Business Golf Blog

Tiger's Gamesmanship

2012-02-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

I watched Phil's interview with the press after his impressive blowout of Tiger yesterday at Pebble.

The best question was did Butch Harmon, Phil's swing coach and Tiger's former swing coach, tell Phil some of Tiger's gamesmanship tactics. Phil sheepishly replied with a grin, "Yes, possibly."

Given Phil's spanking of Tiger yesterday, it would appear Butch told Phil a lot of his secrets. I thought it was odd that Phil putted out first on 18th, since the tournament winner usually putts last so he can get all of the applause and end the tourney with a climax. Phil though putted out.

Tiger was then left with a 3-foot putt and he missed it so badly that it left him a 5-footer coming back. As they say, turnabout is fair play.

I'm not a fan of gamesmanship, and have had it done to me for about seven holes. It made me more focused and resulted in a sweeter win for me. And, if a player has to resort to that kind of tactics, well, it says a lot about that person. Or I should say, it says how little that person is.

New Low for Some Golfers

2012-02-07T16:23:00.000-08:00

One thing I've always enjoyed about golf is the decorum and etiquette among the golfers. There is an odd sense of being insulated while on the course from the ugliness of the real world.

But, some golfers in Fort Worth, TX brought the real world onto a local golf couhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrse. A threesome wanted to play through a slow foursome. One of the members of the threesome got into verbal altercation with a member of the slow group and it turned physical. Someone in the foursome stabbed him with a broken club and because of the amount of blood loss, he could lose his leg. Click here for the article.

How sad that slow play could cause such damage. The golfers in both groups need a reality check about what's important in life. Playing through and speeding up play aren't worth a man's leg.

As golfers, we can do better.

Sunflower Seeds on the Green

2012-02-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

The weather in the Bay Area has been unusually dry this year. I got to play golf two weeks in a row. The first course had sunflower seed shells fairly close to the hole. The second time I played, the sunflower-seed enjoyer was a stranger in my group that the pro shop put with my threesome.

The first week, the sunflower seeds looked fairly moist, so the shell spitter was likely a few groups ahead. I have to say it was a bit gross to have to deal with the shells. At least the guy in my group was "considerate" enough to spit the shells away from the hole and he did this may be only for the first few holes. He stopped having them by the middle of the round.

I enjoy sunflower seeds too, but I wouldn't think of spitting them onto the green. If you enjoy those seeds, have a cup that you can spit the seeds into. That way, every one can enjoy a shell-free round of golf!

Temper Tantrums: Tennis Pros v. Golf Pros

2012-01-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

2012's golf and tennis seasons have started. The first two PGA Tour events were in Hawaii and the first major for tennis, the Australian Open, just started this week.

Maybe golfers in HI were laid back with their mai tais, hula dancers, and roasted pork. In contrast, one tennis pro in Australia had a four-racket meltdown.

I've seen a golfer break a club or throw their club a la Sergio Garcia in my last post, but I don't think I've ever seen a pro golfer break four clubs. I guess that's one advantage of golf over tennis... if you want to break something, you have up to 14 clubs to break:)

Garcia Loses It

2011-12-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

Sergio Garcia apparently has an anger management problem. I didn't see it, but I heard about his spitting into the cup after missing a putt. That's beyond gross and childish.

His latest temper tantrum is tossing his club into the water after pulling his shot 20 yards on a par-3 hole.

You can watch it here.

I don't care how poorly you happen to be playing, that's inexcusable. Do that in front of a client, and you can certainly kiss that client good-bye.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! May your golf rounds in 2012 be filled with birdies and pars!!!

Monkey Off His Back

2011-12-06T13:09:00.001-08:00

Tiger Woods finally won a tournament. It happens to be his own tournament where he's the host and his Tiger Woods Foundation is a benefactor. His win doesn't just benefit him and his foundation though. It benefits the game of golf and even his competitors are hopeful that Tiger is back to his past form. McIlroy and Westwood both hope to compete against Tiger when his game is back on top.

I don't know how to explain it, but when Tiger is in contention, golf is fun to watch. We've watched two years of golf without him, and it's just not the same without him putting for a win in his red shirt, black pants outfit. As to those who are complaining about his white shoes on Sunday, I don't think he cares. He got his "W" and I suspect he was more concerned about getting that than making a fashion statement.

Welcome back, Tiger, and I hope to see the same in 2012!

Congratulations USA Team!

2011-11-20T14:42:00.000-08:00

My favorite tournaments include The Masters, Ryder Cup, and Presidents Cup. After the loss in Wales of the Ryder Cup, I was thrilled to see the Americans win the Presidents Cup.

Even though I like Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, and others on the International team, I will always cheer on the Americans. Frankly I know golf fans that seem to always choose the other team, whether the Europeans or Internationals. I've never understood if you were born in America, why you wouldn't root for the Americans? This victory is especially needed during our country's economic tumult, involvement in wars, and general malaise.

It was nice to see the Americans' fighting spirit and the closeness among the team.
Both the rookies and veterans alike did well. Tiger certainly had to make everyone pause and think he might break Jack's record of 18 Majors. Maybe still too soon to say that, but his game certainly looks better than we've seen in quite awhile.

Congrats Freddie, John Cook, proud father Jay Haas, and the members of the US team!!!

The Swinger

2011-10-31T12:15:00.001-07:00

Two Sports Illustrated writers, Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck, have written "The Swinger" based on Tiger Woods' life since hitting the fire hydrant nearly two years ago.

It's fiction, yet it makes you wonder how much is based on truth, such as the drug test results and the number of women that Tiger considered his conquests. Given who they have offended, I wonder if writing it was worth losing access to those people and various places.

For a winter golf read, it's mindless entertainment. Keeps your head in the game of golf at least.

My peeve though is the ending. If someone can tell me what the last sentence is referring to, I'd appreciate it. As it stands now, I'm just annoyed that I have no idea what it's referencing.

Enjoy!

Changes to Several Rules

2011-10-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

The USGA announced a couple of changes to the Rules. http://bit.ly/sfMRFi

One change makes a lot of sense, which is if you address the ball (take your stance and touch your club on the ground behind or in front of the ball) and the ball slightly moves without you touching it with your club, then that's no longer a penalty. You now just hit it where it settles.

They also changed the definition of address. It's now just when you place your club in front or behind the ball. You no longer need to take a stance to be considered addressing the club.

Ready Golf - What It Is and What It Isn't

2011-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I last wrote. I've had the stuffing kicked out of me with things going on in my life. I'm coming out of it now and had to share this story.

Yesterday a friend and her group were behind the field of a tournament. Because the course wanted the tournament to have a head start, there was about a hole in between her foursome and the last group of the field. As her group was putting out, she saw a twosome in a cart cut in front of her group and tee off on her next hole a par-3.

She drove up to them as they were approaching their balls on the green, and asked what they were doing. She explained that they went off behind the tournament and they weren't holding up the field. She asked them to either mark or pick up, but her group would be teeing off and finishing the hole first.

The twosome of 20-somethings defended their rudeness by saying they were playing ready golf. As you can imagine, that didn't work for my friend.

So to be clear, ready golf is among members of your foursome. Whomever is ready to hit next, should hit, rather than wait for the player farthest from the hole to hit. It is certainly NOT a concept to be applied between foursomes, like these youths tried to pull.

It's simply rude to cut in front of a group that is keeping up. And, to use a concept of golf incorrectly, shows their ignorance or a dismal attempt to bluff my friend.

Hope you can get out and play more golf before the change in the seasons!

Power Broker-Golfers in DC

2011-05-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest ranking of power golfers in D.C.: http://bitURL.net/bjsu

Congratulations to two women who are on this list: Linda Divall, 7th, and Jean Statler, T-43. Wish there were more women, but at least two made it.

I can only imagine the stories they have about playing golf for business as a women. And, I wonder what they'd say about how golf has helped their careers.

Ladies, get golfing!

Get Ready for a Great 2011!

2010-12-18T11:14:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,

This post will be the most personal one I've ever written. I know I've disappeared for most of the year. As a member of a country club in the Bay Area, I took up the challenge in mid-May to stop the Board of the club from making some foolish mistakes in renovating the beautiful, classic "Golden Age" course I've played for the last 20 years. The list of mistakes are numerous, and the fight to save the club has become futile.

Because I no longer wish to contribute to the destruction of the club, I have decided to leave the club at the end of this year. I do so with sadness because I have so many fond memories on the course: three separate holes-in-ones, countless rounds with my father, my niece, and my nephew, and countless rounds with friends that I'll miss and hope we'll continue playing together elsewhere.

It's been a tough year staying focused on business (although I did launch my Golf to the Green Celebrity Interviews) and this coming year looks like a tough one as well given that my nearly 13-year old Cocker Spaniel, Reggie, has been initially diagnosed with cancer. I learned yesterday, on my birthday no less.

I can't tell you the tail spin it has put me in. The sadness, feeling of helplessness, and fear for my Reggie. We'll know more on Wednesday or Thursday when his biopsy results come in. If you believe in the power of prayers and positive thoughts, please send some his way. Reggie and I thank you for doing so. My friend, who was helping me prepare the book proposal for my business golf book, On Course for Business, found Reg darting across a busy street near the golf course and took an hour to catch him. She brought him to my house, and we had a bumpy start, but the rest is history.

I was online this morning and saw a post for a vision board software. Don't know if you have ever created a vision board where you cut out magazine pictures and post them on a board. I've done it in the past, and was amazed when I looked at how many of the pictures became a reality in my life... including Reggie.

Check it out: http://bit.ly/g7AcJA I know with what's going to go on with Reg, I'm going to need help staying focused on my goals for 2011. I have several exciting projects in the works that I look forward to sharing next year, and will need to keep moving forward. What I like about this software is you can play the video of your vision board on your computer, iPad, smartphone, or post a copy of your vision board on the wall of your office. I plan to play my vision board video on my iPhone when I wake up and before I go to sleep. If you want to lower your handicap, put it on your vision board.

I hope you have a joyful Holiday Season and a Happy and Healthy 2011! Tell those you love that you do so, and stay healthy.

Best regards and pars,
Suzanne

Nicklaus and Annika versus Norman and Ochoa

2010-10-28T08:51:00.001-07:00

Wouldn't that be a great match to watch in some Skins format or some other tournament? Unfortunately it's not a match on the golf course that is happening any time soon.

It is about a golf course though in Rio de Janerio, the host of the 2016 Olympics. The two pairs are competing for the design of the golf course to be played when golf is officially back in the Olympics. The Olympic committee though hasn't decided whether it will use an existing course or decide to build a new course.

Annika and I spoke about the 2016 Olympics when I interviewed her in my Golf to the Green Celebrity Interviews. I enjoyed talking with her about what she thinks about playing golf for business (rather than as her business) and what she's been doing since leaving golf. I invite you to listen in to our interview!

GM as Tournament Sponsor

2010-10-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

There are rumblings that GM is going to be named as sponsor of the Doral tournament. Last year was the first year that GM wasn't a sponsor of a golf tournament in decades.

