This Week at TravelGolf.com: May 23, 2006

Dog-walking golfers show how
off the wall pet owners can be

Who suddenly decided walking your dog while playing golf is a fine idea?

Everyone's seen these dog-walking golfers. They're inevitably in a cart themselves while their dog sprints every which way in crazy pursuit. And it seems like you're seeing more and more of this special annoying breed.

The owners, not the canines.

I ran into a twosome with three dogs in tow on a pretty nice course in Palm Springs. What's next? Babies on golf courses?

Of course, that will never happen. Not because of common sense though - because babies are a less pampered group than dogs in much of Western Civilization.

You didn't have to watch the fawning live coverage of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro's post-surgery press conference to recognize that animal people have lost their minds. Sure, it was tragic to see Barbaro shatter his leg in a sport designed solely for so-called "animal lovers" to wager on. But did we really need to see his vet answering questions with more self-confident smugness than Kobe Bryant?

I know I'm in danger of sounding like TravelGolf.com's resident Howard Dean liberal William K. Wolfrum here, but while Barbaro was being fussed over, there were crippled veterans being ignored and homeless folks stepped over.

Which brings us back to dogs on golf courses. Only self-indulgent pet owners - and there rapidly appears to be no other kind - would even have the gall to attempt something like this. I have nothing against dogs. I had a great basset hound named Eric as a kid. But no one needs to see your four-legged friend on the fairways. It's a golf course, not a park. If you're too lazy to walk your dog around the block, hire some kid.

Forget the fact that most dog owners don't clean up after their friends (that's one unplayable lie we don't need). It usually slows everybody down and takes away from course ambience.

Ruff no.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

A California playpen: Westin Mission
Hills Resort has golf, more games

The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa in the Palm Springs area is often advertised as a golf resort, which is true. If the golf was any closer, the 18th green of the Pete Dye Resort course would play out in the living room. But don't typecast Mission Hills as a one-trick playpen. This is an equal-play opportunity resort. Name the sport and this place has it - plus a spa and the famous Westin Heavenly beds.

Also: Got what it takes to review golf courses?

Mickelson on the U.S. Open & PGA
Championship, Ireland's K Club,
Vern Burns, top golf books, more

Podcast host Dave Berner hears from Phil Mickelson as Lefty looks ahead to the season's remaining majors. Tim McDonald is back from Ireland. In part two of this segment he talks about some of the courses he played, including the K Club. How messed up is John Daly? William K. Wolfrum lets us know what he thinks of Daly's new book, "My Life In & Out Of The Rough." At 48, Vern Burns may be the oldest, "new" pro golfer around. And, Kiel Christianson runs down his summer reading list of top golf books.

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A "new media" quandary:
Bloggers and press credentials?

Sure, bloggers are a mixed lot, Tim McDonald writes in his latest "Inside Media" column. But the LPGA could do a little homework when considering media credential requests. A staff researcher could quickly separate the Charlie Browns and the geeks who "have ran many news sites" from real-deal, high-traffic bloggers. Innovation. Leadership. That's how you get ahead in this new world of "new media."

Also: Check out Stacy and Barry Solomon's LPGA blog blast