Do you play like Rocco?

Below is my latest BizGolf E-Tip. If you'd like to receive my BizGolf E-Tips, you can subscribe at www.bizgolfetips.com.

Did you watch Rocco Mediate play in the U.S. Open? Rocco gave a lesson on how to build relationships on the golf course.

I always emphasize with my clients that you're not out there to shoot your personal best score when playing in a business golf round. You should be out there building or deepening your business relationships. You're out there to be the gracious host and making sure your clients or prospects are enjoying their time with you on the links.

Rocco was obviously trying to shoot his personal best as he was trying to be the victor of the US Open. But he put on his "happy face" as NBC commentator Roger Maltbie described throughout most of his rounds on Sunday and Monday. By doing so he was almost successful in defeating the best golfer in the world, but he also developed a relationship with the thousands of fan in attendance as well as t.v. viewers. His personality and happy-go-lucky attitude made him a fan favorite over Tiger.

So when you're playing your business golf rounds, remember Rocco and you'll likely play your best round of business golf!

Amazing Victory!

I know people don't like Tiger. I've never understood why, but after today, I don't know how anyone could still not like him. He showed grit and beyond-human determination in playing 91 holes after surgery on his left knee, which was obviously causing him pain every day. Until Thursday, he hadn't even played or walked 18 holes, since his last round at the Majors. Yet he was able to go out and win his 14th Major.

If Rocco had won, I would have been just as pleased. I like his humble demeanor and his happy-go-lucky attitude. He demanded Tiger's respect and certainly made Tiger earn his 14th. Most of the higher-ranked golfers seldom give Tiger the fight that Rocco did today.

One friend complains that Tiger gets all of the lucky breaks. I think you "earn" luck. As a golfer with three holes in one, I would say they were lucky shots, but it took some skill to get the ball near the hole. After the ball lands, though, I concede it's luck if it goes in the hole. The same with Tiger. He's lucky when his chip on 17 goes into the hole, but at least he aimed well to hit the pin and got the bounce into the hole.

Another person says he's a show off and gets too excited when he does well. Get real is what I say. I think his expressions of glee or disbelief equal his focus and determination. He gets to celebrate all he wants when he makes great shots that go in the hole or fall to his knees when he's disappointed in his effort or the outcome. I agree though that cursing on national t.v. is unacceptable.

Perhaps the people who dislike Tiger so vehemently should take a look in the mirror about who they are. To not give Tiger credit for this victory and be sour about him shows more about their bitterness and inability to celebrate someone else's phenomenal efforts.

Congratulations to both Tiger and Rocco for making this the most memorable US Open I've ever watched!

Just What the Doctor Ordered!

According to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, golf can correspond to a five-year increase in life expectancy. The study is based on data from 300,000 Swedish golfers.

The death rate among golfers is 40% lower than the rest of the population, which equates to five extra years. Cited reasons for the health benefits include being outdoors for four to five hours, walking at a fast pace (i.e., get out of your carts), playing into an old age, and experiencing positive social and psychological aspects of the game.

Here's more good news: Have a low handicap and you'll have the lowest death rate!

Next time your boss, spouse, or friend, complains about your playing golf, you now know what to say: I'm following Dr.'s orders!

Go out and add to your life expectancy this weekend!!

Do you have this unpleasant habit?

I've played golf with two men who both spat on the greens while those of us in the foursome were lining up our putts.

I suspect it is a bad habit for both men, but it's really not pleasant to be around. Neither was a tobacco chewer, so I'm not sure the reason for their doing so. Perhaps you recall when professional golfer, Sergio Garcia, spat into the hole in disgust after missing his putt. I believe the PGA fined him for it and he half-heartedly apologized. If this is one of your habits, try to refrain especially during a business golf round.

Also if you know any women in the S.F. Bay Area who would like to learn how to play and have a fun day, with wine-tasting after golf, please let her know about the Women in Golf events that I'll be holding in June. The events will be held at Mather Golf Course (Sacramento), Callippe Preserve Golf (Pleasanton), Crystal Springs Golf Course (Burlingame), and Foxtail Golf Club (Rohnert Park). To learn more about the events, visit GolfAroundTheBay.com It'll be a fun way to learn game!

2009 US Women's Open Course Preview

I traveled quite a bit last month, and one stop was at the Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, PA, which is the home of the former Bethlehem Steel.

I played the Old Course, which will be the venue of the 2009 US Women's Open. The Old Course is the oldest and one of three courses along with the Grace Course and the Weyhill Course.

As you can see from the pictures, it's a traditional course, which I prefer. The fairways are pretty wide, but I suspect as the leaves grow in the fairways will appear narrower. The greens were pretty fast, even as they were recovering from being punched and sanded. I can only imagine the stimpmeter reading when the ladies take on the Old Course in the Open.

I saw some of the holes of the other two courses and can only imagine the difficulty of the Weyhill Course. Besides the difficult layout, it would be fun to play on a course originally built because Mr. Eugene Grace, the founder of Saucon Valley, forbade women from playing on it. Today women can play it if they're up for the challenge.

Saucon Valley even has its own guest house, The Weyhill Guest House, which is quaint and built in 1788.

I've been fortunate to have played SF Country Club, Medinah Country Club, and Pebble Beach thus far. I now add Saucon Valley and would be honored to play any and all again.

Are You in Control on the Course?

Did you see the tennis player who hit himself several times on the head with his racquet and caused his forehead to bleed? Or maybe you saw Woody Austin several years ago hit himself with his putter grip so many times that it caused the shaft to bend?

I can understand being competitive and wanting to do your best. But if a person loses so much control to cause himself or herself pain or an injury, then there is definitely an anger problem. I doubt if one can play better either with the resulting headache.

As amateurs and business golfers, we need to keep our composure on the course and never let our anger about our poor play be on display. Throwing a club or a stream of profanity is out of line, especially when playing with a client.

On a lighter note, The Masters, the first PGA major, starts this Thursday. It's my favorite tournament and even though I'll be in Bethlehem, PA, I'll make sure to watch most of it. Check out the t.v. and online schedules on pgatour.com. Will Tiger win the first Major on the start of the Grand Slam, or will Phil pull it out off? Make sure to follow the action!

Michelle Wie In Contention After 1st Round

Michelle Wie is currently tied for ninth in the Fields Open after her first round. There are more ladies playing, but it's great to see a negative number by her name. For too long we've seen plus numbers by her name in the standings.

I've always been a fan of hers, but not of some of her decisions, such as playing in men's tournaments, withdrawing from Annika's tournament, and her lack of remorse when Annika thought she behaved ungratefully. I hope Leadbetter has got her (and her father?) on track so she'll be a winner on the LPGA soon.

As to the men, Tiger is on his way to the third round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and will be playing Aaron Baddeley next. Phil got knocked out by Stuart Appleby, but Vijay is still in contention. Lots of great golf to be played and let's see if Tiger can win three in a row.

Tiger Does It Again & Two-Putter Sergio

When I turned on the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Tiger was two down with five or six holes to play. With the t.v. on mute and working on a new project, I saw he was three down with four or five to play, and thought the talk about winning every tournament he plays in this year is history. After working some more and looking up at the t.v., I saw he was tied at 16. Then, I had to go out, so I taped the rest of the match.

Anxious to watch the rest of the match, to my surprise (though I really shouldn't be by now), I see Tiger won 1 up. He can sink putts (of any distance) when he needs them better than any Tour player I've seen. His intimidation factor is also too much for most players, veterans and relative newbies, like J.B. Holmes, alike. I look forward to seeing if Tiger can make it three tournaments in a row. After his come back today, he looks unstoppable.

Everyone who follows golf knows Sergio struggles with his putting. Just like Phil put two drivers in his bag at the Masters, Sergio put two putters in his bag today--his belly putter and his short putter. It worked for him today as he goes onto his next match. Since putting is 50% or more of our score, why not?

What will we see next in golfers' bags? What will be the Tiger antidote? Whether two drivers or two putters, everyone on Tour is still searching.

Do You Hate Slow Play Too?

Slow play. Two dreaded words in the golf industry. For players, it ruins their tempo and timing. For golf courses, it hurts their bottom line.

Yesterday I waited between almost every shot. I watched the group in front and saw several reasons for slow play. First, one player would place his bag in front of the green rather than on the side of the green of the next tee. You should never need to walk (or drive a cart) backwards. It's really common sense and saves you a few steps if you're walking, but most importantly it speeds play.

The other reason for slow play is simply lack of consideration. If you know you're behind the group in front of you and see the foursome waiting behind you, it would be helpful to walk off the green a little quicker or walk at a slightly faster pace up the fairway.

Finally, one player wasn't too realistic about how far he could hit the ball. Some of us have visions of grandeur that we can hit a shot next to the pin with the longest club in our bag. But when you're consistently missing the shot left or right of the green and woefully short, then a reality check is needed. If it's safe to hit your shot, then do so, and prepare to yell "Fore!" if you did indeed hit the best shot of your life. To wait beyond what's realistic, however, just holds up the field.

Incorporate these few tips and help the pace of play problem on many golf courses. You'll likely play better and enjoy your round of golf more!

How Not to Use Business Golf

Did you watch the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday where Tiger won his second tournament of this year? You might have seen one of the professionals, Henrik Stenson, hit his approach shot into the water. He then took his club and slammed it into his golf bag, hard enough to tip it over, except he caught it before it dropped to the ground.

