Playing golf in the winter in Seattle (that is about Oct 20th - May 20th) is not quite as futile as the Frozen states (though for a longer period) but it isn't generally the place where you think about improving your game year round.  Finding a 4 hour window in the day where it a)isn't raining b) is light out c) is 50 or higher is a challenge.   But, I have a plan this year.  I know just grab a single club and a putter and head down to the local par 3 course and take a lesson in creativity and scrambling.  You can get around in an hour, there is a good variety of sand, water, etc. and it makes you think differently about the approach to the game.

I don't just think I am x yds from the front edge, z yds to the pin, this kind of wind and therefor this club.  Instead I have no club choice to make, it is a thought about can I punch and run?  Can I draw and run?  What about spin?  Where do I want to hit a second shot from if I am playing with only my 60 degree wedge and it is a 150 yard hole?  If I only have 1 putt to save par can I mentally stay focused and tough?

And if it rains?  An hour battling the elements isn't so bad.  This mixed with some indoor drills, visits to the putting and chipping areas and maybe I can get my game pulled back together for next year.

With Acushnet, the owner of the Titelist line currently losing its battle with Callaway there could be a glut of Pro-V1s on the market that have to be moved before the end of the year.  It is claimed that the Pro-V1 has been altered to be outside the scope of the patents.  And they will introduce a new Pro-V1 model for next year (subject of the recent "beta-test" disqualification).  Acushnet is pushing this battle up the hill with an appeal to the Federal Appeals Court.  If this appeal doesn't get picked up then Callaway can enforce the current decision:

Callaway Golf Wins Post Trial Motions in Lawsuit Against Acushnet
Federal Court Enjoins Sales of Pro V1 Effective January 1, 2009
CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY) today announced that the United States District Court in Wilmington, Delaware, has granted Callaway Golf's request for a permanent injunction to stop sales of Acushnet's current line of Titleist Pro V1 family of golf balls, effective no later than January 1, 2009. At Callaway Golf's request, professional golfers will be allowed to play Pro V1 golf balls through the end of this calendar year.
In its ruling today, the Court also rejected Acushnet's request to overturn the jury's December 2007 verdict which found that Callaway Golf's golf ball patents were valid and infringed by Acushnet's Titleist Pro V1 family of golf balls.
"Callaway Golf has invested millions of dollars in Research and Development to create innovative products for millions of golfers around the world, and has protected those products with one of the broadest patent portfolios in golf," said Steve McCracken, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Callaway Golf. "We are very pleased with today's decision which will stop the sale of these infringing Pro V1 golf balls."

That should potentially create a good sale on these balls right after Christmas.  Note that the "non-violating" version (according to Titelist) have red or black dot stickers on box) but Callaway is pushing to halt the entire line.

It is amazing (like many other areas) the number of patents issued on golf balls.  Acushent claims over 650 active patents.  In the suit brought by Callaway there are 4 patents that it acquired when it bought Spalding that they say the Pro-V1 violates, and which Acushnet says are invalid or were issued after development of the Pro-V1 and their own patents.  They claim that the US Patent office announced that the patents were invalid.  What is patented in a golf ball?  Basically everything dealing with the composition, dimple design, etc. Callaway lists the patents for each of its balls (and any other equipment on their site) including this one for the ball core.  All this is really certain to do it to yet again push the price of balls higher.  So, if they aren't paying you to play them, watch closely for deals. 

What a great job Paul Azinger did assembling this year's team and prepping them, the course and the rules and what a great set of performances.  AK out of the gate was just awesome.  The first few holes of lets see if we can all put it in a 12 inch circle was just awesome golf.  Sergio sealed his loss when he took the unplayable lie.  I thought Phil was rev'd up enough and Rose was unsteady enough that would be a win but the putter wasn't there but Kenny Perry more than made up for that.  JB played smart, Boo was Boo and Furyk had an outstanding day.  This bodes well for a few cups to come as the young guys on both sides were clearly the power of the matches.  USA USA USA!!!

