BellinghamGolfer welcomed its first guest blogger, Paul Mahoney, last October. Today we welcome the second; ESPN's Jason Sobel who takes a step back from the PGA Tour to give us some home truths on why we all love the game, and why golfers enjoy a common, though sometimes inexplicable, bond.

Apologies for not posting in a while. I was at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL., last week and just up to my eye balls. It was a fun week; the numbers of attendees and level of excitement were quite encouraging for an industry that, like most, has spent the last couple of years reeling from the disastrous economic climate. I blogged from the Orange County Convention Center for the Pacific Northwest Golf Association's web site, and also weiunderpar.com.
So what was the best product, who had the best booth, and what were the best moments from Orlando 2011?

Aerotech Golf Shafts, headquartered off Bakerview Rd and the subject of our first ever feature article, announced today that the same technology used in its SteelFiber iron/hybrid shaft is now being used by Singapore-based putter manufactuere Zen Oracle.

Last week, Phil Gaggero talked a bit about Bubba Watson's incredible driver off the deck on the 18th hole at Kapalua in the first round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. This week, Phil and Mike Montgomery discuss another sensational shot - Steve Marino's second on Waialae CC's 18th hole in the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.