GM will be using its Cadillac brand, which makes sense as it markets to high worth folks, and those folks play golf.

It's good to see a few companies coming back to golf as sponsors. Good for the game and I hope it means a positive outlook for the US economy.

Nick Watney Star Struck

2010-10-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

Nick Watney must have people asking for his autograph all of the time now that he's won twice on the PGA Tour. At Justin Timberlake's Shriner Hospital Open tournament in Vegas though, Watney is the one that's star struck.

Nick was seen getting Jerry Rice's autograph on his cap and golf ball. As a native Northern Californian, Watney thinks Rice is the greatest wide receiver (won't get many arguments) and was thrilled to get Rice's autograph.

After speaking with Jerry for my Golf to the Green Celebrity Interviews, I'm sure Jerry was thrilled to give Watney his autograph. Rice is a golf addict and respects the athleticism that golf requires. I found him humble and a delight to talk with.

Check out the four short videos that I give you on business golf, and then you'll get a chance to hear what Jerry has to say about playing golf.

Golf Travel Bag Alert

2010-10-19T16:50:00.001-07:00

If you're flying to play some golf, you use a golf travel bag and check-in you bag. You have your clubs, GPS, golf balls, shoes, umbrella possibly, tees, and other golf paraphernalia. If you have room, you might put in a pair of tennis shoes and other items to fill your bag.

If you put in non-golf shoes though, you'll be breaking airline rules about what can be in a golf bag. You can only have one pair of golf shoes apparently. And, if you won a driver and now have 15 clubs in your golf bag, that's also breaking the rules. So much for winning... I suppose you'd need to send the club home separately or be charged extra by the airline.

Let's hope most agents don't check our golf bags so carefully. It's sure getting difficult to fly unfortunately.

Fore Warning!

2010-10-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

During my presentations to golfers, especially new golfers, I emphasize the importance of yelling, "FORE!!!" if an errant shot may hit someone.

A 69-year old man in Southern California was hit on the head with a golf ball, and nine days later he died of the injury. It's a serious matter to yell fore if someone may possibly get hit, and it's important to protect your head if others are yelling fore near you.

If you're part of a foursome and the player doesn't yell fore when he or she should, then you should shout it if you think someone is in danger. And, remember, to really shout. It does the folks in danger no good, if only those on the tee can hear you.

Be careful and play smart!

Start Your Own Business Golf Networking Group

2010-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

I read a story about a Florida-based financial advisor who started her own business golf networking group. What a great idea! Get other passionate golfers to play golf together to build their business relationships and increase their bottom line. As we go into end-of-year planning, think about whether you can do this, and start planting the seeds for a spring event. Let me know if you decide to do this. It could be lots of fun!

Golf Channel's Rymer's Ideas to Improve Golf

2010-10-13T14:43:00.000-07:00

Charlie Rymer has come up with his ten ways to change the game of golf. You can find it here.

I like some of them, such as simplifying the rules for amateurs, preventing sandbaggers, having 3-, 6-, and 12-hole loops, and some other ideas. He thought amateurs should also have different size holes, like a 10" hole. I'm not sure if I can along with that size hole. I understand where he's coming from though, but that seems a bit much.

What do you think of Rymer's ideas?

Are You America's Greatest Putter?

2010-10-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

On September 24-30, 2011 at The Crossings at Carlsbad, in sunny Carlsbad, California, you can compete for the title of America's Greatest Putter. It's going to be held on the practice putting green of The Crossings at Carlsbad, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

So it's a little less than a year away, and if you're a great putter, why not?! It's a $100 entry fee only. Invite a client, and prepare for a fun time. Combine it with a trip to TaylorMade or Callaway's fitting centers as well.

Catching Up and Boxgroove.com

2010-10-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

Where have I been these last few months? I became very involved with my golf club and fighting against the board's selection of a golf course architect and the scope of renovations to the club. I can go on, but let's just say it's amazing how people think (or don't think), and what people are willing to fight for (or not fight for). I'll be glad to see my club in existence in several years. Several members and I are not too optimistic.

On another note about private clubs, there is a company, called Boxgroove (http://www.boxgroove.com). It's an interesting service where private clubs join its network. So, even though you're not a member of the private club, you can play it as a member of Boxgroove. In this economy, it makes sense for private clubs to open some play to the public. Who knows someone playing the course may like it so much, they'll join as a result.

Phil's Advice to Less Experienced Players

2010-06-03T21:31:00.001-07:00

Phil Mickelson gives great advice to less experienced players. Play with better players to improve your game. Don't be afraid. http://budurl.com/5djn

I'm not a great golfer, and my handicap is lower than most of the women at my club. I have said to several of them that we should play together. They usually reply that they wouldn't play with me because "I'm too good." Or, I'll make them nervous.

I tell them I don't care how you play as long as you can keep up, know your etiquette, and are fun. I instead tell them it's better for their game because they'll see a different tempo or might learn from watching what I or another better player do on the course.

I like it that Phil admits he plays better with Tiger in the field. Should be a good Memorial tournament.

Rice DQ-ed

2010-05-14T17:09:00.001-07:00

Jerry Rice was disqualified today because his caddie used a rangefinder. http://budurl.com/sevq. I'm disappointed for him and am not surprised at his comments. He took ownership for the error, "a rookie mistake that I made." I'm glad he didn't blame it on his caddie or say his caddie should have known better.

It also sounds like he's no longer going to play on the Nationwide Tour. "Because I can't commit to golf the way I want to, this is probably my last Nationwide Tour event," Rice said. "These guys, they're working their butts off and they deserve to be out here."

I worked with his agent for three months to find time to do our interview. I knew where each of them were by following their Twitter posts. During that time, he was going to the Super Bowl, going to a DeBartolo wedding, getting inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, doing an event for Gillette, practicing for his first tournament, and I'm sure many other events that I didn't know about. I certainly understand why he doesn't have the time to commit to the game.

And he was well aware that he was taking another pro player's spot in the field. He wanted to do well because of it. As I said yesterday, I have no doubt if he had the time to commit to golf, he'd make the cut on the Nationwide Tour at some point. Remember that this is the guy that dropped so many balls in his rookie year and was seen crying in front of his bench after a game. He works hard and after speaking with him, I can see why he broke so many records on the NFL.

Jerry, I hope you finish this weekend and play as a celebrity.

Pebble Beach is Ready for the US Open

2010-05-14T12:49:00.001-07:00

The US Open is going to be played at Pebble Beach on June 14-20th. I've played Pebble twice and look forward to seeing the course and all of its changes. Check out the changes and the beautiful pics: http://budurl.com/4wt2

Are you going to Pebble to watch the tournament? I have gone to Pebble and Olympic to watch the big tournaments. Everyone should see the pros hit balls live... it's so different than on t.v.. You get to hear the sound of a sweet shot and see how fast the ball comes off the clubface. But it's hard to follow your favorite player and get a good view. There's an excitement in the air though that's like no other. Can only imagine what it's like at The Masters.

Mark your calendars!

Jerry Rice's Woes on the Course

2010-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Living in the Bay Area, I was a fan of Jerry Rice's when he played for both the 49ers and the Raiders. He was amazing to watch as he caught balls and then ran for more yards after the catch than any other receiver. Some say he's the best football player ever and who can argue with that? In August, he's going to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.

Jerry has gone pro as a golfer. He played locally in the Fresh Express Classic, a Nationwide Tournament, and finished second to last. This weekend he's playing in South Carolina, and shot a 92 in the opening round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am.

He's gotten some criticism about taking a burgeoning, hard-working pro's spot in tournaments. When I spoke to him for my latest product, he was aware that people might feel that way, and was sincere in his desire to make the cut. A friend played with him at the Fresh Express Pro-Am, and said he can work the ball, hits shots pretty pure, but his putter isn't quite at the pro level.

After talking with him, I have no doubt that he'll make the cut of a pro tournament eventually. He's on a steep learning curve; yet with his dedication, work ethic, determination, and pure love of the game, I know he can do it.

If you're wondering how it was to talk with him, there was not an ounce of ego or arrogance. We met a few weeks after we talked, and he gave me a kiss and a hug at the Pairings Party. He's a gentleman and a self-avowed addict of the game! Keep positive, Jerry!

Tips to Avoid Slow Play

2010-05-13T12:32:00.001-07:00

I found an article about how to speed up your play. Check it out at: http://budurl.com/lkk6

I have a couple of additional tips. First, limit your practice swings to 1-2. I've stood and watched people take 3-4 practice swings and I'm sure one of those would have been a better shot than their actual (and eventual) swing.

Second, don't stand over the ball at address for too long. I played behind a guy who stood over the ball and took the term "address" to a whole other level. My playing partners started counting how long his address was and it was 20-30 seconds before he hit the ball. You're familiar with that saying, "Paralysis by analysis." It doesn't help you stay relaxed and have a smooth swing, if you're standing like a statue before you take your swing.

Slow play is very detrimental to the game. When people complain they don't have time to play golf, slow play is a contributing factor. It's unnecessary and you really don't make friends with your playing partners if you play slowly and hold your group up.

I'm not saying you have to run through the course, but if you follow these tips, you should speed up your play. Play well and play more!

Life Plays Out on the Course

2010-05-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

My handicap index has been the highest its been in a long time. I was at a low of 9.9 after last year's season, and I'm starting this season at 13.0. I've been busy with my latest project and distracted by working with vendors (some great and some horrible). And, my life has showed up on the golf course. Scoring higher, hitting poor shots, and just distracted with everything that was going on. Since the project has been completed, I can thankfully say my game is back to normal more or less.

Look at what's been going on with Tiger. If you watched Tiger in his last two tournaments, you've seen shots that we've never seen before from him--pop ups with a 3-wood, missing 2 footers, and even not making the cut. He's obviously very distracted with his life right now. The latest being his bulging disk in his neck (which I can empathize with him because I have one too) and his long-time swing coach, Hank Haney, resigned today.

The lesson I'm learning from my poor play these last few months is I need to be not so hard on myself when I'm not playing well. Besides weather and wet conditions being a factor with some high scores, I was also not focused on my golf game. Now that things have calmed, I'm swinging more smoothly and slower, and suddenly hitting the ball well again.

So if you've got stuff going on in your life, and your game isn't its usual best right now, be understanding and look forward to the days of playing well again when things settle down.

Play well and play often!

Lessons from Playing in a Golf Tournament

2010-04-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

I played in a two-day tournament on Monday and Tuesday and it was an eye-opener for two reasons.

First, the Board at my club is currently holding a vote for a proposal to re-do the golf course. I can't tell you more, except new greens are included in it because the Board hasn't told us specifically what they plan to change. Members are told that the course is in poor condition and we need to take out up to a $4.5 million loan to fix it.

The first course I played on the greens and fairways were in worse condition than my course. Do you know the artist, Jackson Pollack? He was a famous painter who threw multiple colors on the canvas off of his brushes. So, his art work had lots of dots on it. Those were the greens we played on. Obviously the greens are badly diseased and were in much poorer condition than my course. The fairways were also not in better shape than my course. I'm sure the initiation fee for that course is multiple folds higher than at my course, so it was great to be able to compare what we have and what we're told we have as a course.

