Recession? What recession?

With rising oil prices, a real estate market in free fall and Costco limiting rice purchases to a measly four bags (the horror!) people are scaling back their summer vacation plans and really who can blame them?

Of course now is the time when savvy consumers take advantage of great deals.

From May 1-December 23 PuntaCana Resort & Club along the Dominican Republic's east coast is offering a special family golf package for $640 per adult and $575 per child.

Guests can play three rounds of golf at P.B. Dye's La Cana Golf Course at the PuntaCana Resort & Club (I played there a few years ago and enjoyed his use of mounds, bunkering and island greens-P.B. is, after all, Pete Dye's son.)

While not on the greens, guests can enjoy five miles of sandy beach, offshore reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, a full-service marina, the exquisite Six Senses Spa, a tennis complex with lighted clay-caliche courts, a children's petting zoo, horseback riding and a nature preserve with crystal clear springs.


Here are the package details:
- four days, three nights in a deluxe room
- VIP service and assistance at the airport including transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport
- One a la carte dinner at La Yola Restaurant
- One a la carte dinner at La Choza Restaurant
- Three rounds of golf including shared golf cart and taxes, at the renowned La Cana Golf course
- Use of oceanfront Golf and Beach Clubhouse, including swimming pool and patio, lounge grill and locker rooms
- Full Dominican Buffet Breakfast and taxes included
- Complimentary kids club program, open until 10:30pm

Rates are as follows (Parent/Child):
May 1-December 23 $640/$575

There's nothing manufacturers love more than Tour validation and Nike got loads of it this past Sunday in Augusta. Not only did Nike staff players place 1st, 2nd and 3rd but the three men (Trevor Immelman, Tiger Woods and Stewart Cink) were split between two groups, resulting in beaucoup airtime and maximum exposure. Just about every shot Immelman and Woods hit was broadcast to 18% of U.S. households; Cink was never really in contention and appeared less often.

Kismet? Maybe. But credit has to be given to Nike for signing a promising golfer like Immelman, the sneaky-steady Cink and Woods (whoever he is). Had Paul Casey not ballooned to a final round 79 we may have even seen more of the Swoosh.

For the week Immelman hit 85.71% of his fairways and averaged a smooth 287.5 yards off the tee. Good driving is becoming a must for the new Augusta (along with a steady putter). BTW, the 28 year-old South African hits the Nike SQ Sumo 5000 drive (seen above.)

While I may not be lucky enough to actually try one of those spiffy new drivers available with interchangeable shafts, I had the chance during my last two rounds to test a couple new shafts in two (but identical) driver heads to see if they made a difference in my game. I did this for two reasons: I noticed that the last time I played golf with my colleagues here at GT, they were hitting the ball a long way and seemingly straighter than I was. My driver on the other hand seemed to lack some forgiveness where I needed it, and it was about time to see if changing shafts was going to make a difference.

The first shaft I tried was Mitsubishi's new Javln shaft. Billed as a shaft with a stable tip section (for better control) but with a little extra flex to allow golfers who aren't swinging their best (or hardest) too still hit long and straight drives. Now, knowing the shaft had a firm tip, it was a still a smidgen softer than my old one. Reason being, I didn't tip trim it like I did my previous driver shaft. (My old driver shaft was tipped about 1/4 inch). So, I expected to draw the ball much more easily this time around.


The verdict? I did draw it. And to my surprise, unlike other shafts that tend to buckle when I swing hard and cause my ball to veer left of way left, seemed even when I swung hard with the Javln, the ball still went pretty darn straight. Virtually every tee shot had a slight draw, and I was happy to see that as I swung harder the slight draw didn't morph into a sweeping hook. This is a huge plus, and not only did I hit it with a slight draw, I tacked on at least 15-20 yards per drive. My old driver was set up for a fade, which I had to manipulate to hit to avoid not only slicing it, but also hooking the cover off it. The Javln though, was as they used to say back in the day, "da bomb."

