I've enjoyed listening to your reflections on your trip to Surrey/Berkshire and Kent. I was wondering if you could say a bit more about what fascinated you so much about RSG and Deal and why you had them seemingly higher than Sunningdale or St George's Hill. I play most of my golf on the west links of North Berwick, so maybe I'm spoiled by links and heathland feels like a change of pace, but I'm much more enamoured by the heathland than the links of southern England. That isn't to say that Kent courses aren't fantastic, but the routing, greens, and turf around Surrey only compete with the Sandbelt in my opinion. Is it a case of preferring links? Or is it something about the greens at RSG that put it over the top for you?
I've enjoyed listening to your reflections on your trip to Surrey/Berkshire and Kent. I was wondering if you could say a bit more about what fascinated you so much about RSG and Deal and why you had them seemingly higher than Sunningdale or St George's Hill. I play most of my golf on the west links of North Berwick, so maybe I'm spoiled by links and heathland feels like a change of pace, but I'm much more enamoured by the heathland than the links of southern England. That isn't to say that Kent courses aren't fantastic, but the routing, greens, and turf around Surrey only compete with the Sandbelt in my opinion. Is it a case of preferring links? Or is it something about the greens at RSG that put it over the top for you?
Kansas City Country Club posted some drone footage of its A.W. Tillinghast-designed course, which recently underwent a historical renovation by Andrew Green. Lots of cool-looking holes out there. I'm not a fan of the all-green-everywhere turf presentation, but just about every club does it these days, so I can't fault KCCC specifically.
Kansas City Country Club posted some drone footage of its A.W. Tillinghast-designed course, which recently underwent a historical renovation by Andrew Green. Lots of cool-looking holes out there. I'm not a fan of the all-green-everywhere turf presentation, but just about every club does it these days, so I can't fault KCCC specifically.
Seriously, what's the point of going through this exercise every two years? The list has barely changed.
Oh, right. Golf media outlets need to sell magazines and drive website traffic in November.
Also: I need something to talk about, and here I am. I'm part of the problem.
Anyway, I spent about 10 minutes comparing the 2023 and 2025 lists, and here are the main differences I spotted (I may have missed a few):
New-course debuts:
Childress Hall (Upper) at 73
CapRock Ranch at 84
Te Arai (North) at 98
Some of my colleagues have been to Tom Doak's Upper Course at Childress Hall, which opened last December, and they tell me that the hype is real. Amazing golf course. But I remain opposed to the idea of ranking a course ahead of Old Town Club and Machrihanish before it's even a year old. At least give the place time to grow in fully.
Double-digit risers:
New South Wales from 64 to 26
Royal Troon from 66 to 53
The Lido from 68 to 48
St. George's Hill from 71 to 57
Lofoten Links from 88 to 66
Bandon Trails from 90 to 76
Royal Melbourne (East) from 92 to 82
Shanqin Bay from 95 to 64
The Lido appears to be holding strong after a big debut on the 2023 list. It now out-ranks every Dream Golf course except for Pacific Dunes.
New South Wales recently underwent a renovation by Mackenzie & Ebert and seems to be reaping the benefits.
Double-digit droppers:
Ballyneal from 51 to 63
Cabot Cliffs from 52 to 78
Cape Kidnappers from 55 to 65
Woodhall Spa from 58 to 74
Rye from 72 to 90
Rock Creek Cattle Co. from 73 to 88
Cabot Links from 79 to 96
Winged Foot (East) from 80 to 91
Ohoopee Match Club from 81 to 99
Les Bordes (New) from 83 to off the list
I wouldn't read much into any of these declines (or into the rises I mentioned earlier, for that matter). A lot of the reshuffling from year to year is basically random. But I do think the new-car smell is starting to wear off of some of the modern courses listed above. The really good ones will bounce back in the panel's esteem.
Since I find this ranking somewhat boring, I'll try to spice things up: what do you think is the most overrated course on the list?
I'll stake my flag on No. 60, the East Course at Oak Hill Country Club.
Seriously, what's the point of going through this exercise every two years? The list has barely changed.
Oh, right. Golf media outlets need to sell magazines and drive website traffic in November.
Also: I need something to talk about, and here I am. I'm part of the problem.
Anyway, I spent about 10 minutes comparing the 2023 and 2025 lists, and here are the main differences I spotted (I may have missed a few):
New-course debuts:
Childress Hall (Upper) at 73
CapRock Ranch at 84
Te Arai (North) at 98
Some of my colleagues have been to Tom Doak's Upper Course at Childress Hall, which opened last December, and they tell me that the hype is real. Amazing golf course. But I remain opposed to the idea of ranking a course ahead of Old Town Club and Machrihanish before it's even a year old. At least give the place time to grow in fully.
