This Week at WorldGolf.com: Oct. 16, 2007

Ernie Els must fly in to save golf in '08

Can you imagine Tiger Woods following up a big win by jetting over to Nagano or Salt Lake City to give the U.S. Hockey Team a pep talk before the medal round?

A golf writer would have a better chance of getting invited onto Tiger's yacht for one of his 32 weekends off a year.

But that's essentially what Ernie Els did after winning the World Match Play Championship over the weekend. The Big Easy breezed into Paris (okay, it wasn't exactly Utah) to give the South Africa team a little pep talk before the Rugby World Cup finale.

That's Els. He's one of the most unique megastar athletes in the world. Els still sometimes acts like a wide-eyed fan himself (of soccer and rugby), even as he flies everywhere in his own GulfStream 5. Els is as human as John Daly without all the out-of-control gambling, wasted talent and contrived "regular guy" rep.

If Daly is golf's version of Brett Favre, Els is its Dan Marino, downgraded because he's not supposed to have won enough big ones and for being a little cocky despite this. As opposed to falsely humble.

If you're looking forward to an interesting 2008 golf season, it's all about Els. The most exciting player in golf not named Tiger Woods just needs to play like it when the real Tiger's in the field.

There have been enough tease challenges from Phil Mickelson. Beating Tiger in one FedEx Cup tournament and then running away the next week is no sign of anything but the usual.

It's on Els. If you watched him this summer you slowly saw the fearless gunner who can run off a string of eagles on par 5s returning. Over the weekend, Els finally found his putting stroke.

If he packs it on the GulfStream often enough next year, the season's interesting. If not ... well, you're left with Hillary-Rudy.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort: New clubhouse and tees improve on perfection

The famed Ocean course at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort is always a treat to play, whether the wind is blowing or not. There are those resort guests who don't enjoy getting bludgeoned by it and who stick the resort's other four courses, but many of the island's residents come back again and again, if not every week, to get their dose of difficulty. Over the years, neither man nor nature have done much to change the course. It's just as long and treacherous as it was when it was selected, even before it was built, to host the 1991 Ryder Cup Matches.

Also: Don't overlook Kiawah's Turtle Point course

Las Vegas golf trips will help heat up those frigid winter months

Affordable Las Vegas winter golf packages can have you staying in style at hotels like the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay and taking advantage of the city's casinos, restaurants and entertainment options. By day, you'll have tee times at Vegas golf courses like Rio Secco, Revere at Anthem, Silverstone and Bali Hai.

Also: Las Vegas perfect for corporate outings

Try Feel Golf's 73-degree wedge and look like Phil Mickelson around the green

Have trouble with the flop shot? Feel Golf is making a 73-degree wedge designed by Dr. Feel and Charlie Sorrell. The club lets you take your full swing on every shot. It's a little tough to get used to - you may have to swing much harder than with your normal wedge.

Also: 5 ways women can generate more club head speed