As soon as I get better, something goes wacko. And this is something that I thought I had licked-something that I felt confident doing.

One week I am excited standing over the ball to hit wedge shots because I just know that it will be a good shot. Next week, it is like the wedge is some kind of devise used to torture the turf into submission.

One week, I hit almost every fairway with my driver. Next week, I am yanking that thing left one hole and leaving right next hole.

One week the hole looks huge and I am sure each putt will drip right into the cup. The next week, I am shaking in my Eccos as the putts lip out or completely miss.

As I contemplate the complexities of golf, I think I will make a call to my pro for another lesson.

When it comes to marketing online do you know what you are doing?  For most golf businesses that is a tough question to say ‘Yes’.  Especially, those who are using non-golf based marketing groups to do their own Social Media.  Are golf businesses using social media ...

When Ian Woosnam was penalised 2 strokes for carrying 15 clubs, as he led the 2001 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s, I thought that it would never happen again in tournament play, especially after he fired his caddie two weeks later. Well, on Saturday, at Liberty National, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Jim Furyk’s experienced caddie, Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan, who most of us will remember from when he was Tiger’s caddie, also forgot to count his player’s clubs on the first tee. Jim Furyk was penalised 4 strokes, which cost him a lot of prize money as he ended up in 15th place, just 6 strokes behind the winner.

So, why was Ian Woosnam penalised only 2 strokes and Jim Furyk penalised 4 strokes? It is Rule 4-4 that stipulates that a player must not start a round with more than 14 clubs. In stroke play the penalty, regardless of the number of excess clubs carried, is two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred, with a maximum penalty per round of four strokes. In match play, at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred with a maximum deduction per round of two holes. As the Woosnam breach was discovered on the 2nd teeing ground, before a stroke had been made, he incurred a penalty of only two strokes for the breach of the Rule on the 1st hole. At the Barclay's Jim Furyk had already played his tee shot to the par-3 2nd hole when he realised that he had an extra wedge in his bag, which meant that he was carrying 15 clubs. If he had not discovered that he had more clubs in his bag than is permitted until after commencing play of the 3rd hole it would not have affected the penalty, which is capped at four strokes per round in stroke play. However, when a player realises that he is carrying more than 14 clubs he has to immediately declare which club(s) he is taking out of play and if he uses that club or clubs during the remainder of the stipulated round he will be disqualified.

The moral is to always count your clubs on the 1st teeing ground!

Good golfing,
Barry Rhodes

Author of ‘999 Questions on the Rules of Golf’, a book that will help you understand the Rules the easy way.

In every business networking function I go to and there is at least one person who tells me.. OH, I have always wanted to play golf. Naturally, my response is.. What is keeping you from learning to play golf? ...

Our friend David Neeley has started interviewing people who live off grid, and publishing their stories. He started with us (Spotlight 1), and Spotlight 2, with Kent Eastwood has just been uploaded. We hope that 2 each month will be available. Read how others are living the life at http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/ Update: New Renewable Energy Video ...

We noted a couple weeks ago that Spanish golfer Beatriz Recari, after a couple years on the LET, will be entering the LPGA Q-School at the end of this year.

But first things first: On Sunday, Recari earned her first win on the Ladies European Tour at the Finnair Masters. Recari opened with a 65, then carded a course-record 64 in the second round.

She struggled a bit in the final round, shooting 73 and giving up a 5-stroke lead. But then Bea held strong in a playoff, defeating veteran Iben Tinning. And what a way to do it: Bea holed-out a 176-yard 4-iron to win the playoff.

Congratulations, Bea!

More Beatriz Recari pics

Tick tick tick...only 45 days left until the first episode of Big Break Disney hits the air on Tuesday, October 13th at 10 p.m. ET only on Golf Channel.




The cast is an interesting one - all male, with some "celebrities" in the mix, the brother of a PGA player and, someone I'm excited to watch - Kevin Erdman - the caddie and husband of Big Break Kaanapali contestant Courtney Erdman. I enjoyed following Courtney and Kevin at the CN Ladies event held here in the spring.

I interviewed Courtney for Inside Golf Magazine in May after the Canadian CN Event and still remember her telling me that she and Kevin were not allowed to billet together on the FUTURES Tour, even though they are married. You must be joking! Sometimes you wonder where organizers come up with these archaic rules. Luckily we have more modern views of married couples "sleeping together" in Canada - ;) Anyway, Kevin put his own pro career on hold to support and caddie for Courntey and now it's his turn. I sure hope he does well and I hope I'll get to chat with him throughout the show.


