Reader Mike Fiechtner writes to give thanks, for, among things, Dan Jenkins' "The First Masters I Covered" piece.

I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated reading your article on golfdigest.com and hearing about your first experience of the Masters. I'm still waiting for my first and I'm not sure I'll get to experience it but it was nice to hear your impressions and descriptions. I can't even imagine how beautiful it is there. It definitely looks amazing on TV and I'm sure it's even more beautiful in person. How long do you plan on covering the tournament? Seems like you should have some sort of record like Arnold Palmer's 50 Masters. You got him beat by 6! Thanks again for the nice article! Have a great day and God bless, Mike

Mike, Dan says thanks, that he'll cover the Masters until they tell him he can't, and maybe a couple after that.

For more on the Masters (we're sure we're not the only ones already looking forward to the first major) check out our Masters countdown area, prepared in conjunction with Masters.org and ESPN.com, where we're bringing back stories like Dan's.

Happy New Year! And good luck getting to Augusta in April!

--Bob Carney

Phil Monk of Granger, Indiana, takes exception to our characterization of Marty Hackel's gift suggestions in the January issue:

"Smart Gifts" must be an acronym for "Some More Awfully Ridiculous Trinkets." I mean, $875 for a paperweight, $185 for driving shoes, a $175 umbrella or a $42 scorecard holder?  Sorry Marty, just drop off a dozen Pro V1s or a Natalie Gulbis calendar and you can cross me off your list while saving a grand or so.

You make an excellent point, Phil. But it's a slippery slope. Once you've bought that $42 scorecard holder, you just kind of have to have the $875 paperweight. (And anyway, what's a Monk doing with a Natalie Gulbis calendar?)

For real gifts, check out the February-issue 2008 equipment Hot List.  Nine hundred dollars goes a long way there...

--Bob Carney

As the U.S. Open Contest passes 16,000 applicants, the essays take on certain themes.

One is, what I'd shoot and how I'd break 100. Our readers have lots of formulas. My favorite is "Bogey, bogey, double bogey; smile & repeat." That will result, as Dan from Portland, Oregon, put it, in "A Gretzky. A solid 99."

The second theme is loved ones nominating loved ones. Two of the latest and best:

I am nominating my husband, Dan, for this honor of a lifetime. He is an avid golfer, hits a very long drive, and has won a community golf challenge. He lives and breathes golf. We will be married for 40 years in June, and he has never missed a golf tournament on TV. He practices, plays, and practices more! Dan would be challenged. He'd play his heart out, and it would fulfill a lifelong dream to be in the midst of golf professionals. He has what it takes!

The talk continues on Tiger and our photos and story about him in the January issue. Besides the comments on this blog, reader Steve Kass of Castle Rock, Colorado, has something to say about Jerry Tarde's references to Tiger in his Editor's Letter:

As an avid reader of your magazine, I take exception with some of Jerry Tarde's characterization of Tiger Woods in the December issue.

First, while Tiger may find connection with his father through an interest in the military, let's not forget that Tiger is but a golfer. He may be the best golfer of all time, but his life is not in danger and unlike our military, he is highly compensated for his work. Let's not confuse Tiger's dabbling in military training with the very real service of our armed forces. It is an insult to those risking and losing their lives to provide
the freedom we enjoy. I'm sure Tiger is thankful for the armed forces, who like his father, give us the society that enable him to play golf for a living.

Also, Tiger's physical fitness regimen may be based on Navy Seals training, but that is a trend sweeping gyms throughout the country. Tiger is obviously in great condition, and among golfers he stands apart. The closest Tiger comes to taking a hit from a 270-pounder is when Tim Herron slaps him on the back in congratulations for another win.

Never a bad idea to keep a bit of perspective on our sport and our heroes, Ray. I think Tiger would agree.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Walter Iooss, Jr.)

Reader Virgil Burmaster of Fort Wayne wants to know how we compile the list of Best New courses featured in the January issue.

I read with great interest the article in January about all the new and rebuilt courses. My question is where do you get all this information? I am always looking for a new course to play and am especially interested in new courses in the state I am planning on retiring to in a few years. I have searched the internet many times but unable to come up with a web site that tells me any of this information!

