Iss. #134 | The TED Talk Issue—Let's Get Innovatin'

You're in the audience of a dark, high-school-sized auditorium.

A single beam of light shines down from above to reveal... me... standing center stage, wearing a black turtleneck and an air traffic controller level microphone headset.

I speak.

"In honor of WGC Match Play week, I'd like to welcome you to my (crowd-sourced) TED Talk celebrating innovation in golf."

The crowd erupts. I whisper to myself, "This is freaking awesome."

WGC Match Play: The Final Chapter

THE END OF AN ERA?

I'll begin this section with a heartfelt "my b" because in an earlier issue when discussing how the PGA continues to pivot formats to rip off LIV—reader David S. rightfully pointed out that both the PGA (in their memo) and myself ignored the fact that the WGC has been doing the damn thing for 24 years now.

Now, speaking of the WGC, this week marks what is expected to be the final edition of PGA sanctioned match play as the early 2024 schedule shows an event in Houston that's been moved up and will likely replace.

While it's not Facebook official (or whatever today's equivalent of that now extremely dated phrase is), sometimes you got to read the room and the room is empty—other than "Fringe Guy" who's groovin' on the couch by himself. (It's a matter of time before this dude is on SNL... just watch.)

RIP WGC—You deserved better.

Taking her show on the road

EAT YOUR HEART OUT IG WANDERLUST-ERS

Meet Dorsey Addicks. A pro on the Epson Tour (aka the LPGA development league) who has completely innovated the Tour experience by traveling to each event in an Airstream.

All of which is documented through her @dagolfstream account with the profile description...

Chasing adventure, freedom, and professional golf in my 20ft Airstream, Da Golfstream, while seeing the US in slow motion.

And honestly, when your Tour takes you through towns like French Lick, Indiana and Conway, Arkansas, I got to think the Airstream is a comfier accommodation than the local Fairfield Inn & Suites.

This week in r/golf innovations

FIRST TEE JITTERS LEVEL 100

u/Cavalier26 who may or may not be Kyle Korver...

...dropped this absolute gem of an innovation idea.

Kyle Korver's pitch is that all clubhouses should have a live Top Tracer feed of the first tee for people to watch as they enjoy their 19th hole drinks—even going so far as to suggest people could BUY THEIR VIDEO after their round like it's DisneyWorld (a distant 2nd in the fun-to-price ratio for family vacations, in case you wondering. That's a call back joke, folks!).

Full Swing: Episode 5

MY WATCHALONG RECAP-APALOOZA

And now for the section that a singular reader has called "comedy gold." These are my Full Swing Episode 5 thoughts.

In this week's edition we follow golf's David and Goliath—Fitzy and DJ.

- Never a great start when the first sound bite is Bizarro Rory saying: "I'd call myself reserved." Strap in. We've got a live one.

- My man Fitzpatrick rocks the braces. Mad respect to anyone who has to embark on an adult orthodontic journey. I just completed my own round of Invisaligns—and if I were to share a piece of advice it's "wear your f&@#^& retainers."

- "Who shares an Airbnb with who" on Tour is sneaky interesting. Thomas Pieters and Fitzy are boys? AND Dan Rapaport regularly swings through like they're back at Northwestern? Fascinating.

- Soul patch DJ feels like an entirely different Pro at this point. I'm okay separating the two when it comes to records actually.

- Why'd you join LIV, DJ? "Play less, make more." Got to respect the honesty.

- And we go from DJ playing basketball to... Fitzy running drills in Excel. Quickly followed by a shot of Brooks taking a BIG OLE pinch annnnnd Fitzy applying sunscreen. OK editors, I think we got it.

- And we score one for the nerds of the world with the US Open win. As a former President of my high school's computer club (long story there, but facts are facts), I genuinely liked Fitzy. Seems like a good ole Englishman, hates dancing, public speaking, and the sun.

OVERALL RATING: 5/10 - Eh. It was fine. There were some nice nuggets but largely back to the same issues I was having in the BD era episodes (BD = Before Dahmen).

Your homework for this week:

Episode 6

Innovation ain't stoppin'!