstock: Golf in Vermont's Premier Vacation Town
- Short on yardage, long on trouble Woodstock CC is fun, but a ball-eater
- Hickory Ridge Country Club saves the best for last
- Weather key at 59th U.S. Women's Open venue
- Course architect Maurer calls for more 'blue-collar' courses
- Foxwoods Resort & Casino to Open Lake of Isles Courses
- Cunning required at Fox Hopyard Golf Club
- Golf escape to the Cape:Ocean Edge Resort
- There are plenty of hidden finds at the National Golf Expo
- Maine Gives U.S. Golfers a four-corner bingo
- Crumpin-Fox Club: Berkshire's Beauty
- Waubeeka Golf Links: A Berkshire bargain
- The Ranch puts the 'New' in New England golf
- Golf escape to the Cape: Ocean Edge Resort
- New England's course architects: Following in the footprints of giants
Canadian Golf Course And Resort Reviews
- Vanbiesbrouck shoots and scores with Crimson Ridge
- Mnidoo Valley Assiginack Wikwemikong Golf Club, Manitoulin Island
- Manitowaning Lodge Resort on Manitoulin Island
- Calabogie Highlands Resort and Golf Club in the Ontario Wilderness
- The Villas at Calabogie Highlands (Ontario)
- Calabogie Highlands Resort: Fiddler's Green Restaurant
- Pakenham Highlands Golf Club (Ontario)
Delaware Course Reviews & Features
- A golf vacation in Dela...where?
- Owner/Architect strikes again with Frog Hollow Golf Club
- Bear Trap Dunes: These three bears are just right
- Back Creek Golf Club is pride of Delaware
- Jonathan's Landing: Golf in 'lower, slower Delaware'
- Birdies come home to roost at The Rookery
Wisconsin Reviews
- Wild Rock Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells has great debut, despite lousy weather
- The Irish Course at Whistling Straits
- The Straits Course at Whistling Straits
- The Meadow Valleys Course at Blackwolf Run
- The River Course at Blackwolf Run
- Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
- The American Club
Illinois Golf Features And Course Reviews
- Renovated Dubsdread golf course at Cog Hill is ready for the BMW Championship - and maybe a U.S. Open
- The Southern Illinois Golf Trail brings golfers to the state's southern tip
- Rend Lake is a Southern Illinois golf and recreation heaven
- Emeis Golf Club view for Quad Citie's hidden gem title
- Crab Orchard is the homiest spot on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail
- Revitalized Gambit aims to make Vienna a bona fide golfing destination
- Carbondale's Hickory Ridge defies stereotypes as a superb municipal golf course
- Carbondale's Hickory Ridge defies expectations
- Southern Illinois' Stone Creek: one killer view and one brutal layout
- Marion's Kokopelli Golf Club is finally living up to its potential
- Glynn's Creek is a sure Quad Cities bet
- Central Illinois replete with excellent golf and authentic Americana
- Highland Springs G.C. in Rock Island: Everything a park district course should be
- Byron Hills Golf Course is a picturesque Quad Cities layout
- The Quad Cities golf: A sure bet for a family Illinois golf trip
- TPC at Deere Run: Play the golf course that felled Michelle Wie
- Central Illinois' Eagle Creek Resort: Perfect for the rugged, outdoorsy golfer
- Bloomington-Normal: Abnormally blessed with fine public golf courses
- Public Brookhill and Willow Pond golf courses shine in Champaign-Urbana
- Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon keeps getting better
- The Den at Fox Creek makes Bloomington-Normal a legit golf destination
- Red Tail Run Golf Club by Ray Floyd is crown jewel of Decatur parks
- Angus Links in Windsor serves up a tasty round of Central Illinois golf
- Ironwood Golf Course in Normal is nice, but normal
- Central Illinois' Eagle Creek Resort: Perfect for the rugged, outdoorsy golfer
- Public Brookhill and Willow Pond golf courses shine in Champaign-Urbana
