Tom Watson Named Ryder Cup Captain

The PGA of America has announced that Tom Watson will be the 2014 Ryder Cup Captain. Even though Watson was critical of Tiger's personal life, Woods was complimentary of the selection. Not surprising that Tiger would do so; he certainly couldn't criticize the selection.

I didn't watch Watson's at his peak, but certainly remember his grit at The Open a couple of years ago. If he can infuse that to his team, USA might have a chance to end Europe's domination for the last two decades.

Good luck, Tom!!

Here's your 2013 golf-marketing calendar!

Yesterday the PGA Tour released its 2013 tournament schedule.

It's for you here:
http://bit.ly/12jgjYY

If you want to use golf to deepen and build your relationships with clients, prospects, and referral sources, bookmark this link or save this email. You'll want want to use this schedule for your marketing.

Not sure what to do for your golf marketing? First, you can send an email to your golfing clients and prospects to get them ready for the 2013 season. It's likely going to be an exciting one with McIlroy on the rise and Tiger making a comeback.

That's one idea and I have others. Contact me if you want to know more. And I'd love to hear what ideas you have as well.

I'm in the SF Bay Area and we're lucky to have some sunny days at the end of the week. So I'll be able to get a round in on Friday with a close friend and my dad. If you can, go play 9 or 18, or even a driving range session.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you're ready to use golf to attract higher-than-average net worth clients in 2013, I can help. You don't have to play like Tiger, but you need to know how to be on the course. Let's talk!

Need to Find a New Putting Stroke?

The R&A and USGA have tentatively banned the use of a putter anchored on one's body, effective January 1, 2016. So if you put your putter against your belly or chest and have a fulcrum point, then that's considered an anchor and will be prohibited. You can brace the putter grip against your wrist, like Matt Kuchar, and that will still be allowed. You can also still use the longer putters, but you have to freely swing the putter without it being against your body at a fulcrum point.

The rationale for the ban is a putting stroke is supposed to be a swing and without an anchoring point. I understand the rationale, but I wonder why the R&A and USGA waited so long to ban this style of putting if they felt that a putting stroke should be a swing. Former Tour Pro and past Ryder Captain, Paul Azinger, used the now-banned putting style in the 90's and the governing boards were silent for the past two decades.

Keegan Bradley was heckled by a spectator and called a cheater during Tiger's tournament on Sunday. Today the USGA release a statement that Keegan and others using that style are not cheaters and are allowed under the rules to have that putting stroke.

What to do if you use that putting style and are playing business-golf? Since anchor putting will be banned in 2016, you'll need to practice using a short putter. And when you play business-golf, you're not trying to shoot your personal best round. So I suggest if you're playing a client or prospect who leans toward being a traditionalist, I'd use your short putter. You don't want to give the impression or hint of being a cheater to a client or prospect. This way you avoid the possibility of damaging your business relationship.

If weather permits, go enjoy a round of winter golf!

Daly News

John Daly is in the news again, and it's not good.

He was playing in the Hong Kong Open and threw his putter into the trees. He was frustrated by the sound of camera shutters. The tournament director said it best, "Yes, the circumstances regarding crowd manners and behaviors will be considered, but when it all boils down there is still no excuse for throwing his putter."

I suspect the fans in the US are more considerate of golfers than in Hong Kong. But I can also sort of understand the fans in Hong Kong. If you've been there, then you know those folks never hear a second of silence. That town runs on 30 hour days with the hustle and bustle of life.

As the director said though Daly needed to restrain himself from blowing up. And, given his past, we know that's a challenge for him. Unfortunate situation for all, but golf does put a challenge on us to control our tempers. That's why I call golf an xray of the soul and a great business tool. Would you want a client that blew up that way on the course?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends in the US!