The second thing that I learned is to always check the ball before you hit it. My playing partner and I played with two other women from another team. On a long par-5, we each had to hit three blind shots. On the approach shot, the three other gals hit their balls and I hit the ball closest to the green. I assumed it was mine since the others hit a ball.

Unfortunately, I hit the ball of the other gal's ball. I discovered that we hit the wrong ball when I marked what I thought was my ball on the green. So, we marked our balls, and then went back to hit where each of our original balls were, and played both balls out. We both had a two-stroke penalty for hitting the wrong ball.

I learned my lesson! I have to check my ball as well, and not assume it's mine because it's the only one left.

My team didn't win anything, but it was fun and a definite learning experience!

A Strange Day of Golf

2010-04-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

I played with my most of my usual Sunday playing partners: my dad, who is 82 and still walks our hilly course, a dear friend, and her husband. He's not played with us as often over the years. I'm not sure why, except in the past a lot of bickering on the course occurred between them.

Today all went well until the 16th hole. My friend's husband hit several bad shots in a row, and pulled his final shot left toward the clubhouse. Yes, it was his final shot because he then walked across the 14th fairway to the edge of the fairway on the 18th.

None of us knew why he left in the middle of the hole. Was he upset that we didn't help look for his ball? His wife and my dad said the ball was in clear view. Was he not feeling well? Was he tired? We didn't know until we reached the green on the 18th. He explained that his left knee was giving out, so he didn't want to play anymore. That was understandable, but it would have been nice of him to tell us.

We then went into the clubhouse and saw the final hole of the Verizon Heritage tournament. On the playoff hole, Brian Davis hit his approach shot into the shore and his ball was on the sand with weeds and reeds around it. He took his club back and hit one of the reeds, and got the ball onto the green. Immediately though he called the rules official and explained what had happened.

Because the reed wasn't growing, it was considered a loose impediment and he was assessed a two-stroke penalty under Rule 13-4 for hitting a loose impediment during his back swing in a water hazard.

For Brian Davis to call a penalty on himself was admirable. He might not have won today's tournament, but he certainly won a lot of respect from his competitors and golf fans alike.

Lightening Strikes Twice on Same Hole, Three Years Apart

2010-04-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

The Verizon Heritage Tournament started today and Jerry Kelly got a hole in one on the same hole that he did three years ago. Talk about feeling confident on a particular hole and swinging with mojo. Good for Kelly. I always enjoy watching his easy going demeanor on the course. He looks like he's having fun on the course. Good luck, Jerry!

Congratulations, Phil!

2010-04-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

I watched the final round of The Masters today and had conflicting emotions. I wanted Tiger to do well, if not win, but after watching his first few shots, I figured there would be no way. I also wanted K.J. Choi and Anthony Kim to do well. Finally, I wanted Phil to win over Lee Westwood. Westwood's complaining about Boo Weekly's encouraging the home team to cheer during the Ryder Cup seemed a bit of childish whining.

My conflict was I'm not a huge fan of Phil's because of his playing style. Even today I kept wondering if we'd have Winged Foot II with his punch shots out of the woods, and hitting driver when he didn't have to. Yet, he could pull those shots off today, like the one on 13 off pine needles and between the trees.

After Phil sunk his birdie putt for his third green jacket, I watched him hug his wife, Amy, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. It was then I knew I was happy for him. With a tear or two running down his face, he hugged her tightly. That's when I was glad Tiger didn't win. Elin wasn't even at The Masters this year, and there certainly wouldn't have been such a touching scene.

Tiger says he felt "entitled" to cheat on his wife with up to 15 mistresses. When he first got engaged, I questioned why he was even getting married. He was so focused on breaking Nicklaus's record for Majors, was worth hundreds of millions, so why get tied down to one gal I wondered? He probably is wondering the same now, too.

I can maybe understand cheating on his wife with one or two mistresses, but 15 mistresses and who knows how many more that he paid hush money. I'm left wondering why he didn't just do the more honorable thing and get a divorce, instead of cheat on her so badly. At this point, it would have been a lot less drama for the world of golf, and for him emotionally and financially.

It's clear that Phil was the better man today... not only in terms of playing ability at The Masters, but also as a husband and father. Congratulations, Phil! Savor this victory with Amy and your family!

Masters, Tiger, and Ernie

2010-04-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

The second round of the Masters was played today, and it's really my favorite tournament of all. The pristine beauty of Augusta National is beyond anywhere I've seen. I can only hope one day to step foot on that course, if not play a round there.

Tiger got a warm reception yesterday at the first hole. The patrons gave him a very welcome reception, which I can't say I expected. He's possibly the best golfer in our lifetime, yet his personal life has certainly been a disappointment. If he wins, I'll be impressed that he can win another Major after not playing for nearly 150 days.

Ernie Els had a problem on the 15th hole, which if it not for the patrons could have been an even bigger disaster. It was a Rules of Golf learning moment. On his approach shot on 15, he hit his ball into the water. He took a drop, and then made a second approach shot, which sailed over the green.

Ernie then pitched the ball over the green, and it rolled off the front side of the green out of Ernie's site. He heard the groans of the patrons, and in past years the ball would have run off into the lake. Ernie was about to drop another ball when patrons told him not to do it.

If he had dropped the second ball, it would have been in play. He would then suffer a two-stroke penalty, since his first ball was in play already. There is no provisional ball for a ball that is hit into a hazard.

Thanks to his new friends, Ernie shot a 7 on the par 5 instead of a 9 because of the fans.

He's Back!

2010-03-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

Tiger has announced he'll return to golf by playing in the Masters. I'm surprised that he's not starting with the Tavistock Cup, which is played in his neighborhood and a controlled environment, or Arnold's tournament where he'd also be well protected.

He's starting with the place of his first Major win. Golf needs him back and I look forward to watching how his game after his long absence.

Stevie Speaks

2010-03-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Just read excerpts of Steve Williams' interview New Zealand's version of 60 Minutes. He is adamant that he didn't know about Tiger's escapades off the course. I'd like to see the segment and watch his facial expressions and body language. He's gotten caught up in this mess as well because people have accused him of covering up for Tiger.

I look forward to the day that Tiger is back on the course and playing competitively again. And, more importantly, that this whole ugly episode in professional golf is over. Let's hope it's soon!

Tiger's Comments

2010-02-19T10:39:00.001-08:00

Today Tiger finally spoke about what's gone on for him since his personal and professional brand collapsed on the morning after Thanksgiving. Since the announcement of his speaking, people have complained about his choosing today when the Match Play Championship is being played. They've criticized the lack of media questions and the controlled environment, etc..

There were no smiles and no jokes. I saw nervousness, humility, and sincerity. He's proud of his accomplishments with his Foundation, with equal adamance for his privacy.

The bottom line for me is this was a start to rebuilding himself as a man who has utmost respect for his wife, as a father his children won't be embarrassed to call "Father," and as a son that his mother can look at with pride. Whether he'll be the greatest golfer is the least that concerned him today. At least he has his priorities right for now.

His actions in the future will determine whether he was successful in rebuilding himself as a role model. Until then, the media or players tearing apart what he didn't say or should have done instead isn't helpful. It's a tragic situation, and none of us has been in the situation that Tiger has put himself in. It was a huge step today of many more for Tiger. I wish him and his family the best of luck in putting their lives together.

PGA Needs More Steve Strickers

2010-02-07T15:15:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Steve Stricker! His win today and Phil's 45th place finish makes him the #2 golfer in the world rankings.

Many of you might have not watched the finish of the Northern Open Trust to turn to Super Bowl festivities, but Roger Maltbie talked about how PGA Tour Commissioner Finchem said the Tour needs 150 more Steve Strickers. Commissioner Finchem was talking about not only his on course demeanor (no swearing or club throwing), but also how he treats his sponsors.

Then, when interviewing Stricker, Maltbie asked Stricker how it feels to come from where he was four years ago nearly quitting the game to where he is today. Stricker responded humbly in tears that it's been a hard fight, including today's final round with Luke Donald cutting into his lead.

It's nice to see Stricker's gratitude, class, and humility. Enjoy your success, Steve!

Golf Is Fighting Back

2010-02-06T12:06:00.001-08:00

The media has tainted golf with a bad image this last year. Corporate sponsors of tournaments or executives playing golf with clients to deepen their business relationships are targeted as extravagant, wasteful spenders. In reality these corporations and executives are using golf as a tool to maintain, and even strengthen, their client relationships during our troubled economic times. If clients continue to use golf for business, it would be foolish for businesses and executives to stop doing so.

One way that the PGA Tour has responded to the heightened criticism of corporate sponsorships is by creating the Tour Club. It is a yearly membership that gives an insiders' access to tournaments for its members. At the Northern Trust Open, for example, its members got to set pins with tournament officials and attend a breakfast meeting with Jerry West, the famed basketball player and the Tournament's Executive Director. At the Masters, members will have dinner with a Master's legend, and at the Players Championship, members will tour the Golf Channel broadcast location. It sounds like a great experience for executives and high-worth clients to enjoy together.

Another response to the negative media attention is a coalition of golf organizations called "We Are Golf." The group represents club pros, course superintendents, course owners and club managers, and aims to convince U.S. policy makers in Washington that golf is an important, job-creating industry that ought to be supported, not denounced. The coalition's central point is that golf is responsible for roughly two million jobs in the U.S. paying $61 billion in wages.

I'm responding to the attack on golf as well with a series of interviews (that I'll be launching soon) with golf and business celebrities about how they use golf for their personal, professional, and financial abundance. For the uninformed, golf may look like a silly game. But for those who use golf as a business tool, it's part of their repertoire to building their businesses and success.

I'm glad to see the industry is starting to bolster golf's image.

More Controversy on PGA Tour -- Phil's Turn

2010-01-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

You probably know that the PGA Tour required players this year to stop hitting U-groove wedges and go back to V-grooves. Some players, including Phil Mickelson, are hitting the Ping Eye 2 wedge that was controversial when it came out 30 years ago because it has U-grooves.

Phil and other players using it say the PGA Tour approved the use of that club as part of a legal settlement back in the 80s. Others, including Robert Allenby and Scott McCarron, claim using the Ping wedge is skirting the new rule against the use of the U-groove wedge and want the PGA Tour to prohibit its use. McCarron even used the C-word: cheating.

As an attorney, the players using the Ping wedge appear to be within the Rules because the wedge has been approved by the PGA Tour. When the Tour drafted the ruling against the use of the U-grooves, it carelessly forgot about the Ping wedge and will need to amend its Rule.

Is it cheating though? Cheating to me is the intentional or even unintentional violation of a Rule. Players using the Ping wedge haven't violated the Rule as its currently written, so I can't go so far as saying they're cheating.

Would I continue to use that club since this controversy started? No. I wouldn't want to win the tournament with a questionable advantage over the rest of the field. I'd also be concerned that every time I used the wedge I unconsciously would have doubt creep into my game and somehow have it affect my shot. It wouldn't be worth it to me and my piece of mind.