The second shaft I tried was equally impressive, although different. The UST ProForce HMOI shaft, is designed for today's 460cc driver. The features include a higher balance point (to prevent the ball from ballooning) and a stiffer tip for added control. The result? I liked it a lot. This shaft felt and looked a lot like my old one, only with the HMOI it seemed that even when when my swing wasn't at it's absolute best, I knew the ball was going to go straight. Very straight actually, with a penetrating trajectory that added probably 10 yards to my drives. This is a strong-hitter's shaft, which is probably why the harder I swung, the better the result. I didn't tip trim this one either, but even still the ball flew straight as an arrow.
In any case, it's tough to say which one worked better for my game. All I can say is, both were an upgrade over my ultra-stiff driver in my bag, and having a tad more flex combined with good tip stability meant I was hitting straighter and longer drives. If anything, my advice for all of you if you want to hit the ball a little further is to try a softer flex profile, but keep a shaft with a firm tip--like both of the shafts that I tried. This will help you tack on a few yards, while retaining the control you need.

Other than that, I can't tell how good it feels to be the long ball in the office again. Try a few new shafts until you get it right. You'll know what I mean.

There've been a few Peter Parkers on Tour this year playing and winning with TaylorMade's new Rossa Monza Spider. J.B. Holmes was the first player to use his superpowers to win in February at the FBR Open. According to TaylorMade the extremely high MOI mallet was the "No. 1 putter model" at the tournament. The week before at the Buick Invitational, 12 Spiders were in play.

In March Sean O'Hair used the Spider at the PODS Championship. That week O'Hair averaged 1.813 putts per Green in Regulation and won by two shots over six other players.

Why have Tour players been so successful with the Spider? In order to find out I tested it last week.

Aside from all of its technical advances I liked the Spider because it just felt great (I know, what an expert opinion). It has tremendous balance and at times it felt like I literally couldn't swing it off line. (See below for more a technical summary of its weighting properties.)

It's hard to say how golfers will react to its unorthodox looks, but if they give it a try I think it's very possible that it could supplant the Two-Ball as the most popular mallet.

A quick overview on what TaylorMade did to ramp up the Spider's MOI to give it that great weighting:

1. Its head was constructed from a steel wire-frame so weight can be pushed to the clubhead's perimeter.
2. It has a light, but strong aluminum core which helps move weight to the perimeter as well.
3. It sports a pair of "wings" into which weights have been added (and adjusted). (I didn't mess around with the weights-I never do-and still found it to have exceptional control and balance.)

It might not be the most traditional looking putter and it may turn off some customers simply by its looks, but I suggest giving it a try at your local store. TaylorMade just started shipping them to retailers (they ring up at $240) and I wouldn't be surprised if you started seeing more in your friends' bags as well as on Tour.

Charlie Schroeder

If you're the type who gets complacent easily the rough and tumble world of golf equipment design and manufacturing isn't the place for you. Despite a variety of obstacles, including what some describe as the USGA's desire to limit the effect technology has on the game, equipment company engineers and marketing execs continue to push forward with little sign of letting up.

I was struck by this fact the other day when some of the GT staff took a field trip to our local golf superstore. Ostensively we were there to investigate the current state of the golf ball market, and to purchase a number of new models for "testing," purposes. The sheer number of golf ball manufacturers, as well as the variety offered by each would amaze anyone not jaded by a close relationship to the industry. In all honesty, the sight of three massive islands composed entirely of golf balls from at least ten different manufacturers can be a bit daunting, even for those of us who expect it.

Once we did a full reconnaissance of the new spheres, we took a walk around the store and saw the same basic situation in every department, which was more styles than you could shake a stick at with features that would be unimaginable just a few years ago; In the shoe area there was a pair made from biodegradable materials including rice husks, in the bag aisle there was a model with a built-in beverage cooler and pouch for your GPS unit, and in the driver racks there were models featuring interchangeable shaft technology.

