This Week at WorldGolf.com: Dec. 20, 2006

All I want for Christmas is an even better 2007 season from the PGA Tour and LPGA pros

Looking back on the drama that unfolded on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour in 2006, it seems 2007 has its work cut out for it.

Phil Mickelson's U.S. Open collapse has him two steps from the loony bin, while Tiger Woods' grizzly new beard has him playing at new levels.

On the women's side, the new head chalupa is Lorena Ochoa, who stole the throne as top lady golfer in the land from kingpin Annika Sorenstam. Michelle Wie continued her pursuit of - well, whatever it is she's pursuing.

Meanwhile, cuties like Natalie Gulbis and Sophie Sandolo continue to put winning on the backseat so they can show off their own with new calendars and more.

But 2007 storylines are already shaping up.

The Pro Tour Golf League will debut next year, promising to offer exciting interactivity to make up for its horribly generic name, while the PGA Tour hopes the FedEx Cup will trick NASCAR fans into tuning in.

For Tiger, this is likely the year Elin has a little cub in the oven, which will raise his already killer instinct to new levels.

Will we see Mickelson's sheepish grin in victory or insanity?

Ochoa will surely have another knock-out year but this time she must win a major too. Sorenstam hopes to regain her post as Alpha Female. Camp Wie will continue to piss off more in the golf world with their arrogance and contempt for tradition.

For all these reasons, 2007 will be worth coming out of our seasonal eggnog coma. So what's on my list for Santa this Christmas? Well, being the youngster on staff with little patience for traditional media or frivolous club-buying, I'll pass on the golf books and equipment.

Instead, give me some golf lessons so I can straighten out my hook. Or, I would settle for a calendar for my cubicle at WorldGolf.com HQ of scantly clad Gulbis - or maybe Sandolo's sans-clothing effort for the home office.

Happy holidays.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Palm Springs best spas will
have you relaxed and ready
for your next round of golf

Great golf courses are so often close to, or coupled with, first-class resorts. And the Palm Springs area has some of the best spas in the U.S., many within minutes of top golf. Here's a look at some Palm Springs golf and spa combos that will have you relaxed on and off course.

Also: Palm Springs home to high-flying golf

Santa Claus brings Xmas cheer
- and a host of ghastly golf gifts

December can be a sad time for golfers and not just because of overseeding and temporary greens. No, the biggest problem is Santa Claus. While Mr. Kringle is the best friend of our youth, he tends to leave golfers feeling disappointed. WorldGolf.com Columnist Clive Agran looks back on a lifetime of ghastly golf gifts.

Also: Can Tiger and Michelle Wie save Christmas!?

Podcast: Annika Sorenstam's
one-handed swing and tips
on winterizing your golf bag

Barry and Stacy Solomon discuss Annika Sorenstam's one-handed drill that is sure to help both the golf beginner as well as the intermediate player generate more clubhead speed. Also, the duo look at golf tips for winterizing your golf equipment and much more on this edition of the popular golf podcast.

Also: Hear the latest "Golf Tips are for Monkeys" podcast