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtxxEbu

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtxxEbu

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtxxEbu

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtxxEbu

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

"Yes, the circumstances regarding crowd manners and behavior will be considered, but when it all boils down there is still no excuse for throwing his putter,"

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

"Yes, the circumstances regarding crowd manners and behavior will be considered, but when it all boils down there is still no excuse for throwing his putter,"

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2012/11/john-daly-will-be-fined-for-throwing-putter-at-hong-kong-open.html?xid=forecast111912_topstory3#ixzz2CgtqtAAz

Golfing Presidents

We all know tomorrow is Election Day. I plan to vote and hope the best candidate for the country and economy wins. To see other presidents who enjoy the game we all love, check out this link.

Congratulations to Condi Rice and Darla Moore!

Augusta National Golf Club has announced their first two female members.

Condi Rice, former Secretary of  State, is also a member of San Francisco Golf Club and Cypress Golf Club.

Darla Moore is a South Carolina financier.

Which Tees to Use?

The National Golf Foundation asked:

What method do you use most often to choose the yardage (set of tees) you will play from in a given round of golf?

Based on a total yardage I have in mind	45%
Based on the color I normally play	23%
Based on wind or weather	6%
Based on the ability of my weakest playing partner	9%
Based on the nature of the round (fun vs. a competitive)	5%
Based on how fast I want to play	0%
I play whatever tees my playing partners choose	12%

I was surprised by the responses and wondered if the responses would be the same if one was playing in a business-golf round.

The 23% who responded that they chose the tees based on the normal color that they play could have a rude awakening at a new course. There is no standard color for tees based on location, e.g. black for the tips, blue for back tees, white for the middle and red for the front tees. Some courses, especially newer courses, have new colors at different locations. If playing based solely on color, a person may end up playing from inappropriate tees for their game.

For the business golfer, the 12% had the best response which is to play whatever tees my playing partners choose. The one caveat is during a business golf round, you might be playing from tees that are more difficult for you than what your game can handle. In which case, you need to either play fast or pick up when need be, if your playing partners get impatient with you.

I'm playing more courses now, and since I'm not playing as much, I'll choose the yardage that I'm used to and even the tees slightly less than my usual. To choose a longer distance is too punishing for us, recreational and business golfers.

Which answer would you give? 

Tiger: The C-Word

I've followed Tiger's career from Day 1. The C-word for most of his career has been Closer. Except for his loss in the 2009 PGA Championship to Yang, if he had the lead going into a Major, he was the winner.

After watching him this year, I fear that the C-word is now Choker.

He reminds me now of Phil Mickelson. I was a fan of Phil's, but found it hard to cheer for him because of his foolish mistakes he'd make en route to losing the tournament that he should have won. The US Open, #18 at Pebble Beach, etc. So many times, you thought he's on his way to winning, and then he'd make one of his foolish decisions and lose.

Tiger has played great on Thursday and Friday of the Majors this year, and you think finally he's going to redeem himself... he's going to win a Major again.  Moving day arrives and Tiger produces just the opposite of what that day means. He's lost shots over the weekend this year. Instead of getting the Closer, we now get excuses. And is it me or is the Sunday red and black getting old?

Whether he can go from Choker to Closer again, we'll have to wait till next year.

A Golfer Gives Back

Of all professional sports, the PGA Tour is the largest fundraiser for nonprofits. In 2005, the PGA Tour reached $1 billion in total funds donated. I love that about golf.

In Minneapolis, one golfer decided to give back and played 100 holes in one day. He didn't ride a cart even though he was playing on a day of record-breaking heat.

Golf gives back in so many ways. Look for a way that you can do so!

Be Honest

Most golfers know the Rules state you can only carry 14 clubs in your bag. Have 15 clubs and you're penalized two strokes for every hole you had 15, maximum four-stroke penalty.

A European player had 15 clubs in his bag. He didn't know, but his caddy did. When the caddy discovered the extra club, he took the bag into the bushes and tried to hide it. I didn't make this up.

The other two players noticed the caddy disappeared in the bushes with the bag and asked what was up? Then the caddy admitted it. When tour officials discovered how egregious the caddy's behavior was, they DQ-ed the player. OUCH! Not going to be finding any looping job soon, I'd say.

