Another Shot At My New Year's Golf Resolution

Well, it's that time of year again - New Year's resolution time. A time of empty promises. A time of hollow intentions. Approximately a month away from a time of letdown. It's nothing new. Same thing year in and year out.

Last year I made the mistake of going against my "No New Year's Resolutions" rule when I made a silly resolution regarding my golf game. No, it had nothing to do with game improvement. It was simply a resolution to play more golf. But, like all other New Year's resolutions I've made in the past, it fell flat. I didn't play any more. As a matter of fact, I may even have played less!

But did I learn my lesson? No, of course not. I'm making the same golf resolution as I did last year. I resolve to play more golf this coming year. But I think this time I can make it happen.

So why is this year going to be different? I don't know. I just have a good feeling about it. No specific reason. It's just that I know how I felt this past year when I didn't get much chance to play. It was terrible. Especially considering I had that shiny new set of clubs to use for a full season. A year later, they're almost as shiny as when they were brand new. That's a terrible feeling! It's like playing a game of football and leaving with a clean uniform.

With that said, what am I going to do to make it happen? After all, I said the same thing last year. Well, I'm going to have to start by trying to plan further ahead of time. Maybe if I set aside a few weekends specifically for golf, that could help. Possibly another golf trip - it's been a while since I've done that!

Well whatever methods I choose to instill, I'm determined to make it happen. Even if it's just one more round this year than last. Hell, I'll even settle for just nine more holes, as long as I play more than last year!

Swing 'til you're happy! I resolve to do so!

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Ladies, Let Your Man Golf!

Oh My God!! I've had enough! If someone doesn't take my husband golfing soon I'm going to have a conniption!

This is Jenn, aka Mrs. Stinky Golfer Chris. I'm taking over his post to plead for anyone to step forward and get my husband on a golf course. Better yet, take him on a golf trip! All year I've had to listen to him complain about how he hasn't had the chance to golf much this year. And with the recent snow storm here in the northeast, it's been even worse!

Granted, for the most part he didn't get to play as much as he normally would. It was just one of those years. It seemed like every weekend there was simply something that needed to be done. Be it a kids soccer game, baseball game, someones birthday party, family gathering or my photography business...something was always getting in his way.

But if that wasn't bad enough, we have a freak, record-setting snowstorm in October, normally his last month to guarantee golf. November is always hit or miss. And this November, between my trip back home to visit family in Colorado, the clean up of downed branches and power outages due to the storm, we're not off to a good start.

He keeps talking about a couple of newly public courses that he wanted to get to this year. He's also mentioned how it's been a few years since his last golf trip. Are there any other golf wives dealing with this?

Being that I work in the golf industry, I'm well aware that many golf courses are in some financial trouble. I'm also well aware that not as many people are playing golf as in previous years. It's one of the reasons my husband and his stinky golfer buddies are doing what they're doing. So with that being said, I can't imagine I'm the only golf wife who has to listen to their husband complaining.

So ladies, for the sake of your husband as well as your own sanity, don't keep your husband away from the game he loves. Get him out there. Make him go play. Tell him to take a golf trip. Or else you have to go through the winter months listening to him complain. And what's worse? Having him disappear for a few hours every weekend or so? Or listening to him whine like a little girl all winter long?

Ladies, let your husband swing 'til he's happy!

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Have You Ever Rented Golf Clubs?

I have never rented golf clubs. As a matter of fact, I've never rented anything golf-related except a cart. I guess I've just never had any reason to rent clubs. And since I never have, it kind of makes me wonder who does rent clubs, and why?

Just to show that I have actually put some thought into this, I've considered four separate scenarios for playing golf and if there would be any chance that I would need to rent clubs.

#1. A regular round of golf - By regular round, I mean my buddies and I have planned a round of golf for a weekend. This one is pretty simple. Why would I ever need to rent clubs for this, unless I was a complete idiot and forgot my clubs at home. In that case, I don't deserve to even play that day. It's like going camping and forgetting your tent.

#2. An unscheduled round of golf - For instance, I'm at work. Another stinky golfer calls and says he has a tee time for 5:30 to play nine before it's too dark. OK, I can see how someone wouldn't have their clubs ready for this. But not me. During the golf season, I put my clubs in my trunk, and that is where they stay just in case a situation such as this arises. They will stay there for the entire season...maybe longer.

