"I don't think he has the opposition that Jack Nicklaus had"

Grant Dodd chatted the late Tom Ramsey last year, in what was to be his final interview. 

Tom Ramsey died earlier this year and was Australia's greatest golf writer. He was News Limited's chief golf writer for four decades and travelled the world covering golf tournaments in all corners of the globe making friends with the greatest golfers of a generation and crossed paths with the likes of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Munroe.

Grant Dodd of ONE HD's The Pro Shop interviewed Ramsey before last year about his battle with cancer, his love of a bottle of red, the current state of golf writing and his falling out with one time friend, Greg Norman.

His comments on Tiger Woods are worth hearing.

Ryo Ishikawa has a girlfriend, Japanese golf in a frenzy

We have no idea how big Ryo Ishikawa is in Japan, but we may get some idea at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne in three weeks time.

The Japanese media have been whipped into a frenzy recently with news that Ryo Ishikawa may have a girlfriend. Ishikawa's mother, who is also his manager, issued a statement in an attempt to calm everything down ahead of a Japanese tabloid preparing to publish a story on the relationship.

Women's Australian Open added to US LPGA Tour

The US LPGA is coming back to Australia.

The US LPGA has just announced that it will be marking Australia on its calendar next year by including the Handa Women's Australia Open on its 2012 tournament schedule. The tournament runs from February 6 - 12, 2011 and is being held at Royal Melbourne.

Australia has been a part of the LPGA Tour before, but this is the first time since 2000 that an individual tournament has been on the tournament roster. It is also the first time the event will be held at Royal Melbourne, home to this year's Presidents Cup and considered by many to be Australia's best golf course.

Luckiest golf shot ever

I know this has been around a long time. But I've never posted it on Aussie Golfer and I'm sure there are a few of you who haven't seen it before.

It's a golf shot by Darren Clarke back in 2005, exhibiting the luck of the Irish.

PGA of Australiasia iPhone app

Just a quick note to let everyone know about the launch of the new iPhone app for the PGA Tour of Australiasia. 

Changes to the Rules of Golf announced

Changes to the rules of golf reek of common sense.

The R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA) have announced the publication of the new Rules of Golf for 2012-15 which include a series of changes to the rules and amendments to the Rules of Amateur Status. It is the first time the rules have been presented by both golf governing bodies.

The R&A’s Director of Rules and Equipment Standards David Rickman said: “The Rules of Golf are constantly evolving and our hope is that what we have produced for 2012 is clear, informed by common sense and reflective of the demands of the modern game.”

While there are always more rules of golf that could do with some changing, the recent updates are logical and make a lot of sense. And without further ado, here's a grab of some of the changes.

Nationwide Tour: Coles wins, Nitties sleeps in

The Nationwide Tour has one more tournament for the year and several Aussies are fighting to get their 2012 PGA Tour card.

Coles on track for PGA Tour card

Australian Gavin Coles may have earned his way back onto the PGA Tour courtesy of a win on the weekend. He won the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open by a shot to jump up into 15th spot on the Nationwide Tour standings. With only one tournament remaining, a top-25 position will give him a spot back on the PGA Tour, a place he hasn't been since 2008.

Nitties sleeps in, misses 12:30pm tee time

James Nitties was in 21st spot on the Nationwide Tour money list going into the week and a good result would help his ambition to be back in the big time next year. Through two rounds he was 5-under par and looking very good. However, he wasn't feeling so good. He was battling the flu and took medication to help him sleep on Friday night. It worked too well and he missed his 12:30pm tee time.

He now sits in 23rd spot and is in a precarious position for the devastated Nitties.

Goggin at ease, Presnall on edge

The only other Aussie in the Top-25 is Mathew Goggin and he is assured a spot on the PGA tour next year courtesy of two wins this year. He currently sits in 3rd position and will be looking for a good finish to a very successful season at this week's season ending Nationwide Tour Championship. Only the Top-60 players are in the field including Alistair Presnell.