--Bob Carney

(Photo of Best New Public Spring Creek Golf Club by Stephen Szurlej)

Our U.S. Open Contest, through which one lucky reader will play Torrey Pines under Open conditions in front TV cameras the weekend before next June's Open, has reached 13,067--a heck of lot of Walter Mittys. One of them is Jeffrey from Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania:

I represent the enthusiastic weekend golfer who has always dreamed that, "If only I had the time to devote to the game, then I could be really good." Alas, work and the real world have left me, now at 50 years old, still enthusiastic, but overweight, struggling to maintain a 5 handicap, and obviously not playing on the Champions Tour like I thought I would when I was 35. Still, I've got some game and would surely find a way to break 100 - my prediction: 86.

Click here to enter. I promise you we'll read every single one.

--Bob Carney

Reader Gil Roy of Keller, TX likes Golf Digest's "What's in My Bag" section, but notices that it sometimes gets upstaged by player deals with equipment manufacturers.

It was kind of funny reading your January 2008 edition. Just before reading your very fine publication, I was informed that Charles Howell has ended is relationship with Callaway.

Maybe you should do a revised version with Howell's new clubs or start a "What Was in My Bag". We could have Tiger and his old Ping Eye2s in college or Corey Pavin with his funky Cleveland irons in the 90s.

Callaway's loss is Bridgestone's gain, or maybe it's Callaway's freedom now becomes Bridgestone's burden. Either way, January remains the toughest month to put up a "What's In My Bag". The only safe bet was the year we went with Bob Gilder, who played Ping irons for 30 years. Of course, he went and changed his putter before we went to press, so what are you going to do? Look for Mark Calcavecchia in March, but be warned. Calc says he's got 200 putters in his closet. Doesn't know which one he's taking until he packs his bags.

Wow. Two hundred putters! I don't think I own 25 , even if you count the ones in trees.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: espn.com)

Reader Dave Ebmeyer from Marysville, Michigan, is a cynical man. In his darkness, he's cried out to us:

Last month I took a trip to Southern California to play golf. I arrived at LAX around 10:30 PM on a Monday night and I went to go get my golf clubs and suitcase at the baggage claim. As I was walking to the baggage claim I noticed a man opening my golf bag and loading my golf bag onto a cart and start to walk away with it. I ran him down got in his face and asked him where he was going with my golf clubs. He then stated that the bag looked just like his. I then stated that they were my clubs and pointed to the name tag on the bag. The guy give me a disapointed look and I picked up the bag and walked of. On the bus ride to the rental car place I was thinking he was bummed out he could not sell the Hi-BoreXL Driver , 3 wood, X18 irons, Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 5 wood, or Cleveland wedges on EBAY. I am sure it was the same kind of thief that stole Morgan Pressel's clubs from baggage claim at the Flort Lauderdale airport. I know that there are plenty of delays at airports but it is unreal how someone could just walk in take your suitcase or your golf clubs and just walk out the door. Something needs to be done .

Then I read a front-page story by Jeff Bailey in today's New York Times about the complaints of airline employeesand I thought, you know, maybe that Dave has a point. Here's an excerpt concerning US Airways:

The current US Airways is a result of the most recent big airline merger, with America West Airlines in 2005. [CEO W. Douglas] Parker tried unsuccessfully to acquire Delta Air Lines a year ago. Now, other airlines are mulling mergers as a way of cutting costs to offset high fuel expenses. Such deals could start a broader service decline.

In recent months, US Airways had the worst record for on-time flights and misplaced bags among the major airlines and it piled up the most customer complaints at the Transportation Department.

“How long do you think the airline will be around the way it’s running right now?” a US Airways worker wrote Mr. Parker in July.

At least Parker is listening. Not sure the next CEO to do a merger like this will bother. If you read the story--about filthy planes, late planes, reservations system that don't work--you'll understand why watching your bags at the carousel might be a low priority and could become an even lower one.

Happy trails.

--Bob Carney

Each Christmas I tell my wife Julie that I don't want any presents, just her okay to take the annual spring buddies golf trip that four of us have been doing for 26 years. It's a wonderful gift and fortunately she doesn't believe me about giving anything else. So perhaps the timing is why this story from reader Bruce Swail about playing a November buddies round at Pine Meadow near Chicago hit home. Or maybe it's just that Woody Austin's Presidents Cup plunge is fresh in mind. Anyway, settle back for Bruce's story:

We had a three man game at Pine Meadow today. Being November 20th any golf is better than none. Meyer, Swail and Vasselli teed it up. A generally damp day misting the whole round. The 14th hole was most interesting though. A par four to a green with water to the right the final 75 or so yards of the fairway. It seems Pine Meadow just drained the water hazards for the season leaving just a small puddle instead of a large water hazard at this spot.