How about you? What would you do if you were Phil or another player playing the Ping wedge? Keep hitting it? Or, put it back where you left it 30 years ago?

Enjoy the rest of the Farmers Insurance Open at beautiful Torrey Pines.

John Daly Announces He's Done with Golf

2010-01-29T17:14:00.000-08:00

After shooting 71 today at Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Daly announced that he's quitting golf. Does anyone believe that? How many of us have said the same after a frustrating round? I can admit that I certainly have when nothing went right with my game. But, of course, I was out there again the next week.

I suspect it's marketing for his upcoming Golf Channel program, "Being John Daly." And, if it's not, his retirement will be short-lived. He's worked hard to get this far with his surgery, weight loss, better eating regimen, etc..

Sponsors love him because he's still a draw and, without Tiger, golf needs every possible draw. Look forward to seeing you playing again soon, John!

Switching Between Champions Tour and the Playoff Games

2010-01-25T15:49:00.000-08:00

During the Saints - Vikings game, I switched over to the Golf Channel to see what was happening in golf. The Champions Tour was on, which I normally don't watch. But I started to watch it more than the football game. Freddie Couples was making his debut on the Champions Tour. He and Tom Watson were matching birdies in the last few holes. And on the 18th hole, Watson hit a beautiful shot from the rough to 4 feet from the pin, while Freddie left a 12 footer. When Freddie missed his putt, Watson was able to sink his for the victory. It was pretty darn exciting for the Champions Tour.

By the way, the old adage was at play: Drive for show, putt for dough. Freddie drove the ball 60 yards farther than Watson, but Watson's approach shots came through for him as did his putter.

With the PGA sans Tiger, I'll have to pay more attention to the Champions Tour.

Innovative Marketing by a Local Golf Course

2010-01-22T10:26:00.000-08:00

If you live in Northern California, you know we've been hit by four storms and have had plenty of rain. Golf is not a possibility right now.

I received an e-mail from a course that I like to play, the Links at Bodega Harbour, which is located in Bodega Bay. Did you ever see Hitchcock's The Birds? That movie was filmed in this scenic coastal town.

The e-mail was an offer to buy a tee time for a foursome at $1 per hole for weekdays or $2 per hole for weekends. So for a weekday round, it'll cost $18 for the green fee and $15 for the cart. It's a better rate than their usual weekday round, and you have until April 18th to use the round.

I liked their ingenuity in promoting their course during the storms, and that they're making revenue when no one is even on the course.

If you're in the Bay Area, check out the link above and enjoy Bodega Bay and the Links!

Happy 2010!

2010-01-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Hope it's a golf-filled year for you. I can't believe it's been so long since I've written in here. Since last writing, Michelle Wie has won her first LPGA tournament, and we have no idea when Tiger will win his next PGA tournament. Some ups and downs in the world of professional golf, but it shouldn't affect how we continue to play the game and use it to deepen our business relationships.

I've been focused on a new project that I'm very excited about launching in the near future. It's allowed me to interview some business and golf celebrities, and I can't wait to pass on what I've learned from them to you. Each person I've spoken to has taught me something about business golf.

Stay tuned, and happy golfing, if weather permits. In the SF Bay Area, I'm still able to go out and chase that white ball!

Golf in the 2016 Olympics

2009-10-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

A great day for golf and the world stage! The Olympics has been accepted in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. It will be first time since 1904 that golf has been played in the Olympics. It'll be a 72-hole competition with 60 men and 60 women competing. Can't wait to see Tiger, Phil, and others play in the Olympics.

Presidents Cup and more!

2009-10-09T11:09:00.001-07:00

The Presidents Cup has started on The Golf Channel. I'm hoping the US can build on its slim lead.

Two interesting stories from the Presidents Cup regarding etiquette. I always talk about turning off your cell phones when playing with a client. If you're a golf marshal, it's even more important that you shut off your phone, since your duty is to keep the gallery quiet. Unfortunately a marshal's cell phone rang 5 times before Geoff Oglivy made a putt, and ended up missing his putt. Apparently, an obnoxious fan also yelled a comment to interrupt Oglivy. In a moment of class, Tiger apologized to Oglivy, even though he was not involved in disturbing Oglivy's routine.

The other is Michael Jordan's smoking of a cigar on Harding Park. SF has an ordinance that does not allow smoking on the golf course. So, poor MJ was told to stop smoking his cigar. Remember, they're playing in San Francisco, so there might be laws you've never heard of anywhere else, but in SF.

Besides having your concentration thrown off, golf can be dangerous to your well being. In Beaufort, SC, a 70-something golfer went to a lake to retrieve his ball, and an alligator jumped out and pulled him in to the lake. In the struggle, the man's arm was bitten off! The authorities were able to kill the alligator and retrieve his arm in hopes they can re-attach it. Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery to that golfer!

Here's a tip: When going to a golf course that you've never played before, ask players familiar with the course if there are snakes, alligators, or anything else that might bite or sting you. If there are such critters, I announce to my playing partners that I don't intend to be rude, but won't be looking for their lost balls or mine. I'd take a stroke and distance penalty any time over meeting a snake and anything else that I hope to never meet.

So, beware of cell phones, non-smoking rules, and alligators! Enjoy the Presidents Cup!!

Need a Site for Everything Golf?

2009-10-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Check out www.MyGolfMark.com--Your Resource Site for Everything Golf.

It's a site where you'll likely find everything you need related to golf. If you want the latest news, go to Media and find the golf wire services, or online golf magazines. If you want to compare different manufacturers clubs, go to the Club Manufacturers Tab and find sites to the top-name brands.

One day I was searching for a new wedge. I first searched Google for the URL of a company, then I'd go to the site. When I wanted to find another company, I had to go to Google again and look for the URL. I figured there had to be a better way to research golf, so I created the site.

Please visit www.MyGolfMark.com and let me know what you think. And, if you have a site or a blog, please add a link to it.

Thanks!

Golf and Tennis Aren't a Match

2009-10-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to read Greg Norman and Chris Evert have already separated after a year of marriage. When seeing them in interviews, you would have thought they were inseparable. Each brought in fortunes, along with respective prenuptial agreements, so I'm sure a divorce will be very simple procedure. Maybe that's the problem, it's too easy to walk away. Perhaps, not to surprising when it's her third and his second.

It's too bad. They were an attractive couple in terms of looks and athletic star-power. I hope this won't interfere with Greg's duties as Captain of the International Team at the President's Cup.

Billion Dollar Man

2009-09-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

According to Forbes, Tiger has earned a billion dollars since turning pro. This number includes tournament prize money, appearance fees, endorsements, golf course design, and bonuses. Not sure what bonuses he gets as a golfer, unlike football where players make millions just for signing a contract, but his IMG agent Mark Steinberg must do a great job for him.

He is the first athlete to surpass the benchmark of a billion dollars. His pal, Michael Jordan, may also earn a billion, but it is estimated that it will take him four or five years.

Congratulations, Tiger!

Dual Winners at The TOUR Championship

2009-09-27T17:28:00.000-07:00

I didn't watch the final round of the TOUR Championship today, but saw the final 4 holes on tape and the interviews following. Congrats to Tiger for winning the FedEx Cup and to Phil for getting his putting in gear and winning the Championship.

Unfortunately during Phil's interview he tried to make a joke about his not understanding why he shot 65 and got a check for $1.3 million only, while Tiger shot 70 and got a check for $10 million. I was happy for Phil given his trying year, but with that comment it showed his lack graciousness.

Meanwhile, I tried to play today, but after waiting on every shot and having three groups on one hole on several holes, my group decided we had had enough at the seventh tee. The foursome ahead of the field was playing in the final round of a match play event. They were at least 20 minutes behind and held up the entire field.

Worse is that one member of the foursome is a Board Member (he had previously complained that I disturbed him with the sound of my driver when he was hitting his second shot), it was pretty outrageous to play so slowly. Karma must have come into play as that Board Member and his partner lost today. If a Board Member can't figure out how to keep up the pace, then he should at least let groups through.

A Friend to Have

2009-09-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods gave Sean O'Hair a putting tip before the start of the TOUR Championship. Who's on top of the leader board so far? Sean O'Hair.

Why would Tiger give one of only 28 competitors a tip to improve his game and scoring?

"It's very simple," Woods said. "You always help your friends. Sean is a friend of mine, and like all my friends, you always try to make their life better somehow. Sean has been struggling a bit on the greens this year, and I thought I could offer a little bit of help and insight to how he could change that."

As O'Hair said it was a classy thing to do. There is no doubt, Tiger is a class act.

Went Into Withdrawals

2009-09-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

There wasn't a PGA Tour event this last weekend, and I sure felt it. Yes, I know the 30 top point leaders are getting ready to play in the TOUR Championship this weekend as the FedEx Cup nears end. But, since when did the PGA Tour have a bye week for the entire Tour?

I even recall other tournaments being held for those who didn't make it into another tournament. During the Open, there is a PGA Tour event for those who didn't qualify. Or, even during one of the WGC Championships, there is a PGA Tour event for those who weren't invited.

I was in S. Lake Tahoe until Sunday, and the house there doesn't have a t.v., so I wouldn't have been able to watch a tournament even if it were on. I didn't play because I had some work to do, but it hasn't stopped me in the past from going to Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. While there, I get to be lake-side, grab a drink with lunch, and watch a couple hours of a tournament. Or, going to PGATour.com and following the leaders and news online several times during the weekend.

But, this weekend, there was nothing to follow! Well, I guess I'll have to get used to it as we approach the end of the season. After I got home, though, I watched the final hole of the LPGA's Samsung Championship. I did enjoy the intrigue as the leader hit into the water unfortunately, and the runner-up later made birdie on the final hole to win.

Yes, a definite realization of how much I'm addicted to either playing or following Tiger, Phil, Jim, Steve and the rest of the guys on the PGA Tour. Although not a fan of addictions in general, this is one that I like and will keep:)!

Women Shoots Two Holes in One on Same Day!

2009-09-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

A 64-year young woman in England shot her first hole in one and, then ten holes later, shot her second hole in one. She had witnesses in her group and the men in the foursome ahead gave her a thumbs up to say it went in on the first one. Then, after not being able to find the ball on the second hole, she discovered it was in the hole.

That's incredible to shoot two aces in one day! I've had three holes in one over my 20 years of playing and feel very lucky to have done so. But, to get two on the same day after only playing for 10 years is amazing! She definitely needs to go and buy a lottery ticket!

Congratulations! I'm sure there were plenty of drinks poured in that clubhouse!

Fines in Tennis...Golf Next?

2009-09-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard about Serena being fined a total of $10,500. for her behavior during her finals match at the US Open. Then, Roger Federer got fined $1,500 for his use of an expletive when talking to the umpire. I understand emotions run high in competitions and built-up frustration can cause someone to blow up. There are limits, however.

I agree with the fine against Serena because she did much more than just use an expletive. Besides her use of many expletives, she was threatening of the line umpire as she waved her racket in a taunting manner. Moreover, she didn't just explode once, she went back at her two additional times.

