This Week at WorldGolf.com: Feb. 8, 2006

Call it global warming or a
trend, just shut up and golf!

It's so hot in the Phoenix-Scottsdale resort corridor this week that hotel guests are begging management to turn on the air conditioning. Yes, amazingly some hotels in the Phoenix desert disable their air conditioning in winter, which is like a celebrity swearing off prenuptial agreements - sooner or later, you're going to need it. Probably sooner.

It's so warm in Las Vegas that people are calling for the hotels to open their topless pools right around Groundhog Day. Okay, one person is, but still ...

We're talking 72 degrees later this week. You usually have to worry about the Vegas winds playing havoc with your game in the wintertime. This year your biggest fret is having enough suntan lotion.

Look, I know I called Arizona and Vegas weatherproof golf destinations in a fall article, but this is bordering on the ridiculous.

The ridiculously good.

"This is one of the best winters we've ever had weather wise," said Scott Bowles of Las Vegas Golf Travel, a golf packaging company.

Which is where I say, "Shut up." That's shut up to President Bush (with all due respect, of course; I don't need a wiretap) about Americans being "addicted to oil." Shut up to all those global warming scientists predicting that North America's going to drop into the ocean ... in oh, about two days. Shut up to all those global-warming-doesn't-exist scientists calling these weather patterns natural trends (Hey our bad, if the icecaps catch on fire, but did Pete Rose even bat .500?)

Really, do you care? Who are we kidding? You're a golfer. Which mean, if statistics show anything, you're probably north of 50. Or at least think like a guy north of 50. How much time do you have left to get that hole in one anyways?

So shut up and golf, man. You haven't even wielded a hybrid in South Africa yet. Heck, you haven't even made it up to Whistler British Columbia to golf amongst the bear droppings at the delightful rushing creek Chateau Whistler Golf Club. And who knows how long those Canucks are going to last with their weak defenses?

What about the grandkids? you wail.

Please. Again, you're a golfer. Which means you've probably blew the grandkids', the great grandkids' and the great great grandkids' inheritance on a bunch of shiny new clubs, swing aids and motivational coaches. All so your buddies wouldn't make fun of you for shanks short of the ladies tees (which they still do).

Believe me, you might welcome the idea of the great grandkids never having a chance to learn how they should curse you.

So, tee them up. This cannot last forever. There were golfers swinging in 60 degrees day in New York in January.

Global warming a trend? Who cares! Work that golfer tan!

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Catussaba Resort in Brazil:
A cruise by any other name

At the Catussaba Resort Hotel in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, it's easy to feel as though you've been whisked away on a journey to ports unknown. As the only resort in Salvador with direct beach access, Catussaba is a secured beach community of its own, yet only minutes from many of the city's numerous attractions. Just a 10-minute drive from the airport, Catussaba is quick to whisk you away to a private, Club Med-style experience.

Blog: More golfers in Brazil but still not many

Living large? Stick with these Myrtle
Beach golf resorts for big groups

Taking a large group on a golfing excursion to Myrtle Beach can be heaven. Still, few things do more damage to a golfing holiday than taking a group to a resort and find it doesn't have room for everyone, or that its course is too easy for the best golfers in the bunch or too hard for some. The Grand Strand, however has something for everyone, like Wild Wing Plantation and Barefoot Resort and Golf.

Also: A fearless golf group leader's guide to Phoenix-Scottsdale

Super Bowl MVP Marcus
Allen on the Steelers, golf

NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen is not one to be timid with his opinions. He still blazes with intensity at the flick of a switch - just ask the loudmouth Texas fan who razzed him at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and got The Stare. Allen didn't stiff-arm our Chris Baldwin during their conversation - but you definitely get the impression that he thought about it.

Also: Chris Baldwin loves Justin Timberlake! (As a golfer)