The No. 1 ranked player on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour recently announced her retirement and it barely registered. No extensive coverage on ESPN, no screaming headlines in USA Today. There was a collective yawn, as if asking, “Lorena who?”

Of course, Lorena Ochoa’s decision was revealed during the National Football League (NFL) draft, which dominates sports news. Oh yeah, and volcanic ash crippled the world’s air travel. But in any other major professional sport, the top player’s abrupt retirement would make national news. Kobe Bryant. Peyton Manning. Alex Rodriguez. Tiger Woods. All men, you say? If race car driver Danica Patrick retired in her prime you’d know about it.

To be honest, I didn’t even know Ochoa had decided to step away until our partners at Speaking of Golf, a syndicated golf talk radio program, mentioned it days later as a topic for our latest appearance. I’ve been busy and I was traveling – not paying close attention to the news. Even still, you’d think I’d catch a headline in the airport or a hotel lobby. Nope.

What does this lack of news coverage tell us? Unfortunately, no one cares. Well, maybe a few people – LPGA brass, tournament sponsors and some golf bloggers – but not many. The media gives the people what they want, and apparently it’s not women’s golf. That’s too bad because there are talented players and seemingly the potential for sponsors to reach women consumers who often control the purse strings.

Ochoa has dominated her sport for several years, winning nearly 30 times including two major championships and holding the top spot in the Rolex Rankings for three years. However, candidly I didn’t even know she was still No. 1, and supposedly I’m a golf blogger. I thought Yani Tseng was the top-ranked female professional golfer. Oops.

At only 28 years old, Ochoa’s retirement seems sudden. Hasty, even. She’s spoken of wanting to start a new life, and presumably have children – though she’s already a stepmom to three children reportedly between the ages of 7 and 14. The rationale for retirement is not entirely clear. She seems to want to follow in Annika Sorenstam’s footsteps, who recently retired in her late 30s after a decade of dominance. Only Ochoa seems insistent on retiring with her slim lead in the rankings intact, something Sorenstam did not do.

Whatever her reasons, I applaud Ochoa’s decision. She’s going out on top. Ochoa’s won the last four consecutive Player of the Year awards. She’s already wealthy, having earned nearly $15 million in career earnings alone – not to mention endorsement income. She’s accomplished nearly everything there is to achieve, although she steps away two years short of qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame, which requires a certain level of achievement points (a threshold Ochoa has met) and a minimum of 10 years as an active member on tour. Ochoa would have been eligible for entrance into the Hall of Fame in 2012. Perhaps she will return or the rules will be altered.

Regardless, she can do whatever she wants. The criticism is not of Ochoa and her personal interests or decisions. But, her departure is the latest indictment of the LPGA and reflects the waning interest in women’s golf. Not only are total tournaments and prize money down, but now the best player is leaving and – worse yet – sports fans have hardly noticed. Irrelevance, anyone?

The LPGA intends to expand its fan base and grow the sport, and the organization needs to increase interest from non-traditional consumers. If the world’s best golfer – a woman who is universally acclaimed for her polite interaction with fans and sponsors and for playing and winning the right way – can’t attract new people to the sport, who will? Are we to believe that, say, Christina Kim, a mid- to upper-tier player with a flair for fashion and a history of outlandish remarks, will attract new interest? Maybe. But, probably not for the golf.

Maybe the LPGA will rebound with the economy. Perhaps it will become less about the quality of the golf and more about the entertainment value. Whatever happens, Lorena Ochoa has decided she won’t be a part of it. And, unfortunately, judging from the general silence, it sounds like many fans and the media have already forgotten her.

Lorena who?

What do you think the tepid reaction to Ochoa’s departure means for the future of the LPGA Tour? Speak up – you’ll be one of the few who do.

The USGA, founded in 1894, also celebrates the history of the game and is bound by tradition. This is a blue-blazer-and-bowtie crowd. Think saddle shoes. Like totally old school. For real.

The organization has taken a hardline stance against certain technological innovations to theoretically protect the heritage and retain the inherent challenge of the game. Great, if you’re into that sort of thing.

But then the USGA did something seemingly out of character. They embraced technology in recent years, particularly innovations in communications, the Internet and digital media. They improved their web site, posting new videos online. They revised their conservative logo, making it sleeker. They even allowed the use of laser range finders and GPS-based distance measuring devices. Impressive.