I understand being competitive and wanting to do your best, especially for a professional where every lost shot is money and a possible drop in ranking as a professional. But, if you're playing business golf, you are presumably wanting to strengthen your relationship with your clients, prospects, and others. This means acting in a way that doesn't surprise or offend your playing partners. A business golf round is not the time to try to shoot your personal best round, so be careful in how you react to your missed shots. Throwing your clubs or hitting your bag with your club may turn your playing partners off and hurt your business relationships instead of improving them as you intended.

Tiger Having Fun

Check out this video of Tiger having fun with some folks. Would love to have him join me on the tee any day.

Happy 2008!

The New Year has started and the PGA has already played its first tournament. It was an exciting finish at the Mercedes-Benz Championship at beautiful Kapalua Resort in Maui. I hope yesterday's four-hole playoff between up and coming Daniel Chopra and veteran Steve Stricker is indicative of future exciting finishes in this year's PGA.

I had a great year of golf in 2007! Some highlights include playing Pebble Beach with Sally Dodge, LPGA Master of Pebble, playing with Jerome Bettis and Kordell Stewart in Atlanta, GA, and winning a four-ball tournament with my partner against women of all three golf associations in Northern California.

Thus far, I have started this year with a round of golf at Spanish Bay. I played with my Dad, my favorite niece, and my favorite nephew. Birdied two par-3s which was exciting, but made a mess of some other holes. It would help if pin placement info. was given to the players, but for some odd reason the folks at Spanish Bay don't give any. Perhaps, they want players to hire caddies, but to speed play, it would help.

My golf wishes for the year include playing more often with friendly folks at a better pace of play, avoiding people who ask me ridiculous requests, such as not driving my ball when a golfer is about to hit his second shot in the fairway because the sound of my driver disturbs him (yes, I really was asked this and no, I didn't hit anywhere near him), and, finally, to continue to share the virtues of playing golf at speaking events throughout the country.

Hope you will enjoy a great year of golf this year!

Are You Planning a Tournament?

I attended a tournament planning seminar yesterday at Crow Canyon Country Club in San Ramon, California. Phil Immordino, a tournament planner and founder of Golf Tournament Association of America, presented a three-hour information-filled seminar on how to put on a successful and memorable tournament. Phil had some innovative ideas on how to obtain sponsors, different contests to have, recruit productive volunteers, and more.

If you're planning a tournament, you can join GTAA. There is no membership fee and you can get plenty of ideas and products on the site.

Also at the seminar was Legends-Capture Action Photography. We've all received the flimsy cardboard photos of our foursome. Kyle Harvey has tournament photography products that your players will keep and use. He gave a sample of the mouse pads he produces. The pad includes the name and date of your tournament, the golf course logo, photo of your foursome, and then a sequence shot of your swing. He takes the photos and can get the product to your players by the end of the tournament. It's very cool and the pad is on my desk now.

Kyle has other products like a travel mug and business card holder book...all with reminders of your tournament. Forget the 4" x 6" photos, get Kyle's products at Legends-Capture Action Photgraphy.

According to Phil, it takes six months to plan a successful tournament, start now by learning more about Phil and Kyle today.

Watch and Learn

Over the weekend, I was watching a European Tour tournament on the Golf Channel. The announcers talked about a player who was disqualified because his ball moved (I didn't hear whether due to slope or wind) after he placed the ball on the green in front of his marker. With his marker still on the green, the player thought he could pick up the ball and replace the ball.

His competitor complained to the Committee that the player should not have replaced the ball. The Committee agreed and disqualified the player because the competitor didn't say anything until after the player had signed and turned in a later discovered incorrect scorecard, i.e. without the two-stroke penalty for touching his ball in play. (It would have been nice if his competitor told the player and got the ruling before the player turned in his scorecard. As it was, the player was disqualified for turning in an incorrect scorecard.)

I went to the USGA Decisions on the Rules of Golf and found Decision 20-4/1, which states that a ball is in play when it is replaced, whether or not the marker has been removed. Thus, the ball must be played from the new position.

I have to admit that I might have done the same thing as the player. I would have thought since my marker is still on the green, that I could replace the ball after it moved inadvertently.

Besides seeing great golf, I enjoy watching tournaments because I often learn swing tips or rules I otherwise might not have known.

My Memorable Round in Atlanta with The Bus and Kordell

When I went to Chicago, IL last year to give a business golf presentation to Harris Bank, I was able to play Course No. 3 at Medinah Country Club with the then-GM. He has since moved to Cherokee Town & Country Club in Roswell, GA, just outside of Atlanta. So, I arranged to play Cherokee the day before my presentation to Deloitte.

I was supposed to play with two female members, but they didn't play, perhaps because it was a bit colder than usual in Atlanta. So, I asked the Pro Shop to find me a game and I'd go practice at the driving range. When I left the Pro Shop, I held the door open for the people behind me, and turned around to see Jerome "The Bus" Bettis and Kordell Stewart, former running back and quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What was so coincidental about meeting these two is they were in the group in front of me when I played Pebble Beach this year. I mentioned to them that I had played Pebble in June and they were in front of me. Then, I told them about a young kid, wearing a Steelers cap, who ran up to them on the first tee, and they kindly autographed his cap and took pictures with him. They remembered, we chatted briefly, and I asked for their autographs.

I then went to hit balls at the range and Kordell walked up to the stall next to me and Jerome took the stall next to him. Kordell and I talked about local Bay Area golf courses, like Pebble, San Francisco, and Olympic, and said, "You'll find a game with that swing." I thanked him and wished them both a fun round, as I left to see if I had a game yet.

Well, the pro shop couldn't find me a game, so I asked if I could go off as a single. They gave me a tee time off the South Course and I drove up to find Kordell, Jerome, and the member-host of their threesome. After watching them walk off the tips, I got up the courage and asked Kordell if I could join his group, since I would be a single behind him. He asked the member and I mentioned that I'm a 13.1 index and would be about a 15 handicap. The member jokingly said I'd probably beat him and said I could join them.

I'm usually not nervous hitting off the first tee, but I have to admit with two football stars and a member of this beautiful country club, I was a bit nervous. I was also playing with a rental set of clubs and had no idea how I'd play. I was thrilled when my drive went down the middle of the fairway and then relaxed as the round went on.

We laughed and just had a great time talking football and golf. As you'd expect they were big hitters. It was no surprise that Kordell, as a former quarterback, is a better golfer than Jerome, but he's also played longer than Jerome. I first called them Mr. Stewart and Mr. Bettis, and Kordell corrected me immediately and said, "It's just Kordell and Jerome. Let's have a relaxed and easy-going round."

The funniest moment is when I was about to putt out when my ball was inside of Jerome's ball. Kordell said, "Suzanne, stop! Don't putt, please! I'll give you that putt!" I knew immediately that they had a bet on the round and Kordell didn't want me to show Jerome the line. I picked up and the member and I just laughed. Jerome wasn't too happy with Kordell, but he let it go and joked about it as the day went on.

Kordell and Jerome were gentlemen throughout the round--I never heard an expletive. It was definitely a treat to play with them and the member. I'm so glad that I asked to join them.

What Disparate LIves They Have

One Stanford attendee has suffered humiliation, criticism, and injuries this year. She has lost yet another agent -- her second in two years. She has a new caddy...her father.

The other Stanford attendee will have a drink brand named after him. Has nearly $1 billion in endorsement deals. The latest worth $100 Million from Pepsico to produce Gatorade Tiger. He no longer has a father that he misses dearly. But he gets to make his own blends of flavored sports drinks.

The tale of two Stanford attendees: I hope the former achieves even half the success of the other. Right now unfortunately the chances are pretty slim.

Can Wie Get a Wie Break?

Michelle Wie is back to playing at the Samsung World Championship. She's a student at Stanford, and you would think this is a time for new beginnings and opportunities.

Unfortunately, her parents are not only renting a home in Palo Alto, near the campus, but her Dad, BJ, is caddying for her at the Samsung tournament. How is she doing with her Dad on her bag? Or, should I say on her back?

She's dead last...19 over as she starts her final round today. At what point do you think the Wie family will say we're putting too much pressure on her...we need to back off and give her a chance to get her head together?

I don't see it happening any time soon, which is sad for Michelle. I wish her luck because she doesn't have to just conquer a golf course anymore, and win a tournament-- the bigger monkey on her back is her family.

Looking for the Ultimate Thank-You Gift for a Client

Your business golf rounds can be used to get to know someone better and deepen your business relationships. Or, you can also use it as a thank-you round for a client that just signed a large account with you.

You can take your client to your private club or a high-end local public golf course. But, if you want to give your client a thank-you that he or she will likely not forget, consider playing in a pro-am on the Wednesday of a PGA tournament.

The cost is considerable, of course, it'll be $4,000-5,000 per player, depending on the tournament, or about $10,000 for both of you. And, yes, you should be playing beside your client, so you and your client will have some shared memories. To read more about playing in a pro-am, click onto http://tinyurl.com/3ceupd.

A round with Tiger or Phil in a pro-am will make you memorable indeed.

Lightning Strikes Twice at the Same Place

Two friends in a foursome had hole-in-ones on the same hole while playing together in Newark, NJ. According to Golf Digest, the odds of two golfer in a foursome hitting an ace on the same hole is 17 million to 1. The back-to-back aces surely won't be forgotten by these two!

