Merry Christmas Golf Nuts,

I hear them singing "Jingle Bells" or "Blue Christmas" and I can't believe the Holiday is upon us. It seems like just yeaterday everyone was bitching about the heat in Las Vegas!

More than any other year, I am grateful for all I have this Christmas. I am grateful for every Golf Nut in our community. I am grateful that I am alive and healthy enough to play this maddening game. I am so very grateful for my family, who have done so much for me always but especially this year when I couldn't do everything I used to do.

I really need to mention some people who don't get much recognition. My radio co-host and friend  Ron Gerrard...the G-Man... may Santa bless him with the patience to find his game! My Son and Best Friend, Ryan... Ninja Nut...may Santa bring him the patience to deal with me, his Dad, Boss and Head Nut! For the World's #1 Netwoker...Big Bill Conwell...may Santa bring him a bigger Rolodex so he can keep track of more great contacts. For Mark Stephan...Ballast of the Desert Duffers... may Santa bring him a fashion book so he can figure out how to wear a golf hat (see below)...

For She Nut...Queen of the Greens... Karen Tieken... may Santa bring her new photo editing software so all Golf Nuts can get a look at the "Cozies" she hand-knitted for her husband, Jim. (see below)

For My poor sufferring wife, Pam, aka: Mrs. Head Nut... may Santa bring you anything you want! God knows you deserve it for tolerating my Golf addiction for all these years!

Although I could go on forever, the time has come for some "Christmas Cheer" and an Irishman never passes up an opportunity like that!

Merry Christmas,

Head Nut #0001

Happy Holidays Golf Nuts,

What a crazy time of year, huh? Everybody seems to be holding off on their Christmas shopping and trying to jam it into the next two days! Not me... I took care of getting the perfect gift for Mrs. Head Nut and THAT is my Christmas miracle every year! Unlike past years, I actually did my shopping early. What I didn't do was give Santa my personal "wish list" for him to deliver on Christmas Day! So, hopefully Santa is a Golf Nut... gosh, you'd think he would be considering all the time he has on his hands since he only really works one night a year! 

Without further discussion... here's my list for Santa:

1. A Trip to the Masters - I figure this will be one of the most exciting Masters in years. Tiger will be back from his knee surgery and I'm guessing he'll make a statement with his play in the season's first Major. I expect him to win. In fact, I expect him to win a couple of Majors in 2009.

2. Nike Victory Red Irons - Acknowledging that my game isn't at its best right now, I am looking for the Split Cavity Forged set which seems to be the alternative to the pure blades. I've done my homework and I really think this might be my own personal "Secret" for 2009. Of course, if I don't get my swing working I might as well play with the Sam Sneads that I used in the Classic Club event!

3. Golf Buddy GPS - OK, I was up late and watching the infomercial and they hooked me! I've tested a couple of rangefinders in 2008 and each had some good and bad features. This one has some interesting pluses that made me want to put it in Sanata's bag for me. Oh and to be real specific...it is the Tour Model that I want.

4. The Explanar - Let me EXPLAIN, I've used this at various schools and ranges and I always seem to play well after a short time on this machine. I fight with my swingplane like a Gaucho with a wild Mustang. I've tried a number of drills but the grooving of the proper plane seems to be exactly what this tool was invented to do. And now it folds down and can be easily stored when not in use (yep, infomercial again!)

5. Lessons with Butch Harmon - NO, not lessons at his academy...lessons with HIM...PERSONALLY. I've met him a number of times since we both live in Vegas (less than 6 miles from each other) and if I can't solve this game with him then perhaps bowling is an alternative after all. 

6. Don Pepin Garcia Cubans - While I'm relaxing from using all the other "stuff" on this list I could fire up one of these smokes and my Christmas would be complete! This is probably the only one I have half a chance of Santa actually bringing!

Here's the truth, even though it is great fun to come up with a personal list for Santa Claus, I know it has been a rough year for everyone. Tomorrow I will be doing my real Christmas Wish List for the Golf Nut Society and writing a little bit about what I think the season should mean to Golf Nuts everywhere.

Until then, I'm still hoping Santa isn't on a tight budget!

Happy Holidays,

Head Nut #0001

Another Ho, Ho, Ho to Golf Nuts everywhere,

Yesterday I published my "Naughty" list...at least the Top 5 on my list. My "Nice" list is a longer list, so narrowing down my Top 5 was a bit more difficult. However, just like Santa, it's my job to make these tough decisions, so here goes:

The Head Nut's "Nice List" for 2008

#1 Harry's Gallery -  Golf Nut Harry "Noodles" Dobson #3439, helped cultivate quite a following for Golf Nut Radio when he let his coworkers at Anderson Dairy (all women) listen to our show on Pilates for golf. That group quickly became a raving fan club for Golf Nuts and was dubbed "Harry's Gallery." Their support for the Head Nut and G-Man throughout 2008 scored them the top spot on my "Nice" List. Oh, and in case I forget...ANDERSON DAIRY, THE GOLF NUT'S #1 CHOICE FOR MILK, WHEN WE CAN'T FIND BEER!

