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Naples Area

I will be traveling to Naples area in February and curious to get opinions on courses in that area. It seems the public scene is pricey and mediocre. I watched a bit of the Grant Thornton last week to see some of Tiburon, which looked good, just expensive.

Thanks for any input!

I will be traveling to Naples area in February and curious to get opinions on courses in that area. It seems the public scene is pricey and mediocre. I watched a bit of the Grant Thornton last week to see some of Tiburon, which looked good, just expensive.

Thanks for any input!

0
January 1, 2026
Chocolate Drop: President Trump Wants More Control Over D.C.'s Municipal Courses, WSJ Reports

Talk about a Friday news dump.

At 8:21 p.m. on December 12, the Wall Street Journal published a major report about U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent efforts to wrest control of East Potomac Golf Links from the National Links Trust.

In 2020, the NLT signed a 50-year lease to operate and improve the three municipal golf facilities in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit group partnered with architect Tom Doak to explore the possibility of restoring certain elements of Walter Travis's original design at East Potomac. Also, as I noted last month, the NLT recently started the first phase of its ambitious, Gil Hanse-led renovation of Rock Creek Park Golf Course.

A few months ago, however, rumors began circulating that higher-ups at the Department of the Interior — including secretary Doug Burgum and solicitor general William Doffermyre — were encouraging President Trump to take a more active role in the management of the courses. Official news trickled out slowly. First, the Independent revealed that the President was "weighing" a potential "refurbishment and rebranding" of East Potomac Golf Links. Then, in early November, the Washington Post reported that White House was transporting excess dirt from the East Wing renovation project to East Potomac.

Now, the Wall Street Journal is telling the full story. Here’s what you need to know:

  • In a meeting with President Trump and a handful of advisers on August 1, interior secretary Doug Burgum first pitched the idea of turning East Potomac into a "professional-level course" named "Washington National Golf Club." Trump has since expressed interest in hiring Tom Fazio to carry out the work.
  • In an interview with the WSJ in the oval office on Friday, President Trump did not rule out playing a direct role in renovating D.C.'s municipal courses. "If we do them, he said, "we'll do them beautifully."
  • Trump added that if his administration were to take over management of the courses, D.C. residents would still, in the WSJ's words, "pay a lower rate than other golfers." It's not clear which "other golfers" are being referred to here, or how the administration could make such a guarantee, given the apparent ambition of Burgum's East Potomac proposal.
  • The conflict between the Trump administration and the NLT is beginning to revolve around details of the nonprofit's lease with the National Park Service. According to the WSJ, administration officials have claimed that the NLT "is in breach of its lease because it hasn't made enough progress on the renovations." In a statement posted on social media, the NLT said, "We respectfully disagree with the characterization that we are in default of our lease. In the five years since signing the lease, National Links Trust has worked hand in hand with the National Park Service through the extensive permitting and compliance processes required for these comprehensive renovation projects."
  • The WSJ claims that the Trump administration told the NLT that if East Potomac Golf Links did not accept the dirt from the East Wing demolition, the group would risk defaulting on its lease. The NLT acquiesced, but in recent weeks, the administration has moved toward a finding of default anyway. "The Interior Department informed the group that it had violated a lease provision," the WSJ reports. "Interior then issued a formal default notice, a move that could lead to the termination of the group's lease, according to the people. Trump told the Journal that if the nonprofit doesn't address the alleged violations of its lease by the end of the month, then the courses will revert to the Trump administration's control."
  • The WSJ article notes several times that East Potomac Golf Links occupies a valuable stretch of Washington real estate.

I'm not sure where to start with all of this. Feel free to discuss below.

Note: there were technical issues with the first version of this post, which we put up on Friday night. We decided to repost here and will attempt to regenerate the comments.

Talk about a Friday news dump.

At 8:21 p.m. on December 12, the Wall Street Journal published a major report about U.S. President Donald Trump's apparent efforts to wrest control of East Potomac Golf Links from the National Links Trust.

In 2020, the NLT signed a 50-year lease to operate and improve the three municipal golf facilities in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit group partnered with architect Tom Doak to explore the possibility of restoring certain elements of Walter Travis's original design at East Potomac. Also, as I noted last month, the NLT recently started the first phase of its ambitious, Gil Hanse-led renovation of Rock Creek Park Golf Course.