Worst case of caddy behavior I've heard. If you've discovered you've broken a rule, be honest and don't make a bad situation worse.

New Golfers, Trust Your Instincts

Yesterday I met a friend for lunch who is a new golfer. She's a member of a nine-hole course, which is part of an exclusive community in Nevada.

We sat down and she immediately asked if everyone plays with the same length golf club. I said no, it depends on your height, length of arms, etc. She said she asked the head pro of her club if her driver is too long for her. He told her everyone swings the same length club. I said that's impossible and wrong.

My friend is probably only 5'1" or so. I said take your clubs to a local golf shop and get fitted with your clubs. Her driver was 3" too tall. I warned her that cutting the shaft will make the shaft stiffer, but let's get you hitting the ball on the sweetspot instead of the heel of the club and topping it most of the time. She can get custom clubs when she plays more.

So I have to wonder what the head pro was thinking when he gave her that information. Does he not care because she's a woman? Does he not know? If so, then he should have told her that he didn't know and referred her to someone else.

Frankly his inability or unwillingness to help her could have resulted in her leaving the game. She said she couldn't feel comfortable hitting the ball with her driver. It certainly wasn't her fault! She stood more than a foot away from the end of the club to even try to hit the ball.

So if you're a new golfer, trust your instincts about your golf game! If you get information from a so-called expert, then check and verify it. Every golfer should be trying to properly inform new golfers about the game and be encouraging of them to play.

My Tiger Prediction... I Was Half Right

After Tiger's victory at The Memorial, I predicted that he was back and he'd contend at the US Open.

He contended the first two days, but then sputtered along over the weekend. Watching Tiger now reminds me of watching Phil several years ago. I was a fan of Phil's, but then he'd make one of his risky decisions and lose the tournament. It was hard to root for him. I'm thinking of Winged Foot and going for the green on 18 at Pebble Beach.

Rooting for Tiger has become the same way. You see how he plays on Thursday and Friday and you think he's going to do it over the weekend. But it isn't so. Since he got his new swing and recovering from his injuries, this has now become common place. Maybe his nerves get to him now, or that new swing doesn't work when he's under pressure. I don't know what it is, but it's certainly not the Tiger of old who took the lead in a major and never looked back.

Nonetheless, it was great to see Webb Simpson win, albeit a bit anti-climatic. Would have loved to see a  playoff with him and McDowell, but all in all a great Open. I played Olympic a few years ago and it killed me then. With the new greens and that tall, thick rough, I can only imagine how painful it was to play.

And, if you're a financial advisor, you had to be cheering on Michael Allen. A retired stock broker, who has been a member of Olympic Club for decades. He shot an eagle on the first day. If you're an advisor and not using golf, you're missing out on the business action on the course.

It's the first day of summer and hope you have your next round in your calendar!

Sergio, Grow Up!

I'm watching the US Open, of course. Second to the Masters, it's a favorite major because it's our nation's tournament and amateurs are playing.

On a par 3 hole today, Sergio teed off and then we heard a smack on the television. It was Sergio destroying the ESPN microphone at the tee box with his club. Of course, he can afford to pay for a replacement and maybe a fine imposed by the USGA, or maybe even the PGA.

Sergio, you play a game and have made MILLIONS from doing so. The majority of your fans don't earn in a year what you make in a top-10 finish at a golf tournament. Grow up! You apparently don't believe you can win a major like you declared at the Masters. Save the fans of the game from your antics. Between spitting in a hole at Augusta, your recent club toss and today's antics, your temper tantrums on the course are getting old. Go see a sports psychologist and gain some maturity. Otherwise, quit playing if you're so miserable on the course.

Organic Cotton Rocks

I received a Criquet 100% organic cotton women's golf shirt to review. I chose the Ruby Red Lady's Player Shirt and I liked it! It has some fine detail stitching and it was comfortable to wear. Wore it twice. Once under a jacket and the other time without one. Both times it was easy to make a turn and didn't bunch up at the sleeves. It tapers from the shoulders to the waist, so more flattering than a baggy polo shirt.

