:golf season is here:

Spring at last! It is a goregous sunny day and I'm stuck inside. The last place I want to be is in the city and stuck far away from the golf course. What's worse is its the second day of spring. I've already wasted the first day of spring and I don't want to waste another!
With another new start to the season comes another new line of great golf gear and apparel. Like any girl, I want to snatch them all up, but I wouldn't have any money left for the greens fees.

Be sure that you're ready for the golf season. I can't tell you what kind of things may be still stashed away in my golf bag from last season! Lip gloss, gatorade, water bottles, scorecards, a million tees, half eaten granola bar, etc. I know weight lifting is the new thing for golfers to do but I can't be carrying all that unnecessary weight around with me for eighteen. Its just not practical. There are some great new items that you should add to your to replace the grungy old equipment from last season. It is surprising how many fabulous golf accessories are out there. Lady Golf.com has some great accessories from top designers. These golf gloves are sure to add some confidence behind your swing. These pink gingham head covers are adorable and would go great with a green golf bag. Remember, golf is a game that cannot be won, so why not at least look good trying?

photos from ladygolf.com, polo.com

:Loss at Lacoste:
Bernard Lacoste of the famous lifestyle clothing line that golfers all over the world sport everyday has passed away. Bernard took the logo made popular by his father, the famous tennis star Rene Lacoste and made it a uniform for preps everywhere. His daughter Cathrine Lacoste, an accomplished golf champion, along with his brother Michael Lacoste will take over the family business.

Before he died, Bernard Lacoste set out to promote

the Lacoste spring line. The spring line is fresh and practical. Nothing is far-fetched or impractical, but what makes the line stand out is the vivid array of color combinations that are eye-catching bright but not obnoxious.

The best part about the collection is the varying lengths of shorts and capris that are not high cut and dated. Lacoste's clean lines and fresh color combinations are a refreshing accessory to the fairway.

photos from newyorkmetro.com

:heavyweights:

Football, basketball, and baseball players do it. Olympians do it 8 hours a day 7 days a week and now golfers are catching on. Weight training has become increasingly more popular among golfers looking for an edge. Professional golfers are much more athletic and muscular than in the past as a result of golfers adding weight training to their practice routine.

A few golfers remain overweight, like John Daly, but he hasn't done much to sway my opinion that being overweight has its advantages. With the added pounds, comes restricted flexibilty and agility during the round. That's why many professionals are watching what they eat, especially at the half-way house and have increased their amount of exercise to their golf routine.

Mike Pederson, famous golf fitness trainer, addresses the importance of exercising and keeping your body in tip top shape to improve your golf game. Pederson explains that lifting weights will not decrease your flexibility, but rather increase it. "Weak muscles are also tight muscles. When you do resistance training, you are increasing blood flow, working through a functional range of motion specific to golf, and strengthening the tendons and ligaments in every joint of your body. In conjunction with a stretching program, strength training will improve flexibility, not hinder it."

Always remeber to have a friend spot when lifting heavy weights and never forget to stretch before you get up to the tee, its the little things that can make a world of a difference in golf.

photos from gettyimages.com and nndb.com

:Halfway Horrors:
Take it from a former beer cart girl; some of the food you grab to go halfway through the round isn't as harmless as you may think. It is best to be conscious of the hidden calories that are in the foods that you snack on.
By far the best thing to grab to eat is a piece of fruit. Smelling the tempting aroma of brats in the afternoon can make you hesitate as you grab for an apple. Get the hot dog or brat but don't get the greasy chips and candy bar with the meal. Some of the muffins and danishes they offer in the morning are loaded with calories. One muffin could carry as much as 450 calories. Be sure to check the calories on back and the servings in each wrapper. You should limit your lunch intake to the amount that you would regularly eat and not get carried away. Trust me, the prices they will charge will keep you from binging!
"Swing grease" or alcohol can help loosen you up as the nickname implies, but it can also hinder your performance. Also be weary of lemonade, juice, or soda that comes out of the dispensers. Flies are also regulars to the halfway house and have been known to lay their eggs dispenser nozzles, so if not properly cleaned after each day; you may be getting a side of maggots in your drink. Look before you take a big swig. You'll be thankful you did.
photo from gettyimages.com