A few months ago, however, rumors began circulating that higher-ups at the Department of the Interior — including secretary Doug Burgum and solicitor general William Doffermyre — were encouraging President Trump to take a more active role in the management of the courses. Official news trickled out slowly. First, the Independent revealed that the President was "weighing" a potential "refurbishment and rebranding" of East Potomac Golf Links. Then, in early November, the Washington Post reported that White House was transporting excess dirt from the East Wing renovation project to East Potomac.

Now, the Wall Street Journal is telling the full story. Here’s what you need to know:

  • In a meeting with President Trump and a handful of advisers on August 1, interior secretary Doug Burgum first pitched the idea of turning East Potomac into a "professional-level course" named "Washington National Golf Club." Trump has since expressed interest in hiring Tom Fazio to carry out the work.
  • In an interview with the WSJ in the oval office on Friday, President Trump did not rule out playing a direct role in renovating D.C.'s municipal courses. "If we do them, he said, "we'll do them beautifully."
  • Trump added that if his administration were to take over management of the courses, D.C. residents would still, in the WSJ's words, "pay a lower rate than other golfers." It's not clear which "other golfers" are being referred to here, or how the administration could make such a guarantee, given the apparent ambition of Burgum's East Potomac proposal.
  • The conflict between the Trump administration and the NLT is beginning to revolve around details of the nonprofit's lease with the National Park Service. According to the WSJ, administration officials have claimed that the NLT "is in breach of its lease because it hasn't made enough progress on the renovations." In a statement posted on social media, the NLT said, "We respectfully disagree with the characterization that we are in default of our lease. In the five years since signing the lease, National Links Trust has worked hand in hand with the National Park Service through the extensive permitting and compliance processes required for these comprehensive renovation projects."
  • The WSJ claims that the Trump administration told the NLT that if East Potomac Golf Links did not accept the dirt from the East Wing demolition, the group would risk defaulting on its lease. The NLT acquiesced, but in recent weeks, the administration has moved toward a finding of default anyway. "The Interior Department informed the group that it had violated a lease provision," the WSJ reports. "Interior then issued a formal default notice, a move that could lead to the termination of the group's lease, according to the people. Trump told the Journal that if the nonprofit doesn't address the alleged violations of its lease by the end of the month, then the courses will revert to the Trump administration's control."
  • The WSJ article notes several times that East Potomac Golf Links occupies a valuable stretch of Washington real estate.

I'm not sure where to start with all of this. Feel free to discuss below.

Note: there were technical issues with the first version of this post, which we put up on Friday night. We decided to repost here and will attempt to regenerate the comments.

December 16, 2025
Q School!

Just an alert that PGA Tour Q School is on. If it ended at this moment, there would be a 6-for-1 playoff. Could be an interesting watch. You also have Tosti and Spencer Levin in the mix.


Just an alert that PGA Tour Q School is on. If it ended at this moment, there would be a 6-for-1 playoff. Could be an interesting watch. You also have Tosti and Spencer Levin in the mix.


1
Golf Courses on Military bases

I am heading off to Air Force officer training school in the next month to become a Chaplain (where my lack of interest in fighting will now be legally binding as a uniformed non-combatant under the Geneva conventions) and as a member of the hottest club in town it's got me wondering about all these golf courses on military bases - are there any great US military base golf courses I should be on the lookout to play now that I have access? Any scruffy flight line courses with good bones I can support? What can the FEGC community tell me about what I've gotten myself into (golf-wise of course)?

I am heading off to Air Force officer training school in the next month to become a Chaplain (where my lack of interest in fighting will now be legally binding as a uniformed non-combatant under the Geneva conventions) and as a member of the hottest club in town it's got me wondering about all these golf courses on military bases - are there any great US military base golf courses I should be on the lookout to play now that I have access? Any scruffy flight line courses with good bones I can support? What can the FEGC community tell me about what I've gotten myself into (golf-wise of course)?

2
December 22, 2025
Forum Updates: Topic / Post Following & Comments Feed on Mobile

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you're all gearing up for a nice holiday season and get to spend a little time with the ones you love.

If, on the other hand, you want to ignore the ones you love and find sanctuary with fellow golf sickos at the hottest club in town, boy do I have some good news for you! We just added a couple of small enhancements to the forum to ensure you can stay on top of the latest and greatest activity in the club.

Topic Following

If, for instance, you're an architecture junkie and want to be notified every time someone creates a new post in the Architecture topic, you can follow topics in our forum and we'll shoot you an email every time a new post is created. To do so, go to the topic page (ex: Architecture) and click Follow (as seen in the screenshot below).

