Iss. #282 | Golf SZN Is In Full Swing (...Season 4)

"I remember picking a blade of grass and I ate it because I thought it would give me some magical Masters powers." Sahith Theegala on his likely illegal edible journey during his first trip to Augusta. And to think, for only $1.50 more, he could've had an egg salad sandwich.

Season 4 Is Upon Us

FULL SWING TRAILER DEEP DIVE

No two things signal the beginning of golf season more than Augusta... and the Full Swing trailer drop. So I'm digging in with a time code deep dive of the whole thing.

0:01 - "Describe the season in one word." A question tailor made for a sizzle reel as we get a glimpse of the cast anchors for this season. Tommy, JJ Spaun, Kaptain Keegan, Cam Young, Ben Griffin, and Luke Donald. "Describe this cast in one word." Mid.

0:21 - Ryder Cup. Ryder Cup. Ryder Cup. While the cast is missing some more of the higher profile "stars", what it does have is Keegan. And over the past few seasons we will have seen a complete roller coaster of emotions with him from being snubbed in Rome to being selected Kaptain to leading the US to a (REDACTED FOR SPOILERS... goofy face with the tongue out emoji) at Bethpage last summer.

0:28 - Where in the world do they have a skyscraper height National Geographic gold frame? <Immediately Googles gigantic gold frame in a skyline.> Of course it's Dubai...

0:32 - Tommy's episode is going to be so good. Effortless personality and his 2025 was legendary.

0:36 - JJ Spaun is a San Diego darling and I'm admittedly excited to hear what he's like. He skates! Which makes him already more interesting than probably half the Tour.

0:41 - Never a great sign when the Rory wins the Masters section features 0 Rory. He did make that Masters documentary himself so feel like that episode will end up being better served watching the Rory doc instead.

0:47 - Ben Griffin going for the heart string episode this year.

0:49 - Third time seeing Chris Gotterup as a flash of a clip in larger montages so pencil him in for the dud episode this season.

1:11 - "This is our time" coming from Kaptain at golden hour. Going to be a cringe-y hour watching Keegan get so pumped for Ryder Cup.

1:19 - NOT going to be a good look for the Bethpage crowds when we get to that section.

1:22 - Buried Shane Lowry in the trailer??? I love Shane! At very least just to listen to a fun Irish accent.

1:38 - Ben Griffin hitting us with a Jim Halpert look to camera. Could he be our Season 4 breakout star?

All in all, I worry about the personalities this season. Looking like it will lean heavy in Ryder Cup build-up which should add some drama but I'm still craving some of the characters from Tour. What's going on with the Finau crew? That's a family that could likely carry their own reality show at this point. 

Expected satisfaction score this season? 4/10

This week on r/golf

GET A LOAD OF THIS GUY

This week on golf Reddit I was treated to this 43 second clip courtesy of Top 1% Poster u/derek4reals1. Thanks Derek. For reals. You're #1.

The headline honestly mislead me into thinking this was some jerk trying to do a golf Jackass-like prank or something. But instead I was pleasantly surprised to be taken on a trick shot journey as he attempted to hit two balls that collide in air.

The feat was very impressive but I found myself mesmerized by the automatic ball tee mechanism. Now, I don't frequent many bougie driving ranges but have to say, this feature alone would lead to about 25% more balls hit each time I went. It's got a slot machine, Vegas like addictive edge to it. "Okay, one more." "Okay, NOW it's just one more." "I mean, if it's going to keep dispensing 'em, ONE MORE!"

Uber Golf has arrived.

A MASTERCLASS IN BRANDING

Uber Golf. You asked. Uber listened. Wait, did anyone ask? Well, they listened to someone. Because Uber Golf is a very real, non April Fool's Joke offering they launched in partnership with Top Golf.

The idea is that you and up to 3 friends can book a ride for you all and your clubs to the course. How this differs from an Uber XL? Unclear. And from the one like on Front Office Sports post on the matter, perhaps others share the perspective. 

However, I am not one to just criticize and leave. So instead, let's "Yes, and" this idea a bit.

BUILD 1 - Stock it up like a country club starter window. Throw Uber-branded tees in there, ball markers, golf pencils. If people are booking these on a buddies golf trip then you know they're going to be down for some free swag.

BUILD 2 - All Uber Golf vehicles must have built-in screens on the back of the seats playing 24/7 coverage of classic golf tournaments.

BUILD 3 - Only drivers with extensive area golf knowledge are allowed. Basically looking for a pre-round caddie situation here where they can give you some tips on how to play the course and/or what the best food and drinks are at the clubhouse.

Asterisk Heater: Level Diablo

LIVING MÁS AT AUGUSTA

For friends of the program, you may remember the name Asterisk Talley from the Bad Birdie x Taco Bell Invitational as the winner from the women's side. And she competed last week using her exemption in the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass—finishing T29 alongside absolute legends like Nelly Korda.

Well, Asterisk is back at it as she's currently in first place at the Augusta National Women's Amateur and will play Augusta National in the final round on Saturday for all the marbles.

And just like it's hard to decipher whether starting your meal with a Doritos Locos taco is the reason why a Crunchwrap hits harder... dare I say that the preparation she had at the Ford paved the way for an ANWA that's hitting harder? I dare. Go Asterisk!!