Here is the rest of the cast...


Andrew Giuliani (New York, N.Y.) – Son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Donna Hanover, Andrew is looking to make a name for himself in the game of golf. Andrew actually just won his first event as a pro - the 94th Met Open Championship held on Aug. 27. Hmmm....impressive. Looks like we might see some good play from Andrew on the show. I wonder if he wins - he did get some media coverage right after the taping in July, so one would think he made a pretty good showing on the Big Break.

Ed Moses (Hollywood, Calif.) – A gold and silver medal winner as a member of the United States swim team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Moses’ goal is now the PGA TOUR. A member at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla., he once shot 64 on the course that hosts the TOUR’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Andreas Huber (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Actress Susan Lucci’s son, the former Wall Street broker left the color of money to seek his fortune on the green.

Gipper Finau (Lehl, Utah) – Joins Tony as the first brother duo to play in the same Big Break series. Blessed with the long ball, Gipper, who turned professional at 16, once drove a 520-yard par 5.

Tony Finau (Lehl, Utah) – Hits the tee ball longer than his brother – or at least that is what he says in the spirit of sibling rivalry. Finau turned professional when he was 17 and made a cut on the PGA TOUR the same year.

Mike Perez (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – After playing the Nationwide Tour, Perez is looking for the chance to join brother Pat on the PGA TOUR.

Vincent Johnson (Portland, Ore.) – Received the Charlie Sifford exemption to play in the 2009 Northern Trust Open where he flirted with making the cut in his first PGA TOUR start.

J.R. Reyes (Omaha, Neb.) – With tattoos covering each arm, Reyes is not your typical golfer. While not looking the part, he has the talent to fit in on the PGA TOUR.

Kevan Maxwell (Charleston, S.C.) – Aspiring golf professional by day, pizza delivery man by night, “K-Max” will do whatever it takes to play on the PGA TOUR.

Blake Moore (Monrovia, Calif.) – Friend of former Big Break competitor and PGA TOUR rookie James Nitties, Moore is a threat to win Big Break Disney Golf if he can control his inner demons.

Sean Kalin (Delray Beach, Fla.) – A junior standout who gave up golf for 20 years after being kidnapped, he is looking for a second chance in the game.

I'm really happy to see Vince Cellini and Stephanie Sparks hosting the series - although I have always liked Stina and thought Charlie did a great job on Big Break PEI.

I hope you will join me each week when I interview some of the contestants. I am not sure who I should interview yet - any recommendations?

Golfgal

You never know where your artwork will take you. When I first started painting sock monkeys I sure didn't see this coming. From an idea, to a painting, a children's book, a song, a music video, and now licensed merchandise, my Monkey Made of Sockies character has taken on a life of his own. It's a beautiful thing to behold! You see Monkey Made of Sockies is not just helping my bottom line. He's making a difference in people's lives.

A while back, Daphne's Headcovers held a promotion on Twitter. Well you know me, I was very active in the campaign. And when it was over I was thrilled to learn that I had won a personalized version of my very own design, Monkey Made of Sockies!

Here he is in the studio, next to his favorite instrument, the gong.



I'm pleased to report that Monkey Made of Sockies really is giving back to the community. By now most of you know that the manufacturer, Daphne's Headcovers, and myself, are giving a percentage of our proceeds to the Prader-Will Foundation. Thanks to your support Monkey Made of Sockies has been a wildly successful headcover and has helped all kinds of kids!

Now, he's broadening his reach. Recently Monkey Made of Sockies has been auctioned off at some wonderful charity tournaments and they have had great success with him there as well. He's the gift that keeps giving.

Most recently he made an appearance at the Golf 4 A Cure, and The Aloha Classic. Coming soon are appearances at the YMCA of San Benito County Golf Tournament and Farm Bureau Golf Tournament.

It's wonderful to see that such a happy little fellow can contribute to so many causes! I am learning to let my art unfold and evolve. It takes me so many wonderful places.

Thank you all for your support. You are reaching so many more than you will ever know.

With Deepest Gratitude,
Shannon

I recently asked this question on all of my social and business networking sites.  I found it interesting how many emails I got instead of direct replies to my questions. Guess that goes to show you how many people are not comfortable with going public with replying to open questions.  ...