Once you've done this, the button will update to Unfollow (as seen in the screenshot below). This will allow you to come back at a future date and unsubscribe from those notifications if you'd no longer like to receive email updates.

The same pattern is available for Post following if you want to be notified each time someone comments on a post you care about.

Comments Feed Available on Mobile

Okay, back to avoiding conversation with those special people in your life. Let's say you're at a holiday party, a spouse's work party for example, and you're really curious if there have been any new comments in the FEGC forum—boy do I have even more good news for you. Thanks to the coding elves in our north pole workshop, comments are now easily accessible on the mobile version of our site. When you load the Forum home page, you should see a toggle that will allow you to go back and forth between posts and comments. It looks like this (screenshot below).

Alright, I think that's all I've got for today. Maybe if I'm feeling cheeky, I'll drop a very heartfelt post in here before the holidays that moves you deeply and simultaneously gets you to spend more of your hard earned money with us! ;) Just kidding! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and close to your year.

Cheers!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you're all gearing up for a nice holiday season and get to spend a little time with the ones you love.

If, on the other hand, you want to ignore the ones you love and find sanctuary with fellow golf sickos at the hottest club in town, boy do I have some good news for you! We just added a couple of small enhancements to the forum to ensure you can stay on top of the latest and greatest activity in the club.

Topic Following

If, for instance, you're an architecture junkie and want to be notified every time someone creates a new post in the Architecture topic, you can follow topics in our forum and we'll shoot you an email every time a new post is created. To do so, go to the topic page (ex: Architecture) and click Follow (as seen in the screenshot below).

Once you've done this, the button will update to Unfollow (as seen in the screenshot below). This will allow you to come back at a future date and unsubscribe from those notifications if you'd no longer like to receive email updates.

The same pattern is available for Post following if you want to be notified each time someone comments on a post you care about.

Comments Feed Available on Mobile

Okay, back to avoiding conversation with those special people in your life. Let's say you're at a holiday party, a spouse's work party for example, and you're really curious if there have been any new comments in the FEGC forum—boy do I have even more good news for you. Thanks to the coding elves in our north pole workshop, comments are now easily accessible on the mobile version of our site. When you load the Forum home page, you should see a toggle that will allow you to go back and forth between posts and comments. It looks like this (screenshot below).

Alright, I think that's all I've got for today. Maybe if I'm feeling cheeky, I'll drop a very heartfelt post in here before the holidays that moves you deeply and simultaneously gets you to spend more of your hard earned money with us! ;) Just kidding! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and close to your year.

Cheers!

1
December 12, 2025
Yolk with Doak ?s

Hello All,

I am pleased to let everyone know that we are going to be recording a big batch of Yolk with Doak episodes with Tom next week.

We will be doing a listener Q&A portion of the recordings so please fire away!

Hello All,

I am pleased to let everyone know that we are going to be recording a big batch of Yolk with Doak episodes with Tom next week.

We will be doing a listener Q&A portion of the recordings so please fire away!

3
December 18, 2025
TFE Cease and Desist?!

While I am certain the Egg has better things to spend resources on, I would like the team to consider investing in attorney fees for a cease and desist - I believe TGL has begun to poach ideas from the Fried Egg community, and where will it stop unless the Egg sends a message?!

Last year, a number of us designed wild video game golf holes as part of a TGL themed contest. As part of that, I submitted a crazed version of the Golden Gate Bridge, complete with an arch that forced players to hit a punch shot underneath it.

Two days ago, TGL debut one of their new holes, and a key design feature looks awfully familiar (attached). I do not believe this is imitation is a form of flattery - this is outright thievery, bordering on audaciously putting someone else’s right protected photos behind your own paywall!

While, I assume the egg does not want to begin their second 10 years litigating with SoFi, Tiger and Rolapp, on behalf of the architecturally creative members of the Friday community, please at least consider protecting the intellectual property that we contribute, which of course has an inestimable worth, especially when the design bears resemblance to Michael Block




While I am certain the Egg has better things to spend resources on, I would like the team to consider investing in attorney fees for a cease and desist - I believe TGL has begun to poach ideas from the Fried Egg community, and where will it stop unless the Egg sends a message?!

Last year, a number of us designed wild video game golf holes as part of a TGL themed contest. As part of that, I submitted a crazed version of the Golden Gate Bridge, complete with an arch that forced players to hit a punch shot underneath it.

Two days ago, TGL debut one of their new holes, and a key design feature looks awfully familiar (attached). I do not believe this is imitation is a form of flattery - this is outright thievery, bordering on audaciously putting someone else’s right protected photos behind your own paywall!