And, to get into a possibly sensitive area, I don't think the line umpire made the foot fault call because of her racism. Arguably the opposite could also be true that Serena was being racist as she went after the petite Asian umpire. If the line umpire was black would she have behaved the same way?

Calls of racism whether in sports or politics should be omitted. There is no way of knowing, without their admission, what their reasons are for speaking and acting out in whatever way. It only adds possibly unwarranted and unfounded speculation to an already bad situation.

As to Federer's fine, I understand why he was fined, i.e. you can't allow players to use an expletive when speaking to an umpire. But, I don't find his comments as extreme as Serena's. I suspect that word is part of his everyday vernacular. In this case, though, Federer shouldn't have said it to the umpire.

So, will we see fines in golf next? I doubt it. Tiger's use of expletives and slamming of clubs seem to be less recently. Understandably, it's objectionable because kids watch him and want to emulate him. But, his tirades are directed at himself. He's not gone after another player, Stevie, or a Rules official with his club waving at them, or even in any conversations that we've heard.

How does this relate to business golf with your clients? It should be pretty obvious that you can't pull a Serena and go after another player. That kind of out of control behavior will likely cost you clients and your reputation in the community. If you let loose an expletive or two, I'd apologize, so your business guests know it's not part of your usual way of speaking.

Most clients can understand a slip of the tongue. It's important though that they also know you realize it was inappropriate and have a standard of decorum.

Hope you get to out and play this weekend!

Golf in Perspective

2009-09-15T18:13:00.001-07:00

Pro golfer Brandt Snedeker needed to two putt his final hole in last week's tournament, so he could play in The Tour Championship in two weeks. The Tour Championship is the final playoff to determine the winner of the FedEx Cup who will take home 10 million dollars.

Unfortunately Snedeker didn't just three-putt that hole, he four putted (watch the 1.33 minute video) it. It cost him tens of thousands of dollars.

In my presentations, I talk about the seven personal and business benefits of playing golf. The first one about playing golf is it's Fabulous Fun. I remind my audience that for us golf should be just fun (even, and especially, when we're playing with clients and prospects). We don't have to worry about how much a putt costs us if we miss it. Or, whether will we make the cut to play in the next round of a tournament.

If you're struggling with your game, remind yourself about the big picture as to why you're playing the game. Over the last two Sundays, I've attended two funerals of family members. One family member was only 62 years young. Life is short, so whether you play for the camaraderie, the competition, or exercise, keep playing and remember to have fun!

Las Vegas: PGA Show, Hoover Dam, and Zappos.com

2009-09-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

I'm in Vegas and started with attending the PGA Show yesterday. It was pretty quiet, but it's not the big show, which is in January in Orlando, FL. Probably 4x as large. It was smaller, and I got a chance to speak to more of the manufacturers and vendors. Interested in a board game with golf as its topic and a never-dry out golf towel. Also visited the Callaway Golf Center. Learned more about golf fitting and excited to see the upcoming renovations of the Center...remodeling the Pro Shop and upgrading the driving range.

Today, I went to Hoover Dam and am amazed at the engineering feat. The brilliance of those people working on the world's largest dam!!!

Stopped at Boulder Creek Golf Course and didn't see many players. It was at least 100 degrees today, and I couldn't play in this heat. But, they're going into their high season as temps go down and Vegas courses close for seeding.

Then, went to Zappos.com and saw its headquarters. Met with its Golf Executive Officer and am excited to see how they make a presence in the golf market. Also, toured the offices and those folks are happy employees. No wonder the company does well.

So, a fun day of Wows. Inspiring to see such success!

Golf is Still Business Meeting of Choice

2009-08-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

According to employmentdigest.net, add golf to your resume:

"If you are looking for a financial, investment, real estate, marketing, or other business related job, golf is for sure the sport for you. It has become the business meeting sport of choice. Whether you are playing a round with your boss or a potential client, they will be impressed with your skills. If you are at least knowledgeable and some what able to hold your own on the green, let your hirer know. It is always good for the boss to have a go to guy to send to the green."

Liberty National in New Jersey has spectacular views of New York. President of Barclays, Robert Diamond, said Liberty National was selected because of its proximity to New York and businesses. Barclays bought most of the assets of Lehman Brothers, and they certainly see its golf sponsorship as a wise marketing investment.

Another Reason to Play Golf

2009-08-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

According to Australian scientists, the smell of freshly mowed grass is relaxing and good for people. They're even making a cologne mimicking that scent. Check out the article.

Speaking of grass, according to Paul Azinger, Captain of last year's victorious American Ryder Cup team, he doesn't understand why more professional players don't still wear metal spikes. Tiger and Phil still do, which should tell us something, but we can't since most courses that we play require that we wear soft spikes.

Finally, fall is soon on its way, which means a change in our weather. Play more and play often, even if it means only getting out for nine holes!

Tiger-Stevie Twosome

2009-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

In Tiger's last major, the Open, Tiger missed the cut and Stevie, his caddy, takes the blame. Stevie lost sleep for 2-3 days after the Open because he felt he didn't do his job as Tiger's caddy. Some may dislike Stevie after his comments about Phil, but I've never heard a caddy blame himself for his player's problems on the course. I've also never heard Tiger blame Stevie.

For some insights into Stevie and how he helped Tiger turn that first dismal first round into a victory at the Buick, check out this article by Robert Lusetich.

P.S. Got to love Stevie's wife, who also has a part in Tiger's success.

Padraig Takes the Blame

2009-08-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

Tiger beat Padraig Harrington by three strokes, but did the clock beat Padraig? On the 16th hole, the rules official told Tiger and Padraig to speed up because they were 17 minutes behind.

Players are given 40 seconds to hit their shots after they reach their balls. Tiger believes Padraig had to rush his shots on that hole which was the demise of Padraig. First Padraig hit his tee shot into the trees, then a shot into the slope of a bunker, and then he had a delicate shot to a green running away from him, which rolled into the water. Padraig had an eight on that par-5, which Tiger birdied and took the lead by three shots.

When they shook hands, Tiger seemed to be apologizing to Padraig that the official "got in the way of a great battle." Interestingly Padraig doesn't blame the official for putting them on the clock, "If you’re put on the clock, you always want to be nicely in position so you’re not having to think too much. I got out of position with my tee shot, my second shot and my third short. I got out of position and just got myself out of the zone.”

Padraig showed he takes responsibility for his bad shots on 16, which I admire. He could have gone along with Tiger blaming the rules official for his loss. Would Tiger have blamed the official if things were reversed? I'm not sure. Or, did Tiger not like winning against Padraig because Padraig was rushed and hit into the water? Part of me thinks Tiger is a purist and when he wins he wants to know that he beat his opponent and not because some outside influence affected the outcome.

Can't wait to watch this week's final Major, the PGA Championship!

UPDATE: The PGA Tour has fined Tiger for criticizing the official. Not sure if I like this call. Frankly, I would have fined him for his language and behavior on the course instead, which by the way, seems much better in the last two tournaments. I'm sure if his cap could talk, it would say plenty.

UPDATE II: Ty Votaw of the PGA has confirmed that Tiger did not get fined for his critical comments of the official.

Persistence Pays Off for Tiger & Wie Selection for the Solheim Cup

2009-08-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

After Thursday, I saw Tiger was tied for 95th in jeopardy of not making the cut for two consecutive tournaments. I thought it wasn't a good way to go into his final major, the PGA Championship.

Then, on Friday, he had a spectacular round and climbed his way to the first page of the leaderboard, and, of course, we know how this story ends. He wins today by three strokes.

His persistence and never believing he's out of a tournament are what makes Tiger a winner. Sure it's his great shot making and putting (except for Thursday), but there is just something else that makes him a winner from that far back.

Intimidation is still a factor. I'm in Tahoe where we don't have t.v. in the house, so I followed the tournament online and saw those ahead of him falling back as he rose up the leaderboard.

Given his past endorsement of Buick, I'm sure it's a nostalgic victory for him to win another Buick Open, especially since GM will not be sponsoring this tournament (or any other, I'm sure) any longer.

As to the Solheim Cup, Captain Beth Daniel selected Michelle Wie and Juli Inkster as wildcards for the team. A nice selection of veteran toughness and grooming a rookie for regular play on the team. Good luck, US Team!

Can You Play By Yourself During a Competition?

2009-07-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

We have an interesting situation at my golf club going on. On Thursday, we played the first of a two-day tournament. On the first day, the score for the team is the best net ball of two teammates. On the second day, the best net score for each hole from both days is taken for the team's score.

On the first day, several people noticed a team was playing alone, i.e. there was no marker playing with them to ensure their score was correct. (See Rule 6-6 a.) We've questioned the pro shop as to why they were allowed to play, without a marker, especially given the history of the particular two-some. We're awaiting the resolution.

If you should happen to play in a competition, and for some reason find that you're playing by yourself, you have to ask for a marker. If you play your best and shoot a low score, your score will look suspect because you didn't have a marker, a witness to your great playing. (See Decisions on the Rules 6-6a/1 and 6-6a/2.) If you don't have a marker, you will be disqualified and your great playing will be for naught.

By the way, the two-some shot a net 59, 14 under 73 par. It's too bad they didn't play with a marker, so there would be no doubt as to the legitimacy of their score.

Painful Finish to The Open

2009-07-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

I was so hoping that the first TW from Stanford could sink that 10 footer on 18 for the victory, but it had no chance. Such a disappointment and such a let down.

Then, to watch the four-hole playoff was even more painful as Cink sank pars and another birdie on 18 while Watson had bogeys and worse. Just not a way for Watson to finish a tournament that should have been his on 18.

Can't take anything away from Cink though as he birdied 18 to take the clubhouse lead and force a playoff. Congratulations, Stewart Cink, on your first Major and what a memorable one it will be!

I liked Watson's talk of spirituality during his press conferences over the weekend. He felt that something else helping him during this tournament, and was willing to admit it. Whether it was his long-time caddy or whomever, he had a guiding hand with him from afar. I'd hope we've all had that feeling. Don't know where it comes from and it's hard to describe, but you have that sense things will go your way that day on the course. Congratulations, Tom, on showing golfers that youth isn't everything in golf, and maturity in life will always serve you.

Do you have golf rage?

2009-07-15T11:11:00.000-07:00

Have you been a victim of golf rage? Yes, like road rage, it's where someone on the golf course, perhaps even a playing partner, gets enraged at something you said or did and that person gets physical (or threatens doing so) with you.

According to a NY Times article, incidents of golf rage are becoming more common.

Those folks need to take a deep breath and focus on why they're playing the game -- for the fun of it. That's the f-word that I use when talking about golf. I know it can be frustrating, but if it's not fun any longer, then that's when I need to take a break from it.

As we've been reminded this last week with several celebrity deaths, life is short. So, whether playing for business or just recreation, have FUN with golf!

BTW: No one chose Lucas Glover as the winner of the U.S. Open. Congrats, Lucas! On Thursday, the Open Championship starts. Here's the t.v. schedule. Enjoy!

Women's U.S. Open Starts Today

2009-07-09T08:26:00.001-07:00

Today is the first round of the US Women's Open. Unfortunately because of the existing qualifying process, both Natalie Gulbis and Michelle Wie won't be playing in it. They're two of the most popular women in the LPGA, but are not on the course this weekend.