It's all pretty amazing stuff, especially when you consider the number of hoops any given equipment manufacturer has to jump through to build a product that conforms to USGA rules, doesn't infringe on competitors patents, and actually does what the marketing claims say it will do. Clearly this is not easy task, but it's one that even the most cynical observer would have to admit is being accomplished quite well these days.

So if you're hoping to jump-start your golf game this season, you need not look any further than your local pro shop for inspiration. And don't get nervous when confronted by the huge number of options available. Just keep in mind what you feel is lacking in your on-course performance, or what would make the game more fun, and look for the model that best fits the bill.

By Charlie Schroeder

Unlike other professional sports seasons, which have clearly marked beginnings and ends, the PGA Tour's schedule is, well, a mess. Sure, official tournaments begin just after the New Year and end in November, but most people tune out after the Fed-Ex Cup (if they tune in at all). Then, there's a smattering of secondary tournaments that fail to attract any big names (personally I think there's some interesting action here as players on the bubble try to retain their Tour cards). Once that wraps up, the so-called "Silly Season" kicks in, hanging around like an unwanted house guest into most of December, ensuring that folks who like their golf with a side order of eggnog won't be disappointed.

Some argue that the season really begins (and ends) with the majors, and that everything else is just a lead up (and for that matter a let down) to the "Big Ones."

I disagree.

For me, the golf season revolves around when Tiger Woods plays.

Consider the excitement he's already brought to 2008. After his runaway victory a couple weeks back at the Buick, Tiger flew to Dubai, and, jet lagged out of his gourd, shot 65. After struggling on Friday and Saturday, he finished with a 31 on the back nine on Sunday to edge out Ernie Els and win his 72nd worldwide victory (he has 62 on the PGA Tour).

72 wins. The guy's 32 years old!

I'm a sucker for Charles Osgood and his CBS Sunday Morning Show (I love their nature montages.), but last Sunday when Tiger roared back to win in Dubai I happily eschewed my weekly dose of bird calls to watch the world's greatest golfer ever. How could any golf fan not?

Since we here at GT focus our energies on instruction, equipment and travel, we rarely find ourselves locked inside a press tent over the weekends, so when it comes to the Tour I'm a fan, just like you. And as a fan I couldn't have cared less about the Mercedes (a victor's-only tourney that Tiger didn't play), Sony or the Hope. Not that I'm not thrilled for the winners (can you tell me who they were?) but it's just not the same as watching Tiger make history every time he tees it up.

Speaking of which, one more win until Tiger ties Hogan. Let the games begin.

The 55th Annual PGA Merchandise Show has come and passed. Whew! It was an interesting year, full of new rules, technology, products and even a fair share of national media coverage--although for the wrong reason. Nevertheless and despite the "noose incident", The PGA Show had a different vibe this year--probably due to the level of uncertainty coming from golf's governing bodies on subjects like adjustable shaft technology, groove width, and other club related issues. For me, and for the other thousands of golf nerds there with me, I couldn't help but wonder what the USGA had in mind next. We're they thinking of relaxing restrictions on adjustability to soften the blow for when they decide to scale back the golf ball? Are my wedges going to be non-conforming in a few years? Will the USGA soon put a ban on pink golf shirts? (I was kidding about the last one, although after having walked the show, it wouldn't be a bad idea.)

As an editor, I don't have the answer to those questions yet. I'm not sure if anyone outside the USGA does. But what I do know is, despite the fray of uncertainty regarding the Rules of Golf and how they do and will apply, there still remained plenty of innovation and technology that's sure to please golfers in 2008.