Last year I was prepared to applaud the organization for these exciting changes and the somewhat surprising introduction of an iPhone application for the U.S. Open, the USGA’s grandest tournament. The app offered a live leaderboard, real-time statistics and streaming footage of the golf broadcast coverage. Way to go, guys! (And, I do mean guys, if you know what I mean.)

Digitizing the rules of golf

Then, recently the USGA released an iPhone app for the Rules of Golf, a complex book of regulations about how to play the game and keep score. On one hand the new app – available for iPhone, iPod Touch and coming soon to BlackBerry and Android devices – is a great opportunity to reach a younger demographic, something golf sorely needs. The app should be heralded as a breakthrough for a stodgy, conservative organization reinventing itself as technology leader. Only the USGA blew it.

Now, the new app is an example of the USGA ambitiously trying but not quite understanding what the next generation wants in terms of digital experiences. A for effort, F for execution.

For one, the USGA failed to capitalize on the capabilities of the medium. Like newspapers in the 1990s, the USGA just dumped the text of the Rules of Golf book in a digital format. It’s a book, only it’s electronic. Where are the colorful icons and interactive features? Instead you have a black-and-white table of contents. What about animations, graphics or videos explaining the various interpretations of the rules? Egregiously absent.

The app is searchable and does have a jump dial for scrolling quickly to a specific rule, only they are categorized by number. Rule 1, 2, 3. Show me some common scenarios instead. Few average weekend golfers, who hardly follow the rules as it is, know that Rule 26-1(c) addresses options for gaining relief for a ball in a water hazard. Nerd alert!

$4?  I’ll just buy a latte, thanks

Finally, the USGA’s biggest miss of all is the $3.99 price tag. Many apps are free, and most consumers balk at apps costing more than 99 cents – the standard price for most apps. The USGA would likely argue that $4 is a relative value for the Rules of Golf, the Decisions on the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status, publications that combined would cost consumers about $25 if printed and shipped.

However, the USGA Rules of Golf app should be free. Period.

If the organization truly wants to grow the game and encourage everyone to play by a common set of rules, it should want to make understanding the rules as easy and accessible as possible. Of course there are software development costs, and the USGA is on a budget. These are lean economic times and it is tempting to try to generate revenue from the new rules app. But it’s the wrong thing to do.

In an effort to monetize the Rules of Golf app the USGA could have taken the same strategic approach many other companies have attempted. Offer a free Rules of Golf Lite version with limited functionality, and a $4 premium version with clear visuals, easy-to-access icons and animations showing how to properly play by the rules.

Try, try again

Look, I appreciate the USGA. No, really. I’m currently a member with a bag tag and everything. But, at least in this case, the USGA needs some unsolicited input about its digital media efforts.

Keep embracing new technologies, USGA. Your willingness to evolve is good. But, don’t try to keep people out. That’s what’s wrong with golf. Let them in and make it affordable. It’s only $4, but it’s significantly more than most apps, you’re sending the wrong message and there are larger goals at stake.

You must change the old thinking that has made golf an exclusive, elitist sport that turns off the masses. Don’t take the same protectionist mindset – a viewpoint that you can just keep clinging to your traditional targets without courting a new, broader audience – that has befallen the major metro newspapers, what’s left of them. Find another way to subsidize your $4 app (some modest advertisements?) and do the right thing on the web by encouraging golfers to learn and use the rules for free. This was an opportunity to change perceptions.

Short-sighted vision shows up in the golf industry in large and small ways every day. The industry, like the USGA, is trying to be more open and embracing for the future, only it continues to act in outdated ways that fail to encourage growth – and, now there’s an app for that.

The timing couldn’t be better for many golfers, at least on the East Coast where a major snow storm has made weather conditions more conducive for channel surfing or sledding than chipping and putting. Still, while the cold and wet keeps many golfers from playing this time of year, it doesn’t keep most of us from thinking about golf and working on our game.

Even busy college football coaches like to squeeze in some golf when they can. Take University of Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin, for example. In his first season at the school, Kiffin led the Volunteers to an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. But he’s got plenty of time to relax before the game on New Year’s Eve.

He could probably get in a little golf. We think he’s a fan. Why else would you need soft spikes at football practice? Did you come straight from the golf course? Hitting the driving range after the game?

See for yourself. Dude, are those golf spikes or high-performance launching pads? C’mon, man!

Woods is successful, handsome, clean cut, multiracial and recognizable around the world for his dedication, hardwork and focus. These are desirable traits in business and many companies wish to associate their brands with these attributes, which are often embodied by beautiful and talented celebrity spokespeople.