Nota Bene

Tiger has once again proven why he is number one in golf...victorious in the last two playoffs and the FedEx Cup. He's taking a well deserved break until his Target World Challenge in December. He's caught flak for skipping the PGA Grand Slam, but why shouldn't he take some time off? He's won 60 tournaments in his career, 7 tournaments this year alone, millions in the bank, and, most importantly, has a new baby. Glad to see he's got his priorities right!

Speaking of families, Michelle Wie has arrived at Stanford University. Of course, she won't be playing for Stanford, but she played nine holes yesterday. I was hoping that she'd live in a dorm and have a college life away from her parents. Unfortunately, that's not the case--her parents have rented a home nearby. I'm not surprised, but it sure would have been nice for her to experience college life as just a teenager without the pressures of her hovering parents.

I played Olympic Club's Lake Course on Monday, and found it to be the hardest course I've played thus far. I played Medinah #3 a month before the PGA Championship and it was tough with the 4.5 inch rough. But, at Medinah, I could at least see the green and the pin location. There were so many holes at Olympic, especially the par 3's, where all I could see was the large deep bunker in the front and the tall lip of the bunker. I couldn't tell if the green sloped left to right, or front to back. Would love to be able to play it again now that I have a little bit more course knowledge.

The PGA and other governing organizations in golf have agreed in principle to an anti-doping policy for professional golf on a global basis. It will be accomplished in two phases. The first phase was to put out the list of prohibited substances, which include the following: Anabolic Agents Hormones and Related Substances, Agents with Anti-Estrogenic Activity, Diuretics and Other Masking Agents, Stimulants, Narcotics, Cannabinoids, Beta Blockers, Enhancement of Oxygen Transfer, and Chemical and Physical Manipulation. The last one is interesting. It sounds vague enough to include chiropractic and physical therapy, but it can't.

The next phase, which is to be completed by the end of the year, is to generate "general standards for all the fundamental elements of an anti-doping program for golf organizations that become signatories to the Policy, while providing flexibility for such signatories to develop specific policies and procedures necessary or appropriate for their organizations."

Obviously tour players and their physicians and trainers need to be careful about the meds or supplements that the players take.

Finally, fall is soon upon us, and the end of the golf season is near, so get out there and play as much as possible. Sunset isn't until around 6:00, so hit a bucket or play nine, but enjoy it while you can!

Great Weekend for Professional Golf Fans

This is a busy weekend for fans of professional golf.

First, we have the final playoff of the FedEx Cup which is the Tour Championship and final event of the year for the PGA tour. Tiger is in the lead, but Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson are close on his heels. Check out the t.v. schedule on the Golf Channel and NBC. Besides winning the Tour Championship purse of $1,260,000.00, a FedEx Cup champion will be crowned and will win $10 million bonus prize. If Tiger wins the tournament, he'll win both!

If you enjoy watching women's golf, the Solheim Cup is also being played in Sweden. It's the American players against the European, like the Ryder Cup. Check out the action on The Golf Channel on Friday and Saturday, 2:00 p.m.-midnight ET and on Sunday, 3:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET.

Golfer Grunts

I watched the Ferrer-Nadal match last night at the US Open and thought two things.

First, when did male tennis players start grunting as well? I remember there was that first gal who grunted on her backhand. Now it seems they all grunt. I'd prefer not to hear the squeaks and grunts, but watching tennis without the ball sound doesn't feel right.

When will our future generations of golfers start grunting on their drives? I hope never, but I can see it one day as a marketing ploy to make that one golfer stand out from the rest.

My other thought is how glad I am that I play golf instead of tennis. I could never play with those pros. I could never see the ball to hit it back let alone make contact with it. With golf, the game has two built in levelers of the playing field--handicaps and different tee boxes. On a bad day for a pro and a great day for me, with handicaps and a shorter course, at least I might have a chance to win.

It's ironic that the game that gets so much publicity for not being equal toward different sexes has those equalizers so men can play against women and pros against amateurs.

Play on golfers, but in silence please!

What Did Butchie Tell Phil?

In Phil's comments after the third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship, Phil said Butch Harmon told him about a couple of things that Tiger does to playing partners. According to Phil, Tiger did things to and Phil just chuckled about it recalling what Butch told him.

It hasn't been said what Butch told him, but as an attorney I'm wondering whether Phil just got Butchie in trouble with Tiger. I find it hard to believe that Tiger did not negotiate a confidentiality clause with Butch to prohibit Butch from telling anyone Tiger's secrets or whatever Phil was alluding to. (Just as there was likely a non-compete clause for certain number of years that prohibited Butch from working with certain players.)

Besides after playing ten years together, don't you think Phil should have figured some of those things on his own by now? Tiger was off in his putting yesterday, so winning by two strokes doesn't suggest Phil has gotten Tiger's number. The victor between those two will vacillate most likely, so let's hope they just both play great golf.

It won't be next week unfortunately at the BMW Championship since Phil withdrew this morning from the tournament.

Demise of Golf in San Francisco?

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors are considering the closure of the five public golf courses in the City. After Sandy Tatum's successful efforts to revive Harding Park, host of the WGC-American Express Championship, it soon may be closed. A part of Lincoln Park Golf Course may be turned into a soccer field. Why the talk of converting the courses?

The City manage and run the courses and they are losing money. It's not too surprising considering it's run by the government. So, the Board may create a task force to decide the future of golf in S.F. Having a golf course management company run the course is a possibility, but the fears of increased resident and senior green fees is a concern.

It would be a shame to lose golf in San Francisco, but it wouldn't surprise me if it occurred.

Special Major for Tiger

The golf analysts will breakdown Tiger's victory at the PGA Championship. What struck me though is how much of a man he is now. The British Open last year marked his first Major victory without his Dad. This Major victory is his first as a father.

As he walked up the 18th hole with Stevie by his side and victory his to lose, he flashed a huge grin and pointed into the gallery. It's not clear whether he saw Elin and Sam near the trailer, but it was a surprise to him that they were there.

What if Tiger hadn't won, I'm sure he would have loved having them there to console him. He appears to have a healthy perspective about the game and his family. The latter coming first.

It'll be a great reminder when I'm struggling and hacking up the course that golf is just a game for me. I don't have millions and titles riding on every shot, and instead should focus on enjoying the company of those I'm playing with. While Tiger was winning his 13th Major, I got to play with a dear friend, my niece and my nephew, who I love as much as they were my own. How cool is that!

Sergio DQ-ed for Signing an Incorrect Card

It's Saturday morning, the third round of the last major of the year, PGA Championship. Sergio Garcia just got disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. He had a 5 on a hole, but the scorecard had a 4 for him. Thus, he's been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. Ouch! Not that Sergio was in contention, but that is not the way you want to finish in a tournament.

Whether a pro or an amateur, you really need to be careful and know the basic rules of golf, especially if you play in tournaments. I just finished my club championship and I had my marker read off hole by hole my score to make sure I signed a correct scorecard. I finished first low net by the way and am thrilled!

Let's watch if Tiger follows up his 63 yesterday with another beautiful round! Good luck, Tiger!

Sabbatini v. Tiger -- Round 1

Sabbatini in the spring said Tiger was more beatable than ever. Today at the Bridgestone Invitational played at Firestone Country Club in Ohio, Tiger made it clear whether he still was beatable. Tiger shot 9 strokes better than Sabbatini in the last pairing.

Tiger - 1
Sabbatini - 0

When a fan reminded Sabbatini of his comment, Sabbatini using an obscenity demanded that a police officer throw the fan out of the gallery. It's no wonder I've never liked him. Perhaps he'll learn his lesson that it's not wise to put out a challenge to the best player in the world!

Meanwhile, Lorena Ochoa won her first major of the LPGA at the Women's Open at St. Andrews. Good for her to get her first major victory out of the way!

Wealth and Class -- Don't Go Together Always

Do you read Peggy Noonan? She's a regular columnist at the Wall Street Journal. She writes with a grace about her insights in everyday life, as well as in politics.

Her latest column (http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/) talks about those who have wealth also often have poor manners. While reading her piece, I thought her observations also apply to the lack of etiquette that is too often seen on the golf course.

Some obvious examples of lack of class includes Sergio's spitting into the hole that I talked about in my last post. Or, cheating in golf as I shared in an earlier post. Another is about Tiger, which I hate to say because I like him so much, but can't he carry a handkerchief or tissue? It's not very attractive to watch him blow his nose onto the course.

As a member of a private club, I have seen a gradual increase over the years of members' not repairing ball marks and divots. It's their course, yet they don't seem to care and apparently expect someone else to clean up after them...usually me. Worst was when a former member, a psychotherapist, declared that since she paid to be a member she believed she can play as slowly as she likes. I sure pity her clients if she shares that attitude with her clients.

With wealth, it seems many have a "it's all about me" attitude and the hell with the rest of you. I hate to think we'd be better off without so much wealth in this country, but something needs to change so we can enjoy being in each other's company on and off the course.

I truly believe what you see on the course is who you'll get when doing business with a person. Simply said, a boor is a boor. So, play golf before you do business with someone to see if you really do want to do business with that person.

Garcia as Open Champion?

Sergio Garcia is playing the 13th hole of the 3rd round at The Open with a 3-shot lead. There was a time that I would have been cheering him on to win. Overcoming his poor putting with his belly putter. In contention for his first Major and finally living up to his phenom fame.

