After taking offense at something Chris Baldwin wrote about Harding Park in San Francisco, a "Denver Player" chimed in to take a shot at the writer (making him the 768th reader to do so in the past couple months). No, it wasn't anything Baldie wrote about Michelle Wie this time. It seems Denver Player was miffed that Chris would dare to criticize that golf course. But based on this comment, it seems like Denver Player is the kind of person the golf industry is lousy with - he's miffed if anyone who criticizes anything. "If I play an away course, I try never to criticise it," he wrote. "It is someone's home course, and they may take offense."

Egads! They might take offense!

Better not criticize that over-rated course, someone might take offense (then again, someone might take their money to some better course). Better not point out that a resort is too pricey for what it offers, someone might take offense (then again, someone might take their money to a better resort). Better not criticize hotels for the way their golf concierges do business, someone might take offense (then again, the criticism might prompt the hotels to offer better advice to their golfing guests). Better not question the role of golf instructors, someone might take offense (then again, some duffer might spend more time selecting the right pro for them before paying the guy down the block). Better not take a shot at slimey travel writers, someone might take offense (then again, the negative limelight might force candy coaters to be a little more credible). Better not call fat people fat, someone might take offense (then again someone - like this fat bastard - might get serious about their health). Better not criticize an out-of-touch parent as a kook, someone might take offense (then again ...... well, you're on your own with this O'Hair guy).

What is it with golf people and this unwillingness to be open about anything!? Who wins? Average duffers like us? Don't count on it. Come on, folks - just like America is strong enough to weather an open dialogue about what's right and wrong with it, golf is a strong enough game to handle some degree of open, honest debate. Why then, is that so damn hard to find? Open debate only helps the strong players in the market jungle and forces out the weak ones, right? And that's bound to be good for us end consumers - everyday golfers.

Lastly, I did like how Denver Player closed his comment, offering up a sage bit of advice: "One rule I live by: I never take instruction or advice from a hack." Even this brings to mind something that needs fixing in the world of golf, however. The fact is, far too often this industry takes the same attitude when it comes to listening to the voices of duffers. And then the bigwigs wonder why rounds are down.

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