:rain gear:

If you've ever been caught on the hole farthest from the clubhouse you have gained appreciation for your rain gear. For those of us who may be too stubborn to get the proper attire for whatever might come our way during a round, we will soon learn the hard way.
There are some great styles that are available at Ralph Lauren. When looking for a rain gear, most jackets don't have a hood. Ones that I have found with hoods don't work properly and my head gets wet anyway, so its best to have a hat handy in your bag if you want to keep the rain out of your eyes and keep your hair in place. This one from Burberry is a classic piece and would look terrific with a black rain jacket.

Always be aware of the storm warning systems on your course. Suspend play when the system has alerted golfers to seek shelter.
Golfers Retief Goosen and Lee Trevino have been struck by lightning while playing golf. The likelihood that you will be struck by lightning is 1 in 3,000 but you increase your chances by golfing in the middle of a thunderstorm, especially when you act like the guy from Caddyshack and wave your golf club around in celebration of a good shot.
photos from burberry.com, polo.com

:Change of pace:

Like our favorite coffee shop, we feel at home at our home course, but we can all get a little bored golfing the same old course day in and day out. Its nice to find a new course to golf to try and test our skills! There are so many around the world that offer specialized challenges that are customized by climate, golf architect, and many other factors that can add to a whole new golf experience.

If you're interested in the many golf courses around the United States, there are many to chose from! If you're in Myrtle Beach, there are plenty of great courses to choose from, but if you want to get off the beaten path, go somewhere less "touristy" like Chicago. Known for being site of the PGA Championship this year, Medinah is a great course to play if you know a member, but for those of us who don't, there are plenty of great public courses in the area too.

Cantigny Golf and Tennis is site of the 2006 Western Junior Amateur Championship. There are three nine hole courses that promise to challenge each part of your game. It was also named one of the Top 100 Courses to Play Under $100, so it doesn't break the bank either. As a caddy there for eight years, I can honestly say that you will get your money's worth. My favorite nine hole course is Woodside and a great 18 hole combination is Woodside to Lakeside. As you finish up 18, you will end the round on the signature 'Dick Tracy' hole that features a sand trap about 300 yards from the white tees.
photo from cantignygolf.com

:tales from the trap:

The beach is always seen as a threat to golfers, but it almost completely unavoidable at times. Other times, it may be to your advantage to hit in the trap in order to stay in play or get to the green in the lowest number of strokes. Whatever the case may be, with a little practice you can become comfortable hitting out the sand. With anything, this confidence is earned through lots of practice!
While you address the ball--remember not to ground your club in the sand or its a penalty--open your stance and your club face too. As you draw your club back keep in mind your distance from the hole. As you begin to follow through the ball, take a dollarbill length divot out of the sand and follow through with your swing, ending up in the position of the club pointing at the target. Remember practice makes perfect and not every golfer is the same so adjust it to what is most comfortable and yields the best results for you.

photo from gettyimages.com

:more than just golf:

The "Lion" of professional golf, the blue collar golfer, the man's man himself John Daly has put out a new cd with recordings like "All My Exes Wear Rolexes" and the title soundtrack "My Life".

His life has been interesting and filled with ex-wives. As a babysitter for John and his 4th or 5th current wife who was recently arrested on charges of drug possession and money laundering, I know this myth of a man is just not the giant lion he tries to portray himself to be. When I babysat for him last summer, it was probably one of the most ridiculous experiences I will ever have. It taught me a great lesson though--that all that glitters isn't gold. I wouldn't trade my life for his any day. I ended up getting about $42, half in singles, for a six hour day with two kids under the age of 5. He may be celebrated as a 'normal' guy with 'normal' problems. If you consider 'normal' problems being alcoholism and gambling, which he is widely known for and a wife with criminal habits, you have found a hero in John Daly. I for one, am disappointed in the 'family' guy; the one who was celebrated in all the papers for his charity work. Daly should title his cd "Double Life".

audio clip and photo from johndaly.com

SHOES!