But, since he spat into the hole during a tournament earlier this year, I'm not an enthusiastic fan. If he had apologized and was sincere, I would have said he got caught up in his frustration. Instead, he brushed it off like it was no big deal and the next day was indignant when the topic was raised again.

Golf is such a game of decorum and honor. For him to win his first Major at The Open just wouldn't be right.

I am hoping for Steve Stricker to go out tomorrow and play well. He's currently 3-shots out of the lead, but if you saw his interview after the round, you'd feel for him. He became emotional when asked what it meant for him to play so well. According to Azinger, he's worked hard to come back from his blocked shots and duck hooks. Good for Stricker and hope he plays well!

Enjoy The Open and the excitement of another Major!

Winning Isn't Everything, Is It?

Something occurred during a match that I played in this weekend that makes me wonder for some people what is it worth to be called a "winner"? For some, it's clear that they (and their partners) will cheat and lie to have that hollow title.

I always tell my audience if you play with a cheater and you're doing business with that person, watch out! That person will likely cheat and lie in business as well.

Whether it's declaring a higher handicap to get extra strokes or denying something that they did worthy of a penalty, is it really worth it when they lay their heads on their pillows?

They know they cheated. Others know they cheated. Yet it's apparently that important to be able to declare themselves victors. Worse yet is when this involves those who tout political correctness, self-awareness, spirituality, and kindness to all.

Sure I could have made a claim and had the golf committee solve the issue. I chose not to do so. We would have gone through a "he did this, she did that," and so on.

Yes, I am an attorney and I am paid to fight. But I also believe if you did something wrong, you own it, and take the consequences. Perhaps, naively, I believe I shouldn't have to fight to get what is right in the first place.

Since this occurred, I've been reflecting on how this will affect my future matches if something like this occurs again. Will I fight to "win"?

I probably won't simply because it's not that important to me to be declared a winner of a golf match. I know who prevailed, and the others can put on their charade about the outcome of our match...and as to who they are as people.

I suspect they don't even know that they are doing the latter, which makes me feel even more pity for them. Besides, God, karma, or whomever or whatever is the final arbiter will likely decide who is a victor in the most important game we play, and it's not the game of golf.

Virginia Tech Victory

VA Tech student, Drew Weaver, won the British Amateur Open on Saturday and dedicated his victory to the victims of the campus massacre. On a recent post, I talked about those who play to victory after suffering the loss of a loved one. Tiger did it at the Open last year. This year, Scott Verplank won at Byron Nelson's tournament.

Weaver described hiding in the library for three hours as the lock down of the campus occurred on that horrible day in April. Think it's hard to sink a 3 footer for victory at a golf tournament? After going through what he did, I believe there is an ability to put a golf tournament in proper perspective and not let it get to one's nerves.

Congrats to Drew and hope it brings some joy to the students and their families of VA Tech!

On a lighter note, the Women's US Open starts tomorrow. Let's see if Annika can defend her title!

Wie Withdraws On Time, This Time

Michelle Wie decided to opt out of playing at the John Deere Classic. Good for her and her team! She is wanting to rest her wrist longer before she plays in the U.S. Women's Open next week.

I'm pleased to see that she has her priorities right this time, and I hope she does well at the U.S. Women's Open.

Congrats, Tiger and Elin!

Tiger won a title much more important than that as winner of US Open yesterday...Tiger is officially now a Father. Elin gave birth to their daughter, Sam Alexis Wood on early Monday morning.

Look out LPGA Tour and players at the Open! Tiger will likely be playing!

Furyk-elson and Tiger Defeated in US Open

Angel Cabrera had to wait anxiously as Jim Furyk and Tiger played a couple more holes to determine whether he'd be in a playoff.

Unfortunately, Furyk took his driver out to the par-4 17th and hit into the thick rough. Although his par putt lipped out, it seemed like Furyk took a page from Mickelson with high risk, low gain shot. Given that his cousin is a member of Oakmont and they talked about conservative lines to play, it was not necessary to take out driver when he only needed to birdie.

Tiger also needed a birdie on either 16 or 17, but he couldn't get it done. His pure shot-making of yesterday was not as evident today.

Call me patriotic, but with the US Open, I want an American to win. Although a UK-born friend said to me, "What's the difference? The Americans win the British Open?" I said to her that's Colin Montgomerie's and all the other Scottish/European golfers' problem that can't get it done at their Open.

Although Cabrera played well, a cigarette-butt throwing Argentine golfer is not who I wanted to see win.

Third Time is the Charm!

On Thursday, I shot my third hole in one! What made it more exciting was I could see the ball roll into the hole. With the past two, the green was uphill, so I knew it was a good shot, but didn't know if it went in.

I used my 7-iron at our downhill 2nd hole, and I saw the ball bounce onto the green. A friend said that could be a hole in one. I said let's just watch it and then it disappeared.

Screaming started, but I still wasn't sure it went in, and asked, "Did it go in??" They all yelled, "YES!" We screamed again! Apparently, loud enough for many on the course to hear us.

Thank goodness, I have Hole in One insurance. It was Guest Day, so there were more players than usual and everyone was thrilled to have a free drink. Of course, I was more than happy to be the reason for the pouring.

I am also happy to be playing at my club rather than at Oakmont where the US Open is being played. That course is brutal! I thought Medinah's No. 3 was bad when I played it before the PGA Championship with 4-4 1/2" rough. But, Oakmont looks even harder with its rough and those slick greens. Definitely not a day in the park for those members!

Enjoy the US Open this weekend!

Played Pebble Beach on a Beautiful Day!

I had a fabulous day of dining and golf at Pebble Beach on Sunday with Pebble's LPGA Master Professional, Sally Dodge. It was an absolute treat to play the west coast shrine of golf! We had a beautiful day with low winds and hazy sunshine! (If I can, I'll post some pics.)

Unfortunately players aren't allowed to take the carts on the path. That inconvenience cost me a couple of shots on the number 1 rated hole. I also think it slows down play. The balls on the driving range state "4:30" and I had no idea what that meant. So, I asked the staff and they said players should finish the course in four and one-half hours.

Difficult to do with walking back and forth to get your clubs, and taking the time to gawk at the stunning views and magnificent estates along the course.

The greens are small and bumpy like Tiger has always complained about, but I'm used to similar conditions at my course, Mira Vista Golf and Country Club, in El Cerrito, CA, about 2.5 hours north of Pebble. I'll take bumpy greens any day to play Pebble on such a beautiful day.

I'm sure with howling winds and fog hovering over the course, it's a difficult track, but yesterday, it was just a sparkling gem!

Annika v. Michelle (v. Bivens)

Wouldn't this be a great Sunday pairing for a major LPGA tournament? Unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet on the course, but there is a war of words going on between the two most famous female golfers of their time.

Annika, as host of last week's Ginn Tribute tournament, is miffed with Michelle's withdraw on Thursday, especially since Michelle is back at the McDonald's LPGA Championship this week, playing in Monday's pro-am. Annika referred to Michelle's early exit as "lack of respect and class." Ouch!

Michelle is also getting it from Carolyn Bivens, LPGA Commissioner, who said one of Michelle's pro-am playing partners complained about Michelle. No word yet for what Michelle supposedly did and whether the complaint is valid, but a tough few days for the 17-year old.

With controversy abuzz from the powers to be on and off the LPGA course, she's growing up quickly. Yet, it was nice to see a glimpse of a young teenager as she talked about being stressed because of needing to turning in housing applications at Stanford.

I wish her the best as she maneuvers both LPGA and Stanford systems!

Wie Update

I just learned that Michelle may have re-injured her wrist today, which is why she withdrew. There is another reason why she might have withdrawn. If you're an LPGA member and you shoot 88 during a tournament, you are not allowed to play in another LPGA tournament for one year. Although Michelle is not a member of the LPGA yet, I wonder if that was another factor in her withdrawing today?

Watch Coverage of the 12th Hole at The Memorial Online

If you're at work and can't watch The Golf Channel's coverage of The Memorial, check it out online. It's available at www.pgatour.com. It is only of the 12th hole, but you can at least watch some of the tournament and hear what's happening.

Wie Withdraws, Too

In her first tournament, since her wrist injury, Michelle Wie played in the Ginn Tribute, an LPGA tournament. With a score of 14 over par, she quit after 16 holes. She announced to an LPGA Official, "We're not going to play anymore." After shaking hands with her playing partners, she rode off the course with her caddie and her parents.

Unless she was injured or sick, I don't understand why she had to leave after 16 holes. She should have had the grace to finish playing 18 holes and not disrupt her playing partners. I'm sure many of us has felt like leaving in the middle of the round because our game is off, but we don't. Although if she was playing that poorly, it might have helped her playing partners for her to leave.

Nonetheless, the most telling is that her parents were hovering around her during the tournament. I've always questioned Michelle's decisions to play in men's tournaments and wondered who was making those decisions. She has always said it was her, and not her parents or manager. You just have to wonder.

I hope this young lady can survive whatever is going on (mentally, emotionally, and physically) and become a champion on the LPGA Tour. It would be shame to have her end up like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan because of the pressures of her early financial success and notoriety.

Most of us think Hawaii is paradise, but for Michelle, Stanford may be a refuge from all of the pressure!

Mickelson Disappoints at The Memorial

The showdown between the Harmon protege and the Harmon student won't be occurring at The Memorial this weekend. Phil Mickelson had to withdraw because of a wrist injury after 11 holes. We'll have to wait until the U.S. Open to see the duel between those two.

