In commemoration of America 250, I spent the last few weeks picking away at a bit of a daunting list for @GOLFPASS. - 250 'essential' American golf courses - 5 per U.S. state - Publicly accessible - Good geographical spread for each course's list - Emphasis on "community courses" - municipal, college and military courses The exercise was not meant to be a "best of," but an expression of the breadth of golf experiences on offer across this vast country. I have played a good number of courses listed, but not all of them. Some are pretty remote and humble, but I have it on decent authority that they're fit for a list that attempts to express the American golf tapestry. This thing is more than 8,000 words, so it's more meant as a reference guide than someone you need to digest in a single sitting.

Insufficiently front-loaded lineup for the Internationals, looks like. Can’t allow a scenario where Lee, Fox and Taylor all end up being basically irrelevant. Easy for me to say but I might have sent the notoriously fast-playing Fox out first against Young. The Echavarria gambit was 100% correct but I think they needed more of a horse against Young in that first game.

I have never seen a ball come off an otherwise great golfer’s putter with less conviction than I’ve seen from Matsuyama. It’s been that way for years now. The golf ball just looks lifeless, wished into motion, even on the putts he holes. Maddening to see.

I hope a supercut of all the “Get in the bunker!”/“Get in the water!” garbage is in Brian Rolapp’s inbox by tomorrow morning, and I hope he chooses to do something about it. The golfers on the course deserve better and those of us who have been avid fans of golf for decades deserve better, too.

Genuinely shocked to see Fox no-show (so far) vs. Schauffele.

Fans at Medinah doing their best to compete with their counterparts at Bethpage last year. Who could have predicted this would be the result of golf going all-in on recruiting casuals and bettors?

Center-shafted putters and 3-5-footers do not mix, IMO. The physics are not compatible with nerves.

The best place to be off the tee in match play is a foot farther away than your opponent, in the fairway, hitting first, like Echavarria is with Scheffler on 1. The way to win as an underdog is to be the one to put pressure on. Hitting first is a huge advantage.

A genuinely hilarious slate of matches. A little surprised they put Fox in the anchor spot but Ogilvy has mashed almost all the right buttons this week. Has a player ever had less pressure on him in a match against a World #1 than Echavarria?

Data is cool and all, and can be marshaled for genuine insight, but one of the reasons match play golf is so much better than stroke play is that until the number-crunchers can calculate Strokes Gained: Guts, it cannot be reduced to numbers. Wins and Losses are all that matters.

Eric is really thoughtful and a great communicator - two essential qualities to have if you’re stepping up to the professor’s lectern on School of Golf. Get to know Eric and watch the first episode 👇🏼

Massacre at Medinah

Simplicity can kill.

What you need to know about Medinah Country Club's No. 3 course, host of the 2026 Presidents Cup golfpass.com/travel-advisor/…

Last Ditch in western Mass? Could be any of the bunkers guarding the 18th green at Wahconah Country Club.

SERGEANT JASPER GOLF CLUB Ridgeland, S.C. Unknown, 1964 $18 Course #727 This country nine with tiny push-up greens was adopted by the Congaree Foundation and is a delightful example of just how simple enjoyable golf can be. It reminded me of playing in my backyard. I adored it.

At its best, the Lowcountry achieves a level of golf-enchantment that comes awfully close to England’s heathland. The heathland district has more great classic design, for sure, but the peace of a moody golf day in coastal South Carolina is difficult to beat.

THE BEARKAT COURSE Huntsville, Texas Tripp Davis, 2001 $48 Course #726 A bit of a hike north of Houston but a solid value play that is showing signs of steady improvement now that Sam Houston State U. has taken it over. Demanding off the tee with a fair number of angled greens.

'Fantastic throwback classic' - read my @GOLFPASS review of Copake Country Club in New York golfpass.com/travel-advisor/…

I’ve worn golf socks made by Altera for years. Love how dry and comfortable they stay even in extreme heat/humidity. They use alpaca wool, and I’m a pretty firm believer in it. I like their hefty Surino line best, but the new, thinner Thrive line seems promising…