A lot of responses here are fantastic, and hosted at some spectacular courses! I’ve been lucky enough to have a few this year, following a solo golf trip to the Carolina’s that included the TFE event at Broomsedge, The Tree Farm, and Pinehurst 2, 4, and 10. With that being said, I think these special moments can come from anywhere. For example, the first moment that came to my mind was none of the above incredible courses, but a little semi-private course in a quiet, golf-crazy town. In all honesty, this course is nothing to write home about. It’s located in a small town I visit often in the summer in Eastern Ontario, Canada, with a population of just 5,000. It’s just about 6,100 yards from the tips, and only requires I hit driver maybe 3-4 times a round. With last weekend being the Club Championship, I found myself in a tie for the lead after a 74 in Round 1. With that relatively strong play, I found myself in the final group on Sunday, which is when my moment occurred. Standing on the 8th green, having birdied two of the last three holes, I took a look around and noticed just how quiet it was. For a facility who’s tee sheet is typically full from dawn to dusk, having this realization, and the realization that my play earned the opportunity, really struck a chord. What a fun game we get to play amongst nature, with the chance to flex our competitive muscles (both physical and mental). While I didn’t get off to a great start, I was able to go out in +1… The only problem? The person I was tied with had me by 5 by that point! ;) Hope you’re all enjoying a fantastic Labour Day on the course somewhere!

A few occured on recent trip to Wisconsin and especially at Sand Valley where we had three different experiences of feeling like had the resort to ourselves.. Playing Sandbox as a one club challenge after a rain delay, so no one else was on the course, and we had the entire course to ourselves. As last group off Sedge Valley as a twosome, we let the group in front go pretty quickly so couldn't see anyone on any adjacent holes, closed down the turn shack finishing some hand pies, just a magical afternoon. And the best, had our second Lido round of the trip on a day that looked like it would be very wet, starts downpouring right as we arrive at the pro shop, and then other groups walk of the course and we are told the other twosome isn't coming. As we get to first tee, the rain stops, the clouds part, and there is not a soul on the golf course we can see. Having the entire afternoon to play Lido as our own personal playground was just amazing.

Enjoyed the shout out for Buffalo Dunes. I live in the Kansas City area and it's been on my list since TFE podcast talked to the super about the project there. But who goes to Garden City? Had the opportunity to play in a tournament there this week and it is elite. The new greens are great. Quite a challenge. Anyway, enjoy the podcast. Keep up the good work.

Three answers, all from a recent and remarkable trip, jump to mind: 1. The 9th tee at Cruden Bay. How you all talk about Elie is how I feel about Cruden Bay. It's the best walk I've ever experienced and a personal favorite. The quirk is off the charts. The view from the top of the dune where the 9th tee sits over the front 9, Slains Castle, the beach and sea, and the hidden linksland you are about to play into beyond is magical. 2. The 3rd tee and 7th tee at Dornoch, where you can see across the linksland. Dornoch has been living rent-free in my head ever since I saw it. I don't think I've ever been so taken by a place. 14 may be my favorite hole I've ever played, and it is probably my favorite course I've seen. I'm itching to get back. 3. When I got to the very far end of Brora, the 9th hole and 10th tee, which feel like they are right up against the sea at the end of the earth. We played 1-7 in a downpour/gale, and as we played the 8th, it broke, and the whole sky lit up as we got to this remote edge of the property. The 9th plays down to the beach, and as we got there, all seemed well in the world. I realize you all are going to these courses next fall. I'm excited to hear some deep dive podcasts on them and pictures of them (take my money for some metal prints now!).

Everytime I get to the 9th tee box of Bandon Trails, I take a long pause and soak in the pure joy knowing I'm about to play my favorite stretch in golf (9-13). Whether raining or in the late afternoon light, it always brings me immense happiness and gratitude. Any life stresses fade away during that next hour+. I also recall playing the Pines course at the Prairie Club. I was the only one out there and I remember being so overjoyed with the weather, the setting, life, etc that I laid down on the 14th tee box and closed my eyes as the prairie wind whipped past. A hard to describe moment but an unforgettable one for me.

Last year, the owner of my home club notified members that he would be selling the course to a real estate development company. The announcement was made mid-to-late August, so the course was just starting to round into shape for the best time of year to play golf in the northeast. Shortly after the announcement, my regular group was waiting on a tee box when we all found each other looking back down the previous hole, our faces somber. We all seemed to realize all at the same time that this was likely the best the course would ever look, and it was the last time it would do so. Fast forward a year, and the town killed the real estate deal, so the course is staying open. I always take a moment to stop on the 16th tee, look back down the 15th, and think about how fortunate it is that the course is situated on wetlands.

I think I shared this once before, but the moment that comes to mind was when I played Pacific Dunes. It was the last round of our Bandon trip and we had a wait on the 13th tee. I sat down on the teebox and just admired the dune framing the right side of that hole, the ocean, and the impending sunset. Took a quiet moment to reflect on everything that led to that moment from the planning, to flying across the country, driving 4 hours from PDX, and there I was with just 6 holes left before it was all done. Excluding the laughs I had with my comrades, it's the moment from that trip I think about the most and am glad I got that chance to appreciate where I was and how amazing of an experience that was.

I've got too many answers. --17 tee at Cypress. --All of TOC. --10-14 at Elie (dump my ashes there). --4-11 on Gullane 2. Felt like you were on top of the world with North Berwick and Edinburgh in view and distant views up/down the coast. A storm was rolling in and the hill split it around us leaving a sun ray/hazy view at times. --Sunset at Sweetens sitting on the heckle deck. --Foggy morning on the battlefield at Wawashakmo in Michigan after walking past the cemetery. --Most of Bandon. --Hell even a small town Iowa 9er in the fall evening with corn rustling around you. So many answers.

When you walk from the 5th green to the 6th tee at my home course north of NYC, you emerge onto a tee that feels like you're at the top of a mountain - indeed, it's the top of a former ski slope! You look out over miles of a long valley, tee off into the expanse, then hike down to see where your ball ended up. Like Sand Hills was for Nathan, its a spot that reminds you that you are a tiny spec. And how cool it can be to play a game over amazing natural terrain like that.

Hi, You have a link to the "wrong" Sommerset on this page. -- Nick