1 – Housecleaning takes precedence

What are you working on this winter? First things first. I’m going to sort out the pouch of tees, making sure they are all wood, of course, and search feverishly for my favorite ball-marker, a spiffy Scottish dime, which is misplaced. Then we’ll ponder fitness and swing drills.

2 – There are rules, then there are loopholes

Forget the focus on Cameron Smith possibly losing an Olympic berth as LIV golfers have limited chances to secure world-ranking points. At least for the moment, salute those who have navigated the system flawlessly: Rory Sabbatini has piled up 3.15114 WR points in ’23 to remain the top-ranked Slovakian.

3 – Don’t overlook the small items

There are two types of people in this world – those who know peas complete the perfect Thanksgiving dinner and those who dance around that truth and pour on extra stuffing.

4 – Drowning in data

Most frequent reaction to reading golf stories on the internet these days: I’ll take meaningless stats for $200, Alex.

5 – Tops on my wish list

Asked what I wanted for Christmas, my reply was simple: “Let’s knock down the shed and build a Punchbowl green.” Thought it was a brilliant idea. Why she just turned and walked away without responding, I have no idea. Maybe she’d prefer a Biarritz.

6 – Going backward isn’t that difficult

Much is made of playing the Old Course in reverse direction – 1 tee to 17 green, 18 tee to 16 green, 17 tee to 15 green, then on and on till you finish at 2 tee into 18 green. Interesting. But try playing it sideways – far left off 1 tee, way right off 2 tee, 15 feet from 10 hole while putting to the 8 pin, etc., etc. Now that’s an adventure.

7 – Yes, let it bend

Most of us golfers are like airline pilots at heart. We prefer to navigate in curves and avoid straight lines. It is safer and more fuel-efficient.

8 – Ignore what you might hear otherwise

The Aussie Open starts Thursday. It’s a major, methinks.

9 – Imagine this exchange

There is potential for the next edition of “The Match.” Let Bryson DeChambeau go up against AI on the range, debating the dynamics of launch angle, wrist rotation, smash factor, and how to get more from your mid-upper torso muscles.