This week's tournament is being played on the Old Course of Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, PA. I played there last year with the Lehigh University's women's golf coach when my niece was considering attending Lehigh. It's a beautiful traditional golf course with ties to Bethlehem Steel. Its founder started Saucon Valley and it's a sad to see the empty high rise of the former company.

Check out the Women's Open this weekend, especially during some tumultuous times at the LPGA. Several top players sent a letter to the LPGA asking that Commissioner Carolyn Bivens resign. Commissioner Bivens and the LPGA are discussing a buyout of her two years remaining on her contract. She made few friends with questionable edits involving the press, long-time sponsors of the LPGA, and Korean players. With the economy and loss of additional tournaments, the top players decided a change was needed.

Here's the t.v. schedule:

Today and tomorrow: ESPN 2-6 p.m. ET
Weekend: NBC 3-6 p.m. ET

Enjoy!

Two Friends and Two Victories with a Pond Between

2009-07-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

I awoke early this Sunday morning to watch Wimbeldon's Men's Championship between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Torn between wanting Andy, the American underdog and comeback kid, and Roger going for his 15th record-setting Grand Slam victory, I just wanted a close match. It wasn't just close, it was epic with the fifth and deciding match going to 16-14 games. Amazing tennis!

I had a 10:36 a.m. tee time at my club and wasn't sure if I'd make it to watch the finish. I set two VCRs to make sure I didn't miss the finish. I was thrilled to be able to see the finish at our Pro Shop with Federer victorious.

As I teed off, my foursome was still talking about the match. My Dad is soon to be 81 and has never played tennis, but he watched as much of Wimbeldon as he could. He teed off first and suddenly I was thinking golf. Before I left my home, I also set the VCR to record the final round of Tiger's tournament and wondered if Tiger knew his friend won today. If so, I knew it would spur on Tiger.

After my round, I went into the Clubhouse and found Tiger was chipping on 16, and sunk his birdie to take a one-shot lead. It was no surprise to see Tiger also victorious today.

I can only imagine the text messages between Roger Federer and Tiger Woods! Congratulations, Roger and Tiger!

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Final day Sunday is going to be an exciting onoe with Tiger and Anthony Kim tied at the top of Tiger's tournament.

I loved seeing the American flag on flagsticks today. I don't recall seeing that in past tournaments on this day.

I always learn a golf tip when watching a pro tournament. During today's broadcast was talking about your golf swing and your putting stroke are the same tempo. He was commenting about a player having a hard time with his swing, and that one's swing shows up identically on that person's putting stroke. It reminded me of the importance of staying positive and confident when playing golf. And, not giving short shrift to one's mental game.

Stay positive and stay well!

Tiger's Tournament Blasts Off

2009-07-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tiger is hosting the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club, which started today. He hopes to be a "greedy host" and take the trophy home this week, which would be fun to see.

“Hopefully people come out, not only to watch the players, but also to say thank you to all of the servicemen and women who are coming out here,” Woods said. “If it wasn’t for them, what they are doing overseas, things might be different here.”

I have always admired Tiger's support of our troops and the military. I love the symbolism of holding the tourney during the 4th of July weekend and in Bethesda, MD, near our country's capital. When asked to speak at the Inauguration, I wondered if he'd use it as an opportunity to talk about how he and Obama were of mixed race and their respective accomplishments. Instead, Tiger made a speech about his admiration of the military.

Perhaps his father's influence includes imparting the love of not just golf, but of the military and our country. Or maybe he's traveled the world and he sees no other country that gives us the freedoms that we have, which includes a guy being able to earn nearly a billion dollars because he can sink a little white ball into a hole with fewer strokes than others.

I hope the press touts Tiger and his salute to the troops with this tourney, especially those wounded in action, since they have talked down golf recently. The press seems to like to promote divisions, whether black versus white, pro- or anti-military, or high- versus low-income. They have a chance now to talk about how golf brings people together to strengthen relationships and raise money or donations for good causes. I hope they take it.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Vijay Stands By Financier Allen Stanford

2009-06-26T18:33:00.001-07:00

Stanford Financial founder, Allen Stanford, is being held for swindling $7 billion from investors. Vijay tried to put up $500,000. as bail for Stanford. The federal magistrate, however, refused to allow Vijay to post the bail because he's not a U.S. citizen.

Stanford Financial was a sponsor of Vijay's for several years, an endorsement deal worth $8 million. According to a USA Today article, Vijay wants to help, since Stanford has only been charged and not yet found guilty. It's obvious a friendship existed given Stanford's company sponsored Vijay on the PGA Tour.

As a token of that friendship, Vijay tried to help. Half a million dollars is probably not much money to Vijay. Good for him for sticking up for a friend.

Lucas Glover Wins the U.S. Open

2009-06-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

As Mickelson and Duval made charges near the end of the tournament, Glover held on for the victory. Apropos that he and his wife would love New York for him to win his first major and only his second pro victory in New York.

Mickelson and Duval tied for second, along with final round co-leader, Rickey Barnes. I'm sure disappointing for all. Amy won't have Phil's trophy in her hospital room as she starts treatment for breast cancer unfortunately. And, David Duval has to be pleased with his performance, yet disappointed with his tied for second place finish.

As to Rickey Barnes, it has to hurt to shoot six-over and lose the tournament. He admits to nerves and who can blame him. But, at least he'll be going to the Open in July, thanks to this finish.

As to my contest, it should come as no surprise that no one selected Lucas Glover. Congratulations, Lucas!

Tiger's Mouth

2009-06-21T09:46:00.001-07:00

Whether on audio or by reading his lips, you've heard Tiger say expletives during his rounds. During this U.S. Open, as he struggles, I've heard or seen him drop a couple of F-bombs today.

He's fortunate to be married to Elin, who speaks Swedish. He apparently understands and speaks a few words of Swedish as well.

Maybe he should learn a couple of Swedish swear words, so he won't be caught on TV with his profanity.

U.S. Open Winner Contest

2009-06-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Choose the winner of the 2009 U.S. Open before Thursday, the 18th, at 12:01 a.m. PT at this survey. Selected entry will win a free one-hour business golf consultation with me. So, enter now!

Winners' Clutch Shots

2009-06-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

I watched the end of both of tournaments this weekend, the St. Jude Classic and the LPGA Championship. I was struck by how both winners, Brian Gay at the St. Jude and rookie Anna Nordqvist at the Championship, had phenomenal shots at the end of their tournaments.

Brian Gay hit a shot into a par-3 and on the final hole, both with water on the left. Both shots ended up being close to the hole and he extended his lead by two additional birdies. While Nordqvist finished as well with a shot into the final green and another birdie.

It was great to see how both stayed within their games and their emotions and could win with even bigger margins. They didn't get ahead of themselves and instead stayed focus in hitting good shots to the end.

As amateurs, we may not be able to hit the ball as far and pure, or putt as well as the pros, but one area that we can work on is our mental game. I think if we played our shots without expectation and, therefore, upset about errant shots, our emotions will stay more level, and we'll have better rounds.

Play well!

Phil's Return

2009-06-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

Phil is back from time with his wife and focusing on her medical care. He's playing in the St. Jude Classic as he prepares for the U.S. Open in two weeks.

I've not always been a fan of his play, but have always liked him as a person. He seems approachable with fans as he gives high fives and tips his cap. At the same time, I've heard he's not so nice in the press room. Given the press these days, I can understand that.

It'll be interesting to watch how he does this weekend with what's on his mind. He said he'll be driving now and suddenly start to cry. He's obviously a man that loves his wife and family, and willing to let everyone see his vulnerability. And, I'm sure if he doesn't play well or even win the U.S. Open, he won't mind. There is only one battle that he's focused on now, and the one with Tiger and the rest of the field is not it.

Good luck, Phil, and best wishes to Amy, you, and your family!

Federer Learns from Woods?

2009-06-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the French Open and Federer is trying to win this elusive career Grand Slam title today. He's hitting a forehand shot that has so much spin that the ball lands and barely bounces forward. It reminds me of Tiger hitting one of his shots with a lot of spin into the green. Tiger makes the ball snake back because he hits with grooves that bite into the ball. Federer, of course, can't get that much back spin on the ball, but his soft forehand is an amazing shot to watch. I've never seen it before, and it's won Federer several points in this second match.

Tiger and Federer are very good friends. I'm sure each has text messaged the other about each of their finals today. I wouldn't be surprised if the top competitors in their respective sports have collaborated to improve their games.

Good luck, Roger!

Playoff Weekend

2009-06-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend's PGA Tour and Champions Tour both needed playoff holes to determine the victor. Congratulations to Steve Stricker, the winner at the Colonial, and Mark McNulty, the winner at the Principal Charity Classic.

Steve Stricker had to overcome several missed short putts during the round. If he had made just one of them, he would have been the winner without the extra holes against Tim Clark. Meanwhile Mark McNulty had to compete against Fred Funk for four extra holes before winning.

It made me realize how mentally tough pro golfers are and how they play a shot at a time. They must have amnesia when it comes to bad shots and putts, which allows them to then hit their next best shot.

I've only been in a playoff once and unfortunately lost in the playoff and finished second. I blame myself though because I wasn't mentally in the game. I went into the last round of a tournament eight to ten strokes behind the two leaders. When I looked at the leaderboard before I teed off, I told someone I just didn't want to finish last. But, when I was about to tee off on the first hole, I learned the two leaders were disqualified. Suddenly I was possibly in contention, but I didn't know my exact standing because the starter didn't have a revised leaderboard.

After the round, I went along with my usual routine of changing my shoes and putting my clubs away, thinking my day of golf was done. I didn't shoot well and certainly didn't think I finished in the money or would be in a playoff. So you can imagine my shock when I learned that I had to go back out to play in a playoff for the Championship. I didn't play well, and I ultimately lost on the second hole.

Where I made my mistake was thinking I was out of the tournament. I quit playing in my head and had already put my clubs away. I did so based on how I played that day, without considering how the other players shot that day.

It's clear that the pros don't think that way and are always thinking they're in contention until the leaderboard tells them otherwise. I certainly learned my lesson and will make sure to know the leaderboard the next time I play in a tournament.

Why Daly is a Fan Favorite

2009-05-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

John Daly is playing in the final round of the BMW PGA Championship in England today. The good news is he's attempting to make a comeback. He's lost forty pounds and has a sponsor for those loud pants that he wears.

Today though he's wearing pink trousers in honor of Amy Mickelson and her battle with breast cancer. It's a sweet gesture from a guy who has a lot of demons of his own to fight. Keep up the great work, John!

Fred Astaire--Dancing and Swinging

2009-05-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this YouTube clip and it's amazing to watch Fred Astaire dance and hit balls at the same time. You can fast forward to 1:22 when he takes clubs into his hands.

He's supposed to have been a 22 handicap. He certainly makes it looks effortless for him to dance and hit the ball at the same time.

Enjoy!

Is This Statistically Possible?