Our friend Joey V. hit a nice second shot to the green but, due to an unfortunate bounce, the ball went right and hopped into the hazard. The ball trickled down just short of the water (recall the water was drained so this point was well into the hazard). Joe didn't know he had this unlucky bounce until he arrived near the green looking for his ball. After a quick stomping of the feet and a couple of expletives, Joe took three clubs with him and marched promptly into the hazard. The ball appeared to be sitting up nicely he thought. A good shot and par was still in reach.

Well, the first two steps past the grass line would have been enough for most of us. You see the bottom of the creek while exposed to the air after draining was still quite saturated. Joe’s feet sunk in 8-10 inches in the first two steps. Not to be deterred, Joe  took a further 5-6 paces into the hazard. With each step he sank a little deeper reaching his ultimate depth of 10-12 inches. While we're not proud of it, Ron and I burst into spontaneous belly laughs at Joe's misfortune. Not to be rattled, Joe continued to adjust his stance in sheer defiance to the situation. He stuck his two extra clubs in the mud in what proved to be a handy club stand and prepared to address the ball. Nearly falling over he nicely regained his balance saving what surely would have been a complete mud coating. He took aim, drew the club back, then  SLAP. An eerie silence fell upon us until the bucket-load of mud fell back to earth. Another look showed Joe managed to advance the ball a lesser distance. About 6 inches forward. Following the next series of expletives Joe decided enough was enough. He'd picked up and conceded the hole.

Try as he might, Joe then attempted to pull his feet out of the muck. All he could manage was to push one leg deeper while pulling up on the other. More expletives were heard. Ron and I attempted to regain our composure and assess the situation. I had flashbacks of a PBS documentary where a Zebra died while thrashing in quicksand. All I could think of was that if Joe sunk that far I'd be in over my neck. A direct rescue was clearly out of the question. Maybe a tow truck and a rope and we could drag him out. But where would we find one and more importantly we had to get the next four holes in before dark. Compassion dictated we didn't leave him behind so we had to find a way to free Joe.

Amazingly, throughout this, Joe did not lose his shoes. A particularly well done shoe lacing this day saved those MudJoys. Well we all know Joe's legendary determination. With a strain and a grunt he was able to make a couple steps closer to the edge where we were able to pull him up to dry land. Fatality avoided.

Joe decided to pocket his ball and wait for the next hole. Ron and I still out of breath (from the laughter) attempted to complete the hole but could do no better than double bogeys. That was enough to take the 14th hole this day.

At this point Joe's feet must have weighed 50-60 pounds each due to the 2 inches or so of caked mud completely covering his shoes and most of the way up his calf. We still had 4 holes to go so Joe kicked off what he could and on we went to the 15th tee.

Now you might think this would be the end of this story. Not so though. You see the 15th has a rather large carry over another part of this same drained hazard. Joe leaked his drive right. When we got to the other side we saw a few balls down in the hazard. We couldn't identify any. With the thought of being out another hole Joe was certain to not give up too early. So in he went two paces and quickly sank. Here we go again we thought. Thinking better of it, and still slightly out of breath from the last hole, Joe came back and avoided his earlier fate. After reassessing the situation we realized in fact Joe was actually another 50-60 yards ahead nowhere near the hazard so this near fatal ball rescue wouldn't have even been for his own ball. Now some might wonder if Ron and I withheld information of Joe's ball location to steer him in the direction of the hazard. No I say, golf is an honorable game (and besides neither Ron or I had the idea at the time).

Well we went on to finish the round and I can say we were without further events.
 
I believe Pine Meadow's hazards will remain drained until the spring. If you happen to get a round in there (and after reading this you must make this one of your holiday must see visits) take a moment and look into the right hazard at 14 near the green. Those 12-inch deep footsteps will surely last the winter and be a monument to shear golf determination. Jean Van de Velde, you got nothing on our boy Joe.

Isn't golf a great game!!!

(Illustration: Carlos Lara)

We continue to get lots of comment about the Tiger cover photo and story in the January issue. V.J. Meyers of Woodbridge, Illinois, agrees with some other writers about Walter Iooss, Jr.'s photo:

Just to let you know that I was not impressed with your cover photo of Tiger Woods in your January issue. He looks someone who lives in the hood rather than the number one golfer in the world.

