Wigs on the Green

Wigs on the Green is a Substack dedicated to providing a nuanced critique of golf, focusing on the sport's culture, architecture, and the economics influencing it. It explores various issues, including course design, access to the sport, conservation of public courses, and innovative practices to improve the golfing experience.

Golf Course Architecture Golf Culture and History Course Access and Inclusivity Pace of Play Environmental Sustainability Economic and Legal Issues in Golf Player Strategy and Experience Golf Course Ratings and Critiques Technological and Analytic Approaches

The hottest Substack posts of Wigs on the Green

And their main takeaways

Golf for Non-Golfers: Getting from Zero to Golf Should be Fun

58 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jun 23
🎾 Sports Golf Courses
  1. Courting beginners in golf means offering a playable game without expecting them to learn first and play later.
  2. To make golf more accessible, let beginners play at their own skill level instead of throwing them into the deep end.
  3. Golf facilities should focus on entertainment and offer different stages for each skill level to attract and retain new players.

A Preview of the Next Era at Golden Gate Park GC

19 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 23
🎾 Sports Golf Course design
  1. The golf course at Golden Gate Park GC is undergoing significant changes led by architect Jay Blasi.
  2. The course alterations include restoring native sand dunes, adding fescue fairways, and adjusting hole lengths for different player skill levels.
  3. The renovation aims to maintain the course's appeal to both beginners and experienced players, with a focus on strategy and sustainability.

Fried Egg Golf at the Meadow Club

19 implied HN points β€’ 09 Nov 23
🎾 Sports Golf Culture Events Accessibility
  1. The event at the Meadow Club in Fairfax highlighted a positive shift towards accessibility in golf culture.
  2. Attending such exclusive golf events can lead to unexpected and enriching experiences, like networking with industry professionals.
  3. Events like Fried Egg Golf can play a role in reshaping golf culture to be more equitable and open to all.
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A High Shot Hazard

58 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 22
  1. Architects need to combat modern player tactics in golf by changing course design
  2. The Biarritz template no longer works well due to changes in ball flight trajectories
  3. The proposal of 'high hazards' with wooden sleepers can add strategy and risk to golf course design

The Four-Hour Round is Bullshit

58 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 22
  1. The idea of a four-hour round of golf being the norm is unrealistic and averages around 4 hours, 17 minutes.
  2. Pace of play in golf is influenced by various factors like variability in group speed and hole length, leading to slower rounds even with fast golfers.
  3. Course design, tee time intervals, and focusing on conscientious players are key to improving pace of play without players even noticing.

North Korea Has One Operating Golf Course

19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 22
  1. North Korea has only one operating golf course, Pyongyang Golf Club, which is located near Ryonggang and Kangsŏ.
  2. The golf course in North Korea is known for its unique and odd features, such as manual grass cutting and caddies with limited golf knowledge.
  3. Despite notable holes and a surreal environment at Pyongyang Golf Club, the course's cultural and political aspects overshadow its architectural design.

Wigs on the Green

19 implied HN points β€’ 06 Oct 22
  1. Wigs on the Green refers to a fight or difference of opinion that could lead to a brawl.
  2. The phrase originated in Ireland in the eighteenth century when men wore wigs.
  3. Although not commonly used today, intellectuals in Ireland still use the term.

Great Par 3s: #13 at Carrick Knowe

19 implied HN points β€’ 19 Apr 22
  1. Modern golf strategies emphasize hitting the ball far over precise shot-making.
  2. Unique wind conditions at Carrick Knowe Golf Course create challenges for players.
  3. Players at the 13th hole face decisions between high or low shots, each with its own risks.

Alternating Paired Twosomes

19 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 22
  1. The idea of Alternating Paired Twosomes suggests pairing up players for a seamless round of golf.
  2. The system aims to prevent backups by grouping players effectively throughout the game.
  3. While it may seem convoluted, if implemented properly, the concept could work well for most nine-hole courses.

