Photo: Bob Thomas/Getty Images. Hogan plays out of a bunker at Wentworth in 1956, surrounded by patrons equally dressed to the nines as Hogan is.

By Stephen Hennessey

Elegance, separates itself from other traits in its involuntary quality — it's a description one uses to personify another individual as a whole. 

That's exactly how our style guru, Marty Hackel, described Ben Hogan's fashion in the latest edition of Golf Digest Stix, our newly-launched e-magazine that reports on the latest equipment and style trends.

While not a new trend, Hogan's classic attire stands the test of time. His traditionalist garb might've been customary in Hogan's day, but  we assign a label of "elegance" to it now.

David Hueber, whose extensive career as a golf executive includes serving as the President of the Ben Hogan Golf Company (in addition to residing over the National Golf Foundation and Vice President of Marketing for the PGA Tour). Working closely with Hogan for years, Hueber offered some insightful commentary after reading Mr. Style's take in Golf Digest Stix:

"Times have changed. We used to wear our best when going to church or flying on a plane. We used to wear long pants and our best Ban-Lon polo shirt when playing golf. Alas, now it’s cargo shorts and a maybe a collarless shirt."

And yet, Hueber doesn't think that's the worst thing. As someone who has studied the trend of golfer participation over the past decade as a doctoral student at Clemson, he sees new trends . . . that could be encouraging.

"The democratization of the game in the U.S. is a fait accompli with more than 80 percent of the rounds now being played at public golf courses.  Depending upon who is counting, we now have 26 million golfers and we want more. Does golf really want or need a dress code? Probably not, unless you are in the business of selling ties."

By Ryan Herrington

By Stephen Hennessey

Phil Mickelson made his 2013 debut last week at the Humana Challenge, but his post-round comments to the press are getting a lot more attention than his ho-hum T-37 finish.

Lefty, not one to refrain from speaking out on a subject, said he "will be making some drastic changes" to account for the new tax rates he's paying in California. He then released a statement on Tuesday apologizing for discussing the matter.

Whenever an athlete comments on a political issue, it'll usually cause a stir. It did in this case, too, generating more than 380 comments on our Golf Digest Facebook page.

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Prevailing opinion from our fans: Phil's comments felt like a breath of fresh air. Most didn't see a reason for Mickelson to apologize, although plenty of others didn't like Lefty's comments.

Here's a glimpse at some of our fans' opinions:

Dick Willis: Classy response from a class act. I see nothing wrong with what he said. Phil and Amy are givers in so many ways. Golf is fortunate to have gentlemen like Phil Mickelson.

Robbie Darnell: Hey Phil I'm happy for you. Be proud that you are able to make money doing what you love. You inspire me to try and make money doing something I love. Go Phil!

Our passionate readers didn't shy away from taking a stance on a conterversial issue in this country. A ton of people were disappointed Phil apologized.

Clint Freddie James: He should not be apologizing for being responsible and drawing awareness. Hopefully some other athletes will pay attention. We all too often hear of athletes that have made millions and end up broke in a matter of years. Here is a guy that is merely explaining that he is doing what he can to ensure he can enjoy his future, and for some reason is being led to apologize for that statement.

Jason Sparks: I hope Phil holds true to his character and doesn't back off the truth. Enough with the politically correct junk. What's wrong with the truth? Anyone who disagrees with Phil most likely isn't paying 62 percent in taxes.

Lee Moore Nast: No offense taken. Much like a lot of others who don't mind paying their "fair share," I take offense in having to pay others share. So Mr. Mickelson, the ones you may have offended might fall into the latter group who hope you continue with that 63 percent! With that being said, you are quite the gentleman to offer an apology when one was not needed or expected.

Jim Doyle: No problem. I think more people should make opinions public. You are to be applauded for your honesty.

David Finlay: Whimp. Don't let your handlers stop you from speaking your mind. Especially when you are right on target. Takers aren't golf fans anyway. Givers are though.

Jack Hamilton: He has every right to be outraged. This is insanity and non-sustainable. "It is estimated that Mickelson earned $47 million in 2012, according to Forbes.com. His 62-percent tax rate still leaves $18 million to pay for groceries and put into his IRA." He made $47 million and had to give $29 million to the government. Are you kidding me? That's outrageous. I'd leave California in a New York heartbeat if I was him.

Wilson De Lancy: C'mon Philly Phil. Stand by your statements, bro. You're entitled to your beliefs and opinions. Haters will hate regardless. #askTiger

There are always two sides to every political issue. Some were not happy with Phil's honesty in his original comments.