I read the feature article from the January 2008 issue of Golf Digest on Tiger Woods. Around the same time, I watched the weekend television coverage of the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks CA and attended the first two days in person. At this point my Tiger tank is full—too much Tiger! From reading the article and watching the TV coverage I was astounded after attending the tournament in person to learn that there were other players in addition to Tiger and his almost anonymous playing partner in the tournament. I now know how Tiger got his name, how his newborn baby got her name (yes, I do know that the baby is a girl), the name of his boat, that his wife has a twin sister (who, by the way, my son wouldn’t mind meeting), where he lives, who his “best buddies” are on tour (the FOT—friends of Tiger), his swing changes and details about his swing (“he has a tendency to turn this and that, dip here and there, which occasionally causes him to block the ball right which is an overcompensation for his most dreaded shot---the duck hook), and it goes on and on. Enough already....

Give me more about other players, Barry says. "Don’t get me wrong—I have nothing against Mr. Woods and his often superior play on the golf course---but let’s not go overboard..."

Barry, we hear you. And I could say, well, it was Tiger's event and he was leading by 5 shots. But I won't. The fact is, as long as TV ratings double when Tiger plays and web site traffic jumps when he's in contention--fully half of our traffic over the past few days can be attributed to the Tiger gallery and Jaime Diaz's story--you'll be hearing about him.

Nobody wrote us about Fred Funk this week.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Walter Iooss, Jr.)

Tom Brown of Naples writes to request Dan Jenkins' help in setting the majors record straight:

Dan, help!   A guy, named Sal Johnson, writes an article for the "other" golf magazine this month wherein he states Tiger is tied with Bobby Jones at 13 majors. What? Bobby's six count but Tiger's three don't?

I know you wrote about this not long ago and you agree Tiger has 16. I think it's due for another airing.
 
In the next three years, the majors are held on courses where Tiger has 15 wins and three seconds. Say goodnight, Jack!!

Tom, you're calculations are correct. The discrepancy lies in the formula Dan and Sal use for calculating majors. Dan counts U.S. Amateur Championships as majors once the champion has also won a professional major. Sal counts only professional majors in this era, but Amateurs in Jones's. Thus, Dan gets 16 for Tiger and Sal 13, the difference being Tiger's three (consecutive) Amateurs.

As much as we respect Sal's statistical skills, we accept Dan's formula, which gives Jack 20 majors and, as you say, still leaves his record vulnerable to Woods. BTW, Jaime Diaz's compelling story in the January issue and the Walter Iooss, Jr. photos that accompany it, strike me as more arguments that Jack's record will fall.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Walter Iooss, Jr.)

We've received several letters on changes to the Rules of Golf for 2008. The most confusing change, perhaps because of the way we reported it in Golf Digest in January, has to do with "advice."

From one of several readers comes the basic question:

I was reading the rule changes for 2008-2009 in the January 2008 magazine. You said, on page 50, that "Advice clarified to include the exchange of information on distance". Could you please clarify?

Clarification: We got it wrong. That item should have read " to exclude" the exhange of information on distance. Indeed, the Definition of Advice has been altered so that distance is not part of advice and discussion of distance is allowed. Here is the new definition. See specifically paragraph two:

Advice “Advice” is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke.

Information on the Rules, distance or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice.

So you can talk about distance, hole location or about the rules, as we're doing here, without incurring a penalty. You can also apologize for a mistake, which we do.

--Bob Carney

"Rory Sabbatini could stand some work on his first impression," was the way Jaime Diaz began his story on the South African in November's Golf Digest.

Actually, Rory's last impression wasn't much to write home about either. Sabbatini checked out of Tiger's Target World Challenge after three rounds with "shin splints" and flew off to Hawaii. It left Fred Couples shaking his head. "He's messin' with the wrong guy," said Fred.

What makes Sabbatini tick? Diaz's story comes as close to answering that as you can. Golf World's
Newsmakers story by Jim Moriarty might also help.

The forums today have not been understanding. Rory's taking a few hits.

Being a person who tends to side with the underdog, I've kind of enjoyed Sabbatini's brashness. So when a friend of mine played in a pro-am with him this year I asked, "What's he like?"

"Worse than advertised," came the reply.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Getty Images)

This contest is turning into a family affair. Hundreds of the more than 3500 essays come from brothers, fathers, daughters and sons. A sampling....