Double-digit risers:
New South Wales from 64 to 26
Royal Troon from 66 to 53
The Lido from 68 to 48
St. George's Hill from 71 to 57
Lofoten Links from 88 to 66
Bandon Trails from 90 to 76
Royal Melbourne (East) from 92 to 82
Shanqin Bay from 95 to 64
The Lido appears to be holding strong after a big debut on the 2023 list. It now out-ranks every Dream Golf course except for Pacific Dunes.
New South Wales recently underwent a renovation by Mackenzie & Ebert and seems to be reaping the benefits.
Double-digit droppers:
Ballyneal from 51 to 63
Cabot Cliffs from 52 to 78
Cape Kidnappers from 55 to 65
Woodhall Spa from 58 to 74
Rye from 72 to 90
Rock Creek Cattle Co. from 73 to 88
Cabot Links from 79 to 96
Winged Foot (East) from 80 to 91
Ohoopee Match Club from 81 to 99
Les Bordes (New) from 83 to off the list
I wouldn't read much into any of these declines (or into the rises I mentioned earlier, for that matter). A lot of the reshuffling from year to year is basically random. But I do think the new-car smell is starting to wear off of some of the modern courses listed above. The really good ones will bounce back in the panel's esteem.
Since I find this ranking somewhat boring, I'll try to spice things up: what do you think is the most overrated course on the list?
I'll stake my flag on No. 60, the East Course at Oak Hill Country Club.
I have two tee times booked at Poppy Ridge in mid December. I got the earliest times I could get, and the Sunday time is definitely a twilight time with some finishing risk. My son will join on Sunday.
Sunday, Dec 14, 1:10pm, $100 per player (Chris Brooks, Jacob Brooks, two openings), pay at course
Monday, Dec 15, 12:20pm - pre-paid $486.00, $121.50 per player (Chris Brooks, three openings)
I will also book the 9 holer for Monday morning (lots of times available) once we have an idea of our numbers. I'm going to be staying somewhere in Livermore on Sunday night.
I have two tee times booked at Poppy Ridge in mid December. I got the earliest times I could get, and the Sunday time is definitely a twilight time with some finishing risk. My son will join on Sunday.
Sunday, Dec 14, 1:10pm, $100 per player (Chris Brooks, Jacob Brooks, two openings), pay at course
Monday, Dec 15, 12:20pm - pre-paid $486.00, $121.50 per player (Chris Brooks, three openings)
I will also book the 9 holer for Monday morning (lots of times available) once we have an idea of our numbers. I'm going to be staying somewhere in Livermore on Sunday night.
Just dropped a new blog going over a little BTS for an LPGA/Epson PT this past year! A short read for those who would be interested in hearing a little more about the physical therapists role with the players on a given week!
Can't get the link to work but if you copy and paste this URL it will take you straight there!
Just dropped a new blog going over a little BTS for an LPGA/Epson PT this past year! A short read for those who would be interested in hearing a little more about the physical therapists role with the players on a given week!
Can't get the link to work but if you copy and paste this URL it will take you straight there!
I had the great pleasure of meeting up with four FEGC members yesterday at Golden Gate Park GC. Myself along with Chris Brooks, Ray Gobberg, Brett Hochstein, and Jamie Hiteshew had a great round. We snuck out at 3:00 and played as a group of five. Rounds like this are truly what fill my tank.
There were plenty of good shots to recount, but my favorite moment of the day was when Brett, who is a wonderful guy and who also happened to do a lot of work on Golden Gate Park during the renovation, recommended we all hit low runners into the seventh green, which he shaped, to try to catch the contours in the ground and sling balls into the back right pin. For those of you who haven't played GGPGC, the seventh has an awesome green with three distinct quadrants. Each quadrant is relatively small, but there is a lot of mounding to work the ball into tight spaces. It's phenomenal work that Brett did and provides an equal amount of fun and challenge. I've added a couple of photos below.
The pin shown above is in the back left quadrant, whereas we were playing to the back right (just over the bunker in this picture).
Here's a more aerial view of the entire green. If you choose, you can run shots into the green using the ground and mounding on the left to feed balls hard to the right.