Advertisers often enjoy a halo effect of goodwill when an athlete or other endorser is positively portrayed in the news. Their ads are accentuated. Unfortunately, the same is true when scandal hits.

Tiger Woods currently promotes several major products and services globally, including mainstream consumer products such as Nike, Gatorade and Gillette and lesser known niche, luxury and business services brands such as Tag Heuer, NetJets, Electronic Arts and Accenture. He has previously promoted Buick, American Express, Titleist and General Mills, altogether some of the biggest brands in the world.

Now that he is embroiled in an embarrassing sex scandal saga, there is rampant speculation about whether companies will drop Woods as the face of their brand. Nike and Gatorade have already issued statements of support, however Gatorade has since cut the Gatorade Tiger Focus line of sports drinks, saying sluggish sales were behind the decision, which was already made but not announced prior to the recent tabloid revelations. Tag Heuer this week also made changes.

Regardless, these companies must now accept the bad publicity that comes with being associated with Tiger Woods just as they embraced the excitement and attention that came when he won big and was on top of the world.

Take Accenture, for example. The technology consulting and outsourcing firm was once Andersen Consulting, a spinoff from Arthur Andersen, the former “Big Five” accounting firm that folded after mismanaging audits of Enron. But today Accenture is one of the largest and most successful consulting firms in the world.

The company’s multi-year advertising campaign promises “High performance. Delivered.” The ads feature Tiger Woods, who delivers high performance on the golf course, and encourages business professionals with the slogan “Go on. Be a Tiger,” claiming “We know what it takes to be a Tiger.” Combined with the company’s support of the WGC-Accenture Match Play tournament, the campaign has up until now apparently been a huge success.

But media coverage of the sordid details of Woods’ personal life and the related speculation about its impact on his endorsements has companies such as Accenture in an awkward position. Unlike golf- or sports-related product companies where strength, skill and victory matter, Accenture and other corporations attempted to associate their brands with traits such as Woods’ determination and, um, integrity. Oops.

On one hand, no one knew of Woods’ alleged misdeeds and therefore we cannot blame big brands for affilitating themselves with the best. However, the fact remains that these companies are in the news in a way that they’d rather not be now.

For example, a recent Associated Press article about the lasting perceptions of Tiger Woods the man, which likely ran in hundreds of publications around the world, opens with this anecdote:

“The passenger was waiting in a long line at Heathrow on Tuesday when he came face-to-face with an Accenture advertisement on the wall showing Tiger Woods walking through the tall grass with a club in his hand. The man stared for the longest time, then turned away and said solemnly, ‘I can’t believe it.’”

About the economy, that ad advises readers: “It’s not a setback. It’s a test.” In deciding whether to support or shun Woods as a spokesman, Accenture could follow its own strategic consulting advice in dealing with this advertising dilemma. “It’s rough out there,” the ad states. “And yet, as with every competitive challenge, some businesses will respond proactively and effectively, while others are left behind. The winners will be those who act quickly, make the right decisions and execute them flawlessly.”

However, some of Woods’ sponsors continue to sit quietly on the sidelines while their proud brands are unfortunately associated, if only loosely, with the shame.

In another recent column, the author asserts that consumers now distrust Woods and subtly suggests boycotting the products he promotes: 

“The public no longer believes anything Tiger Woods says anymore. That goes for Tiger’s endorsements as well. I’ve already thrown away all of my Nike sneakers and Titleist golf balls. And as soon as I find out what Accenture makes, I’m getting rid of that, too.”

Finally, a blog about the self-imposed suspension of Woods-related ads on television has this to say about Accenture’s well-known ad campaign:

“Considering the havoc this story has wreaked on Tiger and his family, I don’t think there’s anybody who wants to be a Tiger these days.”

To be fair, no one saw this coming and Accenture is not alone. Other companies that pay Woods to promote their brand are facing the same tough decisions. And, Nike, Gatorade and Gillette must also endure similar public scrutiny, as if somehow they are guilty of enabling Woods’ shameful lifestyle. In some indirect way their millions did. But business executives and marketing departments are not to blame, of course. He brought this on himself.

Still, brands that benefit from advertising in the good times also suffer some consequences when things go bad. All that exposure is suddenly unwelcome, only companies can’t have it both ways. They’re stuck in the spotlight when all they want to do is cower in a dark corner. Whether they drop him or not, their brands are already associated and in the news — and this story isn’t going away. Many consumers have told the media their shopping habits won’t change, but brand perception is subtle.

