First, Vijay already used his two career money exemptions in 2022 and 2023. He should not have this one available.
Second, Andy was asking if somebody has compiled a list of who has career money exemptions they can still use. Ask and ye shall receive.
Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, David Toms, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III.
Finally, fields are flexing up to include all fully exempt people this year, so it is true he may not be taking a spot if and only if the field is flexing up. (Except Phoenix)
First, Vijay already used his two career money exemptions in 2022 and 2023. He should not have this one available.
Second, Andy was asking if somebody has compiled a list of who has career money exemptions they can still use. Ask and ye shall receive.
Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, David Toms, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III.
Finally, fields are flexing up to include all fully exempt people this year, so it is true he may not be taking a spot if and only if the field is flexing up. (Except Phoenix)
Hey folks! I'll be in Austin, TX in late Feb and I managed to arrange my work schedule to sneak in a round of golf. I've done some Googling and have a short list, but wondered if any one on here has any must plays. Let me know!
Hey folks! I'll be in Austin, TX in late Feb and I managed to arrange my work schedule to sneak in a round of golf. I've done some Googling and have a short list, but wondered if any one on here has any must plays. Let me know!
I play in a volleyball league that is pretty competitive, but in the offseason, the commish of the league is starting up a 5-week sim golf league, inviting people from all skill levels for screen golf. The commish doesn't know much about golf, so I'm trying to give him some tips. (For example, I asked him what the two-man format was, he said best ball. I pressed him further knowing full well he meant scramble) He claims the sim has almost any course we want and is excited to do courses like Augusta and Sawgrass. It sounds like there are going to be some beginner beginners in this. For example, they think I (an 18 index) am going to be one of the best players in the league (My teammate is a 2).
I think you see where I'm going with this. I think throwing newbies onto courses like Augusta and Sawgrass would be a complete disaster and unfun for all involved. Assuming they do indeed have every course in the world, any suggestions for ones I should suggest? I was thinking Mammoth Dunes, Kapalua Plantation, LACC, Trinity Forest, anything with wide wide fairways where people won't be hating life and quit.
I play in a volleyball league that is pretty competitive, but in the offseason, the commish of the league is starting up a 5-week sim golf league, inviting people from all skill levels for screen golf. The commish doesn't know much about golf, so I'm trying to give him some tips. (For example, I asked him what the two-man format was, he said best ball. I pressed him further knowing full well he meant scramble) He claims the sim has almost any course we want and is excited to do courses like Augusta and Sawgrass. It sounds like there are going to be some beginner beginners in this. For example, they think I (an 18 index) am going to be one of the best players in the league (My teammate is a 2).
I think you see where I'm going with this. I think throwing newbies onto courses like Augusta and Sawgrass would be a complete disaster and unfun for all involved. Assuming they do indeed have every course in the world, any suggestions for ones I should suggest? I was thinking Mammoth Dunes, Kapalua Plantation, LACC, Trinity Forest, anything with wide wide fairways where people won't be hating life and quit.
My biggest takeaway from the latest Yoak was that nobody was willing to just say "here's the money, do whatever you want." Like, yea, I get it, when you're investing $25 million on a golf course, you really, really need it to make money and you're likely super worried about the outcome. But what there thousands of people putting in not much at all? With 10,000 investors, you'd only need $2,500 invested per person. I mean, that's a lot of money, yes, but the point is (1) if it's an investment, it's small enough to lose, and (2) if successful, any perks from that money could probably pay for the initial investment over the lifetime of the going concern.
Now, I know finance law prohibits just asking normal folks to invest in a venture without becoming a public company, and that has non-trivial costs attached. However, the cost is low enough that I think plenty of folks would be willing to be compensated through a kick-starter structure, that is, I assume I'll get zero return on my investment, but maybe I'd get to play golf at a steep discount, or get access to a locker/bar that is otherwise private when I visit. I mean, I'd happily pitch in for a Bandon-like entity to get built if I know I'll get discounted golf and preferred access going forward. I also wouldn't care at all what the course was like, because I genuinely think pitching in for a Doak-level masterpiece to get built would be worth it.
Maybe I'm totally out of touch with reality, but it just seems doable to me.