In fact, there was a whole lot of it. If you haven't been to "The Show", be ready to walk and gaze for hours and hours. Every aisle and corner practically had some new product geared to do what we all want to do--play better golf. And if not that, it's a product to make us look and feel better while playing golf. And if not that, it's something to at least make us think golf, as far as memorabilia, travel and careers go. Hey, there was even a 15-minute teeth whitening booth for all you who want to freshen your grin for when you have to hold those oversized checks. (To each his own, I guess.) Just take my word for it--it's all there in Orlando. (Also, take my word on this: Steer clear from the Hooters up the street. It is NOT the antidote to a long day on your feet. I had to learn the hard way.)

That said, you've come to the right place if you want the jist of The Show without the foot blisters. I've got the skinny (I think I lost a couple pounds just walking around by the way), on what's great in '08.

Handheld GPS rangefinders: If you don't have one, get one. They work wonderfully and really speed up play.

Interchangeable shaft technology: With Nickent at the forefront, look for several other companies to unveil drivers and woods that feature on-the-fly shaft interchangeability, so you can adjust your shafts to fit wherever and whatever you play-- just like the pros do.

Performance apparel and shoes: Clothes that can actually help you play better? Dare we say we saw underwear that can help your swing? Check out the new stuff from adidas Golf. It's amazing. Also, can new shoes help you hit it further? You bet!

Custom-fitting: PING unveiled a new fitting system (they practically invented the genre by the way), and seemingly every other equipment manufacturer has some sort of way for making sure you have clubs that fit. Take 'em up on it.

Hybrids: Yep, they're still a must have. Good thing now is, there are more than ever to choose from.

Golf eyewear: Yes, it's a big deal. And yes, they can save your eyes and maybe go as far as save your round. And no, you don't have to look like Robocop while wearing them. Styles have improved in a big way.

If you've ever attended a golf tournament, you know that there are two ways you can follow the action: hoofing it or parking it (or getting drunk in one of the food tents and watching it on TV, but that doesn't really count, does it?). Me, I'm more of a hoofer. I like to think that while I walk the course I not only appreciate the course design and see a variety of different players and shots, but get a workout in the process. Parking it in a grandstand? Please. I'd rather sit on a bed of nails. Ouch.

Yet at the last two tournaments I attended I've parked it. Last February at the Nissan Open (what's now called the Northern Trust Open), I sat in the bleachers behind No. 14 at Riviera, a downhill, 176-yard Par 3 into an easterly wind. I watched a couple dozen marquee players come through: Harrington, Garcia, Furyk, Els, Mickelson and the eventual winner, Charles Howell III. Some were playing well, others, not so much.

Here's what I observed:

1. Even though the pin was cut just on the other side of a cavernous bunker, nobody purposefully (as far as I could tell) played it safe. Every player-all 24 of them- took dead aim at the flag. The Lesson: Tour players, unlike most amateurs, know their distances and control their ball spin. Not that all of them pulled this off, of course, but it's a little peek into what makes a Pro a Pro. Know your distances, know your limitations.

2. As I recall there was only one birdie in the first five or so groups, and it was a chip in. Nonetheless there were plenty of good opportunities. A 10-footer here, a 12-footer there, still nobody rolled one in. All that changed when the leaders came through. Els, Furyk and Howell all birdied. The Lesson: Players are in contention because they carry hot putters. The algorithm is simple: good putting=lower scores.

3. Trust a good caddie. Some lesser-known players had Riviera caddies on their bags. Although the Pacific Ocean is (a few miles) behind the green, caddies were trying to convince their players to factor the ocean into their read. From where I was sitting the break looked pretty subtle, but I knew that most greens slope from back to front. Most newbies thought so too. In fact some players were so adamant about it that they were getting into arguments with their caddies. Sure enough, the ones who were convinced their putts broke toward the front of the green were shocked to see that, indeed, all putts break toward the ocean. The lesson: trust a caddie who loops in professional tournaments! And a bit more realistically, all putts break toward the agua.

Later this week I'll talk about another tournament where I was stuck in the bleachers and a few of the lessons I learned there. Stay tuned.