The Tiger Woods saga is a cancer that continues to grow. Whether cancer is caused from years of addiction or simply the unfortunate — and unfair — effects of secondhand smoke, it’s devastating all the same. Fortunately, it’s not necessarily a death sentence. Sometimes it’s just a nuisance, a condition that can be managed. For some big brands it’s time to take their medicine and hope for the best.

Capitalizing on crisis is a common publicity ploy with limited sales opportunity so it pays to be swift. With that in mind, Tradition is now offering a limited edition Tiger Woods parody T-shirt for $28.

In an email to customers, the company wrote: “As you know Tiger Woods has been in the news as of late with a cheating scandal. It was only fitting for us to provide this Limited Edition Tiger Woods tee for all you Tiger fans out there. Don’t miss your chance to get your hands on one of these because quantities are limited. Phone orders are available. Don’t hate the player, hate the game!”

Earlier this week, NiceBallz told you about a car repair shop’s attempt to gain attention from the sad sex scandal surrounding the world’s No. 1 golfer. This is only the beginning. The toys, T-shirts, novelty golf products and other assorted tacky gifts and gags will only continue for the foreseeable future.

While NiceBallz isn’t in the business of selling stuff or perpetuating poor taste (though that’s debatable), we’re always interested in funny. Send us your favorite opportunistic Tiger Woods products at staff@niceballz.com and we may publish the best of the bunch.

Marketing knows no bounds. Everyone’s out to make a buck, especially if it comes at someone else’s expense.

And, Americans love their cars and celebrities, so it should come as no surprise that a Northern California auto repair shop is trading on Tiger Woods’ good name in an effort to attract attention.

The business, located on the suburban route of the recent California International Marathon, got extra exposure as more than 6,000 runners – and local media — made their way past last weekend.

We already know that Tiger has the Midas touch on the golf course where the golden boy regularly wins awards.

However, as his alleged sex scandal has widened in recent weeks, with several new women coming out of the woodwork, the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer has apparently touched more gold diggers than trophies lately, making him the PGA Tour’s “PLAYA” of the Year in our mind.

Corey had a chance to see Tiger in what may have been his last bright shining moment for some time, the 2009 Presidents Cup.  That memory may need to sustain all of his fans (existing and former) until he wins again on the PGA…or even better, captures another major championship. 

Doing both in 2010 may be what it takes to really help Woods, the media and the entire golf community move on from the current scandal surrounding him.

Here’s an excerpt and a link to the whole article:

“I’m just glad to have seen him in person at his best, before this scandal was revealed. It was a great day. A memorable moment. For a few seconds, as the golf ball hung in the chilly air, I was captivated by someone seemingly superhuman. He could do something most people (including his professional peers) cannot, even if only momentarily.”

Read the rest here.

And, the bizarre circumstances that unfolded in the past week have exposed many new facets to one of the world’s most talented and famous, yet incredibly private celebrity athletes.

Here are several observations about Woods and the world, some uniquely NiceBallz and others which have been rehashed recently in the media, on golf courses and in bars and workplaces everywhere.

Failure: Tiger Woods is Human

Tiger Woods won his first major golf championship at just 21 years old. He’s been the best golfer in the world for more than a decade. He’s broken many hallowed records and has been an incredible talent since he appeared on TV as a two-year-old and later famously bounced golf balls off his club. The media and the public began to think of him as superhuman. Unbeatable. But in the past year or two there have been fissures. First, a knee surgery. He’s not robotic after all. Then, he relinquished his first 54-hole lead in a major championship when he lost to Y.E. Yang at the 2009 PGA Championship. Invincible no more. Now, Woods admits “transgressions,” assumed to be sexual affairs. Far from perfect, as he said himself.

Corruption: Money, Fame & Power

Power changes people. The insulated world that the super rich, elected officials and above-it-all athletes live in often gives them a sense that they are beyond reproach. They can do anything. It’s their world and we’re just living in it. Well, guess what? That makes @$$holes out of otherwise good people. Whether athletes, politicians, CEOs or even lottery winners, money, fame and power is – if not the root of all evil – a short fuse on a time bomb of greed, lust and arrogance just waiting to explode. Boom!