In the meantime, Sean O'Hair is leading and I hope he continues to do well. He's a young man that you can't help but cheer on given what he has had to overcome with an abusive and clearly not legal savvy father. I'm sure Mr. O'Hair was surprised to learn he couldn't enforce a contract that demands 30% of Sean's winnings on Tour when Sean was only 15 when he entered the contract. Some laws are right on and there need to be laws against fathers like his.

Enjoy The Memorial!

Wie Starting Early

I was reading an article that Michelle Wie has accepted a sponsor exemption to play in the John Deere Classic in July. My first thought was why is she insisting to play against the men on the PGA Tour, especially since returning from her wrist injury.

Then, I read further in the article that she donated $25,000 to a foundation for a local high school student who became paralyzed after a football tackle last year. It's her second charitable act following a $500,000 donation to the U.S. Golf Hurricane Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina victims.

I don't agree with her choosing to play against the men when she's not proven herself yet against other women, but I respect her early start in philanthropy as a professional golfer.

Tomorrow is the start of Jack Nicklaus's tournament, The Memorial. The big guns will be there...Tiger, Phil, Ernie, Vijay, Zach Johnson, and more. One notably absent player is Rory Sabbatini, who is physically exhausted after his victory at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. It's too bad, since it'll be the first time to see Rory and Tiger playing against one another after Rory's "trash talk" about Tiger, which was so uncharacteristic in the golf world.

Enjoy the Memorial and play well!

Golf Cart Dangers

By now you've heard about the California man who took a 75' plunge off a cliff while driving a golf cart. It's no surprise that he didn't survive unfortunately. We all might want to go while on a pristine green of a beautiful course, but certainly not want it his way.

But, this cart event makes me want to share some other thoughts about carts. I drive a BMW and apparently my passengers don't quite enjoy the ride when I'm driving a cart. One playing partner threatened to get out and walk if I didn't slow down. She said she'd be a cripple if she had to sit with me for 18 holes.

So, I obviously take my speed-style driving onto the course and forget the suspension and handling of a golf cart is nothing like the Ultimate Driving Machine. I probably also take out my frustration with my game and drive aggressively to my ball. Needless to say, I'm more aware of my cart driving.

Another thing to be careful of is yelling while in the cart. I've been a passenger when my cart partner decided to yell something to our playing partners who happen to be on my side of the cart. While I may be a speed demon, at least I don't deafen my cart partner for several holes.

Just some thoughts to make it an enjoyable round for you and your partner. Hope you're enjoying daylight savings time and some beautiful weather on the course!

Hooked on Golf

I'm honored to announce that I'm a columnist on
HookedonGolf.com. Hooked on Golf is a radio and television program co-hosted by Mitch Juricich and John Abendroth. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mitch and John start their Saturday mornings between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. PST on KNBR 680/1050 AM talking about the world of golf. If you're out of signal range, you can listen to them online.

This month's article is for beginners who are confused about buying new equipment. Check out Are You in an Equipment Haze?

Hope you're enjoying your game!

Need Help Getting Out of the Rough?

When I played at Medinah last year, I hit into the PGA tournament-ready rough (4") several times and just used a 7-iron to hit out.

Since then, I've purchased a 4 iron-hybrid, that I just love to hit out of the rough and even off the fairway when I need to lay up. If you are having trouble hitting your long irons, then consider buying a hybrid. You won't be as upset when you hit into the rough if you have a hybrid.

Golf and Providence

Golfers can't deny that golf has an element of luck. It's the hole-in-one shot. Or, sadly a bounce left into the water, rather than the perfect shot.

After Scott Verplank's victory at Byron Nelson's tournament on Sunday, I thought of Tiger at the Open after his father died and Ben Crenshaw after Harvey Penick died. Each of these golfers were mourning the recent passing of a very close friend, mentor, and in Tiger's case, his best friend and father.

I don't know what happens to one's mental state when they are in grief--yet trying to win in a competitive individual sport like golf. Do they become more relaxed and are able to be that hard-to-fine zone easier? Perhaps they carry the burden of sadness, while recalling fond memories of their friend that is no longer.

Or, is it like Ben Crenshaw said after his victory at Augusta in 1995, "It was like he had fifteen clubs in his bag," referring to his friend, Harvey Penick who died days before the Masters began?

Whether its being more relaxed, increased concentration, or providence, it's nice to see men (and women) who are touched by a person's loss persevere and end up victorious. I can only imagine how much sweeter that victory is!

Check Out This Month's Issue of "Golf for Women"

In this month's issue of Golf for Women magazine, look for a tear-out booklet on page 66 from yours truly. The Etiquette of Business Golf is a condensed version of my 72 Secrets for Successful Business Golf.

Don't Let the Wind Stop Your Practice Session

In the last issue of Biz-Golf E-Tips, you read about how discouraged I was about my pitch shots. I'm in South Lake Tahoe and decided I had to have a practice session in nearby Carson City, NV even though wind gusts of 20 - 35 mph were expected.

When I arrived at the course, every flag on the course was horizontal from the winds. Nevertheless, I got a large bucket of balls and, to my surprise, had the best and most fun practice session that I've ever had.

I suspect it was the case for several reasons. First, I swung slower than usual because of the strong winds. Second, I kept my head down longer than usual through the swing. There really wasn't any point in looking at my ball flight when the winds were howling left to right. I knew when I hit a good shot by how it felt on the club. Finally, I had to take more breaks between shots because the winds were so strong that I had to turn my back against it to take a breath and not let the wind affect my backswing.

I didn't let the wind stop me and went to the practice green and practiced my pitch shots to three different pin locations.

If I can incorporate all of what I learned today about my swing and pitch shots on the course, I'll be a much happier golfer! So, don't let wind stop you from a planned practice session. You may have as much fun as I did today!

Congratulations, Zach!

My favorite tournament, the Masters, is over and a first-time Major winner has been crowned. Congratulations to Zach Johnson! Although Augusta played hard the first three days, birdies were to be had today. It made it more fun to watch and see the competition tighten in the closing holes. Tiger, of course, was in contention, but the missed birdie opportunity on 16 made it difficult for Tiger to catch Zach.

As an avid golfer, I have two must-do's that I'm sure I share with many other addicted golfers. The first is to play Pebble Beach. The breath-taking views of that course beckons me. Then, of course, it is to be a patron at the Masters, even if it's for a practice round. The blooming azaleas and the pristine fairways sans rough make it a place I have to at least see once.

Speaking of beauty, one thing I love about golf is the decorum and etiquette that players hold themselves to. Unfortunately, some unpleasant incidents have occurred recently. Sergio's spitting into the hole after missing a putt was unexcusable a couple of weeks ago. And, Tiger's spitting after a shot today was disgusting anywhere and in any sport, but especially at Augusta.

Finally, Tiger, please start a new trend of black handkerchiefs. It won't clash with your Sunday outfit and would probably please your Mother if she saw what we all did today.

Want to Lower Your Score Quickly?

"Drive for show and putt for dough" is a common phrase of golfers. Unfortunately, I'm living proof of it at this time. I am driving the ball longer than I have in years, but my game from 100 yards and in has failed me recently.

I'm planning a practice session in the next few days to work on my short game, especially my pitching and my putting.

With putting nearly fifty percent of one's score, it's the place we all can improve on. So, next time you go practice, work on your short game, and you'll lower your scores!

Need New Clubs, But Want to Try Before You Buy?

Could you benefit from the new technology in golf equipment and make playing golf more enjoyable? I recently purchased a utility club, which is designed to help you hit out of the rough. I also use it instead of my 4-iron. It's made hitting that distance fun again and, more importantly, I can do so with confidence.

Golf for Women magazine has created a Try and Buy Campaign, so you can find a participating retailer and test clubs before you buy them. It's a great program to take out the uncertainty of buying new clubs. You'll be able to hit clubs at a range before you buy them.

Click onto Try and Buy Campaign, and find new clubs to improve your game and, of course, to have more fun!

Playing with Honor Pays Off

On Friday at the Honda Classic, Mark Wilson paid for his caddy's mistake. His caddy yelled out to his playing partner's caddy what club Wilson had just hit on the 5th hole. Technically, that was giving advice to the opponent, and a violation of the Rules. Wilson, who has had to go to PGA's Q-School each year for the last ten years, called a two-stroke penalty on himself.

That was on Friday before he or his caddy would know those two strokes were the difference between his first PGA victory at the end of the day on Sunday and a playoff with three other players. Fortunately, this story has a great ending and Wilson kept his putter warm over night and continued his clutch putting ways.

It's nice to see a good guy win! I wish more amateur players knew how to play like Wilson does, and I'm not talking about his swing or putting, but the way he plays the game...with honor and integrity.

Mickelson Minor Meltdown

I got to watch the last few holes of the Nissan Open today after my not-so-stellar round of golf. Phil was leading by one and then he grew the lead to two. When it narrowed to one stroke though, I had that eerie feeling...could he hold on? After leaving his drive nearly 190 yards from the pin on 18, he took an eight-iron only and left it short. Sure enough, he lost the lead and tied with Charles Howell III.

Three playoff holes later, Howell won his first tournament after five years. He's been consistent this year with two second-place finishes already. A native Georgian, he'll likely play at Augusta in April for the first time in his career. He's playing better and certainly dressing better this year!