I'll be straightforward with you. As a magazine editor, let alone one that specializes in instruction and equipment, I can safely say that it's likely I play more golf than most people. I slip out of the office every so often and tee it up, either with colleagues, instructors or folks from the equipment realm. There are some of you out there who seem to play a lot more often that people like I do and still manage to make a good enough living to be members at private clubs or can afford the high prices for green fees (Where do you work and where do I apply?), but generally I play more than the occasional weekend warrior. That said, I have little to gripe about in that department.

(ENTER SNOOTYNESS HERE): However, since I play so much, I've managed to acquire a few pet peeves that generally turn my otherwise pleasant round of golf into one that's riddled with annoyances. Not that I get that upset (I never take my golf blessings for granted), but there are times I wish these kinds of irritations were avoided. I'll try and leave out the obvious ones (such as SLOW PLAY, which happens to be the granddaddy of all golf course aggravations) and stick with some that are lesser talked about, but equaling annoying.

So, without further ado, in no particular order, here's my Top 10 Things I Hope The Players in My Foursome Never Do:

10. Playing from the wrong tee box: My theory on this is, don't play the back tees unless you average somewhere around par from the one-forward box. Or, stick to courses that play somewhere between 6500-6800 yards. You'll have more fun, I'll have more fun and we'll all shoot lower scores. Also, if you are playing the forward tees, make an effort to hit first when applicable. We'd rather wait for you to walk back to us than have all of us huddle over your tee shot after we hit ours.

9. Fear of better players: Unless you're playing for moolah, feeling intimidated by better players is nonsense. So long as you adhere to #10 and keep pace, better players generally don't care what you shoot. One of the reasons better players are better players is because they pay attention to their own game, not every else's. Keep pace, and odds are the better players in your group will hardly notice you just double bogeyed the last three holes.

8. Green etiquette: Replacing divots, honors on the tee box, that's all well said. But lack of green etiquette can get old fast. First, don't stand behind the hole while someone is putting, the first person to hole out is always the first to replace the pin, and lastly, please don't mark that one-footer to save bogey. Pick it up. And please, don't mark your ball with anything plastic. Plastic is for bottles only, and for buying drinks for the winner at the 19th hole.

7. Lost ball disorder: if loosing golf balls is a problem, please stop buying balls that cost $50 a dozen. Buy some cheaper ones that ease the pain of loosing a couple balls a round. Stop whining about it. "I hear there's a sale on X-Outs in the golf shop." That's one of my favorite lines and I'm not afraid to use it.

6. Beverage cart from the fairway: I don't care how thirsty you are, I can't stand when people flag down the beverage cart while playing a hole. Also, the beverage cart gal should know better (even though I know she doesn't care. Time is money to her). Seriously folks, there are two times to re-stock: after you finish a hole and before you start the next one. Nothing is worse than waiting in the group behind because you're jonesin' for another Coors Light.

5. Betting on a curve: I don't care what your handicap is, playing Nassau's, skins, whatever should always be played straight up. If the variance in skill is too much to be competitive, then don't bet. Nothing is more unjust and frankly, more unholy, than making a miracle birdie from a fairway bunker, only to tie the hole with a 17-handicapper who took three shots to get to the green and 2-putted for a net birdie...That's not golf, that's highway robbery. Bet against players at your skill level, or toughen up and learn to compete with better players.

4. "Golfers, traps, pin...what'd you shoot?" First of all, I know golfer is technically a word, but for my sake it's not. You aren't a baseballer. Or a basketballer or footballer. You are a player. Same holds true for golf. You play it, not golf it. (hush, hush you bowlers.) It's a bunker not a "trap" and its a flagstick not a "pin." Finally, you don't shoot anything on a golf course (unless you're lucky enough to play some of the dangerous courses we have to choose from here in LA). You score. So, the correct question is, "what was your score? Not, "What'd you shoot?" Come on folks...make Peter Oosterhuis proud.

3. Cell phones talking: I know, this counts as an obvious one, but I had to include it. Worse case scenario, put it on silent and use a text message. We don't care that you're having fried chicken for dinner tonight.

