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.
Some additional food options:
Breakfast in TC
- Frenchie's (small cramped dining, amazing brunch)
- Bubba's (lots of seating, great worse for the wear food)
- Sugar 2 Salt (near the GT commons)
- The Dandy (right downtown, not the best options for kids menu)
- Sisters (just across the street from Modern Bird)
- Red Spire (in the historic GT commons)
- Chez Amie (reimagined Patisserie Amie in the Warehouse MRKT)
- Potter's (local donut shop)
Lunch in TC
- Chef's Inn (sandwich shop connected to Burrit's Fresh Market for wine, speciality meat, and seafood)
- Chubby Unicorn (sandwich shop in downtown across from Little Fleet food trucks)
- Oakwood Proper (smashed burger shop near the base of the peninsula)
- Glendale Burger Shop (right near M-72 and M-22 intersection on west side of TC, easy if heading to / coming from Leelanau)
Dinner in TC
- Mama Lou's (mexican in downtown)
- Filling Station (brewery + pizza + dog friendly near boardman lake)
- Charles & Reid (detroit style pizza in downtown)
- Forrest, A Food Studio (two person operation with 24 seats, prepared menu, table reservations open the first of the month for the next month and go quickly)
Bars in TC
- Workshop (warehouse mrkt district downtown)
- U & I (local dive bar)
- 7 monks taproom (downtown)
- Low Bar (dark quiet lounge below 7 Monks)
Dessert in TC
- Buchan's Ice Cream (just west of TC near Glendale Burgers)
- Moomer's (just West of TC)
- Dairy Lodge (cash only*)
- Bardon's (base of peninsula near Oakwood Proper)
Leelanau County Spots:
- Art's Tavern (Glen Arbor - cash only*, B/L/D, famous chicken jalapeño soup on Wednesday)
- The Mill (Glen Arbor - dinner spot in renovated mill right on the river)
- Wren (Sutton's Bay - downtown dinner in Sutton's Bay)
- The Tribune (Northport - brunch)
I volunteered at Gaston CC as a walking scorer and it was one of the coolest things I have done in golf.
Joseph Bramlett was in my group and he was still very much in contention on the final 9. Watching him grind away up close was amazing. He got it up and down from everywhere but unfortunately was undone by a late bogey and missed birdie putt.
I would strongly recommend to the Coop that if you get a chance to volunteer at an event like this, please do it. What a great day. And, it reminds me of just how good these guys are - they play a different game than we do!
P.S. Chesson Hadley was also in the group, but quit after 9. He asked to see the live scoring and realized it was not going to happen.
Ha, I made the same comment to my two fellow architecture-enthused friends who were out there with me, but they were hearing none of it. I think playing it into a three-club wind made trying to be that precise a bit too much of an ask.
Same when I was there, although funny enough I think that made it a better hole. Laying back and left made it a blind approach and pushing it up right gave you a look at the green
Lowering expectations has helped me. I played in 3 tournaments last year. I felt very prepared and focused going into two of them and before the other I could hardly play due to a minor neck strain and work. I shot 80 in the two and 69 & won that I didn’t prep for. I’m sure it won’t always work that way either but it’s easy to overthink things and think that you need to do all the right things or make the time. I’m trying to be less stressed about it and see how that goes. I also think of the most nervous Or disastrous golf situation I’ve been in. The most nervous being the 1st tee shot at the Old course I hit right down the middle. The most disastrous being a tournament when I was 15 where I shanked the first tee shot OB, popped up my provisional into the water, dropped made 9. Topped my next tee ball into the water and walked off. My dad was watching from the car off the road and was already in the parking lot when I walked in utterly disappointed that I quit. Can’t get much worse than that!
Lowering expectations has helped me. I played in 3 tournaments last year. I felt very prepared and focused going into two of them and before the other I could hardly play due to a minor neck strain and work. I shot 80 in the two and 69 in the woke I didn’t prep for. I’m sure it won’t always work that way either but it’s easy to overthink things and think that you need to do all the right things or make the time. I’m trying to be less stressed about it and see how that goes. I also think of the lost nervous Or disastrous golf situation I’ve been in. The most nervous being the 1st tee shot at the Old course I hit right down the middle. The most disastrous being a torment when I was 15 where I shanked the first tee shot OB, popped up my provisional into the water, dropped made 9. Topped my next tee ball into the water and walked off. My dad was watching from the car off the road and was already in the parking lot when I walked in utterly disappointed that I quit. Can’t get much worse than that!
Yes, it was! 17 also used to have some more menacing bunkers and mounds dividing the fairway almost like a “hells half acre” which was strongly linked to Pine Valley.
Cherry Hills a great finish 14-18. But the overall course doesn’t represent all the wonderful championships it has hosted. I am a Colorado native who believes that Ballyneal is our finest course.
I'm jealous! I had some fun playing partners, but I definitely wished throughout the round I could drop balls and hit different shots. Nonetheless, what a freaking round. I strongly believe it's going to shoot up rankings and establish itself on the shortlist of best public courses in the US.
Cody -- I'll second Will and Beau with all things Napa/Calistoga.
Now I will offer a few Course things I'd recommend:
- You're covered for the day of golf, so if you are an absolute sicko, bank on a few extra holes after your lunch to mess around with the firm turf without worrying about score and try some different versions of approach shots (aka try a putt from ~80 yards out, putt from off the green with your 3-wood, use some hickories if you got them! etc...)
My favorite sub 18 hole loops are:
- 3 hole loop: 1, 17 -- tee off from the fairway (make it a long par 3) , 18
- 4 hole loop: 1 - 2, 17- 18 (just have to walk back to 17 after 2 on the dirt road that connects them )
- 7 Holes (My Favorite); 1-3 , 15 - 18
- 10 holes: 1- 5, 14 - 18 (Most of the time this is too much for me unless I'm there all day)
- If your caddy has been there for a while, some topics you can ask about while on course:
- The sheep
- The turf and rough that is being experimented with.
- Jame's Duncans bunker (off the right of 4 tee)
- Who shaped each green (Coore, Crenshaw, James Duncan, etc.)
- The Abner/Duncan play on 11. (Deep cut here -- may not get an answer on this one)
- Current Course record (and the match it was part of)
You simply can’t translate the score you shoot in an official tournament round vs a casual round. As you mention - these are two separate things! My suggestion is to take a hard look at what shots gave you the most grief during your tournament as well as which shots made you most nervous. These shots should be your go-to points of practice.
Interesting that you describe the 17th as a Road Hole homage. Around the green, yes (although a pretty poor homage), but the tee shot is actually a more challenging version of 16 on the Old, because the option of a bail out left doesn’t really exist. Standing on that tee with a decent medal card going and the wind into off the left is no fun at all!
Well put. Played it in April also and we had the same conversation, "why isn't this talked about more?" Used hickories which made it less of a driver wedge. Caddy rumors that they may take 2 holes from Strath to correct that shitty corner. Im sure Mackenzie and Ebert will come in and make it worse somehow.
That first green stuck with me as much as any other on my entire visit to the region. At least it looks like they cut down the rushes from the pond on 14/15. When I played there last summer, it was completely overgrown with 6-7' rushes that you couldn't even see over.
