And I said this:

 

Gosh, why would any1 do anything to hype the LPGA? RT @JasonSobelGC Let Lexi Play campaign was overhyped and pointless. http://dlvr.it/nnB4J

Sobel proceeded to DM (he explained in an email why he DM’s vs. responds to tweets) me the following: 

JasonSobelGC

It didn’t hype the LPGA. In fact, it did the opposite.

42 minutes ago   

 

@JasonSobelGC To ur DM-I think ur Sobel patch is growing into ur cortex. What’s been more buzzed of late re: LPGA than Lexi & that campaign?

 

ed Note - I actually like Sobel, and the bit about his ‘Sobel patch’ was based on a previous exchange he and I had and was meant in good fun. I think he gets flak as he’s fairly non-traditional in his humor (i.e. not old/stuffy) and views on golf.  So this post aside (where I think HE’S SMOKING THE DRAPES) I actually like him as a writer…mostly…sort of…I think.

 

 JasonSobelGC

Did you even read the piece? Campaign hyped Lexi while taking thinly veiled shot at LPGA. Didn’t hype the tour by any means.

ed Note - RUDE!  Unlike most mouth-breather Twitter users who bitch at him I do read his stuff.

 

@JasonSobelGC Yes, read UR piece. Felt like u were searching for controversy & this was best available. That & you didn’t get a t-shrit.

@jasonsobelgc Or shirt even.

28 minutes ago  

JasonSobelGC

Searching for controversy?? So you’re saying this wasn’t controversial on its own? Wow. Point-misser. Huge.

ed Note – Oh it’s SO ON now!

 

@jasonsobelgc U say never a doubt about her being approved…and that = controversy? I see your point miss and raise you contrived tension!

 24 minutes ago

ed Note - BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURN!

 

 JasonSobelGC

There was controversy during the last 12 days, but I’m saying there shouldn’t have been because there was no doubt. What don’t you get?

26 minutes ago 

 

I do get Sobel’s point…I think it’s a long-ass winding road to get to it…but I get it.  My main contention with it is two-fold:

 

• LPGA still benefited: If the Let Lexi Play campaign was ‘overhyped’ and ‘pointless’, I’m quite sure just fine with the LPGA.  And it wasn’t pointless at all.  It mobilized the golfing community to CARE, (even passionately you could say) about the LPGA, something that many have not done for some time.  
• LPGA compliance in hype: Sobel basically points the finger at Lexi’s sponsors and management company for driving the ‘pointless’ campaign…which is true they were the engine. But he paints the LPGA as, at worst, inept handlers of their response by saying: “That’s not to say the LPGA isn’t completely without blame in its handling of this situation. When Thompson won two weeks ago, the organization issued a quixotic release stating that if she advanced through Qualifying School, she would have the ability to become a full-time member.  Quite simply, the immediate reaction could have been much less formal. If Whan or another high-ranking official had simply said, “Look, she’s going to be an LPGA member very shortly; as soon as we receive her petition, we’ll approve it,” they could have avoided the negative backlash that occurred in the wake of her victory.”

Pretty reasonable idea right…why wouldn’t the LPGA have done just that? Possibly because they saw the upside of an ‘overhyped’ and ‘pointless’ marketing campaign that grabbed the attention of (at least) their core golfing community, if not a broader audience?  Even if it meant the LPGA had to play the heavy in the campaign for a couple of weeks, the beneifts likely outweighed any downside to their rep, which has not been stellar anyway.

At any rate, all of this is just swirl around the bigger story which is that the LPGA may (emphasis on may) finally have its next big star to help elevate interest in their product. 

And if not, then there’s always another overhyped and pointless marketing campaign for the next potential superstar that can try again.

Me/Hack – Note how cleverly I’ve kept my anonymity! Scroll down for the obligatory (and dramatic) ‘after’ pic!

I can admit that about myself now, since over the past six months I’ve managed to lose 33% of my body mass (or 90lbs to put it another way) by following a strict diet and, more importantly, adopting a healthier lifestyle that includes regular exercise. SORRY FATTY’S NO MIRACLE CURE HERE!

But at the time I rationalized my weight gain with thoughts that I wasn’t THAT fat…not as fat as that guy…or that one…or JEEZUS H. KEERIST that guy.