Today the wheels didn't come off but it was much more of a challenge.  Tomorrow is a whole new experience with no one to save you if you blow a shot.  It seems like the US is going for the early momentum and close the victory fast and Europe wants it to last as long as possible.  I like playing from the lead and leveraging that into early victory.

AK vs. Sergio -- I love this start.  Kim has been hot out of the gate and this will be a high energy match.  Sergio has been beaten now in pairs.  Good shot this gets halved 9.5/7.5

Mahan vs. Casey - I think this should be an auto point.  Mahan has had some awesome shots, he looks confident, I think this will help him to really drive forward in his career.  While he is a Cali boy, he did go to school in Oklahoma and the fact that he has been out there playing so well without a loss all week. 10.5/7.5  Hunter learns that there is something greater to play for than money.

Leonard vs. Karlsson - this will be a battle - Karlsson was putting out of his mind this afternoon.  Leonard has been awesome and had the PM off.  It won't be easy but I think it is a US win 11.5/7.5

Mickelson vs. Rose - Each has lost leads during the week, Rose had a rest in the PM.  Phil has to be smart tomorrow and know when to keep the driver in the bag.  I give the edge to Phil.  He has been more consistent and I think is putting better and has the creativity.  12.5/7.5  If Phil can't keep it in the fairway this is halved making it 12/8

Perry vs. Stenson - Stenson hasn't been able to hit a birdie.  Perry has the home town advantage together I think this should be a point to the US 13.5/7.5 (yes, I am a homer here)

Weekley vs. Wilson - I kind of wish he was out earlier because he fires up the crowd but this is a nice set of the 3 "home town favorites in a clump before what can be a tough set of closing matches.  Wilson has just had the single match but it was a big kill of Phil and AK. Excitement but Halved 14/8

Holmes vs. Hansen - Big question here is can JB play smart.  He can crush the ball but it can be like watching the long drive champion who only knows how to pound the ball but doesn't ever think placement or strategy.  Halved 14.5/8.5 US Wins ....at this point it looks good and dominant.

Furyk vs. Jimenez - Two wacky swings that make me wonder why I can't make mine work.  I would put an edge to Jimenez even though he has never won a singles, so if things continue that would be 14.5/9.5

Cink vs. McDowell - McDowell is incredible - yay for the Irish. I hope we don't have to get to this part of the schedule.  14.5/10.5

Stricker vs. Poulter - Poulter is on a terror and has real energy.  Stricker ended on a high note today and is an awesome putter but Poulter is a killer.  14.5/11.5

Curtis vs. Westwood - Like Sergio, this Cup hasn't been a normal performance for him.  Curtis hasn't been great, seems like a toss, Westwood has the experience but Curtis withstood the Sergio, halved 15/12

Campbell vs. Harrington - Campbell has one win and one loss vs. the Poulter machine.  If it comes down the stretch I would give the nod to Harrington, because I don't think it will count it is halved for 15.5/12.5

What a great day, not just an overall set of wins but good strong wins.  Come from behind wins and finally the guy who doesn't lose, Sergio Garcia, gets taken out to the woodshed 4&3.  Leonard and Mahan have been a solid pair as have been Mickelson and Kim. 

I loved seeing Michael Jordan giving Faldo a hard time.

The US is in great position with almost the entire team playing well and this enables the rest of the team not to look at each not as "you are our last hope" but to strengthen each other as part of an effective team.  This is the advantage of tournament match play.  These guys have done this in college.  You are not trying to beat each other's brains out, only the opposing team.  You want your team-mates to play out of his mind golf.  Yes, golf is fickle but momentum is a great thing.

Hunter Mahan - what do you think now?!!  A rough couple holes then just playing like a madman.  Mickelson/Kim start well, fade, then pull together but these guys are just having to work too much magic to save holes, you need the birdies to win.  Same with Cink/Cambell coming from a rough start and building momentum.  But the best part is super sergio looking pretty normal while the home town boy and loopy swing Furyk slay the euro beast. 

