Should the public send a "just stop it" message to Nike?

Nike is swooshingly gaining a notorious reputation for standing by celebrity athletes who womanize; Ben Roethlisberger and Tiger Woods, to name a few.

Should the public continue to buy goods from Nike or send a message loud and clear forcing the sports retailer to become more family-friendly?

Tiger Woods has finally come clean, probably because of the buzzing in his ears from sponsors that doing so limits the damages he incurs over time. He still needs to break Jack Nicklaus' records, right?

No one has to like Ben Roethlisberger off the field except for, maybe, Missy Peregrym and accused still means innocent until proven guilty. But, with Andrea McNulty also claiming sexual misconduct, Nike should consider putting the brakes on before being forced to do so.

Nike does have its limits; cruelty to animals, for example. Michael Vicks was quickly dropped from the Nike roster after pleading guilty to running a dog-fighting ring punishable by prison time.

Could this mean that Nike considers infractions to women a more palatable offense than to dogs? Nah, couldn't be. Most likely it just the fact that Nike backs off when an athlete is found guilty without first admitting blame.

Nike's product is still moving off the shelves so perhaps "creepy cred" as Timothy Egan puts it is good for business. And, as Hollie Shaw mentioned, "Love it or Hate it, Nike's ad got noticed."

Bottom line comes from "data from U.S.based market research firm TNS suggesting that while the athlete (Tiger Woods in this case) may have hurt his personal reputation in the scandal, that harm did not extend to the brands he endorses."

With reasoning being that any press is good press, who will Nike sign on next?

Marriott Golf Promotes Free Family Golf Festival

Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, is once again reaching out to families all over the world promoting “togetherness in golf.”

Announcing the third annual International Family Golf Festival program, Marriott golf will host a year-long series of one-day family golf events taking place at thirty of their leading managed destinations throughout the world.

Commencing on May 1st, the Marriott International Family Golf Festival, which encourages parents and children to learn and play the game together, invites families to Marriott Golf properties for an afternoon of FREE golf instruction, clinics, fun activities, interactive golf games, family golf programs, chances to win a variety of prizes, and more. Last year, it was estimated that more than 5,000 family participants took part in this exciting program.

In addition, after 3 p.m., families and children can play golf for free as part of Marriott Golf’s “Kids Golf-4-Free” program in which an estimated 10,000 parents and children participate each year.  The 2010 Family Golf Festival will take place at designated Marriott Golf properties, from May through November:

Marriott Golf Property	Location	Date of Event
La Iguana Golf Club	Herradura Bay, Costa Rica	May 1, 2010
Shadow Ridge Golf Club	Palm Desert, CA	May 22, 2010
Camelback Golf Club	Scottsdale, AZ	May 23, 2010
Crane’s Landing Golf Club	Lincolnshire, IL	May 23, 2010
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club	Orlando, FL	May 29, 2010
Cattails At MeadowView	Kingsport, TN	June 6, 2010
Son Antem Golf Club	Mallorca, Spain	June 12, 2010
Dalmahoy Country Club	Edinburgh, Scotland, UK	June 20, 2010
Sprowston Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club	Norwich, Norfolk, UK	June 20, 2010
The Rookery at Marco	Naples, FL	June 26, 2010
Breadsall Priory, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club	Nr. Derby, Derbyshire, UK	June 27, 2010
Kauai Lagoons Golf Club	Lihue, HI	July, 10, 2010
Faldo Golf Institute	Orlando, FL	July 17, 2010
Grande Pines Golf Club	Orlando, FL	July 17, 2010
Hollins Hall Country Club	Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK	July 17, 2010
Meon Valley Country Club	Nr. Southampton, Hampshire, UK	August 8, 2010
Griffin Gate Golf Club	Lexington, KY	August 14, 2010
Westfields Golf Club	Clifton, VA	August 22, 2010
Forest of Arden, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club	Meriden, Warwickshire, UK	August 28 & 29, 2010
Worsley Park Country Club	Worsley Park, Manchester, UK	August 28 & 29, 2010
St. Pierre, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club	Monmouthshire, Wales, UK	August 29, 2010
Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club	St. Petersburg, FL	September 5, 2010
Royal St. Kitts Golf Club	Basseterre, St. Kitts	September 11, 2010
Wildfire Golf Club	Phoenix, AZ	September 12, 2010
Desert Springs Golf Resort	Palm Desert, CA	September 12, 2010
Tudor Park Country Club	Maidstone, Kent, UK	September 18, 2010
Willow Crest Golf Club	Oak Brook, IL	September 19, 2010
Stone Mountain Golf Club	Stone Mountain, GA	September 26, 2010
Doral Golf Resort & Spa	Miami, FL	October 30, 2010
Starr Pass Country Club	Tucson, AZ	November 21, 2010

The Marriott International Family Golf Festival is another effort by Marriott to promote family golf.  In 2005, Marriott Golf launched “Kids Golf-4-Free,” a first-of-its-kind program that enables kids up to 15 years old to golf for free when accompanied by a full paying adult after 3 p.m.  In addition, Marriott Golf also offers free lessons anytime to kids up to 15 years old when accompanied by an adult who is taking a fully paid lesson from a Marriott Golf instructor.  This program, which is available at some of Marriott Golf’s most prestigious resort destinations worldwide, was complemented in 2007 by the “Kids Rent-4-Free” program, which provides kids 15 years old and under with a free rental set of Accu-Length clubs when they participate in the “Kids Golf-4-Free” program.

About Marriott Golf

Marriott Golf manages 58 golf courses at 42 locations in 12 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf.  Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators.  Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises.  For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.

Golf.com Q&A with Dave Pelz and Golf4Beginners

Dave Pelz hosted a special question and answer session today on the Golf.com website and I just had to ask the short game expert for a few tips and drills!

Golf4beginners said... 

 

Hi Dave,

I have a 56 and 60 degree wedge in my bag. When I practice at the range, I try to use both clubs (not at the same time) to hit a 60-yard target.

Is it good practice to vary ball position or backswing in order to gain proper distance? Is it important to practice with a few different clubs like 8-iron to get better feel?

Any good drills for distance control?

Thank you!

Reply April 16, 2010 at 01:24 PM

 

Dave Pelz said in reply to Golf4beginners... 

 

Greetings Golf4beginners!

For wedges, distance control is best accomplished by varying the length of your backswing. Don't change your ball position in your stance. The ball should be centered between your ankles (not toes) and your backswing should always be shorter than your follow-through.

And yes, it is important to practice with all different clubs in your bag - for example, on today's practice range session, practice your even-numbered clubs (4, 6, 8, PW), and for your next session, practice your odd-numbered clubs (5, 7, 9, SW).

Have fun! dp

Reply April 16, 2010 at 02:17 PM

Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/top100/2010/04/live-chat-with-dave-pelz-submit-your-questions-now.html#tpe-action-resize-278#ixzz0lI1NahUW


It's important to know proper practice techniques!