Presnell has felt so much heartache on the Nationwide Tour and needs at least a Top-2 finish to get himself into the Top-25. He's currently in 59th position.

Current Nationwide Tour money list

Day to introduce himself to Australia

Jason Day is not well known in Australia but the next few months may change that.

Jason Day will soon be playing his first tournament in Australia as a professional golfer. Until now, he has not been able to play in the summer golf events due to a range of reasons but we're all very excited he'll be here this year.

Despite his fantastic year, he is still a relative unknown in Australia. This summer may well change all that as he is a confirmed starter at the Australian Open in Sydney and the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum too. He is of course a member of the International Team at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

Ready2Golf pants giveaway - winner announced!

Aussie Golfer and Ready2Golf are pleased to announce the winner of the Ready2Golf pants giveaway.

The winner is... James Lever!

A pair of Ready2Golf golf pants is coming your way!

If you weren't lucky this time, the Ready2Golf pants are available and many golf outlets across Australia. Look out for the blue button!

James Lever's name was drawn from a large number of entries we received. On behalf of Ready2Golf and Aussie Golfer, congratulations and thanks to everyone for entering. 

Never mind goals, Kewell's set for the golf course

It didn't take long for Harry Kewell to get his golf gear sorted out. 

Check out more photos below, he's only been in the country a month or so after deciding to join Melbourne Victory, but Harry Kewell has already attracted the interest of Callaway Golf Australia. He visited the Callaway Performance Fitting Centre in Melbourne last week for some new clubs.

The putter gets a new face

Broomstick putters, belly putters, white drivers, thick handles. Just when you thought nothing else could be redesigned in golf comes along this little creation from MxVGolf.

I don't know a lot about MxVGolf (Mass x Velocity) but it seems a curved putter face is what they do, and it's a strange looking thing.

Based on the idea of Newton's cradle, the putter supposedly gives you a more accurate strike towards the true centre of gravity of the golf ball.  It appears that it will prohibit putts from striking the lower half of the ball, with the putter face having exactly the same radius as a golf ball.

The putter will be released in the US in December and it is not surprising to hear it comes in the belly putter variety.

Cheers to Orlando Golf Blogger for this one.

Dying to play golf? This may be for you

Golfers in Seattle are dying to be a part of a new golf themed cemetery.

There is an old joke about a couple playing golf in heaven. It is everything golf in heaven should be, perfectly manicured with perfect greens and fairways. When the wife asks why the husband isn't enjoying himself, he confides that he wishes his wife hadn't cooked him such healthy meals and they could've played here years ago.

A Seattle funeral home has done their best to create a little golfer's heaven by designing a golf themed portion to their memorial park that resembles a golf hole.

The Seattle Weekly reports that the memorial golf park has space for over a thousand golf fanatics to be buried around the park which includes an 820-square foot green, a fairway, and a sand trap.

I know a few people who are keen to have their ashes scattered over their favourite golf course, and this is the sort of thing the funeral home director had in mind when this was created. 

But can you make a few putts or play a few shots when visiting loved ones? Make a couple of 30 footers in their honour? Seems only the right thing to do.

h/t Armchair Golfer and Devil Ball Golf

Seve: The Movie

There are plans to bring the life of Seve Ballesteros to the big screen.

The golfing world mourned when Seve Ballesteros passed away in May this year after a long battle with a brain tumour. Ballesteros was victorious in over 90 professional tournaments including five major wins. Three times British Open champ and twice he donned the green jacket at Augusta.

Now comes news that the early life of Seve Ballesteros is to be told on film. British producer Stephen Evans (The Madness of King George and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) will looks at his life from the age of 16 to 19.

The film will lead up to his incredible second place finish at the 1976 British Open. At only 19, Ballesteros lead after three rounds finishing in a tie for second spot with Jack Nicklaus, six shots behind eventual winner Johnny Miller.