My biggest takeaway from the latest Yoak was that nobody was willing to just say "here's the money, do whatever you want." Like, yea, I get it, when you're investing $25 million on a golf course, you really, really need it to make money and you're likely super worried about the outcome. But what there thousands of people putting in not much at all? With 10,000 investors, you'd only need $2,500 invested per person. I mean, that's a lot of money, yes, but the point is (1) if it's an investment, it's small enough to lose, and (2) if successful, any perks from that money could probably pay for the initial investment over the lifetime of the going concern.
Now, I know finance law prohibits just asking normal folks to invest in a venture without becoming a public company, and that has non-trivial costs attached. However, the cost is low enough that I think plenty of folks would be willing to be compensated through a kick-starter structure, that is, I assume I'll get zero return on my investment, but maybe I'd get to play golf at a steep discount, or get access to a locker/bar that is otherwise private when I visit. I mean, I'd happily pitch in for a Bandon-like entity to get built if I know I'll get discounted golf and preferred access going forward. I also wouldn't care at all what the course was like, because I genuinely think pitching in for a Doak-level masterpiece to get built would be worth it.
Maybe I'm totally out of touch with reality, but it just seems doable to me.
I'll have time for one round while on the Big Island and am torn on which course to choose. Outside of Nanea (definitely not well connected enough for that one!), curious if anyone has thoughts on the obvious public choices (Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani North, or Mauna Lani South) or if there are others I should consider?
I'll have time for one round while on the Big Island and am torn on which course to choose. Outside of Nanea (definitely not well connected enough for that one!), curious if anyone has thoughts on the obvious public choices (Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani North, or Mauna Lani South) or if there are others I should consider?
I'm heading down to Melbourne in a couple of weeks with some friends and will be playing some of the big dogs in the area, but I am going to stick around awhile and play more solo, and maybe pop over the 7 mile beach.
What are some good spots to hit up in Melbourne that are a reasonable price? Has anyone taken the train out to Warrnambool for a day trip from the CBD? That seems like a fun adventure, but 7 hours on a train in a day is a lot.
I'm heading down to Melbourne in a couple of weeks with some friends and will be playing some of the big dogs in the area, but I am going to stick around awhile and play more solo, and maybe pop over the 7 mile beach.
What are some good spots to hit up in Melbourne that are a reasonable price? Has anyone taken the train out to Warrnambool for a day trip from the CBD? That seems like a fun adventure, but 7 hours on a train in a day is a lot.
Morning FEGC! I'm curious if any North American fans have been to a DP world tour event. I'm thinking about going to the KLM Open in June and it would be my first time going to an international golf event. Has anyone made the trip over? Was it easy to do, what was the experience like? Thanks in advance.
Morning FEGC! I'm curious if any North American fans have been to a DP world tour event. I'm thinking about going to the KLM Open in June and it would be my first time going to an international golf event. Has anyone made the trip over? Was it easy to do, what was the experience like? Thanks in advance.
Will shared this yesterday to your inbox, but I wanted to also put the information for The Shotgun Start's first live show here.
On Thursday, February 12, Andy, Brendan, and PJ are heading to Chicagoland for their first ever live theater show at Space in Evanston, Illinois. The show will feature all your favorite segments, audience Q&A, and almost certainly a soliloquy on the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears. Come for the laughs, stay for Champions Tour minute, and help make sure the mics are plugged in before they start.
Tickets for FEGC members are on sale now and are released to the general public on Friday, January 9. You can use code FEGC2026to purchase your tickets during the pre-sale period this week.
Will shared this yesterday to your inbox, but I wanted to also put the information for The Shotgun Start's first live show here.
On Thursday, February 12, Andy, Brendan, and PJ are heading to Chicagoland for their first ever live theater show at Space in Evanston, Illinois. The show will feature all your favorite segments, audience Q&A, and almost certainly a soliloquy on the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears. Come for the laughs, stay for Champions Tour minute, and help make sure the mics are plugged in before they start.
Tickets for FEGC members are on sale now and are released to the general public on Friday, January 9. You can use code FEGC2026to purchase your tickets during the pre-sale period this week.
