Well said and so concise—unlike my diatribe. I agree wholeheartedly, just replace “Heather” with Lisa. )

TXQ

As for telling the world what to do or think – Just like you, we’re merely sharing our opinion…everyone is free to take it and do with it what they will. You call it lame? We just call it inciting a discussion (radical I know).

If people think re-running the same story across 20 different blogs with a few words changed is compelling – hey, have at it. I think it’s interesting that one of the first big hits we got was when you ran your story about us several months ago. That was a new and unique post because we were roughly a week old.

That’s what I think makes the blogging world so compelling – when you find something that can’t be found elsewhere. And it’s why we strive to do things a little differently and happen to think collectively the golf blogsphere would benefit from a bit of a shift. But some people aren’t into it and that’s fine for them. We’ll just keep on truckin.

PS – I did bet Corey $20 you would reply with a big post…so, at least we know our audience .

One last point, I feel VERY strongly about giving credit where credit is due, but I also recognize that it is inevitable that we will all write about the same topic at one time or another. Shall I mention the FTC? ;o)

I will admit the old reporter in me sometimes creeps out and I desperately want to break a story. Hell, it was hard enough to break a story when I was part of a specific press corps in D.C., much less as a blogger. I just couldn’t help myself a couple of times, but I didn’t do it very well on my blog.

I also don’t do “mean” very well. In life, and on my blog, I like a lot of different kinds of people—even though they don’t always like me. I’m definitely the kind of person who tries to see the good in folks and tends to overlook the bad. It takes a lot to really tick me off, but when you do–watch out! This gets me in trouble ALL THE TIME! (Just ask Hubbie who is more the opposite) I think my blog has that same view, because it’s written by ME!

Usually the person I make fun of is myself. That’s just what I’m comfortable with, besides I’ve got A LOT of great material. You just aren’t going to find me ragging on Phil. I like Phil. I like JD. I like Tiger. I like Stewart. I like Ian. I like Anthony. I like Greg. I REALLY like Camilo and Adam. I could harsh on them to sound “cool,” but that is not who I am. I tried that in middle school and it was a complete failure and resulted in years of therapy. ;o)

But since I don’t report to anyone (or get paid) to write my blog, I really believe it can be whatever I want it to be. I don’t want to break news stories, but hell yeah I’d love an interview with Adam Scott. I also enjoy reviewing products. Right now I review holiday gift ideas on Fridays. I made that clear so those who aren’t interested in my reviews can find something else to read on Friday. But I know many of my readers enjoy my finds and actually end up purchasing the products. I think that’s a win-win for everyone. Most of the companies are small businesses and I’m happy to send a customer their way if I really like a product.

ANYWAY, I’m think I’m back to my original goal which is to make everything about me (lol). The best complements I’ve gotten are emails from readers that say, “You made me want to be a better golfer,” or “I’m so glad you didn’t write about Tiger in China this week,” or even “You make me laugh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who snorts on the course.”

BTW I definitely have balls! Do have any idea how humiliating it is to tell “the world” I hit a hybrid instead of a seven iron? Or that I’ve shanked numerous shots in competition? So take that!

At least I thought “But hey…that’s just some new guy’s perspective. We’re sure you may have a different one and we’d love to hear it below” that’s what meant. ;o)

Different individuals (in the golf niche or any other niche) have different reasons for blogging … different styles too, which naturally results in different audiences. We may share a small core group of readers but I know that quite a number of my most faithful and dedicated readers are far from golf fanatics. Lots of them are occasional, recreational golfers… and fans who follow the tournaments and pros, and for the most part they don’t read many golf blogs other than mine. Lot’s of my readers read mainly tech blogs, preppy blogs, humor blogs, mommy blogs…etc. They came upon my blog in a round-about way, liked the writing and subscribed.

And you guys certainly have lots of subscribers who don’t know, or or care to know, about my blog. And that’s the thing, our motivations are obviously different too. I’m simply writing about a subject I love and I love the art of writing… and my blog is the result of that juxtaposition. And that’s what I offer to my readers.

I don’t feel the need for “balls”. I feel no compulsion to stir debate… though it’s sometimes a bi-product of a topic I choose to write about. I certainly don’t strive to “break news” or get “scoopage” before any other bloggers do. I know there bloggers who are into that and that’s awesome, but it’s not my thing, it’s not what my audience is reading me for and I don’t feel a responsibility to do it.

As far as challenging the industry or the status quo? Again, I don’t see that as my job or responsibility. My aim is to entertain my readers, and yeah, on my way to doing that I might sometimes challenge traditional golf media, or the tours or manufacturers. But the fact is. I know a number of PGA, EuroTour, LET and LPGA players quite well… I know several caddies too and though I use information and anecdotes from them in my posts, I don’t “cultivate them as sources” nor do I feel the need to snark it up. These are folks I’ve gotten to know and like. I’ve helped some with websites, I’ve consulted with others on book projects or social media strategies and guess what? I’m not an investigative journalist or reporter. I a blogger and I tell stories to an audience who likes me exactly the way I am, anyone who doesn’t stops reading I suppose. I don’t have try to elicit or expose anything…though I don’t reproach others for doing this at all. And if one of my contacts is doing something nice, laudable, sweet, fluffy…whatever… and they’re proud of it… I’ll be the first one to talk it up. That said, I never just regurgitate press releases. But I’m happy to work facts and info from them into my posts, always carefully crafting them in my own style As I say, most of my readers aren’t golf bloggers so they haven’t received he releases. And you know what else? If a particular blogger’s audience likes the “FIGJAM’s a Jerk blather” as you dismissively call it. Then I would encourage that blogger to keep it coming, because it works for his/her audience. I’m fine with other golf bloggers asking the tough questions and I realize being a snarky risk-taker is stylish right now… but, sorry… it’s not my thing… and no one is paying me to make it my thing. That said, I’m not by any means risk-adverse in my writing, and if something resonates with me or bothers me, I write about it. I can stand by my record on that, I’ve been writing daily for over three years and I never phone it in.

Oh, and the contribute part. Once again, Hello? We’re not all writing for the same audience. Much of my audience didn’t see the Tiger House story or the Putting Green Bra story or the latest Ricki/Rory/Ryo story on
Nice Ballz or Waggle Room or Devil Ball or Golf Digest because they don’t happen to read those esteemed publications – like many of your/their readers don’t read mine. And just about every independent blog I’ve seen…of the good blogs…you know what I’m talking about…puts their own spin/style/writing technique on these stories and most – myself certainly, put in links when ever and where ever possible.

Anyway that’s my perspective on it… let’s call it an NSNG’s (No So New Girl’s) Perspective.

You guys do humor brilliantly… I mean really brilliantly. Telling the world how to do things? Not so much. IMHO

I am too tired to give a clever comment. But I love your blog. Not that you need any ego stroking.