marathongolf

one walker is usually faster than two riders - never mind 5. A single may not have "privileges," but common sense should always prevail.

So does The Golf Club Hospital in Minneapolis. Great guys, too [no vested interest, other than being an occasional customer].

Thanks. And whenever I land a shot on the green only to have it roll off, or have a putt lip out, I can hear him saying, "this course is tricked up."

My father used to drop me off at an executive course in Tyngsboro, Mass. when I was a 13. I picked balls off the driving range ($1.50/bushel), played a round or two, drank a lot of soda and generally hung out until he picked me up on way home from work. Five years ago, after years of cajoling, best friend Terry Fiedler persuaded me to "take a hit off the crack pipe." Been hooked ever since. We last played together in July '06. He died, unexpectedly at 47, a week later. I think of him often, but especially every time I touch a club.

I think most would argue that the equipment has made the game a little easier, so adjusting to it has hardly been a challenge for the likes of Tiger. Or even Fred Funk, for that matter. But the rejoinder to the "equipment is better" argument is that courses have gotten a lot longer since Arnie/Jack/Gary days. All of which proves that you and Rocky are both right: it's hard to compare players from different eras. Suffice to say, they were both great. And I have no doubt that, barring an injury, Tiger will get more than 18.

I'm partial to the Wishon 550 musclebacks that I play. That said, there is something simple and elegant about Titleist's 690s, and the Miura blades are gorgeous (only held, never swung)

Toss up. Tiger the better conditioned athlete, but Jack had the same drive to win, same ability to intimidate -and did it with equipment that didn't change dramatically between 1950 and 1980.

Don't yet belong to a club, but play most frequently at the Les Bolstad course . 10th tee is about a 300-yard drive from my front door. Plus, a great grass-only driving range. Best kept secret in the Twin Cities: Victory Links in Blaine.

I'm an editor at a daily newspaper. Lots of hours, but my wife is v. gracious about letting me play.