This Week at WorldGolf.com: Oct. 26, 2006

Getting a jump on the PGA Tour in 2007

With the last full-field PGA Tour event of the season on tap, the Chrysler Championship, it's a good time to file the very first predictions for 2007.

If you're of a mind to follow the scrubs this weekend as they scramble to earn next year's cards by cracking the top-125, print this and read it Sunday night. I can't blame you if this is the case since the race for a Tour spot is fascinating indeed. Finish the year at 126? Goodbye, PGA Tour high life - hello, Miller High Life. But enough about my life ... bring out the crystal ball. In 2007, we'll see:

Ernie Els: Els is shoring up the part of his game that goes on between the ears. He has been consulting a high falutin' sports shrink of late, Jos Vanstiphout. Look for a strong finish to 2006 for Els as he ramps it up for next year.

John Daly: Long John had a single top-25 finish this year and he might equal that next year. 'Course he'll be playing only on sponsor exemptions (some golfers fans just want to see, even if they have no chance of winning).

Tiger Woods: No, I'm not dumb enough to predict he'll win all four majors. But he will win the '07 Vardon Trophy. With the amount of time Tiger took off this year in the wake of his father's death, Woods didn't play the minimum required rounds to qualify for the PGA of America's low scoring average award. Won't happen again.

Nick Faldo: We will all be sick of Nick Faldo. Love the guy or hate him, golf fans are going to get LOT of Nick Faldo in 2007.

Phil Mickelson: Trainer Sean Cochran (who used to write a rather boring blog for WorldGolf.com) will work hard to get Lefty back into shape. Overlooked in his letdown of 2006 was the fact that he just wasn't as focused on strength and flexibility training as he had been the past couple years. It's awkward to use "Phil Mickelson" and "strength and flexibility training" in the same sentence. But if Cochran can say it with a straight face, the rest of us can at least try.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Orlando courses have star designers
putting their mark on central Florida

Orlando may be known as a great tourist locale, but often gets little respect as a top-rate golf destination. However, Orlando has a serious golf scene featuring more than 100 courses, many of them designed by the most revered golf architects like Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones and Arnold Palmer, making it a top destination to play courses by top designers.

Also: Condotels sprouting up in Orlando

Tiger Woods gets more creative,
are you a good loser and much more

You would think that Tiger Woods already has every shot in his bag but even he is always learning, learn something from this week's golf tip on the all-important chip shot. Plus, how good of a loser are you? Also: the Golf for Beginners dream team reveals a special occasion for them, plus much more on this week's podcast.

Golf Gear News: China's elite golfers, Trump and more

A look at the most underrated
golf courses on Hilton Head Island

When you talk great golf in Hilton Head, most conversations lead to Harbour Town Golf Links, the $250-a-day Pete Dye design that's widely considered one of the top-10 courses in South Carolina. But there are other courses on the island that may not have the hype, but sure pack a punch.

Hilton Head Island has more than just great golf