- The Den at Fox Creek makes Bloomington-Normala legit golf destination
- Angus Links in Windsor serves up a tasty round of Central Illinois golf
- Highland Park Golf Course in Bloomington
- Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington
- Golf Skills of Illinois coach are no Small wonder
- Illinois State University Golf Course in Normal is a shot-maker's dream
- Piper Glen Golf Club located in Springfield, Ill., deserves critical praise
- Springfield: A 'capitol idea' for a family golf trip
- For $30 you can golf where the pros play: The Rail in Springfield
- Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield: Better than a night at the theater
- Decatur's Hickory Point Golf Course is home to Futures Tour event
- Decatur's Scovill Golf Club a shot-maker's muni
- RailSide Golf Club in Gibson City: Golf oasis in a corn field desert
- Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscola is East- central Illinois' ‘new' upscale public course
- Stone Creek in a class by itself in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana: More than meets the eye
- Lake of the Woods offers best value and hills in central Illinois
- SMT Golf: Swing Hard, You Might Hit Something
- Go Orange! Go Blue! Illini courses offer great value
- Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo
- Kokopelli Golf Club in Southern Illinois
Tennessee Golf Course Reviews
- Bent Creek in Gatlinburg: Quirky but Quaint
- Eagle's Landing Golf Club in Sevierville
- River Islands Golf Club in Kodak
- Tennessee's Horton State Park Golf Course
Texas
- The Lakes golf course at Firewheel in Garland, Texas: Tricky or tricked up?
- Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Rockwall: The hidden gem of Dallas golf
Ohio Courses And Attractions
- Golf Club of Dublin
- Cumberland Trail Golf Club
- Columbus: Golf and Attractions
- Longaberger Golf Club
- Interview with designer Michael Hurdzan
Kentucky Golf Course Reviews
- Lafayette Golf Course: 2002 Season Update
- Quail Chase Golf Club in Louisville
- MayWood Golf Club in Bardstown
- Lafayette Golf Course in Falls of Rough
- Lafayette Golf Course: Tourist Destination?
Indiana Golf Course Reviews
- Swan Lake Golf Resort and United States Golf Academy
- Purgatory Golf Club in Noblesville
- Rock Hollow in Peru: One of the State's Best
- French Lick Springs Resort and Spa
- Green Acres Golf Club in Kokomo
- River Glen Country Club in Fishers
- Coffin Golf Club in Indianapolis
- The Trophy Club, Lebanon, IN
- Eagle Creek Golf Club in Indianapolis
- Plum Creek Country Club in Carmel
Minnesota Course Reviews
- Northern Hills Golf Course in Rochester, Minnesota narrows the gaps between golfers
- Soldiers Field Memorial Golf Course is the granddad of Rochester, Minnesota munis
- Eastwood Golf Club: The newly expanded centerpiece of Rochester's muni golf courses
- Rochester, Minnesota: Live well and golf often
- The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City is king of southern Minnesota public courses (for now)
Scotland Course Reviews & Features
- Golf and more in Perthshire, Scotland's historic heartland
- The Devlin Course at Fairmont St. Andrews Resort plays like a champion
- Aberfeldy Golf Club in Perthshire, Scotland: More than an "old tin hut"
- Taymouth Castle Golf Club in the heart of Old Scotland a majestical round of golf
- The Castle Course at St. Andrews: The "Home of Golf" receives a very modern addition
- Monifieth Golf Links (Scotland)
- Scotscraig Golf Club (Scotland)
- Balcomie Links and Craighead Links at Crail
- Jubilee Links Course, St. Andrews
- The Golf House Club, Elie
- There's More to St. Andrews than Golf
- Kingsbarns: Future Links-golf Classic
- The Eden Course at St. Andrews
- Scotland Golf Travel Primer
Ireland Course Reviews & Features
- Doonbeg Golf Club: An artful balance of links and resort golf
