Think school is overrated? Some of golf's finest would disagree. While the occasional superstar rises to prominence in the international golf scene without the advantage of a college career, most of the biggest names in the game put their time and money into higher learning. So here's to business courses that facilitate strategic thinking, Psych 101 for getting into your opponent's head, and geometry classes that help you calculate just the right angles on the course!

You've perfected your long shot--kind of. But how's your short game? Improving your short game will lead to more confidence, overall better performance, and what we all want outside of school tests and employment assessments--lower scores.

Here's a trivia question for you: Do you know who the first female professional golfer was? Helen Hicks, that's who! And boy...once she got started, there was no stopping the movement of women in golf.

Courses in strange and even treacherous locales, odd rules at one of the sport's finest clubs, and other curious tales--there is no shortage of trivia in this crazy world of golf.

Image Source: http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/course/2015/tour/1 “I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators.” – Gerald R. Ford It's the last Major of the season! Are you ready for it? The countdown to the PGA Championship 2015 is in full swing (pardon the pun!). Scores of fans are about to descend upon Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, to witness the excitement live, while thousands more around the world will follow every stroke on their television set, Aug. 10-16. If you don't get a chance to see some live action, get this picture: Whistling Straits is an undisguised homage to the raw and beautiful seaside links of Ireland. And this year, the Straits Course in Haven, Wisconsin, welcomes the greatest names in golf at the 97th PGA Championship. What makes this, the last major competition of the season, so special? The PGA Championship is the jewel in the crown of the four top tournaments. It brings together the greatest golfers in the game in one of the most exciting golfing events of the year. Truth be told, it's the stuff legends are made of.

It is that time of year when the game of golf is in, pardon the pun, full swing. Bags are being dusted off, clubs are being inspected and cleaned, and new and used balls are being purchased. This is the perfect opportunity to take a look at some historic, old, new, and unusual American golf courses and the players who played on them. Take a trip with us across the country and through time for a nostalgic look at some of the links that have made this great game even more exceptional.

Image Source: http://www.today.com/health/boy-6-play-100-holes-golf-one-day-raise-money-t25496 Golf is one of those sports where a large number of players and organizations are dedicated to giving back to society--in a big way. The PGA tour has raised about 2 billion dollars to date. It also teaches fundamental values such as good sportsmanship, integrity, and respect. Children who learn the game carry these values with them for the rest of their lives. This has proven true, as evidenced by the story of 6-year-old Ryan McGuire, who lost a kindergarten classmate to cancer and decided to honor his friend by playing his favorite game--golf. With his grandfather, a cancer survivor himself, acting as his caddy, Ryan played 100 holes in his friend's honor and has since raised more than $30,000. The proceeds of his efforts will be donated to cancer research. Here are some stories of other young men and women who have been impacted by or used golf, other sports or sports-related subjects, to make a difference in their world and the lives of others.

“I haven't looked for a golf ball since mulligans were free, which was a law I passed in 1995.” - Dan Jenkins (an American author and golf journalist). For those in the business of operating a golf venue, there is profit on the green, in the rough, and in ponds. A staggering 300 million golf balls are lost by golfers every year. As a result, millions of dollars are lost as well. Every make and condition can be found when retrieving abandoned golf balls. From high-end Titleist Pro V1 to lesser-known brands, banged up pretty badly or in mint condition. Recycling, reconditioning and reselling used balls is estimated as a $200 million per year enterprise. Recycled golf balls--or “pond balls” as they are sometimes called--sell at a range from as little as 25 cents per ball to as much as $3 each for high-end brands in excellent condition. Golf courses that send their retrieved balls to LostGolfBalls.com can take advantage of this revenue stream.

The British Open (often referred to as simply “The Open”), is the oldest major professional golf championship in the world. It is held in the United Kingdom annually, and it is the only major golf tournament held outside the United States. Although it is called the British Open, the championship has its origins in Scotland.