A list of important equipment used in the game of golf is as follows:

• Golf clubs, such as “putters”, “woods”, and “irons”, which come in different varieties for different types of shots
• Golf balls, made of two to four layers of synthetic material and covered with 300-400 dimples to enhance the ball's aerodynamics
• Golf tees, a generally wooden or plastic object pushed into the ground, with a nail-like design; players place the golf ball on the top of the tee before the first stroke to make for an easier take-off

The golf ball was originally a small pebble, struck by a stick during play. The first man-made golf ball was a thin leather bag stuffed with feathers. 1898 marked the creation of the first rubber-cored golf ball. Seven years later, a golf ball manufacturer realized that if a ball was scarred, it traveled farther than a smooth one. This discovery led to the introduction of dimpled golf balls. Since then, different dimple designs have been patented, but the plastic and rubber contents of the golf ball still remain constant.

The earliest golf clubs were fashioned entirely out of wood. As the golf ball evolved, however, golfers worried less about damaging the ball, and iron heads could be used. Before the 20th century, all golf clubs had a wooden shaft, whether the heads were made of iron or wood. In 1920, the first American steel-shafted clubs were introduced. After 1930, specialty golf clubs began to emerge (such as sand wedges, used to shoot the ball out of a sand pit). In the early 1970s, golf clubs with shafts of fibre-reinforced composite materials were developed, but these shafts were expensive and too flexible. After a few years, stronger fibres replaced the originals, increasing the popularity of these kinds of clubs.

A golf tee is simply the name for the spot where the golfer makes their first stroke towards a hole. Originally, a tee was a mound of sand meant to keep the ball above ground level. The first portable tee was invented in 1889, made of rubber with three prongs that held the ball in place before the swing. This tee was not meant to be inserted into the ground. However, in 1892, the first tee designed to be pushed into the ground was invented; this tee was made of rubber, but also had a metal spike. In 1897, a similar tee was patented, but this one had a cup-shaped head to better hold the ball. Other patents have been issued for tees made of different composite materials; for example, a biodegradable resin was used to make a golf tee in 1991.

In 2004, the United States Golf Association and the Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrew's amended the official rules of golf for both clarity and ease of play. Among these changes was a new definition for “tee”. Relating to this new definition, Rule 11-1 introduced a new penalty of disqualification for using a tee not described in these new classifications. This includes any tee longer than four inches, even though newly-patented tees may exceed this measurement.

Since 1947, when the PGA of America began awarding the Vardon Trophy (for best yearly average) using the scores themselves rather than a points system, a steady trend has emerged. Between 1951 and 1987, the majority of winning averages were between 70 and 70.85. In the years between 1988 and 1996, the average winner's results were approximately 69.35. However, the more recent scores have improved; the average winning score between 1997 and 2005 is 68.62. In fact, the lowest average score on record was achieved within those 9 years (67.79 by Tiger Woods in 2000). The invention and improvement of equipment has surely aided these great golfers, as well as any other person enjoying this sport today.

I think it's time though that we acknowledge some of the greats that have come before Tiger Woods. Take Bryon Nelson the guy Tiger Woods was trying to catch. Nelson won 11 straight tournaments, a number of people today still think the record will never be broken. I will have to agree with them. Nelson was a legend and sometimes we forget about the players that came before Woods who set the standard. Let's not forget the great ones to as we talk about the up and coming great ones.

This year some one at the PGA must have forgot to read the fine print on putting golf on TV. When the PGA sold the TV rights to TV this year I hope they got a lot of money because they are for sure going to lose a lot of viewers. If TV ad spots are sold on the basis of viewers then I believe they will have a surprise in store for them.

Let me explain my reasoning. I, like many of the millions of golfers out there, pay for our television viewing from a cable network. I, like millions of golfers out there, do not have nor can afford to pay the additional $15 to $30 dollars per month that the cable companies charge to have the Golf network.

If you have a dish then you may get it in your package. To have dish means you may not get reception all the time, the reception may not be as good or you just don’t want the dam thing on your roof.

So when the PGSA decided to put the first two tournaments of the year on the golf channel only I along with the other millions missed the tournaments, Thank you PGA.

Many sports have become to smart for their own good. Most people form a habit of watching certain channels and certain things when you force them to change they rebel. Perhaps the PGA would care to explain the reasoning for the change before they find no one wants to watch any more.