What’s in Your Wallet?

photo credit: B Rosen   With the global recession getting worse, it’s time for a reality check for golf courses.  Consumer spending is down in every area of the economy.  Some courses have been forced to cut their days of operation and, worse yet, many have already filed for bankruptcy.  Yet, it seems that course management is still operating with their heads tucked into the sand!

When the cost of a Coke, at the course, is $4 (cost - 50 cents), and a hot dog $7 (cost - 50 cents), it’s time for consumers to start complaining.  Let me be clear, I don’t begrudge profits but it’s become obscene.  If courses want to generate more play and stay out of bankruptcy, they need to start making it more economical for the average Joe to play golf.  Think about it?

What are Your Rights?

photo credit: Philip Larson   Playing with strangers is not my “cup of tea.”  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not unfriendly in the least, however, I go to the course to play golf, not to socialize.

I’ve often wondered why, as a paying customer, you are expected to team-up to play with strangers.  Should you have a right to refuse?  I believe you should have that right.  Aren’t YOU the paying customer?  When you are forking over your hard earned money (in many cases greens-fees up to $200), you have the right of refusal.

If you went out to dinner and were seated at a table with strangers how would you react?  I rest my case.  If you prefer to play alone or just with your own two-some, insist to do so.

A $500 Driver?

photo credit: kulicki   In a recent new equipment article in GOLF DIGEST MAGAZINE titled “2010 a Great Year to Gear Up,” it details how the cost of new equipment has gone down, “the cost of technology has moderated because of manufacturing efficiencies and better materials.”  I say, if this was before the depression we’re in, they would be saying, “the cost of technology and materials have risen, thus the retail costs are higher!” 

These conglomerates have made billions trying to convince you and I that paying $500 for a new driver is a good deal ?  Now their new drivers are $300 and even a “better deal!”  Nonsense !  

Average players, wake up and stop shoveling your hard earned money to these  fat-cat, “stick-it-to-ya, big shots, besides, how much difference is that $500 driver going to make in your game ?

World-class Flat Tire

photo credit: Playadura*   A recent interview in GOLF MAGAZINE with Michelle Wie was very telling.  I have read many  interviews but rarely have I been so unimpressed with the kind of answers Wie gave.

Wie is not a kid but her answers were childlike and standoffish at best.  The phrase “I can’t remember” dominated the interview.  When referring to a wrist injury, she was asked “what was your lowest point?” her answer: “I don’t remember.”  When asked what she meant by ’lowest point,’ she said, “I don’t remember a lot from that time.”

Some say she is supposed to be the next Annika Sorenstam,  don’t count on it, she’s won only one tournament in six years and in my estimation, her golf game is like a flat tire !  Childlike answers to serious questions don’t help either.

Are Manufacturers Ripping You Off?

photo credit: rutlo   I believe it’s time to take a good hard look at the exorbitant prices of golf clubs.  For too long, golf club manufacturers have been raising the prices of clubs to unheard of levels; doing so under the cloak of “new and latest technology.”  A good set of irons will cost between $800 - $1,000, can the average golfer afford that?

If their prices represented the true worth of the clubs, why are the trade-in values priced so low?  For example:  A 2005 set of Callaway Irons ( Retail $1000)  have a trade-in value of $117 !  A 2005 set of Adams Idea Irons ( Retail $800) now have a trade-in value of $52 ! 

Will those $1000 irons really lower your score, or is that what manufacturers just want you to believe will happen?

The Feeding Frenzy on Tiger

photo credit: nsaplayer   In every respect, golf has taken a big hit after the Tiger Woods debacle.  Tiger represented a huge part of the yearly revenue in every phase of the sport of golf.  From manufacturers to golf courses, to the media everyone is taking a big hit.  The PGA Tour will especially feel the absence of this once, iconic player. 

The blame is not necessarily Tiger’s.  The real blame falls on the shoulders of everyone that had a feeding frenzy on Tiger.  They promoted him like he was not just a super-star but a supernatural being. They idolized and adored him.  When it turned out that Tiger was, ah! let’s say, an abnormal kind’a guy, the roof fell in.  So, in the end, who’s fault was it?  I think it’s time to look in the mirror !

Credit Card Scam ALERT !!

photo credit: michael_swan   Recently, I received a call from someone claiming to be an employee of GOLF MAGAZINE.  The woman wanted me to renew my subscription to the magazine for 2 years at an “incredible savings.”  I said I was not interested but she persisted.  When I finally asked her if she “understood English,” she hung up on me.

I immediately called GOLF MAGAZINE to complain.  I was told by the employee that GOLF MAGAZINE does not do telemarketing and solicits new subscriptions by mail only.  She then said that their offices had already received at least 5 similar complaints.  I immediately reported the incident to the police. 

As it turned out, they were obviously after my credit card number which they did not get.

More Questions

photo credit: Keith Allison   Tiger Woods made a statement that he was “sorry for his infidelity” and that he was going to be away from golf “indefinitely.” 

Why is Tiger Woods so afraid to make his statements in public?  Here are two thoughts:  First, he is still badly bruised from the alleged blows he took from his wife.  The second and more likely scenario is that he doesn’t want to tarnish his image, for posterity and future sports history.   Having a video of his apologies and maya copa’s concerning his adultery would not make a good legacy and he knows it. 

Woods figures he’ll go down as history’s greatest athlete and he doesn’t want a video of his apologies following him to his grave, let alone the Saturday Night Live Show,  Jay Leno or David Letterman.

GOLF DIGEST’S Cover

photo credit: Photos8.com   The January 2010 edition of GOLF DIGEST depicts President Obama and Tiger Woods, both reading a putt.  Of course, this cover was in the works before the Tiger Woods scandal broke.  It’s ironic that both men are in trouble with the American people.  President Obama’s ratings have sunk to 47% approval and Tiger Woods’ ratings have dropped off the chart. 

Woods has lost his credibility with his fans and corporate sponsors and Obama’s ability as a leader is now under serious question.  Both men are in trouble.  Tiger Woods’ dilemma is moral while President Obama’s is political.  Both gave us promises:  Woods with his squeaky clean image and Obama with his political promises.  Will America ever read between the lines?

Tiger’s Sponsors

photo credit: Keith Allison      Sponsors that have paid Tiger Woods millions of dollars are facing a dilemma.  Do they continue to sponsor Woods’ regardless of his alleged immoral behavior, or do they cancel their sponsorships?

It may be argued that what happens in Woods’ personal life is his business and not that of the press or public.  The persona that Tiger Woods presented to the public was that he was “on the straight and narrow.”   He projected a wholesome, serious image for all the world to see.  Kids everywhere wanted to be like Tiger Woods. 

Perhaps Woods is no longer worthy of the lucrative sponsorships he has been given.  My bet is that his sponsors will do the wrong thing and continue on with Woods.  Money is more important than doing what is right in today’s world.

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