For Dan in California and Rick in Kansas it's a brother thing:

Dan: I have a brother who teaches golf in Florida...I would like to prove to my friends and my brother than I can play and that he is a good teacher. I have the skills and ability to prove Tiger wrong!

Rick: I am writing on behalf of my brother, Randy; his age is 56. He loves golf. Several years ago he developed a blood disease that almost took his life and now on his road to recovery, he is on disability....He's been up against a lot of situations in his life and conquered them all. He never asks for himself. Rick Evans.

My boys and I have the same dream every June: Could we break 80 on that U. S. Open course? Sure, we talk a good game, but reality sets in as we watch some of the world's best players shoot in the 80s. What a thrill it would be my boys, who play on their high school golf team, that my score of 98 at Torrey Pines will prove Tiger wrong, although it will also prove that my dream of breaking 80 on a U.S. Open course won't ever come true.

Bill, a father from Columbia, South Carolina, takes the humble approach and promises to clean up his act for NBC:

I know this won't be chosen unless it is witty and stands out from the pack. Unfortunately, neither my writing nor my golf has ever stood out. I am a married father of two who would love the challenge of representing Joe Dad during the Father's Day time of year. I am a Southerner but promise not to spit, pick, cuss or scratch on life television. Handicap is about a 10.....

No one has more on the line than Clay, a 12 handicap, from Mississippi:

I really need to win because I read this story to my wife & she heard what Tiger said about a 10 handicap breaking 100, then she asked if I could. "Sure, why not?" I replied. I was wondering where she was going with this & she said if I could shoot under 100, I could play all the golf I want & she wouldn't say anything. Then she said: "Like that's really going to happen."

But perhaps my favorite so far comes from Douglas of Washington State, who nominates both himself and his brother:

I will shoot 95. My brother if you prefer him, Rob, will shoot a 76. One of us will dedicate this to our honorable father, a scratch golfer, a decatholon champion of Canada 3 years in a row and a physician whom passed away at the early age of 62. We would be honored to play for him in this event which he would have loved.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Torrey Pines photo from UC San Diego)

Funny post on this site yesterday by mt1putt about our January cover:

That picture of T.W. is SCARY! I wouldn't last two holes with him. I can't even leave the magazine face up on the table.

The cover seems to be a Rorschach test about one's attitude toward the game. A sampling of interpretations, this one from Ray C. Fleming:

Mr. Iooss Jr. states he wanted to show the intensity in Mr. Woods eyes during the heat of competition seen by his golf companions during tournaments. Actually less than 6% of his competition can view Mr. Woods at any time in a tournament. The portrayal of Mr. Woods with the rally cap and sullen threatening expression. c an be seen on the covers of most of the hiphop albums advertised in any big discount store or grocery. The added picture on page 14 only carried the theme of muscle and threat further.

I am trying to insert Jack Nicklaus/Bobby Jones into this piece of artistic (what) but have failed. Perhaps I could have used Fifty Cent.

Or this, from Robert Zimmerer of Wyckoff, N.J.:

I am the first to admit that he is the No. 1 golfer in the world and he may be the greatest of all time... But I am shocked that Golf Digest would put Tiger Woods on its January, 2008 cover with his golf hat turned backwards. Is that how we want our young golfers to look when they are on the golf course? Quite frankly, it looks like he was ready to go to "the hood" rather than to play what is still in my mind the only "gentleman's game" in sports...

On the other hand, there was no disagreement about the story itself, by Jaime Diaz:

Dear Golf Digest,

I would like to thank you for publishing Jaime Diaz's Tiger Woods article in your January 2008 issue. The aforementioned article was the best piece I have ever read in any sporting magazine...
Ryan Tong. Edmonton, Alberta

And this one from a young man named Robert Martin of Silver City, New Mexico:

I really liked your editor's letter this month you did on capturing the game face of Tiger Woods. Tiger is really an inspiration to me. Thank you for talking about Tiger's dad. He was a big part of Tiger's success. I think it's important for people to know that.

I just finished reading the January 2008 issue of Golf Digest. I really liked your editor's letter this month you did on capturing the game face of Tiger Woods. Tiger is really an inspiration to me. Thank you for talking about Tiger's dad. He was a big part of Tiger's success. I think it's important for people to know that.

Tiger Woods is my biggest hero in golf I really look up to him. When I play I think of how well I could do in golf if I would play as much as he did when he was my age. I played on my high school golf team last year, and Tiger is the favorite of everybody on the team....