Three TGL matches down and everyone has played except Jupe stinks, and we just found out tonight that their potential roster next week is some combo of Akshay, Tiger, Kis, and Max. Not the change i thought they would make but you can’t show up to practice late. Also, they announced WTGL tonight with the retired Lexi Thompson. I don’t know if I’m more surprised there is an expansion team, a women’s version of the league, or that this will last more than 2 seasons. You have to wonder if the Liv/Tour negotiations are hung up on the PIF being able to get the next expansion team. A couple other thoughts:
Just like the MLB and NBA, analytics may be killing the fun in TGL with Cantlay’s hammer strategy
Per the most recent SGS, BP didn’t seem too thrilled there is TGL chat going on in the hottest club in town, and Andy looked like he was just disappointed.
Shane told Gotterup he’s the best indoor golfer in the world and he responded with “I don’t know if that’s a good claim to fame”
Updated power rankings: Drive, frogs, NYGC, LAGC, Bay, Jupe
Three TGL matches down and everyone has played except Jupe stinks, and we just found out tonight that their potential roster next week is some combo of Akshay, Tiger, Kis, and Max. Not the change i thought they would make but you can’t show up to practice late. Also, they announced WTGL tonight with the retired Lexi Thompson. I don’t know if I’m more surprised there is an expansion team, a women’s version of the league, or that this will last more than 2 seasons. You have to wonder if the Liv/Tour negotiations are hung up on the PIF being able to get the next expansion team. A couple other thoughts:
Just like the MLB and NBA, analytics may be killing the fun in TGL with Cantlay’s hammer strategy
Per the most recent SGS, BP didn’t seem too thrilled there is TGL chat going on in the hottest club in town, and Andy looked like he was just disappointed.
Shane told Gotterup he’s the best indoor golfer in the world and he responded with “I don’t know if that’s a good claim to fame”
Updated power rankings: Drive, frogs, NYGC, LAGC, Bay, Jupe
After heavy rainstorms slammed into the West Coast in late December, Soule Park Golf Course suffered significant flood damage. Multiple holes along the large barranca that runs through the Ojai, California, municipal course will need to be repaired or partially rebuilt.
This is the second time in three years that the course has taken a hit from rising waters. In the winter of 2022-23, portions of holes 12 and 14 were washed away. During the recent storm, the punchbowl green on the par-5 fifth hole took a particularly hard hit. Below are overhead photos of the green taken in 2022, 2024, and 2026, respectively.
Yeah. Yikes.
Soule Park has been vulnerable to floods throughout its 60-year history. In 2005, an especially intense storm left the course in a dire state. Fortunately, as I detailed in this 2019 piece, an ambitious leaseholder stepped in to rehabilitate the property and spearhead a renovation by Gil Hanse. In recent years, the course has seen a major uptick in play and media coverage.
Soule Park is near and dear to several of us at Fried Egg Golf. I grew up in nearby Goleta, California, and my dad and I played the course frequently in the late 1990s. Today, my colleague Cameron Hurdus lives about 30 minutes away.
Cameron visited Soule Park a few days ago and sent along these notes to me:
"The plan is basically to try and recapture as much of No. 5 green site as possible and put 'something' back, but no one has been hired on the design side yet.... I think what they end up building will depend on how much land is recaptured."
"There are a lot of areas that need to be addressed — just stabilizing spots and also potentially creating dams or buffers that might reroute water downstream slightly."
"The river is getting very close to the pond on No. 1/No. 10, [and a breakthrough there] would be the worst-case scenario."
"No. 12 will need some sort of stabilizing measure to keep it from eroding more."
This is all tough to hear. But I'm glad that the current leaseholder, Keith Brown, has remained committed to keeping the course open and preserving Hanse's excellent design work. All best to Keith and the team at Soule Park in their recovery efforts.
After heavy rainstorms slammed into the West Coast in late December, Soule Park Golf Course suffered significant flood damage. Multiple holes along the large barranca that runs through the Ojai, California, municipal course will need to be repaired or partially rebuilt.
This is the second time in three years that the course has taken a hit from rising waters. In the winter of 2022-23, portions of holes 12 and 14 were washed away. During the recent storm, the punchbowl green on the par-5 fifth hole took a particularly hard hit. Below are overhead photos of the green taken in 2022, 2024, and 2026, respectively.
Yeah. Yikes.