2.Brake pedal vigilantes: You know who you are. Listen, you don't need to lock in the parking brake every time you stop, and you definitely don't need to come to such an abrupt stop every time you reach the ball/teebox. I've almost broke my nose on the windshield enough times already. Conversely, please wait until I sit down before you pop the parking brake that you felt was so important to lock in. I really don't the wind knocked out of me. Thanks.

1. Club droppers: It's happened to everyone. (Even me.) But when you do drop something and turn the cart around to find what you lost, wait until the right time to interrupt the group behind you. Don't do it while we're putting or teeing off. You've already made us carry your club, so please move your cart and we'll give you your club back. Also, if you're the lucky one who found a club, do the right thing and pick it up. Don't just leave it on the last tee box. That'll only slow down the group in front of you even more. Also, don't ask "What brand is it?" or some other obnoxious question to the person who's looking for his/her club. Just hand it over and be on your way.

-Got any pet peeves of your own? I want to hear about it!

Hi. Welcome to my new pseudo-column that I'm going to tentatively call, "So You're Telling Me?" Now, what's the gist? Well, instead of me explaining my column, let's just start with the first dig and you'll see what it means.

Lately, it seems some of my colleagues from other golf-related (I say "related", since many of them are barely golf magazines anymore) magazines have duly noted that the average driving distances among PGA Tour professionals hasn't increased as of late. They cite PGA Tour stats, which seem to indicate that not only has the player's driving distance hit a wall this year, it's bounced back a few yards. (The first time since 1993. Hey, go look it up if you want the numbers.) Previous years also have indicated wimpy increases in distance at best, proving that the guys on Tour have maxed out as far as distance is concerned. Ugh, wait. So, you're telling these guys aren't continuing to hit the ball too far? Come on now.

The only thing going in reverse is the way the PGA Tour calculates driving distance. Of course these guys are hitting it farther than ever, and until the Tour begins publishing the latest Shotlink numbers (which accounts for every shot hit on the course by a given player), the truth will never be told in writing. Then again, do we really need stats to tell us what's going on? Do we really need lab results to show that Barry Bonds was or is still on the juice? Do we need another story about Kobe Bryant wanting out of Los Angeles? So you're telling me we need more proof? Come on now.

Angel Cabrera won the US Open bashing driver to almost embarrassing distances. Tiger, who we all know can be as long as he wants, can hit a 3-wood past just about anyone. In case you haven't looked it up already, the PGA Tour still calculates driving distance the old-fashioned way. They pick two holes, in generally opposite directions. It doesn't matter what club the player uses (the Tour picks driver holes, but that doesn't guarantee drivers are always what are hit) nor if the ball hits the fairway. Come on now. Two holes? Most guys probably hit at least 10 drivers per round. Why just two holes?

Maybe there's more too it. Maybe the Tour doesn't want to show the truth on paper, fearing backlash and the criticism that has once come from those who feel the game is being ruined by big hitters who have made many courses obsolete. Me, I don't agree with them either. So what if guys hit the ball further. Let them continue to crush it, as long as they play by the rules. (You don't see anyone complaining that the basketball rim is too high and it should be lowered to 9 ft so shorter guys have a chance, do you?) All I ask is that the Tour stops hiding behind old-school stats, and let folks see just how far these guys are killing it. That's all.

If you still don't believe me, just look at your own driver. if you bought it after 2002, it's longer than your previous driver, right? I'd bet my house on it (even though I rent). Today's equipment has helped you, and it's helped the best players even more. Why? They hit the sweetspot an awful lot, and when you have the right ingredients in a ball, shaft and clubhead, amazing things can happen.

Come on PGA Tour. Stop hiding those Shotlink numbers and tell us what's really going on. And to my colleagues, stop falling for it. These guys are hitting it further than ever.

Next Installment of SYTM: Accuracy Matters...NOT!