Nobody Is Having Dinner at the Golf Course

19 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 22
  1. Consider turning golf course clubhouses into welcoming community spaces
  2. Restaurants adjacent to golf courses can attract non-golfers and benefit the wider community
  3. Maximizing the value of golf course spaces for general public enjoyment is important for preserving public courses

Great Opening Holes: #1 at Lion's Muni

19 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 22
  1. The first shot on the tee can be a nerve-wracking challenge.
  2. The tee shot at #1 at Lion's Muni does not require a driver but rather an iron or hybrid for better control.
  3. Land your shot at the corner, manage the green approach carefully, and a two-putt will set you up well on this opening hole.

What Even Is a Private Golf Club and Why Are Most So Difficult to Play?

4 HN points β€’ 01 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Golf Events Accessibility
  1. Private golf clubs in the US operate under specific tax codes that restrict advertising and require revenue from members only.
  2. UK private golf clubs have more general tax-exempt rules, allowing them to accommodate visitors and non-members more freely.
  3. American private clubs can host occasional events for outsiders and benefit from the prestige of hosting tournaments.

Luck in Golf

1 HN point β€’ 15 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Golf Luck Course design
  1. Luck and skill in golf coexist and can enhance the player experience.
  2. Understanding types of luck in golf - output and input randomness.
  3. Different types of players approach luck in golf courses differently based on their preferences and skills.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 22
  1. The newsletter is called 'Wigs on the Green.'
  2. It offers critical analysis of golf: the game, the architecture, and the culture.
  3. The newsletter is hosted on golfcoursewiki.substack.com.

Match Play Is Better Than Stroke Play

0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jun 22
  1. Match play is better than stroke play for celebrating success over punishing failure.
  2. Match play allows more strategic flexibility and facilitates risk-taking in golf.
  3. Stroke play may not always be the most fair measure of skill due to variability in course conditions.

(Slightly More Than the) Year in Review

0 implied HN points β€’ 31 Dec 23
🎾 Sports Golf Courses Reviews Culture Community
  1. Pace of play is a complex issue in golf with many factors to consider beyond individual playing speed.
  2. Exploring unique topics like North Korea's golf course can generate interest and discussion.
  3. Critically analyzing and learning from feedback is important for growth and improvement in writing and content creation.

Quick Post: 0 Eggs

0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 22
  1. The Fried Egg's golf course rating system focuses on land, design, and presentation.
  2. The rating system lacks consideration for cost and accessibility, potentially catering only to high-end courses.
  3. Environmental impact and sustainability are not core considerations in The Fried Egg's new rating system, making it similar to existing rankings.

Visualizing Risk & Reward On the Golf Course

0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 22
  1. Understanding risk and reward in golf can be challenging, but visualizing strategies can make it clearer.
  2. Using reducibility, backward propagation, and forward propagation can help analyze and design golf course strategies.
  3. Analyzing risk-reward gradients and different design schools can enhance course strategy and player experience.

One of the Biggest Stories in Golf Happened this Month and Nobody Noticed

0 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
🎾 Sports Golf Culture Journalism Access Discrimination
  1. Pine Valley Golf Club settled a discrimination lawsuit with New Jersey regarding violations of civil rights laws.
  2. Major golf publications like Golf Magazine and Golf Digest have been largely silent on the controversy.
  3. The issue highlights the problems of access journalism, lack of criticism towards exclusive clubs, and the impact on golf culture.

This is a blog about golf, economic incentives, and analytic approach to it's culture.

0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 22
  1. The blog focuses on creating a wiki for golf courses to provide accessibility and representation for all courses, not just the famous ones.
  2. The blog aims to discuss what makes a good golf course and hole, even in ordinary settings, and to explore the culture and issues within the golf community.
  3. It will further delve into political, economic, and environmental problems in golf and propose solutions for growing the game in a constructive manner.