- Self-planned trips to Ireland save money, deliver great golf
- Tralee Golf Club: The best Irish links course you've never heard of
- Lahinch Golf Club: Two courses, one amazing Irish golf experience
- Kilkee Golf Club: A little pot o' gold in County Clare, Ireland
- Ballybunion Golf Club's Cashen Course: A worthy, mischievous little sister
- Ballybunion Old Course: Length won't help as historic links punishes modern golfers
Arizona Course Reviews
- The Phoenician resort: Swanky epicenter of Phoenix/Scottsdale golf
- Pinnacle Course at Troon North: The pinnacle of desert golf in Phoenix/Scottsdale
- The Golf Villas at Oro Valley in Tucson
Florida Course Reviews
Product Reviews
- Hireko Golf's Acer XK clubs: Solid equipment for this soft economy
- Keep Momma happy with these golf gifts this Mother's Day
- Golf Gym's PowerSwing Trainer lets golf fitness buffs work out at home and on the road
- SMT Golf puts record-setting DB Plus driver in hands of regular golfers
- Swingback provides back support without limiting motion
- Nike Air Zoom Vapor golf shoes are extremely light yet very stable
- HiPPO Golf's Hex2 3-2-3 irons deliver technology bang for the buck
- Nike Golf's Victory Red Forged Split Cavity irons: Golf clubs that make you feel better about your game
- Valentine's Day's not just a holiday, but a way to make up for lousy Christmas gifts
- Green in regulation: Christmas gift ideas for the green golfer
- Get a grip! SensoGlove monitors golfers' grip pressure
- Ho-Ho-Hole-in-One! Ace your golf Christmas shopping this year
- Transitions lenses protect eyes (and wallets) of golfers who wear glasses
- ShotWatch provides data, and some distraction, to your golf practice
- Sun Mountain's waterproof H2NO golf bags protect clubs and accessories in any weather
- Yes! Golf's GrooveTube: Most bizarre-looking putter of 2008
- Cleveland Golf introduces Club Count Technology: Never lose a golf club again
- Golf club review: Sizemore's SM-2 mallet putter is a futuristic beauty
- HiPPO Hex TX: The best driver you've never heard of
- Review: Nicklaus Golf's Dual Point Fastback driver looks powerful, feels heavy
- The Radar is a portable but unreliable launch monitor
- Vulcan Golf's Speedlite V14 driver is the lightest on the market
- MacGregor MT Pro-C forged cavity back irons: Too good for many of us
- Rife TwoBar Hybrid putter: A high-tech putter from grip to face
- Golf books: A reading list for those long, lazy summer days off course
- Cleveland Golf's new VP milled putters appeal to traditionalists
- Nike Golf's SQ Sumo2 5900 driver improves over maiden model
- WorldGolf.com's "Best of" golf equipment awards 2007: Drivers
- PowerBilt Citation FZ1 is a great 460cc driver for traditionalists
- G3-DF Heavy Putter by Boccieri Golf: Big muscles, big putts
- OGIO Mammoth travel bag lives up to its name
- Golf balls, clubs, bags and more: Valentine's Day gifts for golfers
- Nike Golf's Unitized Neo: A mid-sized mallet putter with exceptional feel
- Nike Golf's IC 20-20 Putter is the most stable mallet on the market
- Golf club review: Srixon's Z-Steel is a pumped up old-school fairway wood
- Srixon's Z-RW driver will make a lot more golfers familiar with the brand
- Winter reading tips: Books for hibernating (or traveling) golfers
- Nike Golf's SQ SUMO irons enter the game-improvement ring and push around the competition
- Cold-weather apparel extends the golf season
- Golfer's gift guide for 2007
- The Perfect Putting Pendulum helps 'wristy' putters
- The versatile and affordable Nicklaus Dual-Slot wedge
- Sizemore XB-1 Putter is like a work of fine art
- Cleveland CG Gold irons are game-improvement clubs for mid-handicappers
- Adams Golf Insight BUL and KZG Gemini II drivers: A pair of straight-shooters
- Nickent 3DX and 4DX drivers: Hot, long and inexpensive!