And my rationalization was accurate – I wasn’t as obese as the most morbidly overweight person you’ve probably seen, but I was on the path to being dead.

So what changed that motivated me to lose it? Honestly, no one thing. However I do recall the day XXL sized shirts and 42″ pants started to feel ‘snug’ it started to freak me out. I even went into a ‘big & tall’ men’s store once — easily top 5 most depressing moments of my life. Devastating.

Plus I just didn’t like how I felt. Tired, cranky…blah blah. Read any blog by some ex-fatass who lost a bunch of weight and you”ll probably hear the same stuff. I also have an addiction — to DELICIOUS FOOD. OH GOD HOW I LOVE YOU PIZZA AND CHINESE FOOD! Kidding! I crack up when people talk about their ‘addiction’ to food. Yes, I too am addicted to food then. Yummy food. No one talks about their addiction to romaine lettuce, tofu or celery do they? It’s just like how I’m apparently addicted to watching the NFL, good booze, sunny days, golf and facials (what? don’t knock it). That’s my addiction, shit that is awesome.

Seriously though…this is a golf blog, so what’s the golf link? The impact on my life off the course was dramatic and overwhelmingly positive, but on the course it was nearly as dramatic and (over time) positive.

When I lost the weight here’s what I noticed:

- Golf fashion is not so horrible when you can fit into XL and L sized shirts and 34-38″ pants/shorts. Let’s be clear, it’s still not GREAT. But there are way more options to you than the XXL Snake Eyes discount rack.

- My swing flat out disappeared. I hit the ball literally behind me one time. Do you realize how freaking HARD that is to do? To top it in such a miniscule way that it puts counter-spin on it to the point that it goes BACKWARDS 5 feet? Amazing. My handicap and scores went up a crazy amount for a while (not that I’m a good player mind you, but a sufferable 18ish handicap). Eventually things settled and I got more comfortable with how much more quickly my body could rotate than before. I’m now back to regularly shooting where I was when heavy, and am hoping that by next summer – with continued training – I’ll pick up more distance to boot.

- I used to get home from walking 18 holes and took a major nap because I was EXHAUSTED YO! Now, without having to schlep a Bieber around with me, I can do other things. LIke update my fantasy football roster, duh. I also am not seeing the typical ‘last 3 hole’ flailing like I did when I was fat as I have the stamina to continue to hit less atrocious good shots.

As for how I went about losing it. I followed a strict food program/diet…which if you’re interested you can find more detail on here (I’m not pushing it on ya, and I’m not paid, but sharing is caring!).

I also (literally as it turns out) worked my ass off. People can absolutely lose weight by dieting alone, but part of my diet meant (gulp) no booze. Which for me was a major life alteration and one I never planned to carry forth forever. So, in order to enjoy a tasty beverage now and again (and again), I knew I would have to commit to making exercise part of my life going forward.

I got a trainer (see link above on TSFL, same guy) who consistently kicks my ass twice a week, and then I run twice a week on my own. Side note – ALL TRAINERS ARE SADISTS AND SECRETLY HATE THEIR CLIENTS. I am sure of this given the glee he takes in watching me grunt and groan in agony for ’3 more reps bitch!‘.

So anyway, I’m sharing this not because I’m trying to sell something (the program I was on worked for me, probably would work for you…that’s as big of an endorsement as I make about anything)…but mainly because I am viewing it as part of my own process for adopting this new lifestyle. This is sort of my ‘burn the ships’ post because if I get fat again, people will go “Hey remember when you were skinny?” Yeah, that’d suck.

So good luck to any other FATTY’S (yes you are fat, admitting it is part of the process) who want to change. You can do it…and if you’re a golfer the benefits are totally worth it, not to mention the whole…not dying of diabetes, heart attack, stroke etc.

And now the dramatic ‘after’ pic…TA-DA!

After my first official 5k. My trainer was in the pic too but I cut him out…after all HE didn’t run the race now did he? No he did not.

A tour rookie, the Spaniard has one Top 10 finish and blah blah blah here are her stats. 

More importantly Curious as to what she looks like you say? Glad you asked!  You can find her image results from Google here. 

“Leave me hanging on the fist bump? How rude.”