Because it's made out of organic cotton, I didn't know if it would be more wrinkled after washing or more difficult to iron. There were no additional wrinkles and the wrinkles ironed out easily. It might have shrunk slightly since it became more snug in the shoulders. I also like the feel of the fabric; smooth to the hand, not scratchy.

Overall, if you want an organic cotton shirt, check out Criquet!

Mickelson Texts Commish During Memorial

Phil Mickelson dropped out of the Memorial after the 1st round claiming mental fatigue.

Now we hear that his group was disturbed by the camera clicks of cell phones. He and his playing partners had to back off several times during the round. Phil text-ed Commissioner Finchem complaining about the gallery and lack of cell phone control by the PGA Tour and tournament officials.

For tournament-host Nicklaus, a helicopter distracted him during the 1960 U.S. Open, which caused him to three putt. Unfortunately for players today it's a combo of relatively inexpensive technology and lack of consideration. The former will be with us forever and unfortunately most likely the latter.

He's Baaaaccckkk!

Tiger won Jack Nicklaus' Memorial today.

He could play poorly after this win, like he did after winning Arnie's tournament in March. I suspect though that he'll contend at the US Open. This win was different. It reminded me of Tiger pre-scandal and the emasculation that followed.

His chip in at 16 was vintage Tiger. And the gallery responded by releasing roars that have been pent up for 2 1/2 years. Rory didn't have a chance after that.

And when he sunk the birdie putt on 18, it was Tiger announcing he was back. Good for him and good for golf. We all have felt the lull in the game since he's been absent from contention. Frankly it was painful to watch him play.

Here's to having an exciting US Open!

Golf a Woman's Key To Competing In the Workplace?

Let me start with saying I'm not suggesting that if you're a woman that you must play golf to be successful. Of course, that's not true and there are many women who are successful without stepping on a golf course.

If your clients, prospects, supervisors, decision-makers that you deal with play golf, however, then I believe you're short-changing yourself by not playing golf. If these important folks in your life enjoy this game and have others in their life who enjoy the game, who do you think they're more likely going to want to spend time with and where? It's the golf course, most likely.

And besides, what's so wrong with being on most beautiful golf courses to do some business and seal some deals. Deals won't be made because you're an excellent business golfer. They'll do a deal with you because they'll discover that they like you, enjoy your company, and how you handle yourself on the golf course.

If you're thinking there is no way you'd play golf, please let me know and tell me why. Let's talk and see if I might give you another perspective on the game.

Former Steelers' QB Kordell Stewart Retires

I will never forget playing at Cherokee Town & Country Club outside of Atlanta, GA. I was there to speak at Deloitte and arrived early, so I could play Cherokee. I was headed out of the Clubhouse when I opened the door for two gentlemen walking behind me. As I looked behind while holding the door open, I did a double take because it was Kordell Stewart and Jerome Bettis, both of the Steelers.

That in itself wasn't the unusual  part. What was unusual is two weeks earlier I was at Pebble Beach and they were teeing off two groups ahead of me. I mentioned that I saw them there and they were both surprised that I would know that as we stood at a local country club in Georgia.

I ended up playing with them after talking to Kordell as we hit balls at the range. I remember asking if he'd consider joining the Raiders, and he said he didn't think so. I also remember him correcting me when I said he was retired. He said he wasn't yet. Today, he officially did so. I'm not sure the ramifications of doing so, but I'm sure there must be a reason for him.

The two were gentlemen and I thoroughly enjoyed the round with them. I know they were betting, but Kordell wouldn't tell me the stakes. I'm sure it was more than for just a round of drinks. I hope our paths cross again, and would enjoy another round with them.

Favorite Foursome

On Monday, I got to play with my favorite foursome: my 85 year-young Dad, niece, and nephew. Given that time is passing for each of us, I realize how much I cherish each time we go out to play.