Soule Park has been vulnerable to floods throughout its 60-year history. In 2005, an especially intense storm left the course in a dire state. Fortunately, as I detailed in this 2019 piece, an ambitious leaseholder stepped in to rehabilitate the property and spearhead a renovation by Gil Hanse. In recent years, the course has seen a major uptick in play and media coverage.
Soule Park is near and dear to several of us at Fried Egg Golf. I grew up in nearby Goleta, California, and my dad and I played the course frequently in the late 1990s. Today, my colleague Cameron Hurdus lives about 30 minutes away.
Cameron visited Soule Park a few days ago and sent along these notes to me:
"The plan is basically to try and recapture as much of No. 5 green site as possible and put 'something' back, but no one has been hired on the design side yet.... I think what they end up building will depend on how much land is recaptured."
"There are a lot of areas that need to be addressed — just stabilizing spots and also potentially creating dams or buffers that might reroute water downstream slightly."
"The river is getting very close to the pond on No. 1/No. 10, [and a breakthrough there] would be the worst-case scenario."
"No. 12 will need some sort of stabilizing measure to keep it from eroding more."
This is all tough to hear. But I'm glad that the current leaseholder, Keith Brown, has remained committed to keeping the course open and preserving Hanse's excellent design work. All best to Keith and the team at Soule Park in their recovery efforts.
I'm brainstorming ideas for Golf Architecture 101 episodes and segments for the 2026 run of Designing Golf.
What basic questions do you have about golf course design? Or, if you're more advanced in your golf architecture knowledge, what 101-type topics would you like to see covered?
I'm brainstorming ideas for Golf Architecture 101 episodes and segments for the 2026 run of Designing Golf.
What basic questions do you have about golf course design? Or, if you're more advanced in your golf architecture knowledge, what 101-type topics would you like to see covered?
Heading to the Land Down Under for the 2027 Australian Open next January. Will probably only be able to golf 1-2 times but was trying to lay the groundwork early in hopes of getting out somewhere world class with my FiL.
Does anyone have any insights or experience getting out on some of the better courses in Melbourne? Thank you!
Heading to the Land Down Under for the 2027 Australian Open next January. Will probably only be able to golf 1-2 times but was trying to lay the groundwork early in hopes of getting out somewhere world class with my FiL.
Does anyone have any insights or experience getting out on some of the better courses in Melbourne? Thank you!
Trying to cobble something together for a long weekend mid-fall 2026 and add to my quest to play a round in every state.
The Nevada/Arizona/Utah corridor looks like an efficient way to punch three of those off the list. I have some ideas off of Google maps and basic research, but if anyone has preferences or great experiences with courses in that area, I'm happy to investigate and possibly add them to my agenda. Most likely scenario is fly into Vegas on Thursday night and out on Sunday evening, so at least one round each day. Thanks in advance.
Trying to cobble something together for a long weekend mid-fall 2026 and add to my quest to play a round in every state.
The Nevada/Arizona/Utah corridor looks like an efficient way to punch three of those off the list. I have some ideas off of Google maps and basic research, but if anyone has preferences or great experiences with courses in that area, I'm happy to investigate and possibly add them to my agenda. Most likely scenario is fly into Vegas on Thursday night and out on Sunday evening, so at least one round each day. Thanks in advance.
You guys blew it by dismissing Aaron Rai. Fried Egg is an indie golf news site. That’s how I see what you do. But you missed the biggest story from the PGA Championship by tossing away what came to be one the biggest stories in recent years.
It was an exciting, crazy week in golf, with many an underdog at the top of the leaderboard, culminating with Rai, a south Asian by descent, becoming England’s first PGA winner since 1919.
You missed it. You did not even give any context about what it would mean if Rai won. In the scramble among all the contenders, you ignored Rai and treated him with almost no respect.
You had such a story here. Instead, you chose snark over substance.
I love your camaraderie but analysis is also what I turn to you for when following the pro tour.
It’s hard to dial it back but think of your listeners. We don’t know these players like you do.
I hope you give Rai his due. He deserves it. He did not deserve to be dismissed.
You guys blew it by dismissing Aaron Rai. Fried Egg is an indie golf news site. That’s how I see what you do. But you missed the biggest story from the PGA Championship by tossing away what came to be one the biggest stories in recent years.
It was an exciting, crazy week in golf, with many an underdog at the top of the leaderboard, culminating with Rai, a south Asian by descent, becoming England’s first PGA winner since 1919.