Politics: It’s All About Perception

After crashing his SUV into a fire hydrant and a tree at about 2:30 a.m., Tiger Woods refused to answer questions for Florida Highway Patrol investigators. Then a firestorm of worldwide media ensued. Although the crash occurred on private property and authorities indicated that no alcohol was involved, nor was there evidence that any crimes were committed, they had to slap Woods on the wrist. With all the TV satellites in the world pointing toward south Florida, the cops had to do something. They couldn’t tell the taxpayers it was all a waste, when any of the rest of us would probably be in jail for something similar. In the end Woods received a $164 careless driving citation. It was a face-saving move for everyone involved. That’s politics, people.

Synonymous: Sports & Sex

Athletes and extramarital affairs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Adonis bodies. Incredible athletic achievement. Raw power, lust and sex. They are synonymous. It’s been that way since the beginning of time. Are we even surprised by superstar sex scandals anymore? A-Rod, the baseball slugger, was romantically linked to Jocslyn Morse, a stripper, spiritual adviser Madonna and now Kate Hudson who, after apparently also previously dating plummeting pro golfer Adam Scott and cyclist Lance Armstrong, is more of a multi-sport threat than Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan combined. Kobe Bryant bought his wife an 8-carat purple diamond ring worth about $4 million after admitting to an affair. Michael Jordan had his dealings with a former lover play out in court in 2002. The list of sports sex scandals is lengthy, and some experts describe a “culture of adultery” in which infidelity is the norm for superstar athletes. Tiger Woods is only the latest to stray. There will be more. Sex sells.

Family: Love, Lessons & Legacy

Jilted wife Elin Nordegren and her children, Sam and Charlie, will have to deal with the mess that Tiger Woods has made of their supposedly tight-knit family. But we can only wonder whether this sex scandal would have occurred were Tiger’s Green Beret father, Earl, still alive. Credited with training Tiger and shaping his renowned focus and drive with a tough-love style, Earl was supposedly a stickler for discipline and a devoted family man. He died in 2006. After proclaiming that Tiger would “have the power to impact nations,” Earl must be rolling over in his grave. Forget the golf, where there’s no question that Tiger will be remembered as the best golfer – maybe athlete – ever. More importantly, Tiger has some tough lessons yet to learn about life, love and his own legacy as a husband and father.

Gold Diggers: Wives, Women & Money

Jaimee Grubbs, a cocktail waitress and apparently one of Tiger Woods’ mistresses, sold her story to a gossip tabloid reportedly for six figures. She’s not the first to cash in on carnality. Women who marry pro athletes should know by now what they’re getting themselves into. It’s not real life. It’s some altered place. A bubble, like The Truman Show. Of course, the women didn’t bring these sex scandals on themselves. There is no defending what their cheating husbands have done. But, there is a well-worn pattern of adultery among superstar athletes, so it should come as no surprise to the wives. Some of them are in it for love. But many others trade on their good looks to land a big fish with a huge bank account. Tiger Woods’ wife Elin Nordegren seemed to be above all that, supposedly courageously rescuing her husband trapped inside his wrecked vehicle and then apparently standing by her man stoically as he apologized for letting his family down. But then news surfaced that she is supposedly demanding a rewrite of the couple’s prenuptial agreement, and reportedly may receive a seven-figure sum to stay in the marriage. Sure sounds like love to me. The wives are arm pieces and the athletes subsidize their shopping habit. It’s not right or wrong; let’s just call it what it is. Show me the money!

Media: The Lifecycle of a Protagonist

As a former journalist who helped hype the Internet and then covered the dot-bomb downturn, I feel qualified to comment on the lifecycle of a news story. The mainstream media follows a familiar pattern. Attempt to scoop the competition with the new, new thing. Hype the hell out of it. Marvel at its meteoric rise. Then, tear it all down when it gets too big. Tiger Woods was the perfect protagonist, an incredible hero for our modern times. Media hyped him as the second coming of Christ. Look at some of the adjectives used to describe his exploits. He was superhuman. Perfection defined. And, while he has no one to blame but himself for his current predicament – despite his feeble complaints about “tabloid scrutiny” – the media was as quick to tear the man down as they were to build him up to Paul Bunyan-sized proportions. It’s the media circle of life, Simba.

