Most controversial Aussie Golfer posts of 2009

Today I'm just going to list for you some of the most controversial posts on Aussie Golfer this year.

Most received a lot of comments for or against the topic but many also created a stir in the Aussie Golfer inbox.

1. My golf is better than my score - This was by far and away the most controversial this year. It is something we hear and say all the time. The truth hurts.
2. RIP four hour round of golf - Slow play rules the links.
3. Hugh Grant blames golf for being single - He needed a reason, golf was a good one.
4. Golf biased towards morning person - If you hate mornings but love golf, read this.
5. Here's an idea - 14 hole golf courses - Conservatives hate the idea have no good arguments against it, aside from tradition.

And from the professional golf world:

1. How the Tiger Woods story has affected me - No surprises why this one was so controversial.
2. Australian golf needs a hero - Before the Tiger Woods scandal, we were talking about golf.
3. Birth of the hybrid golf club - Was the hybrid given its rightful status in golf bags across the world after Y.E.Yang beat Tiger Woods at the US Open?
4. Figjam kicks out spectator - That's Phil Mickelson's nickname if you hadn't heard.
5. The recession is over - Australian golf is looking good again.

Best golf tips of 2009

Here is a list of a few of the golf tips we've touched on this year at Aussie Golfer that has created some interest and got good feedback.

1. Aim at something
2. Curing the shank
3. Betting on golf
4. How to avoid buying fake clubs
5. How to make a 200ft putt

Best golf videos of 2009

Aussie Golfer has featured many golf videos throughout 2009. To take you into the New Year here are the best of them in one neat little package.

Most prophetic video of 2009

Tiger is a loser. So David Feherty knew all along?

Best million dollar hole-in-one of 2009

This guy had one shot at a million dollars by making a hole-in-one. He did so and put on a million dollar celebration.

Most amazing golf swing of 2009

I described this as 'a constipated pair of scissors'. It still holds and I'm still baffled by it now.

Best golf commercial of 2009

This one came out through Callaway this year and rang true for many people!

Best golf shot by an Australian in 2009

John Senden scores an albatross.

Best hole-in-one of 2009

Just incredible.

Best retro advertisement of 2009

Aussie Golfer stumbled upon this video late in the year. It is a reminder of how big Greg Norman was an how good he was at his day job.

Viv Richards to play golf in Barossa Valley

The Barossa Herald are reporting that the Barossa Valley Golf Course has secured Viv Richards to come and play in a one-off event early next year. The new manager of the club has pulled off a big but curious coup for the 36 teams event on February 24 next year.

I didn't even know Viv Richards played golf until I was reminded of the annual Sir Vivian Richards golf tournament held in St.Lucia every year.

Former Australian cricketing speedster Rodney Hogg will also be playing in the Barossa Valley as well and members of the public can "bid" to secure a spot in Hogg's foursome in a lowest unique bid format.

“For example, I pay $10 then I might choose two numbers such as $1.15 and $3.75. If I’m the only person to pick either one of those numbers and it’s one of the lowest three bids, then I win the opportunity to play with Mr Hogg,” explained Mr Geyer.“The trick is placing a number that is low enough, but that no one else has.”

Sounds like a great day and if it isn't, at least there is plenty of great wine around! Click here for full details, call or email the club to take part of register your bids.

Merry Christmas from Aussie Golfer

As summer kicks into gear and Christmas rolls around once more I just want to thank everyone and remind everyone my goals for the website.

The aims of Aussie Golfer have always been two-fold.

1. AG does not want to give you the sort of golf information you can find in the newspapers. Here, we touch on professional golf results and news but realise not every golfer is enamored with the (sometimes seedy) world of professional golf.
   
   
2. Aussie Golfer aims to give you some of the talk you might hear in the clubhouse. Where did you play on holiday? What clubs are you using? What was the ruling back on the 12th hole? What do you mean I play slow golf?!

By signing up to Aussie Golfer can get a little bit of this golf fun into your inbox each day.

Plans are afoot to make Aussie Golfer bigger and better in 2010 with newsletters, golf tipping and a whole new website planned. Please keep telling friends about the site and keep the feedback coming. I'm keen to hear what you like and dislike about the site and what you would like to see here.

The golf updates won't stop over the Christmas break. I'll be taking a look each day at some of the more popular and controversial articles posted on Aussie Golfer over the past few years.

Keep well, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Michael

How the Tiger Woods story has affected me

Like a well hit drive down the middle of the Stuart Highway, the Tiger Woods story keeps on rolling. You would have to be living under a rock to have missed the action so I won't go into details here. In fact I have tried hard to steer away form much of the controversy, aiming to keep discussions to golf.

Initially I tried to sit on the outer as none of the information we were hearing seemed all that credible but now it is an onslaught. The Tiger Woods outrun wife game has landed in my inbox more times than I'd care to put on my scorecard and it now outranks his other video game on a Google search.

I've heard many jokes (several quite funny) surrounding Tiger's infidelity and as the token golf guy been asked the question at many times at parties. In fact it's not even really a question. It just goes "Soooo, Tiger Woods!?".