Jeff Krause: Phil, your skill and personality have influenced millions to try to be like you, buy and use your endorsed products, and to spend their hard earned money emulating you . . . Phil, stand behind your statement, otherwise keep your mouth shut. You are making a fortune playing a GAME, you should try to keep that in perspective.

Nick Blish: I don't really care about Phil's money problems, or lack there of. I spend the majority of my HARD earned money playing golf. He gets paid millions to play golf, SHUT UP AND QUIT CRYING!! This is the reason many people don't get into golf. The perception of over privileged cry babies making tons of money!!!

Jeff Schwitzer: What are you people talking about, hard earned money? He gets more money for wearing clothes and playing with rich guys than he does golfing, and we are paying for that by overpaying for clubs and apparel. Boo hoo Phil. Tell your troubles to someone who has to choose between food or gas.

Meg McGraw: I would prefer if Phil would stick to commenting on golf and his amazing short game vs. the economy.

Tim Brummett: Phil should be glad he's playing now and not in Snead's, Hogan's, or even Palmer's era when they didn't make eleventy bajillion dollars in endorsements for smacking a little ball around, and the top marginal tax bracket was closer to 90 percent! He does donate a fair amount to charity like most the big stars, so I can't fault the guy too much. I bet he ends up in Florida with the rest of the PGA so he at least avoids state income tax. We all should be so lucky to have his first world money problems...#notsheddingatearforlefty.

Geoff Kirk: Right, if Phil wants to complain while folks in his tax bracket are paying the least amount of taxes in U.S. history while reaping 90 percent of the increase in income over the last 40 years, then good for him. And if the rest of us get to see our income fall year after year while we work harder and longer than any other rich country then that's just our fault for not contributing to society by playing golf or engaging in selling fraudulent stocks and securities.

And this comment won our favorite of all:

Mickey Morgan: He sure put a lot of back spin on that statement. He must have got a call from President Mulligan.

Maybe this is the first stage in Mickelson's effort to campaign for a career in politics. Hey, the guy does always take time to shake hands and sign autographs!

Photo: Courtesy of Getty Images

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By Ryan Herrington

Predicting much of anything in professional golf is a dangerous undertaking, the opportunity of being wrong far more likely than being right. We thus proceeded with caution in putting together our first issue of 2013, The Predictions Issue.

While detailing why golf is so tricky to forecast, we crunched the numbers to make an educated guess at what’s in store for the new year, picking a winner for (gulp!) every PGA Tour stop along with each LPGA and Champions Tour major.

Any attempt at looking into the future on the PGA Tour requires answering a fundamental question: What’s ahead for Tiger Woods?

Contributing writer Jim Moriarty took on that assignment, authoring an intriguing story on the state of Tiger’s game as the 37-year-old continues his pursuit of golf history.

In our debut edition of the "Inside Golf World" podcast, which will appear every Thursday in our new Golf World Preview product, Moriarty discusses the story and what he thinks is next for game’s iconic star. Click below to listen to the first of many "Inside Golf World" podcasts.

Listen to the Inside Golf World Podcast

Follow @GWCampusInsider

By Stephen Hennessey

We hope you're as excited as we are for the 2013 golf season. The PGA Tour kicks off the year with its opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions this week at Kapalua, and we'll be publishing our first issue to start the new year.

That means, too, Golf World's Front 9 Contest is back.

Inspired by The New Yorker's cartoon-caption writing contest, Golf World features the "Front 9 Punchline Contest" every week. Here's how it works: Every Sunday afternoon, Golf World's editors post a Front 9 setup line to our magazine's Facebook wall. We publish the most creative punchline in the magazine, so you'll get ink along with the biggest newsmakers in golf that week!

Related: Check out our magazine on Facebook

(Steve Stricker plays a practice round Thursday at Kapalua ahead of the season opener. Photo: Stan Badz/PGA Tour/Getty Images)

Our last winner, from our Dec. 10 year-in-review issue, was J. Michael DeAgostino of Traverse City, Mich.

This was the set-up line we supplied on Facebook:

"Renovations begin at St. Andrews' Old Course ahead of the 2015 British Open."

And his winning punchline:

"We hope you like the new escalator in the Road Hole Bunker."

Visit our Facebook wall for engaging content and up-to-date news on the biggest golf stories throughout the year, and check Golf World on Sundays for your own shot at getting published!