- Hippo Hex2 and Tour Edge GeoMax offer more MOI for less moolah
- Nicklaus Golf Dual Point driver: Great distance and buttery-soft feel
- Eye-catching Akira UI hybrid offers more than looks and a premium price
- Nike SQ Sumo2 driver is all things great (and not so great) about modern golf
- Cleveland HiBore XL Tour driver: Performance that's hard to quantify
- PowerBilt TPS Wide-Soled irons provide forgiveness and workability
- KZ Golf's GF-4 driver puts custom-fit spin on moveable weight technology
- Yes! Golf and the dream of all start-up equipment companies
- Yonex Cyberstar Nanospeed driver
- G.R.I.P. wedges perform as billed
- Nike Golf's OZ Black T130 putter is a wizard on the greens
- Putting A to Z online: The Putting Super System
- Upswing Golf: "Simply good" golf clubs, nice price
- PowerBilt TPS 460cc driver: Long but hard to control
- Yonex Cyberstar CT: A big driver for big-time golfers
- Nike Golf's SasQuatch driver: Big footprint, big drives
- Redline 460 Dual driver combines biggest head and moveable weights
- Yonex Cyberstar line brings Japanese technology to USA
- KZG's first oversize irons deliver forgiveness and performance
- Drive long and prosper with Vulcan Golf's Caldera Z440 driver
- Pinemeadow’s Doublewall driver offers distance and forgiveness
- Tour Edge: Bring in da noise, bring in da funky materials
- Burton's Club-Lok bag keeps your clubs safe from thieves
- Adjustable weights in V-MOI Triad putter a tinkerer's delight
- Penneagle Palisade: Classic mallet with advanced design
- Walking never felt so good: Three new stand bags offer great features
- Small companies offer BIG drivers
- Look what's under the tree! Golf gifts for 2004
- More training aids, fewer results
- DeLaCruz Fairway Cruzer fairway woods deserve awards
- Divesting duffers from their dough is now a science
- Women Only: Nickent unveils Goddess Collection golf gear
- HiPPO ITX-420: Big but lethargic
- KZG jumps on utility club bandwagon
- Golf goods and services filling niche markets
- Eidolon: Funny name, fine wedges
- Training Aids II: The Full Swing
- Line 'em up and knock 'em down: New putters aid alignment
- A Little Love for the Lovett Wedge
- Polite Applause for the Adams Ovation
- KZG Cobalt Driver: Big drives from a 'smaller' club
- Alpha equals Big Dog when it comes to drivers
- Training Aids I: Putting
- Golf retail can be challenging, rewarding at the same time
- Component Clubs: Some assembly required
- Photon Golf: New technology creates classic feel
- Ogio brings sex appeal to the lowly golf bag
- Nickent Genex 3DX Irons: In the nick of time for 2004
- Golf bags go light with features galore
- Equipment wars starting to cool down just a bit in 2004
- The correct shaft makes all the difference
- Sho-Me Putters: Show me the money!
