I must admit that I'm not much of an expert on
golf. Until a friend corrected me recently, I thought that "Titleist" was
pronounced ... never mind. You get the point. There are a few golf terms I can
pronounce correctly: "free putters" and "Arnold Palmer." The Wild Wild
Web has both. Read on.
To me, golf has always been the game of the Brahmins, one in which us lowly untouchables
could only participate as caddies. My opinions are changing, as the presence of golf
online has given me insights into the sport and its culture. It's only a matter of time
before I'm out there with my knickers and niblicks, conquering the greens of America. For
now, I'm still relying on an online golf glossary to help me relate to my golfing
co-workers.
No matter how much or how little you know about the sport, one golfer is a
household name: Arnold Palmer. This 70-year-old winner of 92 professional championships
(not to mention a successful entrepreneur and aviator) is always ready to learn new
tricks. In 1991, he co-founded cable TV's The Golf Channel with media mogul Joseph E.
Gibbs. Its Web site, with features written by veteran sports writer George White and
business reporter Adam Barr, contributes to the growing online coverage of golf. Stats,
lessons, live chats with studio guests, discussion forums, and travel packages make it a
one-stop site for the fan.
As you might expect, Arnold himself is online; his official site is a slick little number
with a biography, pictures, and mucho merchandising. Our TV producer, Rich Mello, caught
up with the legend at the Bay Hill Golf Course. The Master graciously granted a short
interview. See it in its entirety by clicking here.
Arnold has realized the power of the Web and has used it to advance his
own endeavors as well as the state of the game. Golfers of all levels can find plenty
online. Golf.com and CBS SportsLine's GolfWeb are both huge sites that cover the game
inside and out. Tournament coverage? International events? Product reviews? Deals on gear?
Between these two sites, you're set for life. GolfWeb is also the home of official fan
sites devoted to Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
What would any game be without gear to put players in hock up to their tasseled caps? If
you're looking for the best deals and the best golf gear picks, GolfDiscount.com is a surefire hole
in one. The CosmoCall feature allows you to chat directly with a product
representative who can tell you how to get the right stuff. Speaking of GolfDiscount.com,
the good folks there have hooked us up with a Wilson 8802 putter and a Top Flite Micro
Groove putter.
The emergence of young golfers like Tiger Woods and odd sports like Speed Golf (first player to complete 18 holes wins!) and Extreme Golf are bringing this ancient game to a new generation. Long may it drive.
The above is an excerpt from an article which appeared in WildWildWeb Television.