You missed it. You did not even give any context about what it would mean if Rai won. In the scramble among all the contenders, you ignored Rai and treated him with almost no respect.
You had such a story here. Instead, you chose snark over substance.
I love your camaraderie but analysis is also what I turn to you for when following the pro tour.
It’s hard to dial it back but think of your listeners. We don’t know these players like you do.
I hope you give Rai his due. He deserves it. He did not deserve to be dismissed.
Reflecting on this tournament, I think I liked it overall. I think I come away, not frustrated with the winner, but a little underwhelmed with Sunday and the bunched leaderboard. It’s not that I wanted Sunday to be a birdie fest, but it seems like the course was kinda easy to make par and very difficult to make birdie except on a few birdie holes. I think with Harmon and Rai and Spaun there is the go to commentary that they are world class players and normal tournament set ups do not reward their skill sets. I don’t think this is incorrect, I just think it’s a default narrative when a less popular player wins, which maybe that’s a contradiction in itself (since they’re inherently less popular because they don’t win because of the normal setups and what they reward).
I think the overall take away for me is just emphasizing the need for a rollback. I already heard Brandle blaming the course set up or the lack of trees and openness, but when the only option to challenge players/curtail low scoring is high rough and the challenging greens we saw this week I think it shows the need for less distance. Even there, I find myself wondering if high rough to stop low scoring is worth it. They’re still going to be hitting a high lofted club into the green no matter the rough height, whether they’re in the rough or in the fairway. So what’s the point of watching them hack it out of high rough back into the fairway or into the center of the green. It doesn’t seem like more skill and it isn’t more interesting for me to watch. It’s disappointing to me that a course like this can’t be played in its most strategic and in its most interesting and exciting form. In the end, I just end up not turning pro golf on as much because and instead watch something on YouTube or go do something else, rather than watch something I know will make me a little annoyed.
I’d really like to hear what others thought about the tournament and their lasting impressions. This one was more confusing for me to wrap my head around for some reason. Also I’m happy to hear any challenges to any of my thoughts because as I said, I’m still figuring out what to think about the setup and how the tournament played out.
Hi Evan,
Lots of good responses here and I saw the note/invite you got to Windsong. I hope that works out for you! If not, here would be my 2 cents on some of the public golf in the area...I took the ones you listed and put them in a sort-of order.
- Keller...fun track, good price, a few fun quirky holes, good history, usually in great shape
- Troy Burne...in Hudson, WI just across the river. Only 8 minutes from Stoneridge. I prefer it to Stoneridge. Lehman design that used to host a Korn Ferry Tour event (it wasn't Korn Ferry...forgot which iteration of that tour)
- The Wilds...Weiskopf design. I like the variety of holes they have, especially the par 4's and 5's
- Braemar...good bang for your buck. They did a super job with the re-do a few years ago and you have to think on quite a few tee shots on the 4's and 5's. Only thing I don't like is that the five par 3 holes often times play about the same distance. They're starting to get better but I've had rounds there where I've used the same club on all of the par 3's.
- Chaska Town...solid choice. Another one with a nice variety of holes. Was alternate course for US Am a few summers ago. I like it but not as much as the others listed above.
- Rush Creek...getting really pricey the past few years...up to like $175 now which around here is a lot. I'd rather play Keller 3 times than this once:). When this was built they thought it could host a PGA event, that turned out to be not close to the truth but it is a nice course.
- - Stoneridge...$150 to play. Just played it this weekend and already in terrific shape. I love the first 11 holes and holes 12-18 are still good but don't flow as well as first 11
Have a super trip!
I played there earlier this month and I think hole #6 is such a fantastic golf hole. Its is sooo fun. The blowout bunker that guards the green is so fantastic. Its got a fantastic green site as well.
I think at this point it’s just the final pairing Rahm and Aaron rai that are in contention. If rai birdies the par 5 and gets to 8 I think Andy is gonna have the night off from the pod
Really want to get out to play Pfau, mainly left it off cause I don’t know how well an 8000 yard 80/155 course scales down from the up tees for everyday play versus the D1 golfer
Hoping to knock off Stanford this year! Just need photos. Purdue has photos and will be done at some point for sure. I can promise you we won't do Ohio State until it's restored though.