Some of the others slated to appear in the issue include U.S. Women’s soccer star Hope Solo, Olympic speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno, Surfer Stephanie Gilmore, Indy car driver Helio Castroneves  and St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson. 

So basically it’s a collage of past, present and future Dancing with the Stars contestants.  No Nancy Grace?  Lame.

“And zees iz vat vee do to zee Americans at zee victory celebration tonight! Ung ung ung…yaah!”

Oh yeah and congratz to Europe for winning blah blah. Mainly just glad that we didn’t have to look at this anymore on Sunday.  Oy vey.

Welcome to the new NiceBallz.

This blog was started as a fun diversion and hobby by a couple of guys who like golf but generally dislike golfers (irony!).

Kidding!  We love golfers. Most of them…some…a handful at least that are (we’re pretty sure) representative of the golfing populace. 

Anyhooo…here’s a little rundown on what this site is and isn’t in case you’re new here, or simply need a refresher.

NiceBallz is…

• A blog - which means if you’re spending time reading anything posted here (either by myself or my missing golf blog partner, or anyone else we give the keys to the NiceBallz Caddy to at times) we’re honored and appreciative. Seriously, we have been involved in the whole online world for a while and still can’t believe people read stuff we write (what?  it happens.) just because. 
• To be taken with a grain of salt – Meaning we sure as heck don’t take ourselves too seriously, try not to take anything in the game of golf too seriously and believe you shouldn’t either. If you get ticked off about something we write. Ok…that’s cool.  Tell us why. Don’t expect us to fall all over ourselves apologizing, but we would love to hear what you think.  That exchange is also what makes it fun…which leads us to…

 NiceBallz isn’t…

• About sucking up - Meaning, we’re not using this as a platform to launch our burgeoning golf/sports journalist career.  Frankly we’re probably too old and jaded to pull that off at this point anyway.  The upside of this is you don’t have to worry about reading yet another blog by golfing sycophants, nor worry if we’re blogging about something because we’re looking to pad our income. So if you’re looking for that deep, insightful piece on Keegan Bradley’s new putter grip. Don’t come here. However, if you want to know why we think Keegan is ‘…wicked smaaaht and the new messiah for gawf and tha greata Bahstahn area slappy…’ then you should come back.  But not to read about Keegan.  We hate Red Sox fans.
• Just about golf - Ok 90+% of the content here has been and will remain about golf in one form or another. But don’t be shook up if we post about something else that tickles our fancy funny bone.

So that’s about it…oh and we’re going to be on this show on Saturday I guess. Sometime around 10:30am Pacific.  I dunno, Golfwriterguy told me I have to show up and be amusing. I plan to punch him in his neck.  Hilarity will ensue!

But now, we’re readying a site update and a bit of a new look overall — which will coincide with posting of content once again.  Expect more in about a month or so on the new look, and some periodic rants, raves and other content that you’ve become familiar with from our little golf blog that (usually) could.

Until then, check us out on Twitter.

Big whoop.

After all, the European’s made this move in 2004 and the USGA in 2005.

But if you read some of the comments on various golf blogs, you’d think Zombie Ben Hogan were about to rise from his crypt and start whacking LPGA officials with his 2-iron.

Here’s a sampling of some of the more choice bites from various commentors:

Stuff like this causes people to not take the LPGA seriously. I will be shocked if two-thirds of the membership approve the motion. (ed note - Um actually it was, according to published reports, an easy majority in approval and players chimed in with support – more on that below)

***

On the other hand, CD, the LPGA will very likely be able to plan half a season’s worth of tournaments in San Francisco. (ed note – oh get it?  because that’s where ‘the gays’ are.  oooh funny stuff right there…you’ll be headlining the Mobile, AL Chuckles comedy club in no time!)

***

From another blog:

If the “thing” has an X and a Y chromosome, the “thing” is a dude.
If the “thing” has 2 X chromosomes, the “thing” is a chick.
The thing is a dude.

This is sickening and saddening. If this passes, then our world as we have always know and loved is will be gone and out the window.
I guess it is sad when you “belong” nowhere. (ed note – yeah, must be tough…probably as tough as any human being that would turn their life completely upside down, likely alienate friends, family and colleagues, possibly lose a career, undergo major surgery and recovery- all in the name of changing their gender.  But I’m sure your problems are big too.)