- Former USGA equipment guru Frank Thomas on his own now
- KZ Golf launches discount brand: Carlton Golf
- Big Bertha set to devour Top-Flite
- PowerBilt Citation Forged Irons beginning to bridge the gap
- The Knife by LJC Golf a very sharp club
- Top-Flite looks to grab top spot in golf market
- Techno-Putting: The STX ProF.I.T.Putter puts technology on our side
- Sticks & Stones: Matching golfers with products
- Tour Edge Equator Putter is a novel combination of proven features
- Pole-Kat Long Putter: A modern-day classic
- KZG Forged Wedges
- STX Synch-3 Belly Putter
- EOS Sports' Theft-resistant Cart Bag
- Merit Tour Trajectory Driver
- The Lumbar Extender
- Castlehawk's LeX-1 Putter: Added Confidence in Your Bag
- Tracer Stand Bag: Ready for the Toughest Fairways
- The Pool Putter: Make it Personal on the Greens
- "What Is the Ruling?!" Desk Calendar
- The DrizzleStik Keeps Your Clubs Dry
- The Stick Up: Club-carrying paradigm shift
- Product Review: The Swing Jacket
- Book Review:Golf for the People
- Product review of GolfTracPRO for Palm OS
- Book review of How to Quit Golf
- Golfwash Lives Up to Expectations
- KZG PFT/300 Driver Review
- Dimension Z Black Widow Driver
- PowerBilt Citation Beta-Ti Driver
- Belding NXT Gold Carry Bag
- Company Profile: Wedgewood Golf
- Greeny 1 Putter from STX Golf
- Ogio O-Zone YZ Golf Bag
- Tour Edge Wood-Iron
- Bazooka 320J Driver by Tour Edge
- SeeMore Putters
- Foot-Wedge
- Book Review: Stop Slicing, Start Playing
- SoftSwipe Cleaner
- Carbite Golf's DC Putter
- The Pure Bull Putter
- Back Creek Golf Club is Pride of Delaware
- Book Review: A Pleasant 'Secret' for Golf Enthusiasts
More Feature Stories
- F-A-T-H-E-R spells "Golf Gifts" this Father's Day
- Clay Long, Nicklaus Golf's chief club designer, sounds off on 'tiny nubs' and other golf equipment
- Mother's Day golf gifts - because we owe her big-time!
- Bag-gate: Major golf bag manufacturers clash over bag names
- Winter reading tips: Books for hibernating (or traveling) golfers
- WorldGolf.com's must-read summer golf books: Old Tom Morris, Feinstein, short game tips, more
- Good ol' Dad deserves some good new golf gifts this Father's Day
- Better than jewelry: Mother's Day golf gift ideas for Mom!
- Christmas golf gifts: Something for every male golfer, new and old
- "The Secret": New golf instruction book reveals Ben Hogan's secret
- Golf books: A summer 2006 reading list for golfers
- Something for every golfing dad this Father's Day
- March Madness on the court and on the course in Indianapolis
- University of Chicago professor studies why some golfers choke under pressure
- If Santa can't bring me a lower handicap, how about some of these golf gifts?
- Father's Day golf gifts for Dad - just in case he hated the tie
- The Chilly Open: A Minnesota winter golfing traditions
- Golf Practice Centre at St. Andrews expanding
- Ask the expert: How to mix golf and murder
- He Said: What men think of women on the links
- PGA Show brings 'revoluntary' designs out of the woodwork
- Disabled golfers fight for accessibility and acceptance
- Coming to Grips: Q & A with Bob Lamkin
- Women's Guide author feels she can teach well every day
- Downingtown CC near Philly has had its ups and downs
- Maine Gives U.S. Golfers a four-corner bingo
- 'Tis the (off) season for gifts for the golfer
- We like Mike! Weir's hometown proud of its champ
- Clock Tower Press: A leading golf publisher
- Michigan's top instructors feel they are among the elite
- Great Lakes spas in Michigan
- Season recap Michigan golf courses
- Michigan Lodging: The Inn at St. Ives
- 2002 Michigan Golf Season Preview
- Editorial: I Want My Golf Channel!
- In Defense of TV Sports
- Mental Imagery and Putting
- The Fine Art of Custom-Fit Clubs
- Study Explores Golf's Pressure Environment
- Reinvigorate Your Clubs with a Little Care
Michigan Golf Show
- 2002 Michigan Golf Show Recap
- West Michigan Golf Show 2002
- Hits and Misses from the 2001 Michigan Golf Show
- Hits and Misses from the 2000 Michigan Golf Show
Architect Profiles
- Mark Mungeam on the (re)making of a U.S. Open venue
- Course Architect Spotlight: Rick Robbins
- Interview with architect Bill Newcomb
- Interview with Course Architect Jerry Matthews
The Annual Par-3 Shootout At Treetops
- Report from the 2003 Par-3 Shootout
- Report from the 2002 Par-3 Shootout
- Daily Coverage: Trevino Steals the Show
- Reporter's Notebook: Just Regular Folks