2009-05-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

I played in a Ladies Invitational today, and I'm hoping someone can run the numbers on this for me. I'm not a poor loser when I lose to a plausible score. But I have to question how a team can shoot 106 for two best net balls when par is 144. That's 38 strokes under par, or 19 strokes under per each side! Somehow this team shot two net birdies for eight holes, and on the other hole, the team shot one net birdie and one net eagle. They had to do this, or the equivalent, on both sides!

You must be thinking this must be a team comprised of four scratch golfers. In fact, they're not. Lowest handicap index is 8.1, the highest is 26.6, and the other two are about 14.5. They also only took 95% of our handicap, so the number of strokes we all received were even less.

Perhaps, there was a mathematical error and it should have been 116. Or, they played a different format than the rest of us. In any case, I find it hard to believe this score is correct.

If you're wondering, the second place team shot 118 and the rest were in the 120's. If you crank out the probability of a team shooting this score, please let me know.

On a much more serious note, it was reported today that Amy Mickelson has breast cancer, and Phil is on a layoff indefinitely from the Tour. My best wishes to her and her family as she fights this awful disease.

Golf and Banks

2009-05-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation this morning with a gentleman who was involved with an investment bank that used to host an outing at the Masters. Given these days of criticism for banks involved with golf, this obviously occurred in the past.

In any case, the bank invited 40-60 guests for a very expensive outing at the Masters. It was extravagant, but it was worth it to the bank. The bank knew when those guests had to decide on a bank to finance a future transaction that interest points wouldn't be the make-or-break factor.

The bank knew that future deals would be made on likability, trust, relationship, service, and the like. The non-quantifiables that an invite to a memorable Masters outing would bring.

For that bank, it was a fruitful business expense because one deal out of the 40-60 guests would pay 30 to 40-fold the cost of outing. The CEO of Goldman Sachs says it best,"[T]here's a business purpose for the round of golf; it's not as if people within Goldman Sachs are playing with each other when they should be laboring at their desks. We're engaging with our clients in a context in which people can be more friendly, share more information, become closer — all with a commercial purpose, which is in the best interest of our shareholders. There was nothing wrong with it then, but it does have a different feel in the context of so much distress."

Steady Stenson

2009-05-10T17:21:00.001-07:00

The last time I wrote about Henrik Stenson was when he stripped to his shorts to hit a shot in a water hazard. Today though he was flawless and victorious at The Players.

Stenson explained he was hitting the ball well, and he managed himself well. Commentators talked about his hot temper. In 2001, while playing in a tournament, he walked off the course at the 9th hole. He's obviously matured.

Tiger on the other hand has exposed himself in another way. I don't recall seeing him miss so many shots that we're so used to watching him hit. He claims that he knows what the problem is with his swing, but he can't do it yet. Given his nine months off and a new knee, it's understandable, even for the Tiger, to have this inconsistency. The good news for him though is he can play two weeks in a row without his knee being in pain.

Congratulations, Henrik! The U.S. Open will be exciting in six weeks indeed.

Phil's Memories on TPC Sawgrass #10

2009-05-07T13:21:00.001-07:00

During lunch, I watched The Players and saw Phil Mickelson chipping across the 10th green. Although a downhill chip, it was pretty surprising to see his chip roll across the green into the rough on the other side. Brandel Chamblee talked about Phil not doing well on this hole in the past; in particular, Phil had a five putt on that green!

I've never had a five-putt. And, I would have guessed Phil hadn't either until I heard Chamblee's comments. I'm pretty certain Phil wasn't thinking about his five-putts when he hit his chip shot, but it still makes you wonder.

The leaderboard is surprising thus far. I'd love to play that course, especially #17. I'm sure there will be some great golf in the next few days! Enjoy!

Sergio and The Players

2009-05-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Brandel Chamblee of the Golf Channel was talking about how Sergio Garcia, the defending champion of this weekend's tournament, The Players, has lost the joy of playing golf. He observed that Garcia seems to take his close losses, especially in the Majors, too much to heart. He said Sergio has forgotten that he's playing a game that he loves, and he should go out and have fun again.

Then, he mentioned a sports psychology statistic that I thought you might find helpful when thinking about your golf game. He said it takes eleven positive thoughts to overcome one negative thought. So, for every bad shot that you can't forget, you have to have eleven positive shots that you can recall.

From now on, I'll have to discipline myself to remember only my positive shots on any given hole, as I go through my pre-shot routine.

To watch The Players this weekend, here's the t.v. schedule, which starts on Thursday. By the way, do you wonder why The Players is often referred to as the "Fifth Major"? It isn't an official Major (like the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open, and the PGA Championship) because it's not considered an official event on the European Tour, while the other four are considered as such.

Greg Norman Victorious at the Masters!

2009-04-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Greg Norman's after he watching him lose a six-stroke lead and ultimately the Masters title to Nick Faldo. He handled it with class and I admire not only his good-looks and golf talent, but also his business acumen and piloting skills. A pretty incredible package in one person!

Yesterday during the Par 3 Contest with his new bride, Chris Evert, on his bag, he shot a hole-in-one! I don't know how many he's had, but this one has to be a special one.

Augusta hasn't been kind to Norman having never won a green jacket. So, I hope this ace will propel him to do well today and tomorrow, so he can make the cut. And, who knows, maybe he'll pull off the biggest victory of his career and win the Masters this weekend!

Some Fun Golf for Me

2009-04-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

In mid-February, I caught a bug that I couldn't get rid of. I'd feel better one day, and then the next day I was exhausted. After five weeks of this, I had a trip previously planned for Lake Havasu City, AZ in mid-March. It was just the medicine I needed. I still had a nagging cough and after two days in the dry heat of AZ, it was gone.

So, I got to enjoy my golf outings in AZ. I played on three courses: Emerald Canyon Golf Course, The Refuge, and the Olde Course at the London Bridge Golf Course. The holes at Emerald Canyon wound through the canyons and had beautiful vistas. My favorite though was playing The Refuge. It had beautiful views of Lake Havasu and was a fun challenging course.

The recent highlight of my golf career though was playing in the Pro-Am of the Stonebrae Classic, the inaugural stop of the Nationwide Tour in nearby Hayward, CA. My playing partners included Nationwide Pro, Steve Friezen, former Raider and now 49er Barry Sims (see picture below), and 49er Jay Moore. I also played with a gal who is a member of Stonebrae.

It was a two-day affair, which included the Pairings Party the night before where I got to meet my playing partners. We also had a long drive show by Long-Drive Champion, Dan Boever, who can do amazing things with a golf ball, like hit a ball and make it travel ninety degrees, probably a total of 420 yards.

On the morning of the Pro-Am, I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. I was the highest handicapper at 11.3 and didn't want to embarrass myself. Funny thing happens to me though when I'm in competition or nervous, I swing easier and end up being more accurate. As a result, I shot three natural birdies from the forward tees, and had a stroke on each, for three net eagles. The gents will admit that the gals held up the team!

If you ever get a chance to play in a professional tour stop Pro-Am, treat yourself to playing. It was a memorable experience indeed and one that I won't forget!

Don't Do As Henrik

2009-03-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back from a cold or virus that knocked me out for a month. I've never felt so sick and lethargic before, and it's nice to come out of my cave. Unfortunately, it was to see this picture of Henrik Stenson hitting out of the water at Doral.

Henrik, "What were you thinking?" I don't know the circumstances of why he decided to strip to his shorts for this shot, but whatever they were, he just shouldn't have. Was it in the beginning of the round and he couldn't stand to wear muddy clothes for the remainder of the round? Did he think no one would care if he stripped to his skivvies? Couldn't Fanny persuade him to not do it?

Needless to say, business golfers never need to go to this extreme to hit a shot out of the water. If a pro looks ridiculous hitting out of the water, an amateur-recreational golfer will be laughed out of his foursome.

It doesn't help that Henrik doesn't have Tiger's or Camillo Villegas's body. And, there is always something to be said about leaving things to one's imagination. Now, every time I see Henrik, I'll think of this picture. And, it's not a good thing!

Welcome back, Tiger!

2009-02-26T09:21:00.001-08:00

With all the bad economic news, having Tiger back on Tour is great news for golf fans. He's brought back a spark of excitement that's been missing from the Tour. As can be expected, he had a few sloppy shots yesterday. And, he'll have a bigger test against Tim Clark today.

Golf has been getting a bad rap recently. We're hearing complaints about Northern Trust Company sponsoring the last PGA tournament since it received TARP money. Given that the sponsorship and t.v. commercial agreements were in place probably years before they got the TARP funds, Northern Trust would have been hit with lawsuits and penalties if they did try to pull out.

And, if Northern Trust has held parties for high-end clients in the past at the tournament and suddenly didn't this year, what would happen to their clients' confidence in Northern Trust? Companies have to continue marketing to their clients (and rewarding their top employees), especially in challenging times. Yes, it would be wise if not done so lavishly, but really who in government can complain about the waste of taxpayer dollars?

Congratulations, Michelle!

2009-02-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Michelle Wie finished second yesterday at the SBS Open in Hawaii. Although she had a three-stroke lead at one point, she lost by three strokes. This is her first tournament since becoming a card-carrying member of the LPGA. She looked disappointed and unfortunately didn't finish well on the back-nine.

I share in her disappointment, but am happy to see that she and her caddy are working together on reads and club selection. There was a time that her father didn't allow her veteran caddy, Gregg Johnston, to help read her putts. That of course made me wonder why hire a veteran then?

It's also nice to see Michelle has also matured in how she speaks and carries herself on the course. She still has her father hovering around her on the golf course though. Wouldn't it be nice for her to be able to play and not have her family be so close? Her parents moved into a home in Palo Alto, while she lives on-campus at Stanford thankfully. It would be interesting to have a camera on her father and see what looks he gives to Michelle while she's playing. I don't sense their relationship is like Tiger's and his late father, where Tiger drew support and positive feelings from his father.

No doubt Michelle will have her first win on the LPGA Tour. I will be thrilled for her to overcome all of the bad decisions over the last few years and be victorious!

Golf Equipment for the Troops

2009-02-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

Do you have golf equipment strewn in your garage? Is your spouse tired of tripping over your driver that just won't draw?

Get rid of those disobeying clubs, make points with your spouse, and, most importantly, do something good for wounded soldiers. They risk their lives, so we have the freedom to play golf.

Scott B. Colton, a former Army medic and Navy Corpsman, is the founder of "Sgt Golf", a golf rehabilitation program that helps injured veterans get the best treatment possible using golf as a main part of their therapy. They need clubs, balls, bags and general golf equipment. The equipment does not have to be new, just in good, usable condition. In particular, they are looking for drivers, hybrids, and, putters.

They were robbed on December 5, 2008, so they are really in need. Send your equipment to:

Scott B. Colton
Sgt Golf
330 38th Ave NE
Saint Petersburg FL, 33704

Send what you have and feel good about your game again.

Sportsmanship in a Positive Way

2009-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

In an earlier post, I talked about sportsmanship in a negative way. Typical examples include strategically making a comment to get into your opponent's head or moving in the middle of her swing to distract her. Moves that won't make you new friends, and certainly damage a business relationship if intentionally done to a client or a prospect.