Another winner today is Callaway as they had their two endorsers going stroke for stroke in the sudden death playoff.

How will this lose affect Phil? With his goofy grin as he walks along, I suspect it won't phase him at all. He's already had his first win at Pebble Beach and will head to Tuscon, Arizona for the Accenture Match Play Championship next week.

Congrats, Charles!

A Chinese New Year Gift for You!

As we start the Chinese New Year, I have a gift for you!

It's a pop-up calendar with daily tips on how to play winning business golf with clients and prospects. To get your free BizGolf Dynamics's Ponder Pearls, click on "Download" at this page. Don't worry there is no spyware or virus.

If you'd like to see today's tip on my desktop before you download, click here.

Feel free to share this with your business golf playing partners and friends!

Good for Phil!

I didn't get a chance to watch much of the AT&T, but was pleased to see Phil had won. I am not a great Phil fan because I think he makes poor decisions a la US Open last year. It's too painful to watch him play sometimes.

But, the SF Chronicle had a very nice piece about his generosity to Conrad Dobler, the former NFL player who has fallen on hard financial times. Phil gave him $100,000 so Dobler can send his daughter to college. You may think they're good friends and they've met, but they haven't. Phil heard about Dobler's plight, and sent the check.

The PGA Tour and its players are by far the most generous of the professional sports. I think it's ironic that the other professional sports, like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, are team sports, so you'd think there would be more generosity by the players because they would know how to work together more. But, maybe it's because professional golfers fight for every dollar earned in purse money, and endorsement contracts are because of their individual efforts, that they are so generous.

Congrats, Phil!

Michelle Who?

A 16-year old Hawaiian amateur has made the cut in the Sony Open in Honolulu--the youngest to make the cut in 50 years on the PGA Tour.

You would have thought today's headlines would be raving about Michelle Wie, but it's not about her. Instead the accolades belong to Todd Fujikawa. A young man born 3 1/2 months prematurely and only weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces. 16 years and 4 days later, he makes history and steals the thunder from Michelle Wie.

It didn't take much to steal her thunder though because all that is left of her is a whimper right now. She finished 14 over par and hit shots that I could make any day of the week--snap hooks, topped fairway shots, and balls into the water.

Playing with a taped wrist on both days and defying dr.'s order to rest her wrist for two months, she was out there. She and her team claim she calls the shots about her career. Hard to believe considering in the 60 Minutes interview, they listed David Leadbetter, a sports psychologist, agent, parents, and others in her entourage.

Let's say that she does though. She talks a good game, but it's not translating into her swing or her score. And, as the saying goes, action speaks louder than words. Look at the shots and her body language, and you know she doesn't believe to the core of her soul what she's saying.

I'm reminded of stories about Elvis and Michael Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Michelle is a drug addict or child molester. But, the people around those two were afraid to tell them "no, you're behavior is out of control and you need to stop it now." Perhaps, out of fear of being fired or cut off the money train, someone on Michelle's team needs to tell her "no more. Rest. And, when you're better, go to Stanford, play the LPGA and learn to win there first."

Who should be doing this immediately? Her parents. They need to step up and behave like parents who have the best interest of their daughter as their first priority, instead of mega-million dollar deals.

Next Corporate Event: Buck Shots or Balls?

In the U.K., shooting live birds is becoming increasingly a business event. Golf is still popular with company directors, but the rest are turning to hunting birds out in the fields.

One reason given for hunting's increased popularity is people can enjoy success more quickly than in golf. Another is when one hits the ball in the woods, while others are down the fairway, then conversation becomes sparse due to the distance between the players.

In the politically correct world of the U.S., I don't suggest you decide to switch from clubs to shotguns. Certainly, hunting with clients and colleagues occurs. In fact, I own a pistol and enjoy target practice every once in a while. But, I don't envision corporate advertisers throwing marketing dollars at the next Big Hunt or women inviting other women to go hunting.

Besides, you'll learn a lot more about a person while you play golf with them than you would if you went shooting. What happens if a person isn't seeing straight on your day of shooting? That same person may throw a club on the golf course, but it may be dangerous to be around that person when he or she doesn't have good aim that day.

Do You Have Your 2007 Golf Resolutions?

While you're thinking about your 2007 resolutions, add a couple for your golf game. Maybe you want to play at least a certain number of rounds of golf in 2007 for business or recreation, take a series of lessons to improve your golf game, or enroll in pilates or yoga classes to strengthen your core for a better golf swing and personal wellness.

Whatever your resolutions, be specific, write them down, and keep it where you'll see them often as a reminder.

The Golf Channel will be airing the Thursday and Friday PGA play, so click onto the Golf Channel to get their schedule for this week's PGA Opener, the Mercedes-Benz Championship.

Golfers as AP Athletes of the Year

Golfers got a boost as athletes this week. Tiger was named AP Male Athlete of the Year and Lorena Ochoa was named AP Female Athlete of the Year.

It's been 16 years since both athletes came from the same sport and 61 years since both came from golf. While Tiger captures his fourth award, Ochoa unseeds Annika who has won it for the last three years.

The AP writers pick their selections, male and female, from every sport. They base their choice on the athletes' contributions to the game, their performance within their chosen sport and their off field activities.

Congratulations to Tiger and Lorena!!

Roof Surfing Not Allowed

NASCAR Champ, Jimmie Johnson, decided to be bold and surf on top of his golf cart while playing in a tournament. His cart partner drove over a berm and he was thrown off the roof of the cart several feet and broke his left hand.

While he can drive within an enclosed machine traveling nearly 175 mph, he would be certainly safer inside of a golf cart, even sans roll bar, helmet, and other safety equipment.

Moral of the story: Sit in the golf cart; don't sprawl across the roof of one.

Pace of Play Formula

The USGA has announced a formula for pace of play that works. In the ten national amateur championships it had a major effect in speeding up play. On average, the threesomes sped up by 30 minutes in their stroke-play events.

Here's how it works: Each group has to hit four checkpoints -- the fourth, ninth, thirteenth, and eighteenth holes -- in a certain allotted time, depending on the course, or stay within 14 minutes of the group in front of them once the flagstick is put back into the hole.

The first breach is a warning and then a Rules official will monitor the players in the group to see if the culprit is one player or if the entire group is the problem. If the problem is the group, then the second infraction is a one-stroke penalty for each player.

How I wished this policy was implemented at most courses, or at least during tournaments.

Big Easy Just Isn't So

In a rare moment of losing his composure, Ernie Els threw his club while playing in the Nedbank Challenge in his home country of South Africa. Els was fined the equivalent of $138, which he paid after the tournament.

I was disappointed to see the video. He threw the club end-over-end at least ten feet. And, then grabbed a club out of his tour bag, which was standing nearby, so vigorously that the bag fell to the ground.

I haven't read his comments about the incident, but it's not a good showing of etiquette and sportsmanship. I know he's just human and frustrated as he makes his comeback from his knee injury.

A pro who makes his living with every shot, I am more willing to excuse his club throwing tantrum. But if I was playing with a client who did the same, I'd have to question whether I'd want to continue doing business with this person. How would he or she react if there was a problem in our business together?

Tasty Golf Tees

The love of the game (and the billions of dollars spent in the industry) brings out entrepreneurs with innovative, unique, and different golf inventions.

Typically, the latest golf item to hit the market is related to the golf swing. It's the best swing aid or putt maker.

Now, though, you can lick your tee. Yes, a couple of guys are marketing tees with flavors like mint, cherry, strawberry and grape. The tees are your good old-fashioned wooden tees, but with a coat of your favorite flavor.

The idea is after you've enjoyed your cigar, you can taste your tee to get rid of that cigar taste. Or, if you're hungry, just take a lick.

My only suggestion is you might want to get in your licks before you tee up the ball. I can only imagine that fertilizer and grass don't taste very good. And, another thing, if you're playing business golf with clients or prospects, stick to Tic Tacs or gum for your flavoring. You'll make a much better impression.

Hitting the Course Without Knowing Etiquette

I recently read an article about women learning how to hit the ball and then heading to the links to play, without any etiquette tips. That might be a great way to get women enthusiastic about playing golf in a controlled environment of the class that they were all taking.

But if a woman who read that article thought she should do that, she'd likely have a very unpleasant experience. I strongly believe that whether a person is an enjoyable playing partner isn't determined by the score he or she shot. It's instead whether he knows etiquette and is pleasant to be with for five hours. I'd rather play with a beginner who knows how to play with proper etiquette and a great personality than a single digit that has a similar level of etiquette I.Q. and personality.

If you want to play without knowing your etiquette, play with friends and warn them that you're ignorant of etiquette. If you want to play with them more often, at least ask them to teach you proper etiquette while you're playing. You'll make and keep your golf friends around by doing so.

Think Business Golf is Played Only in the US?

Business golf is going to China. According to the Associated Press, a Chinese university is requiring law and business students to take golf lessons to prepare them for a business world where deals are made on the golf course.

Listen to Suzanne's interview on why playing golf with clients is valuable in London's BBC Newshour.

Furyk's Costly Sportsmanship

Jim Furyk may have a swing that would earn it "Most Unlikely to Succeed" in a high school yearbook, but he as a man would earn the "The Honest Guy" of the class.

During today's final round of the American Express World Championship, Ian Poulter inadvertently stepped on Furyk's ball, which was in the deep rough. while searching for Furyk's ball. Furyk was entitled to a free drop, but instead told the Rule Official that he'd take an unplayable lie penalty. He felt since his ball was in such deep rough that he wouldn't have found it but for Poulter stepping on.

