It's rather calm around the golf world these days, one of those periodic lulls, which means that small stories get elevated to larger status. (Hint: don't do anything dumb on a golf course, with a golf club, or involving a golf cart. We're on the prowl for stories, and we'll make you famous in a way you may not want.)

One of the big stories popping up over the last couple days is how President Obama invited a woman to play in his foursome for the first time as president. Melody Barnes, his chief domestic policy advisor, was the first woman to slam the trunk (note: not a euphemism) with the president in any of his 24 rounds since taking office.

And since anything the president does has to be scrutinized beyond all rationality -- seriously, political geeks are worse than fantasy football geeks -- Local Knowledge notes that CBS White House correspondent Mark Knoller made the following post on Twitter: "Today - Obama ties Pres. Bush in the number of rounds of golf played in office: 24. Took Bush 2 yrs & 10 months." (For the record, as Press Tent points out, Dwight Eisenhower played about 800 rounds during his two terms.)

Make of all this what you will. And since everybody loves ranting about the president, pro or con, let me throw out a whole pack of talking points. Pick one and rant away!

Here we go (deep breath): If he's playing so much golf, he can't be focusing on getting the country turned around! But if he's not focusing on getting the country turned around, then he can't inflict his ideas on those who want them! And if he's bringing more women to play, that's a good sign for a sport that's always been exclusive rather than inclusive! But since golf is traditionally a Republican sport, he could be turning more to the right! But if he's playing more golf, maybe that means golf won't be the whipping boy for all this country's ills!

I agree with all the above ideas. And none of them. I'm so confused. Where are my clubs?