Today we learn a story about sportsmanship in the spirit of fair play. Shawn Crawford, a sprinter in the Olympics, received the silver medal in a race, even though he finished the race in fourth place. The second place runner was disqualified because he ran outside of his lane, as was the third place finisher. Crawford decided because the third-place runner was 10 meters (or nearly 11 yards) ahead of him that he deserved the medal. "He was going to beat me anyway. He didn't impede in anybody's race," explained Crawford.

Crawford received the silver medal during the ceremony. Without calling a press conference, he left the medal for the third-place runner at the runner's hotel. You can imagine his surprise.

An equivalent in golf of such sportsmanship would be to disqualify yourself because you violated a Rule of Golf. I still remember David Toms disqualifying himself from the 2005 British Open because he wasn't sure if he hit a moving ball when he tapped in his putt. Only he knew of the possible violation, yet he took himself out of the tournament.

These are favorable ways of being a competitor, and I wish more people were like that. Crawford and Toms are not playing to win at any cost, including their integrity and honor. They're competing in the game, while doing what's fair and right. I wish more competitors (also politicians and CEOs) would do the same.

The Party is On!

2009-01-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Think golf is too quiet and polite? Then you'll want to watch the FBR Open starting today. This is the home of stadium seating surrounding the par-3 #16 hole--the only one of its kind on Tour. It has always been loud, especially when Tiger had a hole-in-one on this hole. But with the new seating, it's going to be thunderous!

We're still Tiger-less, but Phil Mickelson will make his 2009 debut. Here's the schedule so you can follow the action on Sirius or the Golf Channel.

Are your comments gamesmanship or compliments?

2009-01-27T12:45:00.001-08:00

Gamesmanship between competitors can occur intentionally or innocently during a round of golf. Among friends, it may be part of the game. If you're playing in a business golf round, however, it could be the cause of some hard feelings, which you want to avoid.

The Wall Street Journal recently had an article entitled, "The Art of Gamesmanship." The writer talks about why golf is conducive to gamesmanship. First, the ball is not moving and is less violent physically. Thus, players are more vulnerable psychologically. Second, the players are in close contact with one another on tees and greens.

The article summarizes four categories of gamesmanship. First, a player gives unwanted tips on a player's swing or stroke. Second, a player deliberately becomes an irritant, such as by talking about controversial topics or by walking slowly when playing with a fast player. Next, the player becomes a physical distraction, such as by standing too close or jangling coins. Finally, a player knowingly gives false information about the course or states "Wow, I really hit that putt" even though the ball is short of the hole.

So be aware of how your comments may be construed as gamesmanship by your business golf playing partners. After you've determined how well someone plays, you can safely say, "Nice shot!" or "Great putt!"

Pebble Beach is on Sale

2009-01-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

I received an email about discounted rates at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spanish Bay Links, and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. They're offering up to 54% discounts off of green fees and the promotion for Pebble expires on February 7, 2009.

If you live in the Bay Area or are visiting here soon, now is the time to take advantage of these low rates. The weather this week in the Bay Area has been spectacular...70 degrees in January?! While the rest of the country is experiencing global cooling, we've got incredible weather right now.

For more details, check out this PDF and play these famed courses at their lowest rates in a while. Make it a special bonus for a faithful client!

Wedding Bells on the LPGA Tour

2009-01-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

The two top female golfers have had wedding announcements over the last few days.

First, four-weeks retired and former #1 LPGA golfer, Annika Sorenstam married Mike McGee over the weekend in Florida. She's mixing business and pleasure as McGee is the managing director for her business brand. He's also been around golf all of his life as his Dad is a former PGA Tour player. If you'd like to see a gallery of photos, visit Golf.com. Annika makes a beautiful bride.

Second, the current #1 LPGA golfer, Lorena Ochoa, announced her engagement to the CEO of AeroMexico. They plan to marry in December.

Congratulations to both!

PGA Tour Has Started

2009-01-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

Today is the second-day of the start of the 2009 season of the PGA Tour in beautiful Maui, Hawaii. At the Mercedes-Benz Championship, the 33 winners of tournaments last year will be playing, except, of course, Tiger. Unfortunately, he'll be out until February or March.

When I talk about using golf to build and strengthen business relationship, I don't just include playing with clients and colleagues, but also talking about what's going on with the PGA Tour. Golfers typically follow weekly tournaments, but especially the four Majors: The Masters, the U.S. Open, the (British) Open, and the PGA Championship. Here's a list of the PGA Tour tournaments for this year. Bookmark it, and include a bookmark for the PGA Tour's or the Golf Channel's Web site, so you can follow the Tour easily.

You'll definitely will want to watch the tournament when Tiger returns to playing. I'm sure everyone, including even his competitors, are excited to see how Tiger will do on his return. Will he be as good or even better? I can't wait to see!

Play Golf and Lose Your Hearing?

2009-01-06T11:20:00.001-08:00

A British medical report suggests players who use the new generation of thin-faced titanium drivers are at a risk of losing their hearing. Apparently the loud cracking noise of the club hitting the ball may produce sufficient sound to induce temporary or even permanent cochlear damage in susceptible individuals.

The good news is this report is based on only one 55-year old golfer. They don't say how often he plays or what club he uses, but there is one equipment manufacturer whose driver does make a very loud, annoying tinny sound when striking the ball. I couldn't hit that club no matter how much more distance I'd get from using it. One of my equipment buying tips is if you don't like the sound that your club makes when you hit a good shot with it, then you should replace it. The game is hard enough without you not liking some aspect of your clubs and feeling good about them.

The report even suggests using ear plugs when playing golf, but I can't see anyone doing that. Besides looking a bit silly, I can't be bothered to take ear plugs in and out when trying to talk to other players in my group. And, I'd want to hear other players who might be screaming, "Fore!" if a ball is coming my way.

I say we put our hearing at risk, and play as much golf in 2009 as we possibly can! How about you? Have you planned and budgeted for how many business golf rounds you want to play this year? Put it in your calendar, and start collecting a list of potential golf partners--clients, prospects, and referral sources--for you in 2009.

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

I hope you've had a great Holiday Season, and you're excited to start 2009. I certainly am as I've got a fun, high-end event and other product launches planned for my business this year.

I know the people in the supposed know say the economy will be bleak, etc. But I'm not buying into their negative outlook. In fact, I think playing business golf will become even more important. When the economy is tumultuous, a successful business person has to be out there building, maintaining, and strengthening their business relationships. Playing a round of golf, or even just a session at the driving range, can help do that.

On New Year's Day, I played my first round of business golf this year with my publicist. We played at a course that I've played several times, and this was my first time since it was "re-designed." It was such a disappointment and I've never seen a renovation ruin a course like I have with this course.

The "new and improved" greens reminded me of holes you'd find at a miniature golf course. The horizontal line on this green is a four foot high trough. Since it was a blind shot to the green, you'd think it was the safest to aim for the middle of the green, but it would have put you in the trough.

The ball in this picture is in a depression on the green that was about five feet wide and two feet deep. My publicist said it used to have "chocolate drops" in it, which he describes as deep, thick rough where you couldn't find your ball if it was in it. I've never seen a depression like this on a golf hole.

Several holes were re-routed and the course designer took interesting and challenging holes and made them into boring Vanilla holes. I can't imagine having this designer touch another course after what he displayed. Worst news is my Club has already paid him $60-70K to design a Master Plan for my course. Needless to say, I'm not pleased.

If weather permits, get out there and play, or at least hit balls at an indoor or heated driving range!

Golf Just for Fun with Family

2008-12-27T13:10:00.000-08:00

My niece has been attending Notre Dame and is home for the Christmas holiday. We didn't go shopping to catch Day-After-Christmas sales. Instead, with a break in the weather here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we had a chance to play golf yesterday with my nephew and my Dad. I played horribly. I haven't played in two weeks and, more importantly, I didn't care about my score. It was time for us to just laugh and tease one another when we had bad shots. Want to spend time with your kids in your life? I can't think of a better way to do so than by playing 18 holes together! Here's a picture of us at Spanish Bay earlier this year. Happy Holidays!

Cheater On and Off the Course

2008-12-22T15:43:00.001-08:00

I've always believed if someone cheats on the golf course, you'll likely discover he or she also cheats off the course. Bernard Madoff, the biggest cheat of the century, appears to have cheated on the course as well, which should come as no surprise. After not playing for a year, he posted an 87 at one of three country clubs that he calls home. Wouldn't we all like to have his game? Check out his scores on CNBC.

Using Golf Off the Course to Build Rapport

2008-12-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

I've had two instances where I've used golf to my advantage even without playing golf with the other parties. The first time I used golf to my benefit was at a local pizzeria. The owner-host was always professional during past visits, but never friendly. The other night I started talking about golf with him, and it was like we were long lost friends. At the end of the night, he gave me his business card and told me to call him whenever I wanted to go out and play the course we talked about that evening. It was a surprise, and I look forward to go back to his restaurant.

The latest incident involved getting my car repaired at a local dealership. On Friday, I brought in the car to remedy a same noise I was hearing, but it was never repaired during the previous two visits. I test drove the car with the shop foreman and somehow we ended up talking about golf. When I picked up my car today, not only was the noise repaired, but three other items were also repaired that I didn't complain about. According to the service advisor, the foreman said because my car warranty was about to expire, so he gave it a careful look over.

Okay, I can "feel" the skepticism about car dealers and my repairs. But I think it was a sincere gesture to help me fix my car.

Unlike politics or religion, which can create a bond or an immediate enemy with a stranger, golf doesn't bring up such intense feelings. It's more likely that if you meet a fellow golfer, you'll have a friend and someone who might help you in ways you can't imagine.

Play on!

Wie Makes It!

2008-12-07T19:07:00.002-08:00

I've been hard on Michelle Wie because of the decisions that she or, more likely, her parents have made. Today she qualified to play on the LPGA. I congratulate her!

Unlike some decisions they've made, she or her camp made the right decision to not talk to the media all week. The media can be very annoying by asking certain questions (or, as we've seen recently, not asking questions when they should). Whoever decided to shut them out, made the best decision I've seen in a long time. She didn't have to parse her words and could just focus on her game rather than what the press was asking or saying.

In the interviews post-qualifying, she sounds more mature and positive about her future. I hope her time at Stanford and away from the media have given her chance to assess what has worked and what hasn't for her career and confidence. It was encouraging that she was talking about playing on the LPGA tour and the U.S. Women's Open. I hope her dreams of grandeur by making a cut on a PGA tour have been put to rest. She just needs to win and she might be able to do so on the LPGA.

I was surprised by some golf fan's vitriol toward Wie. They complained she shouldn't be getting all of this media attention and she is a has been. She was a media phenomenon and deserved it for her youth, long drives, and her game at one time. She then had a horrible year this year, and had some deserved bad press with withdrawing from Annika's tournament Nonetheless I applaud her efforts in Q-School because she had such pressure and expectations on her to succeed. Thankfully, she did it!

Wie Does It!

2008-12-07T19:07:00.001-08:00