PR: Crisis Management 101

Whether you’re “not here to talk about the past” or you “did not have sexual relations with that women,” everyone knows by now that the best course of action is to swiftly address an unpleasant situation by answering questions as truthfully and with as much dignity as possible. Anything else only delays the inevitable and makes matters worse long term. People are willing to forgive and forget mistakes. But we all hate liars. One of the best things Tiger Woods has done is stay out of the spotlight. There are no photos of his bloodied face. There is no footage of a tearful apology to be replayed in perpetuity. He has acknowledged his faults without specifically admitting to anything. As PR professionals by day we are impressed with this approach, even though his initial head-in-the-sand, hide-behind-closed-doors approach only further fueled the speculation about what was behind his bizarre car crash. Just come clean, people. Huge. Quickly. Bye.

Heroes: Where Are the Role Models?

Tiger Woods seemed to be one of the few professional athletes who did things the right way. Hard work. Training. Exercise. He was surrounded by a strong support group of friends, family and good business partners. Tiger Woods was a model for excellence. He was a hero and a role model to be admired. Only he isn’t. Turns out he’s as guilty as many of his peers and as flawed as the rest of us. The sad thing is that if Tiger Woods isn’t a role model, who is? Maybe there aren’t any. Maybe parents should just counsel their own children. Maybe the work-a-day guy down the street is who we should all look up to. Former NBA star Charles Barkley told us in the 1990s, before his huge gambling losses and DUI arrest, that “I am not a role model.” He was more prescient than we knew then.

Golf: A Gentleman’s Game?

Golf has historically been a game for the affluent. And, the rules dictate that golfers call penalties on themselves. These factors contribute to the sport’s reputation as a gentleman’s game. Golf is viewed as more civilized than crude, violent pursuits such as football, hockey or soccer. But golf also has its share of liars, cheaters (now performance enhancing drugs are a new way to potentially cheat) and womanizers. Tiger Woods is not the first. John Daly’s life is a well-documented wreck. Former world No. 1 ranked golfer Greg Norman recently divorced former tennis star Chris Evert after a hasty two-year marriage. They first met when each was married to other spouses. Young golf stars such as Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia have been romantically linked with film and sports stars. They jump from one hottie to the next. Lee Trevino, one of the most dominant golfers of the 1970s and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was married three times and spawned six children. He now readily admits in interviews to having been a poor father and husband. And, who among us believes that had Star magazine, TMZ and Facebook existed 50 years ago that the likes of Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen – or any other star golfer from yesteryear – would be as revered today? Golf is a great game. There are many wonderful people in the sport. But it is not as squeaky clean as it seems.

Sponsors: Stand By Your Man?

Tiger Woods carefully cultivated an appealing image for advertisers. He was success personified. Nike and Gatorade have already publicly declared their support. That makes sense. These are sports-related products, and he remains the best at what he does. But what about his other sponsors such as Accenture, American Express, Tag Heuer, Gillette and Electronic Arts? (He no longer endorses Buick) These brands attempt to link his excellence, drive, focus and success with their products or services that have nothing to do with golf. These are desirable attributes in business. But, now that his reputation off the golf course is tarnished, he should be concerned about his alliances with these non-sport brands. Not that he has to worry about his wallet; Woods reportedly is – or will soon become – the world’s first athlete to earn $1 billion in prize money and endorsement contracts.

Inside the Ropes

People often play better golf when they are relaxed and comfortable. It’s possible that the stress of this scandal could distract Tiger Woods and harm his play. However, few people are better at blocking distractions and getting freakishly focused. I think this will reinvigorate Woods. He is likely to go back to the basics and train harder than ever to prove his detractors wrong. He will take solace on the golf course where he was born to win. Nothing would make this scandal a distant memory faster than breaking Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record for the most major championship wins. He wants it bad. You could say he is lustful.

But what happens the next time Tiger plays? If tradition holds true, he is expected to start the season in late January in the San Diego area. Shouts from fans of “You da man!” are one thing, but “Get in the hole!” now has new meaning. Woods already has what they call rabbit ears, sensitive hearing that picks up anything and everything said in the gallery. And, caddie Stevie Williams already has a goon-ish reputation as a bully who demands quiet for his boss and is willing to grab cameras due to an ill-timed click. Can this duo that has been such a great team together continue to scowl, glare and intimidate people at tournaments? Or will the snide remarks from the peanut gallery get under their skin?

Once Woods returns to his winning ways most of these concerns will go away. And, maybe more than ever, inside the ropes will be his place of refuge.