I'm never sure what to say and even if I did it would be some sort of incoherent, blabbering attempt to convey my own complete flabbergastation at the whole event. I realise flabbergastation is not even a word but it suits my feelings perfectly.

I have tried to answer with my thoughts and also managed to remind people no one has ever done the things he has on a golf course before but it is not only wearing thin but kills the conversation immediately. That is a good thing but I suppose but I do feel like I'm applying a small bandage to a very big cut. Kind of like putting back-handed to solve some serious mental issues with the yips.

I have felt less and less need to put on my TW cap. I never used to wear it on the golf course but proudly wore it down the beach or popping round the corner for a coffee. Bringing golf to the masses so to speak. Now I just get sunburned and I'm hoping to get a new golf cap for Christmas. Maybe an AS, GO or ML one.

Stephanie Wie at Wie Under Par always has her finger on the latest Tiger news. She's unearthed a nice little clip of Padraig Harrington's reaction to it all on an Irish talk show. I play it here as it sums up everyone's reaction perfectly. It is nice to know that even the great players on tour are equally baffled.

Related Stories
This murky Tiger affair
Tiger admits to "transgressions"

Golf Industry Central launches online magazine

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the Golf Industry Central monthly magazine has been released free online. Mike has been running Golf Industry Central for a while now and is the best source of golf industry information in the country.

The magazine and website are a great read for anyone with any sort of remote interest in the golf industry. There is always an emphasis on what clubs and administrators are doing to improve courses and golf in Australia and the latest magazine features a big wrap of the 2009 Asia Pacific Golf Summit.

You can click here to register and receive the monthly magazine via email.

Leishman wins PGA Tour rookie of the year

Marc Leishman has become the first Australian to win the prestigious, but not life changing PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award. In Australia recently to play in his home tournaments Leishman considered himself a good shot to win the award.

"Obviously that would be awesome to win. I think I'm a good chance. It'd be something that would be great to win but but if I don't win it, it won't change my life either way.

There are some great names on the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year trophy including Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els. It now includes the name of the young Australian from Warnambool who loves his cricket but couldn't hold back in trying to launch the ball over the fence.

It looks like his patience has improved as he secured three top-10 finishes this year and was the only rookie on the tour to qualify for the final FedEx Cup playoff event. Leishman heads a strong list of Aussies we will see great things from on the International stage next year.

Update: Australian golf handicapping changes

As you may be aware, Golf Australia is due to roll out new handicapping changes across Australia next year which will change the way your handicap is calculated.

Initially scheduled for a February 1, 2010 implementation date, the roll out has been delayed to probably more like March or April. Simon Magduski, the rules and handicapping manager at Golf Australia has said the changes have taken a little longer than expected.

"From the outset, GA has been determined to design the implementation strategy in such a way as to minimise cost and logistical challenges for all interested parties. This has involved GA and Golf Link working through a comprehensive analysis of each of the potential regulations considered for inclusion in the first package of changes."

This first package includes two changes:

1. Commencement of USGA's "rolling sample" handicapping. This is the handicapping method employed many parts of the world including the US and looks at a golfers previous 20 rounds to calculate a handicap. See my previous article here for more information.
2. Remove CCR (Calculated Course Rating) for men's handicapping. This will be removed from all handicapping and competitions and handicapping will be based on AMCR (Australian Men's Course Rating). Incidentally, this was removed from women's handicapping in 2007.
   

So we have a little more time before this rolls in just yet but it will affect all amateur golfers who possess a golf handicap.

I'll explain a little more over the coming months how these changes will effect you, your club and your handicap.

Related articles
New handicapping set for Australian golf
Australian handicapping changes
Australia adopts US course rating system
Reasons for Australia's new course ratings
Golf handicapping: What's with the 0.96?
New handicap system: how does it work?

Aussie Christmas Golf Gifts

It's the silly season once again and here's a few golf gift suggestions. In the spirit of this website, I'd like to keep the ideas coming from within Australia. It'll arrive quicker that way!

I chatted to Caroline from That's My Ball during the Australian Masters about her ball marking stamp. It is small, nicely packaged and a nice golf gift but the question is, does it stay on your ball? After 18 holes, the ID is still clear and much better than any other golf ball marking I've tried. Choose your design and order online or from a range of other golf stockists.

The Golf Club Warehouse not only have a large store in Hobart but have an extensive range of golf gear at their online golf store. Tiger headcover no longer doing it for you? Who doesn't need an animal headcover for Christmas?

Inner City Golf in Sydney have a $79 Christmas promotion which includes a lesson, swing analysis, time on the golf simulator and golf balls. Melbourne's GolfTec indoor facility also has vouchers for sale.

If a golfer can't always get to the range, the Golfzone has your own golf practice nets for sale as well as a big range of another golf gear and Squizzys Golf Shop is well worth checking out. They always have some great deals on golf balls.

Last but not least, a can't imagine any golfer being unhappy upon receiving the 2010 Australian Golf Course Guide.