This Week at WorldGolf.com: March 08, 2006

There's hope in bad golf industry statistics

Golf is a game that tests its recreational participants like no other. It takes a decent chunk of money, huge outlays of time and far too often a Mother Theresa supply of patience.

Is there any other sport that encourages deserters more than golf?

Think about it. Do you ever hear about the rash of competitors giving up curling every year? Heck, skiers fly down mountains, risking face-flattening tree encounters and much worse, developing an ability to relate to Bode Miller. And yet is anybody talking about skiing's great exodus? Of course not.

So it's no surprise that National Golf Foundation figures show that U.S. rounds were down 8.1 percent in December 2005 (the last month reported) compared to December 2004. This despite much more favorable weather in general across the country this winter than last.

But you know what? Even with all the statistics, even with courses closing as quickly as rifle ranges open in Myrtle Beach, I'm more encouraged about the state of golf today than I was at this time last year.

Golf courses realizing they actually need golfers - all kinds of golfers - is a good thing.

More courses are even respecting golfers. Which means more than smiling. It involves telling golfers the truth: about course conditions, days when there are traffic jam tees, etc....

The other day I called the marketing director at TPC Canyons, Joe Massanova, following up on reports from good sources that the Las Vegas course was in its best shape ever. Massanova easily could have just went along and cooed over superfabulicious conditions.

Instead he admitted that actually TPC Canyons was having aesthetic problems on the edges of a few fairways. Now that's being true to your customers. Long a straight shooter in an industry of double talk whizzes, Massanova hardly qualifies as typical.

But it shows what's possible. That same day, several golfers playing at Starfire at Scottsdale Country Club told how the clubhouse guy gave them an Internet rate they didn't know about, just as they prepared to pay full price.

There might be hope for this maddening game yet.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Not just about Frank: Sinatra love aside,
Palm Springs a modern celeb magnet

Show biz legend Frank Sinatra is dead and buried here but live-and-kicking celebrities are showing up in greater numbers than ever before in sunny, relaxed Palm Springs. Recently we ran into Dennis Rodman at a street fair talking to a couple of strippers and we barely missed Pete Sampras munching on a slice at Pizza Kitchen. Stories abound of Salma Hayek and Paris Hilton spottings and even Michelle Wie is making the scene.

Also:Your guide to Golden State golf vacations

Tips for undoing the jet-lag
damage on your golf game

There are golf courses spread all of the U.S. and the planet, and plenty of golfers who will gladly fly to as many of them as they can. But for golfers who love nothing better than to jump off the plane with clubs in hand, how to battle the effects of jet lag? Here, golf trainer Sean Cochran will give some advice to have your body ready to play, regardless of the time zone.

Also: Going deep! The ultimate in golf confidence

Q&A: MTV legend Carson Daly talks
golf and that sneaky Roger Clemens

A while back, Carson Daly burst on the seen out of nowhere, and hasn't looked back since. And while he made it big on MTV, Daly would have loved to have a career on the golf course, and golfed competitively as a youngster. Currently hosting "Last Call with Carson Daly" the star has proven he's one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Daly's so nice, he actually sat down to talk with Chris Baldwin.

Also: Sure your game sucks, but you can still win golf bets!