Golfing In A Winter Wonderland

OK, so in the past I may have mentioned that I don't play golf once the temperature drops below fifty degrees. But now that I've been introduced to the likes of Peter Masters and Annika Ostberg, I realize that I'm being a pansy.Most people likely have no idea who Peter Masters and Annika Ostberg are. Neither did I until doing a bit of research. But these people are some of the best in the world, as well as the first two champions, in their sport. What sport is that you ask? Well, Snow Golf of course! Actually, for arguments sake, it was known as Ice Golf at the time.Modern snow golf is actually credited to Rudyard Kipling (yes, Rudyard Kipling the author) during his time living in Vermont. It is said that he played in the snow by painting...

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The Oldest Swinger In Town

"Golfer Richie McKay has been crowned the oldest swinger in town because he still plays his favourite game - at the age of 100."Maybe I've had too much time to think with all of this snow we've gotten here in the northeast. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to reach 100 years old...nevermind still being able to golf! Stories like this make me look forward to getting out there and playing.This is really something special. It's pretty cool to know that this game we love lasts a lifetime plus. Funny, he took up golf at 56 years of age and still has 44 years of hacking up the course under his belt. That means he has more years at golf than I do alive...I just hope to make it to 44...I find myself relating to this story. Obviously,...

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Golf Course Bankrupt? Blame Tiger Woods

In this recent recession, some big investment banks were rescued from a mess that company spokespeople claimed they didn't need to be rescued from. Nevertheless, they were labeled as "too big to fail" and were pulled to safety on the public's dime.Meanwhile, golf courses have been buckling under current economic conditions those aforementioned banks had a hand in creating. The last five years have not been kind to courses in the United States. But recent data from the National Golf Foundation (NGF) suggests golf facilities in general are holding their ground fairly well.A preview of The NGF's Golf Facilities in the U.S. report, 2011 edition (which will be released in February) reveals course closures from 2006-2010 represent just 1.5 percent...

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Home, Home On The (Indoor) Range

For anyone reading this who does not live in the northeast, you may or may not be aware that it's been snowing here recently. I could go ahead and say there's been a hell of a lot of snow...and that would be an understatement. It has snowed so much, and been cold enough for very little of it to melt, that we are simply running out of places to put it! Honestly, the snow from two storms ago is still buried underneath the more recent nor'easters! And there's even more expected this week! So with all the snow and tough driving conditions it creates, it's understandable that there seems to be a case of cabin fever spreading throughout the area. And it was never more evident than today at the indoor range. Despite temperatures in the low to...

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Golf After Global Warming; It's Gonna Be Great!

As I sit here looking out my window at nearly three feet of snow, I can't help but wonder whatever happened to global warming? Remember that? Here in Connecticut, that soon to be extinct white stuff fell at an unprecedented rate over the last few weeks (separate storms produced 14", 11", 2", 22" and 4" of snow within 20 days). I guess the reality is, as long as we're driving around burning the remnants of dinosaur bones and chopping down trees like Paul Bunyon, global warming is something that will eventually happen. Oh we may not be around to see it, but our great, great, great grandkids will probably be basting in warmer temps across the globe.Sure, the glaciers will be gone; earthquakes will be rampant; and you'll need an acid-retardant...

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Golf For The Ages

I guess there's a lot to learn from our elder golfers. A couple times I was getting ready to tee off with a buddy when all of a sudden the inevitable happens...an old guy wants to join us. WTF! This guy is going to slow us down...or is he? You know, some of the best stories, tips (who needs those, right?) and golf sayings I've ever heard came from the senior crew. It must be a stereotype derived from that old couple on "Caddyshack" that has branded the notion that every old golfer is slow. As with age comes wisdom and so does wit...here's a good one for you guys: A young man who was also an avid golfer found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. He figured if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in nine holes before...

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The Breaking of Golf's Color Barrier

Breaking down racial barriers. Isn't that what it was all about for Martin Luther King? So in celebration of Martin Luther King Day, why not take a look at the PGA Tour's breaker of the color barrier?Contrary to what many believe, know, or understand, the PGA color barrier was broken long before Tiger Woods ever hit the scene. Over 35 years earlier to be a bit more specific. In 1961, Charlie Sifford became the first African-American to receive full PGA Tour status (In 1928, Dewy Brown was the first African-American to play in PGA Tour events, but was not given full status until the mid 1960's). But it wasn't until after nine years of playing in qualifiers and non-PGA Tour events, even winning one, that he was given full status. Sifford...