Furyk went on to make a bogey rather than having a par. It was a costly display of sportsmanship because he ended up in third place rather than sharing in a three-way tie for second place.

As announcer Nick Faldo said, "At the end of the day, he (Furyk) puts his head on the pillow.

Sleep well, Jim. You earned it! And, to those fortunate to do business with him, he's certainly a man you can trust.

How Is Your Gamesmanship?

Unfortunately the European team beat the US team definitively in the Ryder Cup. But, in a great showing of gamesmanship, Paul McGinley gave a long putt to J.J. Henry to tie their last hole and halve their match. If McGinley had not conceded the putt, the European team would have set their record in beating the U.S.

What's not good gamesmanship? Of course, cheating is an obvious. But it's also the subtle comments made about the water or O.B. before the player is about to hit, or taking a jab at your opponent's political or religious beliefs before you tee off.

If you have to resort to those tactics to "win" in your match, then remember Paul McGinley and how you want to be thought of as a golfer.

Time for Wie to Give It Up

Michelle Wie won't make the cut against the men at the 84 Lumber Classic Tournament. It's time to question whether she needs to give up on trying to be the first woman in 61 years to make the cut in a men's tournament.

I'm not saying she should quit on achieving her goal, but she needs to get her game in better shape before she has a realsitic chance to make the cut. David Leadbetter, her coach, has said he's concerned that her long irons into the green are too low and she can't get the ball to stay on the green. He stated simliar concerns at the Omega tournament as well.

She played the Omega tournament because Omega is one of her sponsors. She is friends with the family-founders of 84 Lumber. Other tournament sponsors like her to play because gate numbers go up.

But at what point does she (or her family) say it's unrealistic for her to continue to try to make the cut? She needs to play on the LPGA tour, win against the other gals, build some confidence, learn some shots, improve her putting, and then go for her other goal of making the cut against the men.

At this point, she's not close, and I don't see how continued attempts will improve her chances. If anything, it's getting embarrassing.

Listening to the PGA Tour on XM

I'm in S. Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where my family has a vacation home. The home has neither television nor telephone. And, my cell phone doesn't work from the home. So, it's a place that I come to when I need an escape and want to take in the view of the beautiful lake.

Unfortunately I can't watch the PGA or LPGA tours when I'm in the house. During the PGA Championship, I had to go to Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course to recall my steps at Medinah.

However I can at least listen to live coverage on a link from www.PGATour.com to XM Satellite radio. Coverage is pretty good and a lot better than nothing. So if you're cut off from t.v., but have Internet access, check it out!

How to Avoid Playing with Cheaters?

In a previous BizGolf E-Tip, I shared with you my experience playing with a woman who played to a higher handicap during match play.

Five weeks after the match, I finally received a ruling from the Golf Committee against my claim because I didn't notify the player that I was making a claim when I learned that she was cheating. I made the claim to the Head Pro instead.

Moral of the story: Don't play with cheaters, who by the way is angry that I made a claim, and check on the posting computer your opponent's handicap before starting your match.

Are You Reading Golf Magazines Too Carefully?

Do you enjoy reading golf magazines and all of the newest swing tips?

I do as well, but be careful. You might get overloaded with new swing thoughts and make a mess of your swing. If you read a tip that really seems to make sense to you, try that one and only tip on the driving range to see if it works for you. Don't try to incorporate more than one or two tips at a time. You'll only get confused and frustrated.

Never Again Another Tiger in Golf

I saw Tiger's interview after he defeated the rest of the field at Medinah Country Club to win his third PGA Championship. The rest were playing their own tournament of who would finish second. Like Mike Weir in 2000, Luke Donald, folded during the final round with Tiger. Is it the "Tiger Mystique" that causes his competitors to play mediocre, if not poorly, when they're in contention against Tiger? Absolutely.

The interview revealed to me how Tiger has developed the Tiger Mystique. First and foremost it's the unique characteristics of his mother and father who raised him with complete unconditional love. His father and best friend, Earl, was 42 when Tiger was born. He already had had three children with his first wife and he probably learned how to be a better father by the time Tiger was raised.

Tiger said he could score 1,000 in a round and his father would not have chided him, be disappointed in him, or love him any less. How many junior athletes now can say that about their father? Unfortunately I think few as the parents of this generation seem to live more through their children's successes on the field, and sadly some want it even more than their children. Most junior athletes today don't have the luxury to try different shots or swings like Tiger did without the fear of disappointing their parent or losing their love.

Earl Woods also was retired military where he likely learned discipline, commitment, and focus, without worrying about having to prove anything because of his race. Who else could have instilled those traits along with Tiger's ferocious work ethic, determination, and maturity? A silly question asked of Tiger was what he could tell his opponents to do when they are paired with him on a Sunday, so they could beat him. Tiger swatted that question away as if it were an annoying gnat by simply replying, with a grin, that he wouldn't say.

Why would he? But, more importantly, how could he? His opponents weren't raised by Earl and Kultida Woods, and later mentored on how to handle success by one of the most successful athletes in the world, Michael Jordan. I believe Tiger credits his mother as much for his success with her spiritual grounding.

Without the fear of looking sentimental, Tiger uses a head cover that his mother gave him. Written in Thai, it says she's always with him. Tiger beams his pearly whites as he describes how he looks at that head cover and feels his mother's presence out on the course. Tiger ever consider wearing a blue shirt on a Sunday of a Major? Never. It would mean the death (of course, figuratively) of Tiger at the hands of his mother. His fondness of red is because it's a power color and blue will never do.

Will Tiger smash Nicklaus's Major records of 18? Barring an injury, or surprising loss of interest by Tiger in golf, definitely. In 10 years, he's already two-thirds of the way there. A golf-focused, healthy Tiger will set new records of golf that won't be broken in my lifetime, if ever.

Simply said, they don't make them like they used to. There won't be another combination of parents that will raise another Tiger.

Golf is a Game of Integrity!

Recently I played in a match play tournament and my opponent played the match to a higher handicap than she actually was. She claims to have told me that she was the lower handicap, but I somehow agreed to "give" her an extra stroke.

Considering the golf slump that I've been in for the last several months, I wouldn't give her or anyone else right now an extra stroke. Instead of disqualifying herself for playing our match with a higher handicap, we're still waiting for a ruling from the tournament committee. Regardless of the ruling, I don't look forward to playing with this woman again (and certainly hope to never have to do business with her).

I'll keep you posted on the ruling about my match!

Playing Out of Your Mind

Today was the last round of my Club's Ladies Championship. I'm not the Champ, but I'm pleased with the way I played.

We started our Championship last Thursday, and I started to feel ill on Wednesday. Sore neck, scratchy throat. The second round on Saturday was worse with feelings of nausea and wanting to throw up. Today, I've practically lost my voice.

I started last week hoping to contend, but realistic since I was sick and in one of the worst golf slumps I've ever been in. Shooting 93 was a small victory for me because I didn't totally embarrass myself and come in dead last.

On Saturday, holding my stomach after nearly every shot and shooting 87 was a huge victory. Today, after shooting 10 on a par-4 on the fourth hole, I shot 90. I was so out of it on 4 that I said out loud, "Am I right-handed or left-handed?" as I looked at the ball in the weeds, debating whether to take an unplayable from there or putt the provisional that I hit.

I ended up finishing First Low Net and winning a beautiful silver bangle bracelet. It's not Club Champ, but considering how I was feeling for the entire tournament, I'm pleased that I could pull it together. I also think I didn't try to play well or hit those perfect shots. Instead I was trying to survive out there. I got my mind out of the way of what my body naturally knows what to do.

I hope to take that attitude to the course the next time I play!

Wie Fires Caddie

It comes as no surprise that Michelle Wie has fired her caddie Greg Johnston. The chemistry between the two never looked very good. She was disqualified for an incorrect drop that he thought she did correctly. He also never helped her read putts, which Michelle's father has been rumored to have required. If true, that wouldn't make sense, since Johnston was a veteran caddie. She's young and will eventually find a caddie that fits her style and personality. Until then, we'll wait to see who she picks as her new caddie.

Congratulations, Tiger!

I'm sure Tiger's victory at the Open today is the sweetest of all. The focus, determination, and pressure were all released in the arms of Stevie and his wife.

Death of a parent, I've thankfully not experienced. Tiger and Chris have shown that although their loved one is gone from this life, they continue to inspire and instill in their children the desire to do well and make their parent proud!

Congratulations to Tiger and Chris!!

Played Medinah and Still on a High

On Monday night, I provided a business golf presentation to 60 executive women from the Chicago area at Medinah Country Club. It was a great event with women who've never played becoming enthusiastic to learn golf and experienced golfers ready to hit the links. I told them I felt like a kid in a candy store because I was playing Medinah's Course #3 the next morning with the General Manager and a board member.

With the two caddies and my playing partners, I took the advice that I often give to women business golfers, and decided to hit off the same tees as the gents. It meant playing off of the silver tees, which is 7009 yards and a slope of 147 for men. I have to ask for help to calculate the slope for me, but I have a pretty good idea that it's going to be high. For the ladies off the white tees, it's 6728 and a slope of 146. 149 or 150 for me wouldn't be surprising.

