In this case, seeing isn’t believing

In the sport of blind golf, competitors are allowed help from coaches on the course. There are instances, however, when the golfer might be better off on his own.

According to a news release from the California Blind Golf Classic, which will be played Monday in Lompoc, world blind golf champion Bruce Hooper was competing at the U.S. Open in Raleigh, N.C., last fall when his coach offered some inside insight on the course.

“My friend Danny Lawler had played there so he was coaching me,” Hooper said. “On one shot he says, ‘I’ll line you up with that red thing about 50 yards out.’

“I hit a perfect shot 50 yards, right to the red thing. When we get there it’s a gas pipe. The green is 50 yards to the left.

“Danny says, ‘Well, the last time I played it was here.’

“I said, ‘You’re the one who needs his eyes checked!’ ”

Trivia time

What is the slogan of the U.S. Blind Golf Assn.?

You take it, I insist

Despite playing for only the third NBA team to lose to an international club since 1988, Philadelphia forward Chris Webber was upbeat after the 76ers’ 104-99 exhibition loss to Winterthur FC Barcelona on Thursday night.

“It’s great to share basketball with the world,” Webber told the Associated Press.

Webber and his teammates certainly did that, sharing the basketball 18 times with Winterthur on turnovers.

On the team,

spleen or no spleen

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms says he believes he will play again in the NFL despite recently having his spleen removed.

“If I feel like I can play, why not play?” Simms told the AP. “I can’t hurt my spleen again.”

Six of one ...

As wiseguy Eagles fans prepare to haze Terrell Owens by overdosing on cheesesteaks, Briefing chews on some NFL picks:

* Philadelphia over Dallas: McNabb sends T.O. another text message right before kickoff: “WATCH OUT 4 FLYING CELLPHONES.”

* Chicago over Buffalo: Dick Jauron to Lovie Smith: “Just remember, I started out 6-1 with the Bears in 2001. Now I’m here.”

* Minnesota over Detroit: Winner gets American League Central title but lousy playoff starting times.

* San Diego over Pittsburgh: Rivers pitching better than Peavy.

* San Francisco over Oakland: Randy Moss tries, fails to talk his way out of this one.

* Jacksonville over New York Jets: Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew stop by Jets practice to show receivers how to run pass routes.

Half-dozen of

the other

While wondering if Matt Leinart wishes he had another year of eligibility at USC, Briefing rallies to make a few more picks:

* Kansas City over Arizona: Edgerrin James’ pregame pep talk to Leinart: “Kid, be careful what you wish for.”

* Carolina over Cleveland: Charlie, we’re not in Oakland anymore.

* New York Giants over Washington: Shockey blames coaching staff for East Rutherford being in New Jersey.

* New England over Miami: As English rocker Billy Bragg sang the other night at the Fonda Theater: “I don’t want to change the world, I’m not looking for a New England rout, I’m just looking for the Pats to cover.”

* Indianapolis over Tennessee: Inspired by Christian Laettner’s move to buy the Grizzlies so he can play for them, the Titans pray for a takeover by Peyton Manning.

* New Orleans over Tampa Bay: Desperate Buccaneers give tryouts to quarterbacks Shaun King, Tommy Maddox and Kliff Kingsbury. Their credentials? They still have their spleens.

Trivia answer

“You don’t have to see it to tee it.” Also, the USBGA newsletter is titled Midnight Golf.

And finally

Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, on the team’s prospects for the 2007 season: “I don’t want to keep predicting what’s going to happen when it doesn’t happen.”

mike.penner@latimes.com