In his latest intro to our weekly newsletter, Chris Baldwin started out: "Golf instructors always struck me as the modern-day equivalent of snake-oil salesmen or chiropractors."

Predictably, this set off a torrent of angry comments, many by PGA Professionals who (they'll tell you at every turn) have dedicated their life to bringing a fundamentally sound golf swing to, uhh, the huddled masses or whatever. In wading through some of the venom and blather, though, I have to say, these club pros are RIGHT! While I know Chris was taking aim at the charlatans, he did unfairly rip a whole bunch of honest men and women dedicated to helping people enjoy golf by playing better. (And to compare golf pros to chiropractors was way below the belt! .... unless of course, you're talking about the hacks "certified" by the United States Golf Teachers Federation.)

Anyway, I told a number of the guys who e-mailed in their angry comments that I would ask Chris to give it a shot -- to take a lesson from a PGA Professional the next time he reviews a course. Then CB goes and rips out this nonsense in his blog, saying the letter writers have made him think "this golf instructing thing is really a complete sham. If there’s no Zen mumbo jumbo or name calling to hide behind, these teachers cannot make a point."

So, forget asking. As his managing editor, I am ordering Baldwin to take a lesson within the next three weeks and give us a report. I'm not asking him to see the light, just to give it a fair shot. Anything to fix that broken down wreck he refers to as his "golf game." Come on, Baldwin - ask not what your crappy swing can go for a golf teacher, ask what a golf teacher can do for your crappy swing! I want an update within three weeks.

Lastly, a quick note for letter writer Alan of Roswell, who included this gem: "Without golf professionals running golf courses there would be no need for your publication." True -- I guess, Alan. But without hackers laying down their hard-earned dough to golf, there'd be no need for golf professionals. Think about it.

Checkout:
http://www.travelgolf.com/departments/blogs/mark.nessmith/2005/04/27/i_m_ordering_baldwin_to_take_a_golf_less