Thanks, Robert, if we're turning this game over to you, it's in good hands.

--Bob Carney

(Cover photo: Walter Iooss, Jr.)

It's official. More people have now entered the GolfDigest U.S. Open contest than took steroids in major league baseball last year. We're at 3,000 and counting. Your essays are terrific. My favorites seem to be from females:

From Susanna:

My husband Jeff is the best golf "amateur"....He loves the game, loves golf architecture, and best of all he gave me the love of the game that has turned me from a golf widow into someone that goes out on a muni as a single when it is 45 outside. The joy of playing in US Open conditions would be the best gift that I could give him. He will happily (haha) shoot an 85....

From, grrr, Kimberly:

As a 5'4", 100 pound, 20 year old female, I believe I could break 100, 90....eh, 80 would probably be a miracle....I'm my dad's "freak show" for business golf, so why not let the rest of the world and three celebrities experience the wrath of an innocent-looking little girl with a long ball and fiercely competitive attitude?

...Timothy's wife:

I am nominating my husband of 6 months. I believe he could shoot an 85. He is a very kind-hearted man, a great father (and stepfather). He is frugal with his money except when it comes to golf, as proven by the 3 sets of clubs he owns....

And Dean's girlfriend...

My boy friend LIVES for golf. He has a subscription to Golf Digest and he reads it cover to cover. He has every book ever written about golf....He usually shoots 75 to 77. I think he will shoot 72...Besides, he is cute and would look good on TV!

If you're thinking, "Where were these women when I was dating?" that's a bad thought and make it go away.

--Bob Carney

We topped 2300 registrations in the U.S. Open contest today, with fathers nominating sons, sons nominating fathers, daughters nominating fathers and even a couple of wives nominating husbands. (For this alone the contest is a success).

Stories in Australia and Canada today made it international. And Tiger Woods weighed in. Here's Lorne Rubinstein in Toronto Globe & Mail:

Meanwhile, Woods is surely right in saying a 10-handicapper couldn't break 100 on a U.S. Open course. The celebrities might have an advantage over the winner in the Golf Digest contest, who is sure to be both pitied and envied. They'll have played in televised pro-ams. Then again, they'll have never played a pro-am in a U.S. Open because there's no pro-am before the championship.

"It's an interesting idea," Woods said yesterday during a conference call in advance of the Target World Challenge that starts today in Thousand, Oaks, Calif., and to which he plays host. "But they should play it on the Monday after the tournament."

Tiger said that the rough got tougher as the week went on and the Monday following would be the ultimate test. We're thinking the Saturday before will be plenty, thank you.

Woods said their round will help amateurs understand how narrow U.S. Open fairways are, how high the rough is, and how fast the greens are. "Amateurs probably don't understand how difficult the pins can be," Woods said. He added that even the pros can putt the ball off the greens. What fun.

With almost everyone agreeing that the amateurs have no chance to break 100, I'll side with the deluded and say one will. How great would that be?

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Walter Iooss, Jr.)

While Aaron Baddeley seeks his third Australian Open and his second consecutive win--he took the Australian Masters three weeks ago and says he'd like to break Gary Player's seven Opens record--other, less famous Stack and Tilt devotees continue to write. Wes Rodgers of Cleveland, TN, liked Golf World's inclusion of Stack & Tilt in its Newsmakers issue:

...I think the "Stack and Tilt" swing is very interesting. I have been trying to implement it on my driving range to marked results, from what little I know of it. Is there any way an average golfer such as myself can take a lesson from these guys??

Wes, click here for the Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett website.

Ed Fink is just catching up with the new method in his stack of Golf Digest's.

This e-mail may be late but I just got caught up on several past issues of Golf Digest. For years I have had a problem with swaying and several years ago I began to address the ball with more weight on my left foot. This I now know is part of the Stack and Tilt system. It works and has stopped me from swaying.

I think you'll see more and more Stack & Tilters on tour next year. The Plummer/Bennett phones are ringing from both regular and Champions tours.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: J.D. Cuban)

If you’re a 10-handicapper, there’s no way you’re breaking 100 out there; if you played all out on every shot, there is no way. Tiger Woods

Apparently quite a few of us dream of sinking that putt to win the Open. Or there are just a load of us who want prove Tiger wrong. In three days Golf Digest has received more that 1215 essays from golfers trying to be the lone "average amateur" to play the U.S. Open course, Torrey Pines, next June, a few days before the championship. An hour-long show covering the round will air prior to Sunday's U.S. Open final round.

