I obviously agree that motley, natural fairways are beautiful, and definitely understand the resistance to using paint. But the fact that PINEHURST (!) of all places has found a way not to over-seed its most famous course strikes me as utterly miraculous. I give them a lot of credit for going that far, even if they don't feel they can go all the way because of their position as a mass-market resort. Not sure if you caught this when we released it, but I did a narrated podcast episode a few years back on the American pursuit of perfect turf: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qzCU31F7ewXlrGcHKYrdG?si=0904e61b1d9a4c6f I talked to Pinehurst's superintendent in that episode about the choice to paint instead of over-seed. Thought it was a really interesting convo.

Nice, Pinehurst for the win! The idea of paint is an interesting one. I'm obviously very much in support of it, but it's a strange compromise between the "brown is beautiful" we often hear, and the reality of current expectations. It just seems, at the same time, entirely unnecessary and counterproductive. As someone who grew up playing, and is very fond of, dormant bermuda the whole concept of "golf should be green" has always seemed deeply strange to me. I look at the photos of Aiken GC from the your course profile and the yellowed fairways immediately remind me of where I learned to play. And I think they look quite beautiful in contrast to the greens.

I haven't been to Brambles yet, but yes, I do think it's a contender for three-Egg status. I've played Austin Golf Club and like it very much. The natural conditioning is probably its strongest suit. Not a three-Egg course, though, in my opinion. Pinehurst No. 2 doesn't over-seed (they paint, which has far less of an environmental impact), and we have it as a three-Egger. There are also a number of sand-based and links courses that might deserve three Eggs and meet the standard of organic and low-input maintenance you're gesturing toward. Ballyneal comes to mind. Plus a bunch of places in Scotland, of course.

I mean, it's tough to say. Off the top if my head, Brambles and Austin Golf Club are both using more drought tolerant zoysias. I haven't played either, but they seem like real contenders.

Which ones deserve it?

I hope to one day see a 3 Egg course review where the course is grassed with buffalograss, zoysia, or even just refuses to overseed rye. Let's make it happen!

Thanks Will, always a cherry on the top of my golfing year when I can finish it with a TFE event. MI event was fantastic. Any thought about a potential event at Mossy Oak in West Point MS?

Awesome interview Joseph. It's so refreshing to get straight-forward and in-depth content like this. I am not sure if the American side has an equivalent to Dodo, but if not, we need to find that person quickly.

I’ve had dinner in the clubhouse. It’s an incredible experience Like fine dining at clubhouse at Sheep Ranch, with volcanos…

I visited Maui for the first time in early September. Unfortunately my tee times on the Plantation and Bay courses were cancelled. I went over there one night and visited the clubhouse for dinner. It was sad to see everything burnt out (although I would've loved to have played it in baked out conditions). Plantation Course was getting water on the greens though, it seemed like the Bay course across the street wasn't getting any water. I ended up playing Wailea and both Ka'anapali courses which are 10 minutes down the road. Sad thing about all of this is that the other courses nearby aren't having these issues.