Opportunity: A New Era of Openness

There is opportunity and optimism even amid the bleakness of a sex scandal. Kobe Bryant remade himself after allegations of rape and admitting an affair. Tiger Woods can, too. Bryant has become a leader who is open, more mature and (gulp) more likable than ever. Bryant recently led his team to a world championship title. Like Woods, he remains at the top of his game. The key is to continue winning. But, Woods must also replace his façade of perfection with a new image of openness. Let people in. Grant more interviews and then be personable. Show your funny side. Be honest about your shortcomings as a golfer and a father. In short, be real. This could be a transformational time, if Woods would allow it. But it’s doubtful that a man so intent on privacy and so vehemently uncompromising will make that kind of change. Rather than transformation, this could be the tipping point toward making him more reclusive than ever.

Speculation: What Else Would Eldrick Do?

If Tiger Woods would cheat on his wife, why not cheat at golf? Could he rationalize using steroids, too? Some fans and media have quietly wondered about his impressive physique for years. Might he be willing to bend the rules in business? Evade paying taxes? Hire illegal help? We are not accusing the man of any missteps, but his apology about unspecified “transgressions” raises serious questions about Woods’ integrity in all aspects of his life. Is he guilty only of having some casual, consensual sex for fun? Or, is he capable of something more sinister? Who knows.

There are so many aspects to the recent revelations about golf’s biggest star that it is impossible to address them all. But NiceBallz will continue watching Tiger Woods, and we hope to remain your first source for unfettered commentary by continuing to keep it real. As always, we give it to you straight even if your golf game isn’t.

10. Friends & Partners- Having only created NiceBallz earlier this year, we’re thankful for our readers. Dozens of them. We’re thankful for our partners, including Speaking of Golf, who have embraced NiceBallz as a unique source for great golf content. And, we appreciate the small handful of other golf addicts without whom we wouldn’t have a regular weekly golf game. Suckers!

9. Fights!- Controversy makes for great coverage and the professional golf ranks, well, rankled some people this year. LPGA players fighting with then commissioner Carolyn Bivens. Players fighting with each other included Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby, and Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie, who showed that the so-called “gentleman’s game” is not above pissyness and smack talk. Bad for them, good for bloggers.

8. Technology - The Internet and social media has leveled the playing field and given rise to emerging media like NiceBallz and other blogs. And, innovation in golf club and ball technology helps us all play the game better. Technology has expanded and brought the game to places unimagined before, if not unnecessary.

7. Left Coast - Give it up for the West Coast. California, Oregon and Washington are back on the national golf map. The U.S. Open was at Torrey Pines in 2008 and will be at Pebble Beach next year and Chambers Bay in Washington in 2015. The U.S. Senior Open will be held at Sahalee near Seattle next summer. The Presidents Cup was recently played in San Francisco. Major amateur and junior amateur tournaments have been held in Oregon in recent years and the U.S. Amateur goes to Chambers Bay in 2010. The national golf scene finally extends beyond New York and Ohio. The Left Coast is the best coast. We matter dammit.

6. Recession - What? Yes, the recession sucks overall, but it rocks for golf value. Great deals on golf gear and creative green fee specials are the best thing to happen to average golfers in years.

5. John Daly - Whether you love him, like him, pity him or are simply fascinated by him, big-hitting John Daly is an interesting character and he gives us someone other than Tiger Woods to talk about. Lately, we’re thankful that he seems like he’s on the straight and narrow even if his golf game is a little crooked.

4. LPGA- The LPGA was more interesting this year for the sideshow of controversy and collapse than for the compelling storylines inside the ropes. Ousters. Bickering. Nudity. But, we think – hopefully – the LPGA has bottomed out. They have a new commissioner. Michelle Wie finally won.  The game has gone international. Lot’s of assets and optimism.

3. Competition- Phil Mickelson’s got his putter back, Y.E. Yang took down Tiger at the PGA and several other players won majors who were not named Woods. Could it be that ‘the field’ has finally stepped up? Or is it all just a big fake out heading into 2010 where Tiger will lay the smack down? Regardless, while we love seeing Tiger win, competition is good for the game, and 2009 had it. 

2. Tom Watson - Old dude done good.  Three-and-a-half days of brilliant golf from a then 59-year-old in Britain was exciting, inspiring and eye-opening. He was story of the year in some ways and if he hadn’t captivated us at the British Open the world’s oldest golf tournament could have also been the most boring.

1. Tiger Woods (and his left knee) - Duh. Tiger Woods’ successful return from injury brought golf back from the grave. There’s a huge void when he’s gone. He brings the excitement even when he doesn’t win a major championship and throws clubs and has temper tantrums.