An interesting part of the cup currently is that while Titlelist may be the dominant ball on tour there are many other balls played on tour which means players are hitting a different ball than what they are used to.  For me that isn't a huge issue and it is not like some player is used to using some two piece rock vs. a soft 3 piece.  Still there are differences that will come through with the sound of the ball off the putter face.

Leonard and Mahan strike first blood - awesome match especially with bogey bogey start.  Way to go, lets see that build to a great day for the US.

I am totally syked for the start of the Ryder cup in a few more hours.  I like the Kim/Mickelson pairing with Phil's great short game touch and plenty of pour with both off the tee.  Harrington has been on a tear though and this match could go either way.  2nd pairing I hope that Leonard can help Hunter stay focused and believing.  I love Hunter's swing and I hope that as he competes he won't have the mentality that he is playing beyond himself and that by the end he realizes that this will be a highlight in his life and that playing for the country is a great moment in his life.  Cink/Campbel vs. Rose/Poulter is another rubber match I think Cink will be stronger from a gamesmanship perspective and mental state.  This is match where we can upset their cart. Perry/Furyk I like the steady hands down the stretch together with that hometown tilt.  That is a tough twosome to come up against, a pair with a great record, great chemistry.  Out of those first 4 I would like to see a win, half, win, half. 

The course looks awesome, the US should have the strong crowd, they are without their best player, and europe could be a little  sleepy out of the gate and they don't have the same personal team binder that Darren Clarke brought in the last round.  In some ways I feel like leaving their lucky leprechaun off the team maybe will be a key to the US taking the win.  After all golf is the game played on a 5.5 inch between two holes known as your ears.  Mentally this team has a great chance to pull together as a team and I will be watching every minute that I can.

What a great tournament this has been.  Torrey Pines is great, the layout and adjustments for US Open has been fantastic and I always love watching this challenge of golf and seeing the great plays.  It really shows that in general landing in the bunker isn't something to fear, it is much better for instance than the rough. 

ESPN coverage on Thursday...ugh, Friday was better.  NBC and the Golf Channel just do a better job here.  I do really like the ball feed views for the greens and Trackman is always interesting to see from a shaping perspective and when there is a wind to see how this alters the flight but while I realize the prospect of Phil vs. Tiger was a big draw for the first two days, it was a bit too much show a shot, cut to announcers gabbing.  If you are going to follow one set, then I really want to watch the approach, the mental set, the pre-shot routine.  Bob Rotella talks about just shutting off the sound and watching with the eye to what are you thinking, how you approach the shot at hand, etc.  With the "drama" of golf on TV, this is hard to do.  If the only way you have seen a golf tournament (major or not) is on TV you are really missing out. 

But best of all is a play-off tomorrow which I hope will provide natural drama though a sudden death does drive that harder.  18 holes, only one pair to follow, it should be great.  I am really loving Rocco in this event.

1. nice guy with great attitude. 
2. not a picture perfect swing (I can relate).
3. almost my age
4. hits balls about same distance I do - none of that 220 yards to the flag, a little 5 iron

My new clubs get in this week and I am hoping that the weatherman is really wrong about the miserable weather hanging on through July this year in Seattle. 

Too many years of sitting in the desk chair with too little time on the golf course has greatly damaged my already questionable golfing capabilities (at least in the real world).  This year I have begun rebuilding my swing a bit working with GolfTec and I have been starting the process of moving to a new set of clubs that better fits my aging needs and which takes a little advantage of technical advances (I just switched from Persimmon to Titanium last year).  While the selection of clubs available on the market has increased over the years, it is still frustrating as a left-hander to shop for golf gear.  Stores carry at most a couple club models, vendors limit options and generally it means you either buy off the rack or are very trusting of the fitting estimates and order with a restocking charge if you aren't happy.  In an age where there seems to be left handed golfers everywhere I go and we don't forcibly correct evil left-handers it would seem like we could get just a little more space on the rack.