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Golf...Can't Live With It, Can't Live Without It.

Why is this game so complicated? In order to answer that question we need to take a look back at its roots. We need to understand the foundation it was raised on. So, when you combine something like single-malt scotches, bagpipes and skirts...excuse me...kilts, there's your answer...just kidding! But I have an inkling that the scotch was fundamental in creating golf.The complexity of this game always amazes me. You can run yourself ragged one day on the course and the next day it's a walk in the park. I guess all those sayings golfers have are true. Here's a few of my favorites:The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can�t see him laughing.I�m not saying my golf game went bad, but if I grew tomatoes, they�d come up sliced.Golf...

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Prepping for My Golf Season (Not that it will Matter)

A brand new year. Yep, this is the time during the winter when I begin thinking about my upcoming golf season. Up here in New England, it starts to get pretty cold in November. By Thanksgiving there could be snow on the ground and by the holidays, you've already forgotten what the trees look like when they have leaves and what it feels like to step outside without a coat and scarf.Come January 2nd though, I'm ready for the winter to end. As far as I'm concerned, two months of frozen weather should be good enough. I just ate my ass off, drank too much beer and champaign and used up all my vacation time. If I've gotta go back to work on January 3rd, the ground better be thawing out and the crocuses better be coming up.Inevitably, the realization...

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Off-Season? Golf Has An Off-Season?

Can someone please help me out with a few things here? Is the golf season officially underway right now? Are there actual tournaments going on? Didn't the 2010 season just end? I swear I just saw something about Steve Stricker tied for the lead in a tournament. How is this possible? Why would this be happening right now? I think what I'm saying is, it's no wonder there are fewer and fewer people golfing or taking up the game of golf every year. Golf has just about everything going against it right now.The first problem is; I had no idea there were any tournaments even happening! I'm sure many of you who are reading this were well-aware that golf was underway. But not me. I'm sure I've made it clear by now I am a very casual golf fan. Playing...

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No Such Thing As Bad Press

As I watch the snow fall outside and gripe about shoveling, I received an interesting news feed - It looks as if Mr. Woods has lost another endorsement; This one coming from Golf Digest. CNBC reported: NEW YORK - Tiger Woods will no longer be writing a monthly column for Golf Digest, ending a long standing sponsorship that adds to a growing pile of dropped endorsements for the golfer. "We have decided it's now time for a break," Woods said in a joint statement with Golf Digest on Thursday. The decision comes on the heels of Procter & Gamble Co's Gillette brand not renewing its contract with Woods at the end of December.Accenture, AT&T Inc, PepsiCo Inc Gatorade have all ended sponsor deals with the golfer. Electronic Arts, however, announced...

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You Beer-Drinking, Cigar-Smoking, Club-Throwing, Late-Arriving, Sorry Excuse for a Golfer!

From time to time, the Golf Stinks blog will attempt to take the pulse of our readers. We'll post about a golf-related topic and include a poll to get every one else's opinion.Below, we'll examine the results of 6 different polls we conducted during 2010; and some of these findings may (or may not) surprise you!In September, we reported on what nutritionists recommend eating during a round of golf. After reviewing what the experts said, we still wanted to know what ya'll were eating at the turn. While only 34 people took the poll, 44% of you said (in direct defiance of the nutritionists we should add) that hot dogs and beer are the way to go! Meanwhile, 17% said they ate some sort of energy/granola bar yet only 5% ate the recommended fruits...

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A New Year's Golf Resolution

Do you know what I hate? New Year's resolutions. Aren't they the worst? Honestly, what's the point?! How many of you have actually made a resolution that you've stuck with? Actually, how many of you even make New Year's resolutions?I gave up on resolutions long ago. I have come to the realization that I'm not going to join a gym, I'm not going to make a serious effort to lose weight and I'm not going to try to be "nicer" to people. As a matter of fact, the only resolution I have stuck with is to not make any more resolutions. It seems to be working out!However, this year I've decided to make a special exception. This year, I'm going to make a resolution regarding my golf game. Am I going to work on my handicap? No. I don't even...

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