#2 Bill Conwell #4026 - When I took over the Golf Nut Society, Bill Conwell was the first Golf Nut to step up and offer help, adivce and ultimately friendship. Bill is the #1 Networker in the World! He has a lifetime pass to my "Nice" List and even that doesn't do justice to his contribution to the Golf Nut Society. Bill is instrumental in his role with the International Players Tour AND is the only Nut crazy enough to let the Head Nut hit a golf ball off a tee held in his mouth!

#3 Kevin Sorbo #5577 - There is no celebrity more committed to charity than Kevin Sorbo. Kevin literally plays in EVERY event he possibly can fit into his schedule. I met him for breakfast one day at Dragon Ridge Country Club, where we are both members. He was having a quick bite with me, taking his daughter on to the course for a quick 9 holes and then dashing over the the Orleans Hotel to participate in Warren Moon's Bowl-A-Thon for Charity! His 1st Annual Kevin Sorbo Celebrity Golf Event for a World Fit for Kids was one of the most enjoyable tournaments of the year! If you missed the 2008 event don't dismay because you can play in the 2009 event. Watch for more details coming soon to your mailbox and on www.golfnuts.com.

#4 Arnold Palmer #KING - There are times that I am still in awe of the energy Mr. Palmer displays. The schedule he keeps and the responsibilities he oversees would be daunting for a person half his age. In 2009, Mr. Palmer has taken on additional responsibilities for 2009 with the addition of Tournament Chairman for the Chrysler Bob Hope Desert Classic in its 50th year! The Golf Nut Society has pledged its support to the Hope tournament since Bob Hope is a Golf Nut Emeritus. Watch for more details on the Golf Nut Society's participation, coming soon.

#5 Heath Slocum #5577 - A lot of professional golfers would care less about giving a radio interview to Golf Nut Radio. A PGA golfer ranked in the Top 25 on the money list, Heath Slocum took valuable time away from the practice green to give a live interview on Golf Nut Radio at the end of the second round of the John Deere Classic. While others scurried away from the dicey weather of the second round, Heath Slocum chatted with the Head Nut on-the-air, providing one of the highlight interviews of 2008 on Golf Nut Radio. His gracious gesture and his kindness to G-Man at the tournament landed him firmly on the "Nice" List.

#6 Gary Davis #5251 - I intended to end this list at 5 but I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Gary Davis. Gary was (and is for 2009) the Chairman for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Childrens Hospital Open. From February right up to and including the beginning day of the tournament, Gary provided inside information for the Golf Nut Society. In addition, Gary was an active participant in GNS functions, including participating as a player in the Golf Nut of the Year Cup!

There is a good chance that I am leaving out some deserving candidates for my "Nice" List. I am really glad that there are more vying for this list than for yesterday's "Naughty" List. It just goes to show you that overall the Golf Nuts are some pretty good people!

Check back tomorrow when I give you "The Head Nut's Christmas Wish List for Santa Claus."

Ho, Ho, Ho Golf Nuts,

It is getting close to Christmas and I've been doing a lot of thinking about 2008. Just like Santa Claus, I decided to put together my own list of who has been "Naughty" and who has been "Nice." Sort of helping the Golf Gods and Santa bring everyone exactly what they deserve for Christmas. So, Here goes...

HEAD NUT'S "2008 NAUGHTY LIST"

1. JOHN DALY -If I have to tell you why you haven't paid a lick of attention to golf in 2008. But, one picture is worth a thousand words:

2. Steve Williams - In case you don't know who this is, he's Tiger's caddy. He probably qualified for the Naugthy List for dozens of over-zealous acts throughout the year under the guise of protecting his golfer but the reason he has landed here is for his recent (very public) comments about Phil Mickelson. Although we are in no position to judge if the comments are true, Stevie should never have calledPhil an P _ _ _ K!

3. Johhny Miller - I chose Johnny on general principles. He may have earned the right to be so critical (some call it insightful) of his peers but come on...enough is enough. Sure he's in the World Golf Hall of Fame but that shouldn't mean he has to be nasty, does it? I mean, he said that Rocco Mediate looked more like the guy who cleans Tiger's Pool than a Pro Golfer!

4. Rocco Mediate - Forget his gutsy performance at the U.S. Open. He gave the G-Man a "snippy" interview at the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge AND called Arnold Palmer a "cool dude." Nobody except a very naughty person would ever disrespect The King!

5. David Duval - I guess I'm ending my "Naughty List" with David because I am so disappointed in him. At the beginning of 2008, I was consumed by the idea that he actually could make a miracle comeback and earn a spot on the Ryder Cup team. When he didn't even come close AND didn't even talk about his failure, I felt  angry...I still do. I think that David Duval has everything it takes to be a top ranked golfer...except maybe the courage.

Check back tomorrow for the Head Nut's Nice List!

Head Nut #0001