What are you thankful for? Pumpkin pie? Your first hole-in-one? A job? Whatever it is, take time this week to remind yourself of it and sound off.

Here in the rainy Pacific Northwest we play a lot of golf in the fall and winter. Compared with warmer locations where the golf is great all year, or colder climates where all but the most hardcore golfers hibernate, we’re able to play more than 40 weeks a year in moderately mild winter conditions that can include sleet and snow but usually just means cold, wet, windy and muddy.

Although we’re no golf pros, we have learned a few things about winterizing our game. Here are some tips from a couple of weekend hackers who just try to get our golf fix until the sun returns next summer. Share your best winter weather advice with our readers in the Comments below.

Wear – It’s all about layers. I’ve been known to wear between four and six layers in the offseason. Call me the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Stretchable and breathable base layers help keep you warm and dry. Check out some of the latest long underwear, which helps keep wind from cutting through thin cotton pants or prevents cold nylon rain pants from chaffing your bare legs. New removable cold weather sleeves keep your arms warm but can quickly be peeled off if the sun shows itself. Of course, thicker insulated clothing over these base layers helps keep the chill away and waterproof shoes and outerwear is a must when it rains. A beanie or stocking cap style hat can make even the coldest days seem comfortable. And, many manufacturers now make excellent cold and wet weather gloves, often sold in a two-pack designed to be worn on both hands. Pick up a pair and play.

Bring – A high-quality umbrella is key. GustBuster makes several that seem sturdier and more substantial than cheaper models, but there are many similar double layer umbrellas on the market that allow the wind to vent and help prevent an inside-out catastrophe. You can attach or clip both your glove and a dry towel to the spines underneath the umbrella to keep them dry. Throw in an insulated Thermos-style beverage container on extra cold days for coffee, tea, cocoa, cider or something, um, more powerful.

Swing – Golf is a game of physics. Sure, we all know that a well-struck shot won’t roll as far on wet fairway. But we often forget how much cold weather affects the distance of our shots. You can lose more than 10 yards, often a full club, on full-swing shots due to the cold weather, which is why many players prefer to keep extra golf balls in their pocket to help keep them warm. Cold, dense air can also kill your carry in lower elevations on the links or in dark, protected corners of the golf course. The point is: Take an extra club when it’s cold so you won’t come up short.

Wind has a similar effect. After a few trips to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where winds can reach 40 miles per hour, we’ve learned a little about playing when the weather is breezy. Some players will tell you to take an extra club for every 10 miles per hour of wind. For example, when it is blowing 30 MPH that is a three-club wind. While we don’t have a foolproof method, we can tell you from experience that it takes less wind than you think to affect your shot. Add a club or two (or more) when the wind is blowing directly at you. And, don’t try to overpower the wind. Often that imparts more spin and makes the ball balloon higher in the wind, killing your distance and tampering with your tempo.

Finally, damp and squishy fairways can cause havoc, especially for new golfers and higher handicappers. If you don’t hit down on the ball you can easily hit the shot fat and splash mud everywhere. Make sure you settle into your stance before you swing so that you don’t sink during the backswing and hit it heavy. It sounds absurd that you could sink significantly enough during the swing, but it’s happened to me more than once.

Score – Wet rough and damp bunkers are a problem for everyone. But one area where I often have problems is with short pitch shots around the green. In the summer I can lay a wedge open and hit a high flop shot. However, when the ground is really wet I hit this shot fat more often than not. Some instructors will advise you to change your clubs with the season, playing a wedge with more or less bounce based on the conditions. But that’s unrealistic for all but Tour pros, the super wealthy or elite amateurs. Instead, close the face and hit down on the ball in the mud. Your shot will come out with a lower trajectory, but then it is also more likely to stick on the wet greens. Basically, don’t try to get too cute around the greens when the ground is muddy.

We hope our pain and suffering in foul weather helps you have more fun on the course. Remember, we’re not golf pros. Our advice is just first-hand experience from a couple of weekend amateurs. We’re not even trying to sell you our ‘Top 100 Tips for Playing in Bad Weather’ book either. But we hope to encourage those golfers – altogether too many – who only play a handful of times in the summer and then exile their clubs to the garage after Halloween until their next vacation when the kids are out of school for spring break. Nobody likes playing golf in bad weather, but you also won’t like the results next summer if you take six months off. Bundle up and get out there already.