ShopTalk: Golf Mag + Rant

[tflan]

Hi;   Just got my copy of "Golf" today. The Mickleson article was interesting. He was flat out quoted as saying Wood's equipment was inferior. If the entire article consisted of "context," then indeed the quote was taken from there. So what's the big deal? Mickleson isn't one of my favorites . . . hell, hardly anyone has heard of some of them . . . but for sure Mickleson has the right to voice an opinion; even though its against the Big Swoosh. I didn't infer any knock against Woods. Just that Nike builds crap. Wow! Imagine the effrontery!   Another interesting one-page article mentioned the "World's Most Overrated Courses." I've played 3 of them; Pebble Beach, Spyglass, and The Old Course at St. Andrews, and I couldn't agree more. I believe Pebble is vastly overrated among the "great courses." I played Pebble at least 4 times, and Spyglass the same. There are a few spectacularly beautiful holes - #4, 6 from the green, 7, 8, 9, possibly 13, 17, and 18 at Pebble, but for the most part the course is pretty boring. The first 5 holes at Spyglass are gorgeous but then you get into the forested areas, lined with houses, and you wonder what the big deal is. Its long from the tips but from the proper tees its manageable. And . . . $350 to play Pebble? Bullshit! $225 for Spy? Double bullshit. As for St Andrews? Well, it was a thrill to play there considering what it represents, but one of the "worlds best?" No friggin' way. I've played $15.00 munys that were better.   Best courses I ever played? Ballybunion and Lahinch in western Ireland. Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, CA. Torrey Pines in San Diego. Los Angeles CC North. Chardonnay, in Napa. And the best of all . . . Royal County Down, in No. Ireland. Certainly I haven't had the opportunity or the bucks to play a lot of great venues, but those are my personal favorites.   End of rant.   TFlan