With all the criticism of Michelle Wie this week, I'd like to actually defend her career path. 

Certainly if it were her goal to be one of the greatest female golfers of all time, she is not off to a great start.  For those of us who are golf fans (especially those of you who are big fans of womens golf) her career seems to be a joke at this point.  She's not exactly on the path toward the hall of fame and not likely to be spoken of in the same sentence as Annika Sorenstam or Nancy Lopez.

However, if her career goal is to be rich and famous, it seems obvious to me that she is miles ahead of where she would be had she pursued a more traditional career path (futures tour, Q-school, playing only in women's tournaments,etc.)   According to Forbes magazine she earned $17 million last year compared to Annika's $8 million.

As far as fame goes, Michelle is probably one of the top five well known female golfers among the general public.  Had she pursued an LPGA career it is likely that she would just be another of the 20 somethings sharing the limelight with Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, et al.

The point is that there are many ways to judge the wisdom of her (or her parents') career choices but the only way to truly judge them is whether or not they achieve their goals. 

I often wondered what would happen if 4 of the most well known and successful swing coaches were to tee it up.  Who would win?

If they were to televise it would it generate ratings?  Would you watch? 

How about if they were playing alternate shot with one of their best students?  What would those pairings look like? 

Phil and Butch or Pelz?

Hank with Tiger (obviously)

David with Michelle Wie (Maybe there's a better choice out there.)

Leadbetter and ???