Our contest launched late last week and we recieved almost 400 registrations in the first 24 hours. The contest will identify one worthy (or foolhardy) soul who'l join three celebs and try to do what Tiger said could not be done. At Oakmont, you may recall, Tiger said a 10-handicap amateur, playing out every shot, couldn't break 100.

Based on that simple premise, Golf Digest and NBC, with the USGA's cooperation, created the contest. The Times' Larry Dorman, among others, picked up on the January-issue announcement, referring to it as the USGA's "reality show."

So did Geoff Shackelford, who took a slightly more skeptical stance. But we are pure of heart here. We just want to see what will happen.

Alex Infante, one of the first entrants, thinks he knows.

A game. A dream. A hope. The U.S. Open--the greatest golf challenge. We watch as Tiger "ups the ante"--says I can't break 100. Game on! ... I will succeed. I will score 85. And the next time my daughter asks, "When will you be on TV?" I'll say, as we watch the 2008 U.S. Open, "Today."

Given that Torrey Pines will be 400 yards longer than Oakmont, Alex, early betting is that Tiger will be proven right.

But at least 1215 of you are taking the under.

--Bob Carney

Five more years like this one and you won't see much more of me. I haven't been out here all that long, but I'm getting worn out. Boo Weekley

Regarding the Boo Weekley My Shot in January, we got this letter:

I now have a new favorite player to pull for on the tour.  It was so refreshing to read about such a humble and unselfish competitor (Boo Weekley article, December 2007).  My hat's off to Boo's dad as well for a job well done raising his son.

Tom Kramer
Orland Park, IL 60462

Paul Della Valle of Sterling Mass. writes with a message for one Tiger Woods:

I just read in your Birdies and Bogies section for January that Tiger Woods shot a 43 on the back nine of the final round at Bay Hill.

Thanks to many of the tips I gleaned from your magazine in the past year, I shot my best nine ever, a 42, in my final round at Holden Hills Country Club before the snow flew up here.

I just want to let Tiger know that I won't be sandbagged. I'm still not giving him strokes.    

Paul, glad you wrote that now because I think the chance of any of us talking about a Tiger Woods 43 is over.

--Bob Carney

Our Best New Courses package in January always generates a lot of interest and usually some controversy. This year's the 25th anniversary resulted in an extra helping of both.

When Geoff Shackelford on his blog took a shot at the photography--actually at photographer Stephen Szurlej--it lit a fire. Szurlej is one of the best course photographer's ever, and when Geoff, unfairly I think, criticized Steve's photos, he got a barrage of criticism himself. Now he's posted a reply that--give him credit--acknowledges that the attack was too personal but explains his feeling about the photos. Worth a read.

And if you haven't read the story accompanying the photos, do. Ron Whitten's narrative is a primer on modern golf architecture, a great piece.

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Stephen Szurlej)

Tom Collins of Bangor writes on Golf World's Newsmakers Issue, with the Fed Ex Cup Newsmaker No. 1, and on the new Tour television contract:

Nice recap on the Fed Ex Cup except you failed to mention the events that Tiger and Phil skipped due to lack of, whatever. Hats off to Tiger to stick around long enough to take the Cup. Obviously, Phil didn't care enough to go after it. Otherwise, great commentary. But, the last part of your letter regarding the Golf Channel debacle is off target unless you are talking to the rich and affluent who can pay for the Golf Channel. I could not afford the extra money for the Golf Channel last year, and with fuel and heating costs soaring, I won't be able to get it anytime in the near future. Your statement that if you wanted to watch golf on Thursday or Friday you could is true only if you chucked the extra money on the table every month. Now the NFL is apparently taking a lesson from golf with the NFL Network which robbed us of the Dallas / Green Bay game on Thursday night. The game was not offered in our area at all unless you had the Satellite as I understand it. So the point is as usual, the bottom line is just follow the money, and as long as fans continue to pay to watch sports they will be the only ones watching. The rest of us "fans" will be mowing the lawn on a more regular basis or watching reruns of Law and Order. Don't spin the truth on me.......I lost a lot of time enjoying the game on T.V. last year.

Tom, thanks for reminding us of the increasing cost of this game we love.