Shoes are so important to women. From the very beginning we have our first little pair of baby booties bronzed and who didn't sleep in their first pair of "real" heels that came 1/4 inch off the ground? From the beginning we have been conditioned to love our shoes. One of my favorite movie quotes is from In Her Shoes when big sister Rose tells her little sister Maggie that she buys shoes because they will always fit no matter how much weight you gain.

Golf shoes are no exception! Luckily for us, designers are coming out with some really spectacular shoes that you won't be embarassed to wear out of your house. Puma has a great new shoe offered at Lady Golf online.

Since almost 100 % of all golf courses have switched from metal spikes to soft spikes, it is important to keep that in mind when shopping for a good golf shoe. It is also more practical to get a leather shoe to allow your feet 'breathable' material which will make for a much more comfortable round. Another bit of advice, get shoes in neutral colors. Although it may be tempting to get those racy red golf shoes, you may not always have an outfit that matches those shoes. If you can drop the dough on a extra pair go for it! But for the most part, one pair of golf shoes is enough at least for a season or two. Most importantly, make sure you can walk MILES in them because you will!

happy shopping and remember, golf is a game that cannot be won, so if you can't win, you might as well look good doing it!
photo from ladygolf.com

:Spring Things:

There is a increase in young women golfers on courses all over the world. Golf is growing as a popular high school sport among girls and young professional women are learning how handy it is to know how to golf for business outings and client meetings. But walk into any pro shop and expect long high-cut shorts and "mom pants" (the kind that highlight the bulge area by coming up above the belly button region, just below or touching the chest region). There simply are not enough labels coming out with appealing golf attire for young women.

The good news is that designers are beginning to catch on to the growing demand and are slowly creating pieces that are classic and age-appropriate. Emily Shartin, staff writer for the Boston Globe recently wrote an article addressing just that. The article featured Shartin's interviews with many of the women in the golf industry aware of the growing trend in golf fashion. "Tara Joy-Connelly, 31, a Duxbury golfer who buys merchandise for the Cohasset Golf Club, calls contemporary golf clothes "lifestyle pieces" and believes their popularity stems in part from the resurgence of preppy trends such as Lacoste pique polo shirts. Tommy Hilfiger has been a particularly big seller at her store, she said."

Some of the labels that will be offering great pieces that will sure to be eye-catching on the course are Ralph Lauren, who is offering two lines this spring, one for the course and one for the clubhouse. Lilly Pulitzer is always a hit with her signature green and pink classic pieces. Tommy Hilfiger is also offering great green and pink colors in his women's golf apparel line along with other great spring colors.
happy shopping and remember golf is a game that cannot be won, but you might as well look good trying!
photos taken from gettyimages.com, tommy.com, lillypulitzer.com

:Burberry Boy :
At the gym today, I picked up a copy of the new issue of Golf magazine. As I was flipping through the magazine I came across a feature on Aussie pro Adam Scott.
photo:adamscott.com.au
The 25 year-old rising star not only looks like a model but he lists one of his passions as fashion on his website. He is known on the course as a great golfer with huge potential, but he is alsoone of the most stylish golfers out there. He's sponsored by Burberry and Rolex so he may be at a slight advantage.

Reading through the article made my workout fly by and not just because there were a lot of pictures of Adam Scott. The story featured a Cosmo-style grilling of Scott on his personal life including, but not limited to his love life, wealth, and aspirations. He has become a hit among the ladies, the 13-17 year old ladies that is, but he did joke that Sergio got more woman anyways because Sergio's more flirtatous than he is. For an article that is read primarily by men, I thought the article could have easily been found in TeenPeople.