It sounds like a joke, but scientists apparently have discovered that sharks can raise their scales to create tiny vortexes across the surface of their skin, reducing drag as they propel themselves through the water. That’s the same principle that keeps a golf ball in the air—and why a smooth ball doesn’t fly as fast or far as one that has dimples (or hexes, as the case may be).

(Read this for an explanation of why golf balls fly.)

Now I have to admit that I always thought shark skin would be a bit like catfish skin—smooth, not scaly. But apparently, the beasts are covered with micro scales, just 200 micrometers long that are made from enamel, giving them a rough texture. (I’ll take their word on this. Who wants to pet a shark?) And they also can seemingly “bristle” their scales.

In a study published in New Scientist, some University of Alabama scientists created an artificial shark skin with the scales set at a 90 degree angle. This was then put in moving water that was impregnated with silver coated nanospheres. When the water was illuminated with lasers, it showed that tiny vortices were formed in the cavities between the scales. These mini whirlpools formed a buffer later that prevented turbulent wakes from forming.

As with golf balls, eliminating wakes allows the sharks to travel faster and more more easily.

I’m absolutely sure there’s a Greg Norman joke hidden in all of this.

I voted at 7 am this morning. You should, too.

An apparently drunk John Daly was taken into custody by police outside a North Carolina Hooters. From the Seattle Times:

Golfer John Daly was taken into custody Sunday morning by police in Winston-Salem, N.C., after he was found drunk outside a Hooters restaurant.

Police said officers went to the restaurant on a medical call. When they arrived, Daly was being treated by emergency workers after losing consciousness.

While at the restaurant, police said Daly “appeared extremely intoxicated and uncooperative,” refused repeatedly to be taken to the hospital and was asked to leave the restaurant by several workers.

Daly was taken to the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center for a 24-hour stay until he was sober.

Sad. So much talent wasted. Imagine how many tournaments he would have won if had been able to remain sober.

An amazing story: Eric Comption is on his third heart, and in the PGA Tour’s Q School

Add another comeback to Erik Compton’s remarkable story.

Five months after receiving his second heart transplant, Compton shot a 4-under 68 on Friday at Crandon Golf Club on Key Biscayne to advance to the second stage of the PGA Tour’s qualifying tournament.

Battling gusty winds and light rain, Compton overcame a seven-shot deficit to turn in the best score of the day. He finished tied with six others for 23rd place to take the final qualifying spot.

“I’m jacked up. I’m excited. I’m almost in disbelief,” Compton said. “Everybody counted me out, and I survived again.”

Golf Great Seve Ballesteros will undergo yet another brain surgery to remove more of the malignant tumor located in a “very deep part of the brain.”

More here.