GolfBlogger’s 18th Blogiversary

GolfBlogger’s 18th Blogiversary

Today marks the eighteenth year of publication of GolfBlogger.Com

That’s a long time in internet years. As far as I can tell, GolfBlogger is the oldest independent golf blog on the ‘net.

Since 2004, I have published 14, 053 articles, including 276 golf course reviews and hundreds of other reviews of golf clubs, gadgets, books and more. The site has had north of eight million visitors.

I suppose that’s not much in the grand scheme of internet sites, but think it is pretty good for a one-man, part-time publication.

Numbers, however, do not tell nearly the whole tale. The golf blog has been a labor of love, and the friendships and opportunities it has brought to me are incalculable.

I started GolfBlogger simply as an outlet for my compulsion to write. I began my working life as a journalist and public relations professional, and when I made a career change to teaching, I found I missed the writing. Blogging was still in its infancy in 2004, so I thought I’d give it a try. The basic advice to writers is always to write about what you know and love, so it was either public policy or golf.

Golf won (although I also briefly ran a political commentary blog, and still have another site at MiniatureWargaming.Com).

I had no expectations that anyone would actually want to read my golf blog. I just wanted to write. That I have a large and steady stream of visitors to the site is a continual amazement.

This past year was a busy one for the golf blog. I went on a pilgrimage to Pinehurst, where I played No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 8; then I played Tobacco Road. In early summer, I spent the better part of a week at Boyne in Northern Michigan.

Another highlight of the year was the opportunity to play the Gil Hanse restoration of Oakland Hills’ legendary South Course. It is a masterpiece.

The Solheim Cup was at Inverness in Toledo and I was thankful to get media credentials for the event. You can read my articles on the Solheim Cup at the link.

I also had the opportunity to test some outstanding golf equipment and golf related products, including a C721 driver from Tour Edge which has found a permanent place in my bag and True Linkswear shoes which have found a permanent place on my feet.

Much of my playing time this past year was spent at Washtenaw Golf Club, a 120-year-old club with which I am totally in love. I did find the time, however, to add a number of additional courses to my growing list of Michigan golf course reviews.

In 2021 and 2022, I also managed to extend my streak of playing at least once every month of the year in Michigan. With my round in March 2022, I have now played in 85 consecutive months. Some of those Michigan rounds have been quite cold.

This past year, I’ve been thankful for two sponsors who have helped defray the rising costs of hosting: Golf Anytime and Skillest. Golf Anytime is a Michigan based company that provides solutions for indoor golf simulators, practice nets, launch monitors and more. Skillest is an innovative platform that offers golf lessons and coaching on an any-time, any-where basis.

I’d love to have some additional sponsors to cover some more expenses, so if you are interested, check out the various sponsorship levels on my Patreon.

In my dreams, I would have enough sponsors to make it possible for me to retire from school teaching to write full time.

This season, I hope to add another dozen course reviews and perhaps take a trip or two out of state (V.H. — if you’re reading this — yes, I am allowed to play courses in other states).

A small pile of gear is waiting for me to test and review this season. Hopefully, I will soon have more. I’m always looking for things to write about so if any manufacturers are reading this, I’m happy to write about whatever you send.

In any case, in this next year, I will continue to write about golf from the perspective of one of golf’s 99%: the working stiff who plays at munis with well worn clubs and whose family and work take precedence, but whose love of the game never diminishes.

I will end this screed with a special thank you to Mrs. GolfBlogger who has put up with my golf and writing obsession for decades and without whom none of this would be possible.

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