Golf's Virtual Sticks And Stones

Composure as defined by the dictionary means "the state of being calm and in control of oneself." As a pro golfer, composure should be a part of your mental and physical being. Nothing bothers me more than someone who has been blessed with success but acts like a 3rd grader.Recently, Rory McIlroy and golf analyst/commentator Jay Townsend got into a heated little tit for tat via Twitter. Apparently, McIlroy's round at the Irish Open wasn't up to par (sorry). Before I get into it, here's what went down:Townsend tweeted "McIlroy's course management was shocking..." "It was some of the worst I have ever seen beyond -10 boys' golf competition,"McIlroy retaliated with "Shut up...you're a commentator and failed golfer, your opinion means nothing."What...

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Can Worm Turds Save the Golf Industry?

Right now, as I pen this post, people knee-deep in worm feces are revolutionizing the future of golf courses - and quite possibly saving the golf industry to boot.That's right - worm crap. Or, more politely; worm castings. When utilized properly, this poop can save golf courses big money. And when courses save, golfers, golf retailers - in fact the entire golf industry, benefits. All from worm feces.As absurd as this sounds, it may actually be pretty accurate. You see, worm dung, when brewed into a tea-like liquid (trust me, this isn't your pappy's sun-brewed iced tea) can be used as a decent substitute for chemical fertilizer and pesticides.Less chemicals means less pollution run-off into streams, rivers and oceans. But what it also does is...

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What If The PGA Experienced A Lockout?

Well, all signs are pointing in the right direction. It seems there's finally some agreement between players and owners. All signs are pointing to an on-time start the NFL regular season...and I couldn't be happier! Now, if the NBA will soon follow suit, then the sports world will once again be right as rain. But with lockouts currently going on in two of the three most popular spectator sports in the United States, it kind of makes me wonder what would happen if there was a PGA Tour lockout. Would it be like an NFL lockout? I guess that could go two ways. With the current lockout, I think all of us know that both parties understand there is way too much money to be lost if games are not played. It's by far the most popular spectator sport...

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It's Like That Tiger...Really?

In case you have not heard, Tiger Woods has decided to fire his long-time caddie Steve Williams. The same man who is perhaps the epitome of loyalty. Not only being a great caddie to Tiger, but also a close friend. Through all the crap that Tiger has been through, this man had his back.This really boggles my mind. I would think that at a time like this you would want people like Mr. Williams around you. Let's face it though, Tiger hasn't really been too active on the tour this season. Which would result in Steve not having much work. I'm sure he's pretty busy but those pay days he used to get when Tiger won were pretty sweet. Now it seems like he's only a spectator.So what compelled El Tigre to fire him? I mean is he going to carry the bag himself?...

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How to Rate a Golf Course

Have you ever written a review for a golf course? Ever wanted to? Well, we've just made it super easy: You may know that we here at Golfstinks recently launched our golf course database (that's it there at the top right-hand side of the page). The database features more than 18,000 courses in the United States, nearly 2,000 courses in Canada, and a select few in 19 other countries. But we didn't stop there - we also built-in a way for you to rate and review said courses. So how does it work?Well, we begin with five criteria:DifficultyGroomingLayoutSceneryHospitalityEach criteria is rated based on a 5-star scale, but we include half stars too, so you get 10 options to choose from! Right off the bat you'll notice the Golfstinks rating system...

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It's Christmas in July For Golfers

Two holiday season ago, I awoke to find that some items on my Christmas wish list were not under my tree. There was no $20,000 golf cart in my living room, nor were the $5,000 golf shoes I was looking to slip on. But that was my own fault. I waited way too long to get my Christmas list to my wife.But fret not golfers. This year, I'm going to help you get your Christmas list started early. This way, you'll have plenty of time to get your wish list to the people who matter and, hopefully anyway, you won't feel the same disappointment I did. Let's get started!Right off the bat, we'll start at the top of the list - the golf cart. A year-and-a-half ago, my list included a $20,000 Hummer (to which the Tiger Woods jokes were flying). But that's old...