--Bob Carney

From reader Lonn Friend of LA comes this "Nicholson Moment":

Kudos on your Nicholson cover story.  Brought to mind what I can only describe as a surreal moment a few years back at the exquisite Sherwood Country Club.  I was a guest of my friend, actor Miguel Ferrer. Longtime media icon, Les Garland, and Jack's Easy Rider running mate, Dennis Hopper, an old pal of Garland's, completed the foursome.  We'd all just hit our drives on the magnificent number 14, downhill dogleg left and we're approaching our balls in the fairway when a caddie comes jogging toward us from the tee box.  "Hang on," says Miguel.  "That's Nicholson's caddie."

We wait patiently 'til the twenty-something kid in the white jumpsuit reaches us.  "Hi guys," he says.  "Jack would like to play through."  None of us were aware of Jack's presence on the course.  We didn't see him before the round.  He must have tee'd off later but blazed a pretty sweet clip to reach our group.  The kid waves toward the tee box and smack, a drive comes soaring down the fairway, landing in the left rough, ten feet where we're standing, in the shadow of the hole's intimidating oak tree. Couple minutes later, here comes Nicholson.  And I'm standing next to Dennis Hooper.  Talk about a Forrest Gump moment.  "Hello, Jack," smiles Hopper.  "Looking good, Hop!" fires back his friend of 40 years.  "Now watch carefully 'cause you're not gonna believe this shot," whereupon the Oscar-winning, Laker-loving avatar of entertainment and the life-fantastic smokes a five-iron under a slightly obstructing tree limb, landing on the lower right edge of the green.  "See you guys in the Clubhouse."  Priceless.  

Lonn, can I get a game with you?

--Bob Carney

(Photo of Miguel Ferrer: IMDB.com)

How do you get from Jack Nicholson to Equitable Stroke Control? I'm not sure, but reader Tim Fulton of Davie, Florida managed to do it and ask a good question at the same time:

The recent interview with Jack Nicholson was wonderful. It showed him to be the marvelous character in real life that he has portrayed so often in his career. His private rules for golf, which he "doesn't always observe but uses for amusement", are fun and all us weekend hackers understand the reason for them. I was appalled, but not surprised, when you listed him as tied for #47 on Hollywood‚s top 100. In the very page before he admits to taking liberty with the rules of golf and yet you recognize his handicap. The reason I wasn't surprised is because the current USGA handicap system, as defined by the "Dean Knuth baloney of golf", is nothing more than a license to cheat with their Equitable Stroke Control system....

Equitable Stroke Control, most of you know, limits the score you can record for handicap purposes on any given hole:

0-9 Course Handicap has a max score of double bogey.
10-19 has a max score of 7 on any hole
20-29 max of 8

Tim isn't buying. And raises an interesting point:

Potential does not always mean good; a person has the potential to do bad also.... Are so called blow-up holes not part of the game? Everybody has them on occasion. If we follow that false logic, shouldn't "exceptional" holes also be adjusted? Eagles and hole in ones are in essence blow-up holes and shoul d be adjusted upward.....

Sometimes I get so mad at myself it's close to the assassination level. Then I get in the car and think, Why ruin other people's golf with your rotten, disgraceful attitude? Jack Nicholson

You guys are sticklers for the rules. Besides correcting us when we get rules questions wrong, you often object to rules-violators whom we cover. Latest example: Jack Nicholson, who espoused these rules of play:

1. No double bogeys on the first six holes.

2. I don't gamble. But if we must gamble, I only collect, I don't pay.

3. Under pressure, I'll cheat ya.

4. Any green in regulation, the second putt is called goo-oo-ood.

Anthony Abilo of Madison, N.J., can't abide our publicizing Jack's rules.

Your magazine should not be in the business of glorifying golfers who cheat when calculating their handicaps. According to the article, Nicholson has a 12.5…I am a struggling 27 handicap who always plays by the rules and would never think of doing anything dishonest on the golf course. It is an insult to the integrity of the game that Jack can boast a 12.5 handicap given his set of “rules”.

Anthony, in my experience there are two types of handicap manipulators: those who try to keep their handicaps low and those who try to keep them high. Beware of both; the first as a partner, the second as an opponent. But in Jack's case, I think he's just trying to keep his blood pressure low. Though his rules don't work for me or you, being the upstanding rules citizens that we are, at least he's having fun. I suspect the Lakeside buddies who compete against him adjust for his "rules."

--Bob Carney

(Photo: Nigel Parry)