My niece just graduated from University of Notre Dame and will be working at Deloitte in San Francisco. You can be assured she'll be using golf for business. Even if not playing with clients, she'll be able to talk the other language of business.

My nephew graduates from high school next Friday and then will be headed to Marquette University.

As you can imagine, I can't wait for see what the future brings for both of them and how they handle the good and not-go-good that may come along in their lives. Both are excellent golfers. Ryan is a 1.4 index and Melissa is still a single digit. I know that their time on the golf course has affected their personality, temperament, character and more. That's the beauty of golf. It's not just a game; it's so much more. It's time spent with loved ones, lessons learned, and a sense of generosity that I can't imagine experiencing in any other sport. 

Then, there is my dad. Melissa and I were paired against Ryan and my dad. We were two up with two to go, and my dad sank clutch putts on both holes to tie our match. He was thrilled and the three of us were even more ecstatic for him.Golf is my dad's therapy and it energizes him more than anything I've seen him do.

Who is in your favorite foursome? I am going to enjoy these more than ever, regardless of how I play.

More than a Snake

I wrote a post recently about not liking snakes. I won't search for a ball in tall grass if I think snakes are a possibility.

But a snake certainly is better than a plane door that fell onto the 16th fairway of a Florida course.

It's all a matter of perspective... I'd take a snake or errant little ball over a plane door any day.

Be safe and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! A big thank you to the servicemen and women who lost their lives protecting our rights and liberties and those who are currently protecting us!

Don't Pull a Na

If you've been watching The Players, then you've seen Kevin Na's set up and his inability to hit the ball after six to eight waggles. The announcers have sympathized with his malady and praised how he's playing through it to be the 4th round leader.

I hope announcers tell viewers today that it's not acceptable in every day recreational, and especially business-golf, rounds. I was empathetic with Na and his struggles until I heard his post-round interview. He seems to have a routine with those waggles. First, a half waggle, then a longer waggle, and then another half waggle and longer waggle. If he can't pull the trigger after the sixth waggle, then the whiff.

I know about the benefits of having routines, but I didn't know it's even good to incorporate idiosyncrasies or whatever the mental game professionals call Na's problem.

I, too, am impressed how well he can hit the ball after his routine, but I hope viewers at home don't suddenly think it's okay to take that much time over the ball. In a business golf round, I know your playing partners will be rolling their eyes and snickering. Be assured that you'll not make friends or clients if you have Na's routine, even if you apologize profusely as Na has done.

And, how do you handle it if you have to play with Na or someone like him? I'd look away and just wait to look for his ball in the air after I hear ball contact. Zach Johnson declined interviews after his round with Na, but I hope Matt Kuchar talked to Zach and got tips on how to handle the distraction. I'm sure it's nothing most of the pros have encountered before, except maybe in Pro-Ams.

I look forward to watching the final round! Enjoy and hope you have a great Mother's Day!

Scorecards

It was a beautiful afternoon and I was fortunate to be able to play at a local mid-upscale public course. My parents and I were in two different carts and I realized when we're in the middle of the hole that neither cart had a scorecard on the cart. I thought we would pick up a card in box that one typically finds on the second hole, but there wasn't one. I ended up having to call the pro shop to ask them to send out someone and bring us two scorecards. A young man came out, but unfortunately brought out only one card.

Maybe I'm spoiled after playing at a private club for all of the years, but for customer service sake, can't the cart folks put cards and pencils on the carts? I play another public course and that course doesn't put cards on carts either.

If it's too labor intensive, then I'd think it would behoove them to make sure pro shop and cart staffs remind players to get a scorecard. Or, when checking in, the pro shop give a scorecard. If the staff aren't going to do that, then at least have the box of scorecard and pencils on the second tee.

Seems to me that I'm not the only one who has had to call the pro shop to ask for a scorecard. Am I asking for too much? Would love to hear your experiences with cards.