While, I assume the egg does not want to begin their second 10 years litigating with SoFi, Tiger and Rolapp, on behalf of the architecturally creative members of the Friday community, please at least consider protecting the intellectual property that we contribute, which of course has an inestimable worth, especially when the design bears resemblance to Michael Block




4
December 12, 2025
Collections

The recent SGS Year in Review episode got me thinking about collections. First of all, I would be very interested in PJ's real answer to KVV's question - what is his favorite sports card currently in his collection?

I seem to collect collections. In golf, I collect pencils, ball markers, tees, Scotty Camerons, and headcovers. Outside of golf, I collect books, U.S. quarters, and magnets.

I have no idea how I ended up where I am, it's kind of ridiculous. However, as someone who can appreciate a good collection, I would love to hear from PJ on others about what they collect and value.

The recent SGS Year in Review episode got me thinking about collections. First of all, I would be very interested in PJ's real answer to KVV's question - what is his favorite sports card currently in his collection?

I seem to collect collections. In golf, I collect pencils, ball markers, tees, Scotty Camerons, and headcovers. Outside of golf, I collect books, U.S. quarters, and magnets.

I have no idea how I ended up where I am, it's kind of ridiculous. However, as someone who can appreciate a good collection, I would love to hear from PJ on others about what they collect and value.

1
December 14, 2025
Oregon and SW Washington Clubs

Have a card that grants me the ability to play rounds at most private clubs in Oregon and SW Washington. Can have others join for the same price as the guest fee (course dependent). Would be happy to use it to help anyone interested in seeing a specific club.

Have a card that grants me the ability to play rounds at most private clubs in Oregon and SW Washington. Can have others join for the same price as the guest fee (course dependent). Would be happy to use it to help anyone interested in seeing a specific club.

1
January 15, 2026
Golf Games for Players of All Levels

I'm heading to Pinehurst for a 16 person b-day/bachelor party in March and want to propose some games to keep things light and fun. Most of the golfers aren't serious (ie - no GHINs) but there are a few ultra serious tip-out, stroke play sickos in the group. Not sure if I can convince them to not hit every shot over 4-6 rounds, but would appreciate some ideas.

Shamble, Scramble, 6-6-6, i'm aware of.

Thanks!

I'm heading to Pinehurst for a 16 person b-day/bachelor party in March and want to propose some games to keep things light and fun. Most of the golfers aren't serious (ie - no GHINs) but there are a few ultra serious tip-out, stroke play sickos in the group. Not sure if I can convince them to not hit every shot over 4-6 rounds, but would appreciate some ideas.

Shamble, Scramble, 6-6-6, i'm aware of.

Thanks!

1
December 14, 2025
Hansen Dam - 1:50 (3 spots), 12/14 come chase the sun

Decided to book a time for this Sunday at Hansen Dam. I have 3 spots open let’s grab a game and maybe a dinner after.



Decided to book a time for this Sunday at Hansen Dam. I have 3 spots open let’s grab a game and maybe a dinner after.



1
December Virtual Hangout - Courses That Made an Impact on Us in 2025

Ladies and germs,

It's time for the final Virtual Hangout of the year! This month, I've got what we refer to as the "Architecture Team" on tap to review the courses they saw in 2025 and the holes that made an impact on them this year. Andy, Garrett, Cameron, and Matt will hop in studio on Monday, December 15 at 1:00 p.m. ET and their discussion will be posted in FEGC afterwards.

In addition to their talk, we want to answer a few questions from you all. Please feel free to drop a question in here and we'll have them answer a few during the hangout.

Details

Date: Monday, December 15

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

LINK TO JOIN AND WATCH LIVE

Ladies and germs,

It's time for the final Virtual Hangout of the year! This month, I've got what we refer to as the "Architecture Team" on tap to review the courses they saw in 2025 and the holes that made an impact on them this year. Andy, Garrett, Cameron, and Matt will hop in studio on Monday, December 15 at 1:00 p.m. ET and their discussion will be posted in FEGC afterwards.

In addition to their talk, we want to answer a few questions from you all. Please feel free to drop a question in here and we'll have them answer a few during the hangout.