As I walked down the first fairway, I was in awe of the carpet-like fairways. I made the mistake of hitting my second shot in the rough and had to contend with getting out of 4 1/2" rough. Needless to say, I used the 7-iron quiet often during the day to get out of the tall stuff.

I stood by the tree where Sergio hit his famous slice onto the green in the 1999 PGA Championship. I saw the height of the collection area on 12, which is an incredible hole that Rees Jones found nothing to change. I stood at the tip of the 13th hole to take a picture of the 224-yard signature hole across water. When we reached 17, the gents suggested that I hit off of the white tee and I took their advice. I ripped my driver onto the green 8' behind the flagstick into the rough. After a weak putt through the fringe, I sank my par putt and celebrated.

I'll be honest, the course ate me up and I shot 106. My playing partners were kind and said that it was respectable considering my first time, near Major conditions, and playing a set of rental clubs. But, it's one day I didn't really care about my score. I was thrilled to be at the course where Tiger, Sergio, Retief, Ernie, and the golfers of their ilk have played.

Most importantly, my playing partners were gentlemen of the kind that I sadly don't meet often. It will be a day of golf that I'll not forget and I can't wait to watch the Championship in August!

Hindsight Not 20-20 for Mickelson's Caddie

Nicklaus, Watson, and others have all questioned Phil's poor club and shot selection on the 18th hole. Mickelson's caddie, Jim "Bones" Mackay, a single-digit golfer himself, felt compelled to defend his boss today.

He stated that there was never a question about using the driver on 18. They knew how each player ahead of them was scoring. He then says, ""So we knew that 4-over was going to win the tournament, and Phil was not playing for a tie."

And therein lies the problem. Neither Phil nor Bones thought to play for a tie when they're near the corporate tents with trees in front of them. Hence, they played for the most embarassing lost in the U.S. Open thus far.

It's just hard to feel sorry for the guy when he thinks that way.

Mickelson Muffs Again!

On the 71st hole of the U.S. Open, Mickelson with a one shot lead pulls his driver out on the 18th tee. It would be okay if Mickelson was hitting it well, but instead he had hit only 2 out of 14 fairways all day. He sprays it left onto the corporate tent and tries two miraculous shots only to double bogey the 18th and lose the U.S. Open.

I try to like Phil...he smiles all of the time, which actually can be annoying and makes him look like a dufus, he has a nice appearing family, and he even said, "Good morning!" to my Mom when he was at the AT&T two years ago.

But his course management skills can be horrendous. It feels almost too risky to cheer for him because you never know what incredibly stupid thing he's going to do. I don't mind a guy being human and making a poor shot. He, however, makes poor decisions and then loses tournaments that he should have won.

I wonder how he'd be as a CEO of a company. I fear he'd have some huge wins and huge loses that a company probably could not survive his decision-making. Even with an ever presence of brains around him from Rick Smith, Dave Pelz, his caddie, and I'm sure a sports psychologist, they've not taught him how to play smart and win the tournaments that will forever haunt him because he lost them.

LPGA Championship & Calling a Penalty

I'm watching the sudden death playoff between Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak. The latter just hit a beautiful second shot to inches from the hole. An awesome shot as she swung 65 feet behind Webb's drive! It's nice to see Pak's comeback after taking a break because she had started to hate the game.

I watched with anticipation Michelle Wie's attempt to win her first professional tournament. For some reason, I have a protective attitude toward her. She just failed to qualify for the Men's U.S. Open earlier in the week and then attempted to win in a major against the gals. Unlike any other professional that I watch, it's just hard to watch her disappointment. She has the opportunities, but hasn't shown the killer instinct a la Tiger yet. I anxiously await to see that develop in her.

Did you hear about Karrie Webb calling a penalty against Annika yesterday? Annika was removing a couple pieces of a divot before she hit, and Karrie called her on it. In a business golf round should you call a penalty against your client? My suggestion is that you not call a penalty against a client. Your client may be a new golfer and not know the rules yet. Or, your client is focusing on developing a business relationship with you and isn't as cognizant as the rules as he or she should be.

A caveat: If you and your client are playing in a tournament, then you need to call the penalty. You wouldn't want your foursome to win a tournament knowing one of you cheated. Handle it with finesse, so your client isn't embarrassed or humiliated. You'll keep your integrity and maintain your business relationship.

Interesting Math

Tiger Woods was in Arkansas for a children's golf clinic and he was asked about playing golf with Bill Clinton. Tiger's response, "Interesting math."

According to Woods, Clinton hits his first drive into the bushes. Then, he hits a second drive down the middle of the fairway. He then hits his wedge shot six to seven feet by the pin. And, then picks up his "gimme" putt.

Meanwhile Tiger hits a nice drive, but hits his wedge shot twelve feet past the pin. Tiger takes two putts to finish out the hole.

Back at the cart, Clinton writes down the scores: Woods -- 4, Clinton -- 3.

Golf is such an invaluable business tool because it is a true revealer of character and integrity. Tiger's encounter with Clinton on the golf course shouldn't surprise anyone.

Golf Club Leasing

An entrepreneur has applied his B-School education to the game of golf. After purchasing a new set of clubs every year or two, Damian Novak wondered if he could lease golf clubs like one leases cars. He founded Top Swing Leasing (www.topswingleasing.com) two years ago and has about 250 sets of clubs out on leases.

When you check out at Top Swing Leasing you simply pay one month's lease payment. The term of the lease will be 12 or 18 months with the option to buy out your contract, exchange for new clubs, or simply send back your clubs with no further obligation. If you opt to pay the lease up front, you'll have a cash savings of 10%!

A set of Callaway irons, which retails for about $700, can be leased for $35 per month on a 12-month or 18-month contract.

If you've wished you could lease clubs like you can your cars, check out Top Swing Leasing!

Have Some Spare Change?

Perhaps, this is the purchase for Tiger Woods and Michele Wie in the future. Airbus has manufactured a superjumbo plane. It's a double-decker and carries up to 850 passengers I'm sure more comfortably than any first-class seat on a flight that most of us could have.

You can catch a few winks in the bedroom suites, or sip champagne with "mood lighting" that changes as you travel the time zones to minimize the impact of jet lag. You can have a royal lounge and dine in a private dining room.

Best of all, you can have a driving range built into the plane! For the golf obsessed who don't want to miss a moment of practice, all of this can be yours for a mere $375 million!

Enjoy the Colonial...I miss the excitement that Tiger and Phil bring to tournaments, but it's still great golf!

Swinging Pink!

Derek Jeter, David Eckstein, and ten other baseball sluggers will be swinging pink bats on Sunday's Mother's Day to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pink is also making a comeback in golf, thanks in part to Paula Creamer, who likes it as an accent color. Adams Golf has put out a set of a pink graphite clubs for women.

If pink is to support Susan G. Komen, I'm all for it. But, if you're a female business golfer and wanting to show your professionalism and use golf to build rapport with clients and prospects, be careful of using pink clubs and balls. Unfortunately, the color can still conjure the image of cute, bubbly "pretty girls in pink," which may not be how you want to be perceived.

Always use white balls in a business golf round. It certainly can have the pink ribbon on it as a logo and your mark on the ball, but shy away from the purple and green balls during your business golf round.

Masters Brand Management --- Part 2

A couple of trophies won by tennis player, Martina Navritilova, were auctioned yesterday. She doesn't know how the company acquired them, but her attorney is investigating it. Bjorn Borg recently announced that he was going to sell his Wimbeldon trophies for "financial security." He decided to keep them after a couple of fellow players called him.

A Heisman Trophy has been sold to raise legal fees for a murder defense fund or a token payment of a civil judgment. I'm sure Super Bowl rings have also been sold for cash.

Winners of those high-profile accomplishments in their respective sports seem to place little sentimental value on their prizes.

Will the awards presented at the Masters end up on EBay one day? The Masters champion is presented with a replica of the official trophy, a gold medal, and, of course, the green jacket (it probably can't be sold since the jacket stays on the premises of Augusta National Golf Club, except in extraordinary circumstances). The runner-up receives a silver medal and a silver tray. Crystal items are also given to players who shoot the low round, or have a hole-in-one, an eagle, and a double eagle.

To maintain the Masters's mystique, I'd advise Hootie and his friends to issue another rule for the players. Something to the effect that any trophy or award received at the Masters shall never be sold or auctioned in the public. And, Augusta National shall have the first right of refusal on the purchase of any such items.

I hope Hootie doesn't have to take this step, but nowadays you never know what people will do for "financial security" or to pay off debts, especially gambling ones.

John Daly's Gambling

I like John Daly as a golfer with long drives, yet soft hands around the greens. In his autobiography, he claims to have lost $50-60 million in gambling losses.

Perhaps the attorney-side of me is coming out, but my first thought is how could he not know the amount? If he doesn't know, you'd think there is someone in his organization who would know the amount. His admission is similar to a government agency who reports that its lost $25-35 million. Money that somehow just disappeared from the government coffers. It's bad enough that money is lost, but how can you not know if it's $1 million let alone $10 million.

Now, the author-side of me. By stating (unverifiably) the grandiose amount, he has received a tremendous amount of publicity. It's a great way to sell books. Create controversy, even if it reveals a negative characteristic.

On a personal note, I assume Daly can afford the loses while he's on tour and earning endorsements and tour monies. He seems to have an addictive personality, whether it's drugs, smoking, drinking, or gambling. If he decides to slay all of them, I wish him the best.