It's Just a Golf Ball

When playing at unfamiliar courses, I immediately check out the terrain. I'm not thinking course management and planning my shots. I'm assessing the threat level. Threat level? Yes, I'm checking out whether snakes and alligators are scoping me out as their prey.

Depending on locale, I'll ask members of my foursome and golf course staff whether I need to worry about snakes and alligators. If they say yes, then I declare to my group that I won't help look for their balls or mine.

It's just a golf ball... it may be a Pro V1 and a $4 golf ball, but it's absolutely a worthy investment for me to walk away from a ball if I think I'll be in danger looking for it. This applies whether I'm playing in a tournament or not. Call me chicken, and I'll proudly accept that label.

In Florida, a man was bitten by an alligator while searching near a pond for his ball. He said he was three feet from his death as the alligator dragged him into the lake. Fortunately for him, the alligator decided to release him. I can't imagine the terror that man felt.

Folks, it's not worth it; it's just a golf ball.
 

Theft at Historic Aronimink Golf Club

Times are tough... In 25 years of following golf, I've never heard of a theft of golf balls from a golf course pond. But it happened today at the famed and historic Aronimink Golf Club. Check out the story here.

New Low Update

In my post, New Low for Some Golfers, I shared how a man was stabbed in the leg by someone in the group ahead. The confrontation was over whether to let the victim and his group through on a par-3.

The update is the man may lose his leg. It sounds like he's lucky he didn't bleed to death because his femoral artery was punctured.

But, really? Was not letting a group play through worth a man's leg? May be more to this story, but the situation certainly got out of hand.

Good luck to the victim and hope he is able to heal.

Sergio Kept Playing

After a 12 on a par-4 hole, I give Sergio credit for staying in the game. He ended up shooting five birdies after the 12.

I suspect that's the difference between pros and amateurs; they can mentally re-focus quickly and keep playing.

When I was studying for the Bar exam, I learned a saying, "Hit it and move on!" I try to apply it to my game, but...

Happens Even to the Pros

Sergio Garcia started the round with an eagle at Doral today. Then, he shot a 12 on a par-4 hole.

He has my sympathies. Most of us have done it where we blow up on a hole. It will be interesting to watch how he responds. Throw the rest of the round away or keep fighting until he sinks his final putt on 18?

Congrats Hunter!

This year is the Ryder Cup, and it was great to see America's Hunter Mahan defeat Rory McIlroy in today's final match at WGC-Accenture's Match Play event. It's just start of the season, but I figure as much momentum as we can build before the two teams meet at Medinah CC is only a good thing.

Kudos also to Mark Wilson who beat Lee Westwood in the consolation match. Either McIlroy or Westwood would have been World's #1 men's golfer with a victory in the desert, but it wasn't to be this week.

Golfer Sues Club for Lowering His Handicap

A golfer has sued his club because he claims it lowered his handicap index by 7.7 strokes over a five-year span. He's suing the club for defamation because he said it made him look like a cheater.

Unfortunately the article doesn't elaborate on why the club lowered his handicap. It's possible that the club's handicap chair believed he didn't post his scores each time he played, and posted for him. Those scores must have been pretty low if it resulted in lowering his index by 7.7 strokes.

The golfer's comment that he went to competitions and there would be no one there was an interesting one. He claims it's because his friends didn't play with him. Or, it could be they all knew he was a sandbagger and they felt why bother playing if the guy is going to win all of the time.

When I was a member at a club, my dad and I would play in a couple's tournament every Sunday. When the same couple won every week for about 3-4 weeks in a row, we decided what was the point in entering. We can't beat "statistical anomalies"!

This case makes me wonder... if he is guilty of sandbagging, why would he sue, and if he's not guilty, why bother suing and what took him so long to sue. The lowering of his index occurred from 1999-2004.

Bradley's Apology for Spitting

I've written a couple of times about my reaction to seeing golfers spit, especially on the green.

PGA Tour's rising start has apologized for his spitting at Riviera Country Club last week.

Good of him to do so. It's really an unattractive habit.

Tiger's Gamesmanship

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

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

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'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:)