A Cold Open Cleanser
A low fog sits over the fairway.
The kind that muffles everything… sound, time, thought.
Your Jones carry bag feels light on your right shoulder. The turf is soft, for now, and your shoes gather dew with each step. For a moment, the game feels like a secret shared only between you, the grass, and the faint echo of spikes long gone.
The sun peeks through the clouds as you reach the 10th tee, and you inhale. The coastal air tickles your nose. It’s a crisp Saturday morning, and no matter your score, you’ve already won the day.
Main Essay - The problem with BIG LETTER HATS
The worst kind of chills trickled down my spine as I typed that in all caps. Imagine putting it on your forehead?
After the experiencing an onslaught of twitter posts showcasing under-dressed members of the credentialed press and spectators, I needed an outlet to voice my concern.
It's easy to mock the proletariat who wear hats with oversized letters (or even small letters or large logos), as if their fashion choices are somehow beneath us. It’s another issue when we see this behavior and attire trickle into the premier tournaments and upper echelons of the sport.
I’m ok with the steady march of golf into mainstream streetwear culture, but keep that stuff out of our sports biggest events and hallowed grounds. The recent push to grow the game of golf has been extremely successful (and extremely profitable), but at what cost? Augusta wouldn’t be selling PIMENTO and SKIP IT hats if they weren’t a money-printing machine.
Why does the game have to lower its standards to let more people in? Why can’t we collectively help those unacquainted with the game climb to the level which it deserves?
I don’t have concrete answers, but my gut says the game’s growth outpaced its resources for proper instruction. This explosion of new players, coupled with the borderless ocean of YouTube golf content, and boom, you have an etiquette crisis of the highest degree.
It’s hard to blame the folks that wear gross clothing on the golf course. They don’t know any better. And at 97% of the courses in America, I’m OK with it. But at Augusta? And Oakmont? Come on now, let’s set and hold the game to a higher standard at the
All I ask is that we gently push back against the rising tide of Malbon/Good Good/Barstool Golf and their recent showings in the most hallowed and sacred clubs in golf.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. -BTG
Pre-Round Drills
I played with an elite mid-am the other week who has played in multiple Crump Cups. (Top 3 country club stick I’ve ever played with).
I asked him how he would practice putting if he had 15 minutes to his tee time. His response was shockingly simple and deliberate:
Find a straight 4 foot putt, and hit 10 minutes of those to ensure your face is square and you are aligned correctly. Make a bunch in a row to gain a quick boost of confidence. So simple and easy I couldn’t believe it.
Hit 5 minutes of 30-40 foot lags. Some uphill, some downhill. Don’t overthink the read, and try to get the speed just right.
Walk to the tee box
Wear Pattern of the Week
Rory’s hybrid in 2021. Outrageous.
Bag of The Week
Dropping a link here to Matt Vogt’s golf bag from Golf WRX
My favorites:
The Wilson Staff 18 degree 2 iron - true golf sicko stuff there. You just know he is truly brand-agnostic and goes purely by feel/sound/weight etc.
Srixon ZX7s. I hit these recently and loved them. The metal is on the softer side, providing some nice feedback and feel. Showing true ball knowledge, Matt.
The putter surprised me. I expected a 14 year old Scotty Newport 2 with a pin-sized wear pattern.
Tomorrow: The Saturday Edition
Each Saturday, we go deep — with a satirical essay covering behind the scenes nonsense at elite private clubs.
Start your weekend with a laugh - 5 referrals gets you access. 25 gets you a box of ProVs.
Talk soon,
BTG