My highlight from the day, though, was when Jamie tried to snipe a 4i into the green and got a wee bit aggressive with his swing and sent the ball sailing onto the next tee box, coming to rest at the feet of the group of golfers in front of us. At that very moment, I remembered reading a lot of member intros where most identify as "not interested in fighting." Thankfully for us, Ray's immediate comment was something to the effect that there are five of us and only four of them AND they look old, so we can totally take them.
So I guess the TL;DR here is that Ray Gobberg is interested in fighting!
I had the great pleasure of meeting up with four FEGC members yesterday at Golden Gate Park GC. Myself along with Chris Brooks, Ray Gobberg, Brett Hochstein, and Jamie Hiteshew had a great round. We snuck out at 3:00 and played as a group of five. Rounds like this are truly what fill my tank.
There were plenty of good shots to recount, but my favorite moment of the day was when Brett, who is a wonderful guy and who also happened to do a lot of work on Golden Gate Park during the renovation, recommended we all hit low runners into the seventh green, which he shaped, to try to catch the contours in the ground and sling balls into the back right pin. For those of you who haven't played GGPGC, the seventh has an awesome green with three distinct quadrants. Each quadrant is relatively small, but there is a lot of mounding to work the ball into tight spaces. It's phenomenal work that Brett did and provides an equal amount of fun and challenge. I've added a couple of photos below.
The pin shown above is in the back left quadrant, whereas we were playing to the back right (just over the bunker in this picture).
Here's a more aerial view of the entire green. If you choose, you can run shots into the green using the ground and mounding on the left to feed balls hard to the right.
My highlight from the day, though, was when Jamie tried to snipe a 4i into the green and got a wee bit aggressive with his swing and sent the ball sailing onto the next tee box, coming to rest at the feet of the group of golfers in front of us. At that very moment, I remembered reading a lot of member intros where most identify as "not interested in fighting." Thankfully for us, Ray's immediate comment was something to the effect that there are five of us and only four of them AND they look old, so we can totally take them.
So I guess the TL;DR here is that Ray Gobberg is interested in fighting!
Garrett’s Bob Parsons impression on the architecture pod today was all time. Laughed so loud in my office, le wife had to come make sure I wasn’t choking on my bagel.
Also got me thinking, what are some other great impersonations we’ve heard over the years, golf-wise?…KVV’s Gary Player comes to mind immediately, as well as Porath’s ability to spit Paul McGinley bars at the drop of a hat.
Maybe PJ could put together an all-time FE impersonations power ranking…
Garrett’s Bob Parsons impression on the architecture pod today was all time. Laughed so loud in my office, le wife had to come make sure I wasn’t choking on my bagel.
Also got me thinking, what are some other great impersonations we’ve heard over the years, golf-wise?…KVV’s Gary Player comes to mind immediately, as well as Porath’s ability to spit Paul McGinley bars at the drop of a hat.
Maybe PJ could put together an all-time FE impersonations power ranking…
With the holiday next week, I will be doing a general mailbag with PJ, I will pull some questions from last week's architecture focused ones into the podcast but just wanted to put a call out for any questions. Thanks!
With the holiday next week, I will be doing a general mailbag with PJ, I will pull some questions from last week's architecture focused ones into the podcast but just wanted to put a call out for any questions. Thanks!
Today at 4:00 p.m. ET, we are going to reveal our 2026 FEGC and FE Events calendar. I'll include as much detail as possible but feel free to jump on and ask questions if you have them.
Today at 4:00 p.m. ET, we are going to reveal our 2026 FEGC and FE Events calendar. I'll include as much detail as possible but feel free to jump on and ask questions if you have them.
Sunday Night Baseball has officially moved to NBC. Why do I post that here?
With NBC now officially booked every Sunday Night of the year between NFL, NBA, and MLB, this adds a major hurdle to the myriad suggestions every year that the FedEx Cup Playoffs move to the west coast and air on primetime. I also wonder about west coast US Opens.
Sunday Night Baseball has officially moved to NBC. Why do I post that here?
With NBC now officially booked every Sunday Night of the year between NFL, NBA, and MLB, this adds a major hurdle to the myriad suggestions every year that the FedEx Cup Playoffs move to the west coast and air on primetime. I also wonder about west coast US Opens.
I've been listening to SGS from the beginning and I could probably count the number of episodes I've missed in that time on one hand. As such, I consider myself highly fluent in SGS-speak. Nevertheless, it seems like a nickname or two fell through the cracks. As a result, whenever these people are subsequently referenced in an episode, I have no idea who they are talking about.
