try figuring out John Daly

I don't want to give this suspension situation more press than it already has. I will spare you links to other sites where you can read about this more than you already have.

I just want to wish Mr. Daly all the best. Although I have never been a huge Daly fan, I still love to watch him play well. His power, touch, and talent are all so impressive. I will resist the temptation to pour on the unsolicited advice, and wish him well. I have no idea what's going on with him. I don't pretend to.

In the meantime, I suppose the European Tour will gladly accept him, and I hope Mr. Daly can gain some stability and momentum that can help him regain his status as a top player in the game. (As you know his current world ranking has slipped down in to the "700 hundreds club.")

All the best to you Mr. Daly.

you're right. But GDI might be easy.

Recently, I came across this opportunity and I've yet to figure out why somebody, especially a PGA member or apprentice, wouldn't at least try the program.

The opportunity is with Global Domains International, one of the newer internet domain companies in the world. I'd encourage you to take a look at the Global Domains International site or a promotional piece that some people use to drum up some interest. I'll try to summarize it quickly, though. These are only some highlights:

• Global Domains International will sell you a ".ws" domain name, full web hosting, forwarding, 10 email addresses (and some other stuff that's new to me) for $10 a month.
• Once you own the domain name, you automatically "own" a clone of the webpage under which you registered.
• With that webpage, you can then inform others about the program and earn 10% commissions on your "downline's" monthly fees - as long as they own their site. This goes "five levels deep." Frankly, the income potential is surprisingly good once you establish a team under you. Check out the income calculator and you'll see what I mean. These figures don't even reflect different sales bonuses that GDI offers.

Here's why GDI is good for some, but ideal for golf professionals:

• You don't have much time for a "second job" but this program is fairly automated once it's set up. You can do this!
• Especially as the good industry jobs get harder and harder to find, this is a great way to earn income AND credibility at the same time. Not only can you earn bonuses and residual income on monthly fees of those you register, you can also build a website to call your own.
• You could use your site to feature your strengths as you see fit; Feature instruction , your tournament programs, your merchandising skills - anything you want! (You could fill it with google ads and make your $10 back if you get enough hits!)
• How great would it be to apply for a position with a solid resume but an outstanding website? That's what it may take to separate you from the other 99 applicants!
• If you are an assistant professional, this is something you can afford to try. If you are successful, not only does this show some business acumen, but you'll make real money to supplement your modest salary. If it doesn't work, you've lost only $10 for each month you tried. I think that's worth a shot.
• The website gives you credibility beyond your facility. This is so critical! When I lost my position because TPC Virginia Beach was sold, I lost most of my credibility in the industry. That was my mistake that I didn't earn credibility elsewhere. If you're with GDI and you change jobs, your site comes with you. After all, it belongs to you! You can't lose it, and your facility can't demand that you leave it behind! (Like you're lesson base, spreadsheets, etc.)

Please leave a comment or email me at kbless@pga.com if you have any question. Also, be sure to check out the GDI website for more information, watch "the movie" and consider it. It's really easy to sign up.

Thanks for reading. I've got to go. I've got a website to work on!

try understanding the handicap system!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to verify a handicap for a former player from the State College HS golf team.

As his former coach I was happy to do so, but it did remind me how much the handicap system confuses people. I hope the following can clear up some general questions regarding the handicap system. To get answers straight from the source, visit http://usga.org/ . My goal here is just to clear up some common questions and misunderstandings:

• Your handicap does not reflect your ability on an "average" basis. Once you've posted 20 scores, the calculation actually disregards the 10 worst scores. Beyond that, the equation seems to pull it down a bit more. Statistically speaking, we only play to our handicap a handful of times each season. In this regard, the handicap system seems to overstate our ability, but also rewards the more consistent player. The next point will explain what I mean:
• Let's say Bob and Jim each play 20 rounds on the same day on the same course from the same tees. Let's say Bob shoots 80 every time. Let's say Jim shoots 80 ten times and 90 ten times. Both players will have the same handicap, although Bob is clearly a better player Jim. Over the course of time, Bob will win more matches, and will likely be more competitive in a "net" event.
• If you play with a 4 handicap and he shoots 80, 81, or 82, don't pin him for overstating his ability. Statistically speaking, that sounds about right. When it comes to handicaps, most of our rounds a little "off" the number.
  
  
• Equitable Stroke Control is unfamiliar to many. Put succinctly, it exists to keep one very high score on one hole from inflating our handicap.
• http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/manual/manual.html shows a chart that limits the score different handicap ranges should POST - not what they can SCORE. For example, if you are a 22 handicap and you make a 10 on a hole of your Club Championship, you made 10. Sorry. When you post your score, however, you should post a score as if you had made an 8.
  
  
• Post Everything! It takes some extraordinary circumstances for the USGA to say, "don't post your score." I'll keep this point short. Post everything you shoot; Even if it isn't a complete round, there's a procedure to follow. Just post, post, post.
  
  
• If you are interested in more information, post a comment and I'll see what I can do to get you and answer.
• Also, don't be hesitant to print information from the USGA website and give it to your golf professional. He or she would probably be happy to put it by the handicap computer - if it isn't already there. I know how busy they are, and the handicap system can sometimes be easy to overlook. The USGA themselves say the golf professional should NOT be in charge of handicaps on their own. They say it should be a team (committee) effort. Give 'em a hand!
  
  

HOLIDAY RESPONSES

Thanks to you who answered the survey: "What should courses do on family oriented Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas?" One opinion was to close the facility completely, while one was to offer programs to grow the game - interesting paradox! I may revisit this issue later as we approach Christmas. I'll also see if I can keep that survey up a bit longer. I'd like to see more responses since it's a more complicated question than we think.

As a disclaimer, don't yank my PGA membership because I suggested that you NOT play two days out of the entire year. I love golf and I even earn my living through golf. I want people to play! I also hear rumors that the divorce rate for PGA professionals approaches 80% (may not be true, of course) and I know I worked nearly every holiday for years - both as a part time employee and a PGA Professional. When I consider what I gave up with my family to try to please my employer and our guests, I'm not sure that it was worth it. Therefore, I feel some responsibility to make this issue just a bit more visible. I know there is no easy answer, but it really is something to think about.

BLACK FRIDAY

Today was "Black Friday, " the day that retailers traditionally hope to get their finances into "the black" as the Christmas season approaches. I've worked on Black Friday in both the green grass and retail environments, and I have a few observations that I'd like to share:

• Many of the staff and customers have arranged for a pre-4:00am wakeup call for the first time in the last 364 days. No wonder we're all short on patience!
• Black Friday may be more perception than reality for most consumers. In most cases with most items, we're probably not looking at a better price than we could get at any other time. I understand a few incredible deals may make heading out worth the effort, but I generally think we let the circulars glowing under the moonlight cloud our judgment.
  
• For most people, the Holiday season is about giving thanks and showing generosity. With that in mind, does it really make sense to wake up on a cold, dark morning to go argue, shove, and grow our debts just to get some new gadgets with minimal savings?
  
• Perhaps we're talking about the rush of the hunt itself. We could scroll over right now, click on WalMart or Amazon, and purchase almost any item with convenience and a good price. (Of course, we don't have anybody to answer our questions or make suggestions when we do that.) BUT we'd rather go out and conquer the retailers, knowing we got the best of them on a given purchase. We boast to our friends about our conquest, while the retailers boast to their shareholders about how you took the bait. So maybe its a lose-lose. Maybe its a win-win.

Anyway, I'm tired and I'm going to bed. I got up early today. Please make some comments, though, I'd love to know what you think! Also, please scroll down and answer my Holiday poll.