This Week at WorldGolf.com: Jan. 8, 2008

Can alleged steroid cheats like Roger Clemens be trusted in golf?

Who cares if Roger Clemens is lying about taking steroids or not?

The burning question is whether The Rocket's telling the truth about his holes in one. Really, what was that 89-year-old Mike Wallace thinking (besides, wonder what's the 3:30 dinner special?) during that ballyhooed 60 Minutes interview? He failed to pose the one question that America holds its breath over.

Does Roger Clemens really have five golf aces?

That's what Clemens claimed in an exclusive interview long before the Mitchell Report changed everything for him. I'm not saying I suddenly doubt this figure because Clemens' former trainer and buddy details 16 times he says he shot Clemens up with steroids or HGH, but ...

It all raises an interesting side question: Can you trust someone who's willing to cheat by taking performance enhancing drugs to do the honorable thing in a sport that depends so much on honor like golf? This goes beyond Clemens specifically - for who can say with certainty that his late-career rebirth was fueled by the juice, even if he dodges questions by playing the angry man storming off? Instead, it's a good query for all the indignant PGA Tour players and fans who want to believe that steroids are no concern to golf.

You have to posses a fifth grader's grasp of sports history and science or be named Tim Finchem to not think there are players on the PGA Tour right now gaining an advantage from performance enhancing drugs. Would these golfers be more likely to cheat in other aspects of the game if given the chance? Improving a lie if no one's looking, fudging a score with the assist of someone else ...

On the highest level, with so many watching, these type of things aren't easy. But what about on the way up to the big tour?

Is golf's much preened over honors system just an outdated relic when so many are willing to do anything to gain an edge?

Fans could care less if athletes are on 'roids. This is a media issue and only with baseball. That's why Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman fails a steroids test, gets suspended and ends up with a cool new Nike commercial directed by Michael Mann, while Clemens and Bonds catch hell.

Would people care if those on HGH were more likely to cheat in other ways though? It's something for golf to think about.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Ashwood Golf Course a "pleasant" round of golf in Apple Valley, Calif.

In Apple Valley, Ashwood Golf Course gives you pleasure and can be characterized as having pleasing manners, behavior, and appearance, as you'd expect from a Billy Casper course. Plus, there's water on several holes and some risk/rewards big hitters will love. This may be barely more than an executive course, but it's got a little something for everyone.

Also: Low Green fees make High Desert a So. Cal value

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa draws stars with luxury, location and golf

Want to hit the links where Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and A-Rod play golf in Phoenix? The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and the two golf courses right across the street from it - the Adobe and Links courses - are your ticket. Just because Phoenix/Scottsdale offers unlimited golfing opportunities, doesn't mean you want to miss one of the best.

Podcast: Chris Baldwin discusses Arizona Biltmore

With Revere Golf Club's Lexington, Concord courses, Billy Casper and Greg Nash score big

Billy Casper's playing skills have largely outpaced his work in designing courses, though that's not obvious to those who play at Revere Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada. That's because Casper and partner Greg Nash designed a marvelous 36-hole Las Vegas-area facility that leaves you wanting more. The courses fit the surroundings perfectly and look as if they were natural outgrowths instead of man-made designs.

Also: Revere's Lexington and Concord courses by the numbers