Details

Date: Monday, December 15

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

LINK TO JOIN AND WATCH LIVE

1
December 15, 2025
New England Golf in January (Am I psychotic?)

Hey friends,

Hoping for some advice / guidance here. I have a work trip in Late-January, and will likely be in the Boston area the weekend of January 24. I currently live in Florida and was thinking of hauling my clubs and hitting a course on the Cape or Nantucket. A friend of mine in the past said some amazing things about Miacomet - I know it would involve a ferry situation early Saturday AM. Curious as to whether anyone in the forum here has other suggestions for some places to check out. There appears to be some nice stuff on the Cape (that doesn't involve jumping on a ferry). Would love a golf POV of the area though.

A few things:

  1. Yes, I know it will probably be cold as hell
  2. I recently played in some 18 degree wind chill weather and I have been to Bandon in November/December countless times. I'm pretty resilient, and I'm not worried about the cold
  3. FWIW, I understand the weather is a little milder on the coast
  4. I don't want to say there is no price outside of my range, but I'm looking for good value - decent architecture, ocean views would very much be welcome, and obviously I'm not a stickler for elite conditions in January; willing to pay up for a decent setup and an overall enjoyable walk
  5. If not Miacomet, are there other courses on the Cape to check out or consider?
  6. I have a couple of "ins" to some clubs around town, but I'm looking for something a little more rugged / adventurous

Anyway, appreciate any feedback, and if any Ball Frog / Boston peeps want to chime in or possibly play with me then that'd be fun too. I'm a super chill brah who plays reasonably fast golf.

Hey friends,

Hoping for some advice / guidance here. I have a work trip in Late-January, and will likely be in the Boston area the weekend of January 24. I currently live in Florida and was thinking of hauling my clubs and hitting a course on the Cape or Nantucket. A friend of mine in the past said some amazing things about Miacomet - I know it would involve a ferry situation early Saturday AM. Curious as to whether anyone in the forum here has other suggestions for some places to check out. There appears to be some nice stuff on the Cape (that doesn't involve jumping on a ferry). Would love a golf POV of the area though.

A few things:

  1. Yes, I know it will probably be cold as hell
  2. I recently played in some 18 degree wind chill weather and I have been to Bandon in November/December countless times. I'm pretty resilient, and I'm not worried about the cold
  3. FWIW, I understand the weather is a little milder on the coast
  4. I don't want to say there is no price outside of my range, but I'm looking for good value - decent architecture, ocean views would very much be welcome, and obviously I'm not a stickler for elite conditions in January; willing to pay up for a decent setup and an overall enjoyable walk
  5. If not Miacomet, are there other courses on the Cape to check out or consider?
  6. I have a couple of "ins" to some clubs around town, but I'm looking for something a little more rugged / adventurous

Anyway, appreciate any feedback, and if any Ball Frog / Boston peeps want to chime in or possibly play with me then that'd be fun too. I'm a super chill brah who plays reasonably fast golf.

December 21, 2025
John Low "Concerning Golf" ebook? Does it exist?

After Garrett's last Designing Golf Podcast, I put it to my mind that I wanted to read Concerning Golf. However, to out myself as a not-good-at-sitting-down-and-reading person, I'm typically a fan of audiobooks or Alexa reading me an ebook (while I do chores). Only occasionally do I try to get through a book quickly in a weekend.

The book was published in 1903. It's been in the public domain forever. Has there never been an ebook edition made? There is a rough copy on Google Books is a PDF with no OCR, but there is no not even a Project Gutenburg entry. If anyone has an EPUB, let me know. I'm hoping someone in the golf publishing industry can quickly put out a kindle edition!


After Garrett's last Designing Golf Podcast, I put it to my mind that I wanted to read Concerning Golf. However, to out myself as a not-good-at-sitting-down-and-reading person, I'm typically a fan of audiobooks or Alexa reading me an ebook (while I do chores). Only occasionally do I try to get through a book quickly in a weekend.

The book was published in 1903. It's been in the public domain forever. Has there never been an ebook edition made? There is a rough copy on Google Books is a PDF with no OCR, but there is no not even a Project Gutenburg entry. If anyone has an EPUB, let me know. I'm hoping someone in the golf publishing industry can quickly put out a kindle edition!


December 9, 2025
New Zealand Carton

Hi all

Perhaps a long shot but would be good to hear from any FEGCers in NZ. I'm based in Auckland but always happy to travel for golf. Will be in Aus for much of May 2026 and looking to play some golf in Tassy and Melbourne if that broadens the net.

Thanks

Conor

Hi all

Perhaps a long shot but would be good to hear from any FEGCers in NZ. I'm based in Auckland but always happy to travel for golf. Will be in Aus for much of May 2026 and looking to play some golf in Tassy and Melbourne if that broadens the net.

Thanks

Conor

December 9, 2025
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