One such player that came up for me from today's episode with "The Boys" was Freddie Ketchup. I've heard that name used numerous times and I still don't know who it is.
I'm hoping this thread can serve as a hub where people can ask for SGS nickname clarifications without fear of judgement :)
I've been listening to SGS from the beginning and I could probably count the number of episodes I've missed in that time on one hand. As such, I consider myself highly fluent in SGS-speak. Nevertheless, it seems like a nickname or two fell through the cracks. As a result, whenever these people are subsequently referenced in an episode, I have no idea who they are talking about.
One such player that came up for me from today's episode with "The Boys" was Freddie Ketchup. I've heard that name used numerous times and I still don't know who it is.
I'm hoping this thread can serve as a hub where people can ask for SGS nickname clarifications without fear of judgement :)
I was fortunate enough to win Lottery tickets for the Master's this April, Are there any additional course recommendations outside of Tree Farm and Old Barnwell. We were fortunate enough to play them last year, but the pricing this year is out of control.
I was fortunate enough to win Lottery tickets for the Master's this April, Are there any additional course recommendations outside of Tree Farm and Old Barnwell. We were fortunate enough to play them last year, but the pricing this year is out of control.
I know Fried Egg isn't equipment-centric (except when it comes to regulating it), but I thought I would start a topic near and dear to my heart - putters. I'm a Scotty Cameron loyalist, proud owner of 10 of them, and very excited to try the new OC line of low-torque putters that Scotty just released.
Putters, like golf architecture, are more of an art than a science, and different things appeal to different people. I'd love to hear from others on what they use, what they like, and what they collect.
I know Fried Egg isn't equipment-centric (except when it comes to regulating it), but I thought I would start a topic near and dear to my heart - putters. I'm a Scotty Cameron loyalist, proud owner of 10 of them, and very excited to try the new OC line of low-torque putters that Scotty just released.
Putters, like golf architecture, are more of an art than a science, and different things appeal to different people. I'd love to hear from others on what they use, what they like, and what they collect.
The National Links Trust announced yesterday that Rock Creek Park Golf Course, a municipal facility in Washington, D.C., is now closed for the first phase of a "full-scale rehabilitation project." I detailed the plans for this project back in 2023. The National Links Trust holds the lease to operate D.C.'s three National Park Service-owned golf courses: Rock Creek Park, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links.
From the press release:
"Currently, we are continuing our adaptive management approach to invasive vine, shrub, and tree removal and finishing site work before we begin vertical construction on the new, modern maintenance facility and clubhouse, driving range, and putting course. Vertical construction will begin in the coming weeks.
"Next spring, our intention is to reopen at least nine holes of golf with a modified routing to accommodate for clubhouse and maintenance facility construction. The holes that reopen will continue to improve in playability and conditions, like we saw this year, as the turf receives more sunlight and better airflow and the corridors expand to their historic widths."
Whereas phase one of the Rock Creek overhaul will focus on the property's buildings and practice facilities, phase two will include Gil Hanse's redesign of the golf course. Hanse plans to split the current 18-hole course into a nine-hole regulation course and a nine-hole par-3 layout.
The news that work has begun at Rock Creek comes amid concerning chatter out of NLT-managed East Potomac Golf Links, where the Trump administration is creating an enormous mound out of rubble from the ongoing East Wing renovation project.
The National Links Trust announced yesterday that Rock Creek Park Golf Course, a municipal facility in Washington, D.C., is now closed for the first phase of a "full-scale rehabilitation project." I detailed the plans for this project back in 2023. The National Links Trust holds the lease to operate D.C.'s three National Park Service-owned golf courses: Rock Creek Park, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links.
From the press release:
"Currently, we are continuing our adaptive management approach to invasive vine, shrub, and tree removal and finishing site work before we begin vertical construction on the new, modern maintenance facility and clubhouse, driving range, and putting course. Vertical construction will begin in the coming weeks.
"Next spring, our intention is to reopen at least nine holes of golf with a modified routing to accommodate for clubhouse and maintenance facility construction. The holes that reopen will continue to improve in playability and conditions, like we saw this year, as the turf receives more sunlight and better airflow and the corridors expand to their historic widths."
Whereas phase one of the Rock Creek overhaul will focus on the property's buildings and practice facilities, phase two will include Gil Hanse's redesign of the golf course. Hanse plans to split the current 18-hole course into a nine-hole regulation course and a nine-hole par-3 layout.
The news that work has begun at Rock Creek comes amid concerning chatter out of NLT-managed East Potomac Golf Links, where the Trump administration is creating an enormous mound out of rubble from the ongoing East Wing renovation project.