Ballesteros played golf with a clichéd Spanish temperament. Most rounds featured moments of absolute brilliance punctuated by moments of absurd golf that made him a joy to watch.

A look at how his temperament, life and of course his golf evolved should be fascinating viewing. Stay tuned.

Remembering Seve: video highlights

It's golf season - Aussie summer of golf begins this week

The PGA Tour of Australasia have launched the campaign for the biggest summer of golf Australia has seen in a long time, with 14 of the world's top-20 golfers heading down under.

Eight PGA events and The Presidents Cup are scheduled between now and the end of the year, featuring some of the biggest names to ever play in Australia and the It's Golf Season campaign will be everywhere very soon.

Jason Day and Adam Scott lead the Aussie contingent coming back home for the summer and it's the first time Day has played in the country since turning professional.

But it is the international players who are making this summer a special one.

2011 Australian Summer of golf schedule

Australasian PGA Tour 2011 calendar

Oct 20 - 23 Brunel WA PGA Championship Novotel Vines Resort and Country Club, Perth WA
Oct 27 - 30 WA Open Championship Royal Fremantle Golf Club, Perth WA
Nov 03 - 06 NSW PGA Championship Wollongong Golf Club NSW
Nov 10 - 13 Emirates Australian Open The Lakes GC, Sydney NSW
Nov 17 - 20 NSW Open Championship Newcastle Golf Club NSW
Nov 24 - 27 Australian PGA Championship Hyatt Regency Coolum QLD
Dec 01 - 04 BMW NZ Open Clearwater Resort, Christchurch NZ
Dec 15 - 18 JBWere Australian Masters Victoria Golf Course, Melbourne VIC

For more information, head to the PGA Australia website.

New Aussie golf show launched

A new Australian golf show has landed and you can check it out below.

The Aussie Golf Show is a mini-show for the internet that looks at all things golf in Australia.

Each episode is 15-minutes long, filmed at a different golf clubhouse with a live audience, and can be seen anytime, anywhere. The hosts of the show, actual Pro golfers, play the courses, give hints and tips and review the latest golf products and gadgets.

The first episode (see below) was filmed at Lynwood Golf Club. Former pro Paul Gow hosts the episode  and includes a review of new Mizuno golf clubs and a quick look at how you can get professionally fitted for a set of golf clubs.

Make sure you check out the Aussie Golf Show website and keep up to date via the Aussie Golf Show Facebook page.

Sharks at Carbrook Golf Course go international

Sky News UK has been out visiting Carbrook Golf Course to take a cautious peek at the bull sharks in the lake. They compiled this report and the video above and it has been causing quite a stir.

Given the subject matter, not surprising really.

We've mentioned the sharks at the Brisbane golf course previously at Aussie Golfer but it sounds like it's been quite a week for club manager Scott Wagstaff with interest in the golf course coming from all over the world.

Let's not forget, Carbrook is a pretty sweet golf course on its own. It even featured in our list of 8 great Australian golf courses you've never heard of. Although, I'm guessing most of the world knows about Carbrook Golf Club now.

McIlroy hits the wrong golf ball, but no penalty

Rory McIlroy hit the wrong golf ball during last weekend's Madrid Masters, but it was deemed ok.

There have been a few interesting scenarios on the pro tours lately which have tested the rules officials. Kevin Na's air-swing was closely looked at and deemed ok last week, John Daly ended up withdrawing over a rule infringement and this week, Rory McIlroy was caught up in a strange ruling.

Luke Donald on being a Dad and travelling to Australia

We've mentioned the Golf Vacations Magazine previously on Aussie Golfer, most notably in the "Which golf magazine should I buy?" article a few months ago. The current issue (October 2011) is a beauty as per usual. It features a very cool list of six courses you must play in Victoria, as well as a great interview with world number one, Luke Donald.