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The Games we Play on the Golf Course

No, I'm not talking about match- or stroke-play. Nor am I talking about Nassau, bingo bango bongo or any other golf betting games. I'm talking about the games we invent while trekking though 18-holes of wretchedly-played golf.For example, you've all heard of the Red Tee Salute? Fellas, you know what I'm talking about - when you don't hit your drive past the Women's tees and you are told to play the rest of the hole with your pants around your ankles? The only problem with this game is it's rarely enforced - which is probably for the best.What about the "closest to the tee marker" game? This is where you stand a bit behind the tee markers and soft-toss golf balls towards them in a bocce-like manner. If you hit the marker you win, unless another...

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Hacks, Snacks and Six-Packs

Summer is obviously in full swing for us in the northeast. And especially after getting bombarded with snow this past winter, I'm not minding the heat that much...to an extent that is. Still in the recovery process and the only golf I get to experience is on TV, I've been doing some research on what golfers might consume during a round. It's definitely not approved by the American Heart Association.A lot of us average golfers have been stereotyped as a hot-dog-devouring (or two), beer-guzzling, lazy-so-I'm-taking-a-cart weekend warrior. All in all, it's safe to say there are probably more out-of-shape golfers (including me) than in-shape ones on the course on any given day. What can be done you ask? Well, some simple changes to the ol' diet...

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A New Approach At The Golf Course Level

I'm driving home from work the other day when, on the radio, comes something I'm just not used to hearing. No, I don't mean a DJ to whom I can tolerate listening. I mean a commercial.What's unusual about a commercial on the radio you ask? Well, it wasn't just any commercial. It was a commercial for a golf course. Actually, it was a commercial for multiple golf courses.Maybe this doesn't sound so strange to some of you. But me? I honestly can't remember hearing a commercial on the radio for a golf course...ever! So why now? With the golf industry struggling, rounds declining every year and overall interest in the game sinking, is spending money on advertising the way to go? Are some courses looking to expand their clientele? Or for others, is...

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Can Golfstinks.com Work For You?

What exactly does golfstinks.com mean to you? Better yet; What would you like golfstinks.com to mean to you? As we develop the site golfstinks.com, we love the fact that we offer a hands-down, top notch, golf course search (which is now in beta). And if you haven't noticed, a widget for it is also located at the top of the right-hand sidebar of this blog...Just in case you want to look up a course or two.Ultimately, the goal of golfstinks.com is to give golfers of all ability - average hacks, better-than-average hacks and worse-than-average hacks - a place and community to call home while on the web. In essence, a social media site for golfers. Somewhere we can go and be around our golf buddies as well as meet new ones.What we are looking...

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5 Reasons Why they Hate Golf

I know it's hard to believe, but there are people in this world who simply hate the game of golf. Conceding that these folks are basically scoundrels, they still have a right to be haters. And while those of us who read this blog simply adore the game, the haters have their reasons for considering golf a waste of good time, money and real estate.So what are these reasons? I'm sure there are more, but I basically boiled-it-down to five big issues...Let's examine them:Golf is Too BoringSure, you and I know that golf is about physically and mentally coming together to pull-off the perfect shot every time you hit the ball, but to non-golfers, it's a downright snore. Have you ever watched golf on TV? You have to admit, the commentators don't make...

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The Independence of Golf

Independence Day. Believe it or not, it's about more than cookouts, the day off from work and driving across state lines to get the "good" fireworks. But this isn't a history lesson. I think we all know the reason we celebrate on the fourth.But speaking of that day off from work, one would think that would give us one extra day to golf. But I guess between all of the running around between parties and gatherings, there probably isn't much time left for golf. But what's funny is, with all of the time spent with family members you rarely see (some of whom their names you don't even know), on Independence day, you're left with very little independence of your own. I guess what makes it even more ironic is, with as little independence as you are...

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Top Golf Stinks Blog Posts (thus far) of 2011

Like usual, the first half of the year flew by! As many of our faithful readers know, that means it's time for us to list our Top 10 Posts (thus far) in 2011!OK, here we go - out of 78 total posts for the year so far, we'll count down the top 10 most frequently read:Number 10The Breaking of Golf's Color Barrier - Back in January, Stinky Golfer Chris commemorated MLK Day by highlighting the first African-American to receive full PGA Tour status.Number 9POLL: Ever Broken A Golf Club in Anger? - In February, Stinky Golfer Greg admitted feeling invigorated after breaking his putter across his knee and wanted to know if anyone else has ever broken a club!Number 8Golf For The Ages - In January, Stinky Golfer Pete told us not to fret should we happen...

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