Between my March Madness bracket and this year's one and done results, I think I know for a fact I am cursed now. Isn't Brooks supposed to have some course knowledge here, he practically built the place? I can see not winning, but my guy is battling for DFL right now.
Between my March Madness bracket and this year's one and done results, I think I am cursed. Isn't Brooks supposed to have some course knowledge here, he practically built the place? I can see not winning, but my guy is battling for DFL right now.
I've been dreaming of a trip that included Broomsedge, Aiken, and another couple places on the trip down and back from Ohio. This seems to make that much more of a reality. More of the Belvedere model in America please.
My 2 cents:
-You're only a couple months out so check the tee sheets at Arcadia. They definitely fill up and that may limit your options.
-Second Andy's comment about a second round at the South course. I've kicked around the idea of doing a 36 hole day there; regular tees in the morning, all the way up in the afternoon. There's a lot of tee strategy and they keep it firm so it'd be a nice change of pace and fun with lots of drivable holes.
-Decide if you want to get straight there or break up the drive. Lots of courses on the way if you want to break it up. The Manistee courses are good options closer to Beulah.
-in Beulah I remember liking Five Shores Brewing and Lucky Dog bar and grille. Frankfort isn't far and has a nice little downtown with a bunch of options as well.
My 2 cents:
-You're only a couple months out so check the tee sheets at Arcadia. They decided fill up and that much limit your options.
-Second Andy's comment about a second round at the South course. I've kicked around the idea of doing a 36 hole day there; regular tees in the morning, all the way up in the afternoon. There's a lot of tee strategy and they keep it firm so it'd be a nice change of pace and fun with lots of drivable holes.
-Decide if you want to get straight there or break up the drive. Lots of courses on the way if you want to break it up. The Manistee courses are good options.
-in Beulah I remember liking Five Shores Brewing and Lucky Dog bar and grille. Frankfort isn't far and has a nice little downtown with a bunch of options.
I think that would be great and really show off the versatility of the staff that TFE has on site for the majors. With the shotgun start live shows, you get more the fan reaction/delightful nuggets from the day, and obviously you have Andy there to provide high quality golf play/course analysis where appropriate.
The Sports Reporters-like morning show could really complement that, let the storylines marinate overnight and allow for a space to dive deeper and with more thought into bigger narratives. It’s something that I don’t think anybody else in the golf digital media space does, but is something I would appreciate.
And, I look forward to the Parting Shots!
Right, fair point. No, didn’t mean greens alone should necessitate the rating. I find the routing and caliber of it being a parkland layout good enough, then enhanced by the greens. But yes, quite solid!
I agree that the greens are exceptional. There's something special about the micro contours in old greens that modern greens will never be able to replicate.
If I'm being honest, I'm not sure if there is a course where the greens are so good that it would warrant 2 eggs on their own. Hollywood maybe? but even there the variety of golf holes on a flattish site is quite idyllic and accentuates the phenomenal greens.
For my personal tastes, I appreciate a little bit more funk and variety in the design. I think the greens at Aronimink do achieve this but a lot of the holes themselves feel like they sorta drive between the lines vs being more adventurous.
Good highlighting of the greens. I think they’re an exceptional set, and have very similar character to Oakland Hills as opposed to Pinehurst.
The strength of the greens warrants 2 eggs for me. High quality parkland. I actually find the course more cohesive overall than Philly Cricket Wiss, where some of Foster’s work feels a bit too geometric, especially on the back nine.
Fully on board. In a local charlotte group, our fantasy football punishment involved dressing for a big local golf event in a "special" fit that was topped off by a fedora.
Haha I’m there with you, Brian.
On the right people (not me), it is absolutely a suave look and something those people can totally own. My grandfather used to slay in straw hats, non-shark division.
But the next time we play and my buddy has to sport his hat, it will start conversations and that (along with the shark logo) is all part of the spoils of winning the match.
I’d love to see Cowboy Sharks popping up everywhere and am fine with both sincere and snarky intentions.
I can't lie, I think the straw hat is terrific, but suppose the shark logo is the real punishment these days. Good on your buddy for leaning in and going with an...interesting...color.
Appreciate this, Mike! I think this makes me Kornheiser and JLM the new Wilbon?
In all seriousness, we have kicked around the idea of bringing back some version of The Sports Reporters for the mornings of Majors. I think that kind of smart format would be so much better than screaming/shouting of my former employer (who never talks golf on television anyway).