Luke Donald has had an incredible year. Out of his 18 starts, he has finished in the top-25 on 15 occasions, 13 of them were top-10 finishes. He recently went a remarkable 434 consecutive holes without a three-putt and is heading to Australia for the first time in December to play the Australian Masters in Melbourne.

Here's a few excerpts from the wide-ranging interview in the October issue where the Englishman tells Golf Vacations just why he hasn’t been here before.

Westwood wants a fifth major, in Asia or Australia

Lee Westwood wants what many of us want; a fifth major.

The HSBC Champions website has reported that Lee Westwood likes the idea of having a fifth major, and preferably somewhere in the East, like Asia or Australia.

"I like the tradition of the Majors. I think the men's game has got it pretty much right, although I'd like to see another Major somewhere else in the world. Somewhere like Asia or Australia," said Westwood, ahead of the WGC-HSBC Champions event to be held in early November.

He also had a few things to say about the predominantly American based World Golf Championship events.

Video: Fan throws hot dog at Tiger Woods

You've probably heard by now that some guy that really wasn't that hungry, decided to throw his hot dog at Tiger Woods during the final round of the Frys.com PGA Tour event on Sunday.

And the video is below.

Golfshow hits Melbourne this week

Where: Boulevard Pavilion, Melbourne Showground
When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct 15 & 16, 2011
Time: 9am - 5:30pm
Free admission

The Golfshow Melbourne brought in over 12,000 visitors in 2010 and the show is back in 2011 and launches this week.

Presented by GolfBug, the event features a huge golf sale, loads of golf products including the latest products and gadgets. There's lessons on offer, longest drive and hole-in-one competitions and loads of other golf course and resort offers.

Rules of golf: More on the water golf shot

I've been doing too much thinking about playing golf shots from the water lately. 

I wondered what would happen if the ball moves as you take your stance. Say you remove your shoes, enter the shallows and the ripples you create moves your golf ball?

LPGA rookie strips for ESPN Body Issue

Spanish born Belen Mozo is just a rookie on the LPGA Tour this year but it hasn't stopped her posing nude for the latest ESPN Body Issue.

Remember the picture of a naked Camilo Villegas last year? It was part of the 2010 ESPN "The Body Issue" they publish each year featuring a whole host of famous athletes stripped bare.

Teaser images from the 2011 ESPN Body Issue have just been released and LPGA rookie golfer Belen Mozo has taken the challenge and posed nude. According to the video, she braved cameramen and hairy caterpillars to produce the photos which will be sure to boost her profile.

GOLF Link Race Series is back

The GOLF Link Race Series is back and is being held across four states this year; New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

The series is managed a little like the European and US PGA Tour's in that golfers are awarded points depending on the results of each event, and contribute towards an overall Order of Merit. 

A series of qualifying golf tournaments held at different courses in each state throughout the summer. If you play well enough and earn enough points on the Order of Merit, you can earn a spot in the State final. 

For example, the South Australian state final is being played at Royal Adelaide!

9 golf shots from the water, by hackers

In the wake (pardon the pun) of Bill Haas' amazing golf shot from the water last week, I've been trawling through YouTube videos to see how the average hacker does it. Some are hilarious and must be shared.

1. The best

This would have to be the best shot I came across. This guy looks like he's done this before and barely gets any mud on him and knocks it as close ever hope to. He's pretty happy with himself too.

Na has an air swing, but it doesn't count

Kevin Na appeared to have an air swing on Saturday, and got away with it.

Remember Kevin Na? He's one of the slowest players on the PGA Tour and more recently known for his 16-shot hole in April this year. Well, he's back immersed in controversy again, this time for an airy.

On Saturday, he appeared to have a full air swing at the ball. He missed it by a long way but rules officials deemed that he actually pulled out of the shot, and didn't actually miss the ball when he was playing a proper golf shot.

Like Tommy Gainey says in the video above courtesy of FoxSports, it looks like an air-swing. I really can't believe he got away with this. What's going on? The precedent has now been set for hackers across the globe!