This Week at WorldGolf.com: April 5, 2006

Even with Michelle Wie, most sports
fans don't care about women's golf

The LPGA truly had a major for the ages with everything that went down in the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Unfortunately for the tour, only a few people in each age bracket seem to have even noticed.

Can you imagine if this week's Masters plays out with the kind of drama seen from the ladies in Rancho Mirage? It'd be getting talked about with the '86 Masters, dominating conversation from office water coolers to executive bathrooms.

Can you believe that chip-in eagle on the island green!

When the LPGA goes magic in a major, it's still but a footnote though. Even in this supposed golden age of Michelle Wie.

Be honest. Do you know anyone who's not a golf nut who talked Kraft Nabisco Championship? Asking around on a few of the Houston area's best courses, you could not find a golfer who even knew an LPGA major had been played. "Karrie Webb who?" several dedicated duffers asked at inquiry.

No one recognizes the power of Wie's marketing machine more than I do. It can spawn a passion that propels Rush Limbaugh into a controversy that brings back Donovan McNabb visions, give a golf writer his own vagina monologues.

But how much is it really changing the landscape of sports? Truth is a majority of people still don't care about women's golf.

ESPN gave more coverage to women's college basketball over the weekend - a largely graceless, unwatchable game - than it did the LPGA's first "major." Karrie Webb hit a shot every bit the equal of Tiger's Swoosh ball lip-of-the-cup hesitation chip at the Masters. And Webb has the comeback story to boot. She never quite dropped as far off the map as David Duval, but it was close.

Now she's roaring back from seven shots down in the final round to win a major?

Cue CBS' cheesy NCAA Tournament music. Now this is One Shining Moment.

Oh, that's right it's women's golf. No one cares.

No matter what you think of Michelle Wie's PR campaign over game, if you like the sport, this should upset you. There is one women's major that holds any mainstream cache whatsoever: The U.S. Women's Open (as much as pains to feed the ego of the blue blazer committee). The other three (or four or five - does anyone even know how many women's majors there are?) might as well be WNBA games.

Who names their major after breakfast cereal and snacks? The Raisin Bran Cool Ranch Doritos Masters?

The LPGA is still a desperate league for all of new wonder marketing commissioner Carolyn Bivens' Oprah branding talk. A women's golf major is taking place?

Wonder if they're going to show that or the rodeo.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Safe, cosmopolitan and fabulous for
golf, Dubai beckons Western tourists

Tiger Woods' recent victory at the Dubai Desert Classic was more impetus for people to start looking at this United Arab Emirates city as a vacation destination. With nightlife, a wide variety of restaurants and shopping, Dubai easily connects to travelers with its metropolitan attitude. And for golfers, there are numerous, world-class golf courses to choose from, like the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, which was redesigned by European star Thomas Bjorn.

Golf the Exotic: Palm Island Resort in China

Golf for Beginners free golf podcast

After their windy and rainy stay in Myrtle Beach it's sure great to have warmth and fair weather in the air. In honor of spring, Stacy and Barry discuss solid practice routines on the driving range. The Barry and Stacy "mini tour" gets started with a win by Stacy. They also talk about their favorite picks for the Masters. Being a true lefty, you can probably guess Stacy's choice to win (hint: he's the guy who tore up the course at the BellSouth Classic).

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From stone wall to Gary Coleman hole,
fun Coyote Lakes in Arizona is all character

If one thing can be said about Coyote Lakes Golf Club, it's that it has character. From a par 5 that forces you to get around a stone wall, to one of the toughest par 3s you'll ever play, Coyote Lakes will keep your interest going at a good price. But you don't play Coyote Lakes because it's cheap. You play it because it's one of the most enjoyable, relaxed hangouts in the Phoenix valley.

Also: Sure it's grand, but where's the Grand Canyon golf?