How long does your penis have to be to be considered a man? Well it won’t be long that every queer in town will be sueing someone for abuse! (ed note – Ahhhh the first outright slur – classy!)

Cristie Kerr played the voice of reason for the players - “We don’t need to comment on this because it’s a dead issue. She can compete if she can qualify. We certainly don’t want to discriminate against anybody, that’s not what the LPGA is about. And if she can qualify, she’ll be able to play. We’re like, the last sports organization to do it, it’s just we’ve never really had to look at it before.”

Amidst all of this is Mike Whan, LPGA commish who was panned by many (including us) as the pick to replace ousted Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, has since proven to be a steady, pragmatic and rationale leader.  You have to believe that under past leadership, the LPGA would have managed to turn this entire thing into a drawn-out PR debacle vs. gracefully handling it as directly as they did.

What’s left out of the mainstream media’s coverage, and what can subsequently be found on comment sections of blogs where anonymity encourages bravado by Internet trolls and closeted bigots alike, are the old stereotypes about golf.

It’s a game for old white guys who don’t like liberals, taxes and most definitely not anyone from the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered community — aka ‘different folk’.

Most try to mask their underlying prejudices by declaring it an ‘unfair advantage’ that will ‘ruin the game!”

Really?  Ok let’s do the math.

First, there is little data on the number of transgendered individuals in the US but at least one estimate puts it between 0.25% and 1% of the population.

The last cenus tagged the US population at 307,000,000.

So that would mean anywhere between 767,000 and a little over 3 million people could be considered transgendered in the US.

OMG the LPGA is about to be overrun by drag-queens!!

Not so fast my friend.

Now if we want to be (very) generous we’ll say that 10% of the US population plays golf. If you apply that per cent to the transgendered range, now you have only between 76,700 and 300,000 people who even would fit into the broadest – transgendered golfer category.

Now let’s estimate that 75% of that group are male-to-female changes – since that is what the golf purists seem so upset about…it’s the sanctity of the sport after all (insert eye roll here).

Now you’re down to about 57,000 to 225,000 people.

Now let’s do the hard cut (no pun intended) of how many of those male-to-female, transgendered golfers are at least scratch?  Let’s go with 1% shall we?

Now you’re down to 570-2250 possible players that could have the remote chance to try and qualify for an LPGA event.  Of that possible pool of people we’ve had exactly one press the issue in the US – Lana Lawless.

A threat to the game?  Please.

And how does a scratch golfer (or low single-digit handicap) do when they face the pros?  Um, ask Jerry Rice.  It ain’t pretty folks.

So let’s call it what it is when members of the golfing community get worked up over Lana Lawless ok?  It’s just good old fashioned hate, fear and bigotry.

And now…The Kinks!

Speaking of Golf, hosted by Tom and Sonja Horan, recently announced a new broadcast distribution deal on the Sports Journey Broadcast Network, a HD Radio sports talk network with 24-hour programming. Speaking of Golf significantly broadens its exposure by expanding from a two-hour weekly Saturday morning show on WWNC 570AM in rural Western North Carolina to a five-day-a-week morning drive-time program based in Washington D.C. The new weekday show, Speaking of Golf AM, begins Dec. 1 and will air 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. EST on SportsJourney.com. The move reflects the popularity and growth of the show and the passion and dedication of the Horan hosts.

NiceBallz co-founders Hack and Corey Grice, the official bloggers of Speaking of Golf, have appeared as frequent guest experts on the program since June 2009, discussing topics ranging from the Tiger Woods scandal, golf during the recent recession and marketing in the golf industry. NiceBallz is proud to contribute a unique voice to the success of Speaking of Golf, bringing an everyman perspective and point of view on how marketing, Internet and communications affect the golf industry. Now, a broader audience will hear Tom, a veteran broadcaster and long-time golf industry member, and Sonja, with her light-heartedness, unique opinions and a woman’s eye toward golf.

Tune in for great golf talk in December. Meanwhile, follow Speaking of Golf on Twitter at @SpeakingofGolf or visit them on Facebook for more information.

I’ve rarely met a more stubborn…courteous…drink-happy…and generally resilient group than the English.  God Bless that they were on our side along with many others.