But even then, I mentioned nine holes. Is nine holes really important enough to rent clubs if I didn't have them with me? I mean, the clubs may cost more than the round itself.

#3. A golf trip - Now, it's a golf trip. Why on earth would I not have my clubs with me? Why would anyone go on a golf trip without their clubs? The only reason I can think of is people are worried about bag fees. I've seen bag fees range anywhere between $50-$100 round trip. But I'm sure they go higher. In a case like that, I guess I can understand to a point.

But when you consider than renting clubs can cost anywhere between $15-$50, if not more depending upon the course, wouldn't you just rather bring your own clubs rather than use the rentals?

#4. A non-golf trip - OK, in this situation I can see how you could be stuck without your clubs. But all it takes is a little verification before the trip,and you can be prepared. For instance, this past summer, my wife booked us and another couple a trip to Key West. This was not a golf trip. However, I made sure to check ahead of time if the other guy is a golfer. Sure enough...even though this was not a golf trip, we managed to get a day in at the Key West Golf Club. Just a little preparation and I got to play a course I wouldn't have had the chance to. And I did it without having to rent clubs.

So to anyone who has rented clubs before, what was the situation? Why did you choose to rent clubs rather than just use your own? Did I miss something above? Let me know. After all, I'm a stinky golfer and there's a good chance that I just don't get it.

Swing 'til you're happy!

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The Gateway To A Golf Paradise

Some years ago, Stinky Golfer Greg and myself, along with two other golfing buddies, took a trip to Hilton Head Island for a golf getaway. We had a great hookup from one of my relatives who owned a condo on the island. This was the first real golf trip any of us had taken, and it was certainly one to remember.

I could get into the many details of the trip, but I can much more easily sum it up with one comment. While riding in a cart down one of the fairways of Palmetto Dunes, enjoying the beautiful views of the Atlantic, Greg turns to me and says simply..."Thank you. Seriously...thank you. This is awesome." He was right. It was awesome.

Recognize that picture? Of course you do. It's the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse at Sea Pines. We've all seen it. But have you ever had the chance to see it in person? Well thanks to a new website launched by The Golf Channel, here's your chance. If you've been there before, then here's your chance to do it again. For a great golf getaway, take a peek at http://www.hiltonheadgolf.com/.

For any golfers who haven't yet found their way to Hilton Head, my friends, you are truly missing out on a great golf experience. Now I've never been to Myrtle Beach, but as it's been described to me, Hilton Head is Myrtle Beach with better golf and without the touristy feel. I can attest to both of those points.

As for the golf, during a short trip, we managed to squeeze in two rounds of 18, one round at Palmetto Dunes and the other at Shipyard. Those two rounds being not quite enough, on the morning of our final day, we squeezed in another 9 holes at Sea Pines (home of Harbour Town) on the Ocean Course. Each round was an experience like no other. Be it the stunning ocean views, gators walking past the greens as you're putting or the beautiful, lush courses themselves...it's tough to beat the variety of courses you'll find on Hilton Head. Even if you can't make it to Harbour Town, you're sure to do fine with any of the courses The Golf Channel has featured for you here.

Let's not forget though, there's much more to a golf trip than just golf. What about food? As far as I'm concerned, food is a close second to the golf itself. Luckily, the good people at The Golf Channel have similar feelings as they've provided a dining guide on the site as well. Oh, and I can personally vouch for a number of restaurants on that list including Antonio's, The Crazy Crab and Harbourside Burgers & Brews at Sea Pines just to name a few.

Since my last visit to Hilton Head, I've always wanted to make a return trip. Now that The Golf Channel has made it so easy, I have almost no excuse. The courses, food, places to stay and even packages...it's all right there at your fingertips.

For those golfers who have yet to visit Hilton Head....you don't know what you're missing. After visiting twice (once for golf and once for relaxation...and, no...they're not the same thing), I'm still looking forward to going again. If nice weather, great golf and a laid back, relaxing environment are what you're looking for, then http://www.hiltonheadgolf.com/ is a great place to start.

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