The Starter no.4

We’d rather be golfing. The Noble Fir is up and the lights are hung. Tis the most wonderful time of the year, indeed. What’s our favorite holiday movie? Glad you asked. Easy answer. Home Alone. The Wet Bandits are the ultimate Christmas villains and there is no better traveling polka band than the Kenosha Kickers. This classic will be playing nightly at the DMPL world headquarters for the duration of the year. Want to bring us some holiday cheer? Do us a favor and text your friends your new referral link with a “Keep the change, you filthy animal” GIF. We promise it will be well received. -Team DMPL

The Kids Want to Play

According to the annual “State of Play” report from the Aspen Institute, an increasing number of kids are spurning traditional team sports such as football and baseball for individual sports like golf and tennis. The report, which is an insightful read recommended for parents and coaches, highlights that this migration trend began prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Junior golf participants reach record levels

A recent study from the National Golf Foundation (NGF) showed that from 2019 - 2022 the sport gained nearly 1 million junior golfers (ages 6-17), and at just over 3.4 million in total, the youth golfer pool is now at its highest level since 2006. The recent rise in popularity of off-course venues such as TopGolf, Drive Shack, and PopStroke continues to attract young players and serves as a non-intimidating and affordable introduction to the game.

Social Media Influence

The sport has never felt more accessible, due in no small part to the increasing number of golf creators and influencers that post their talents (or lack there of!) across social media. DJ Khaled, Tom Holland, and Harry Styles are just a few of the notable celebrities who post their exploits on the golf course for the world to see. Former competitive amateur golfers turned social media phenomenons Grant Horvat, Mac Boucher, and Sabrina Andolpho combined boast nearly 1 million followers on Instagram alone and showcase new courses, miraculous shots, and fun banter to an engaged audience on a daily basis. Like it or not, the day is coming where a generation of golfers credit their love of the game to these social media personalities more so than the pros on tour.

In the end, regardless of how they are introduced to the sport, more kids interested in golf will lead to more opportunities for juniors and a brighter future for the game we all love.

All Eyes on Albany

Albany Golf Course in The Bahamas will serve as the stage for the highly anticipated return of Will Zalatoris (pictured)…oh, and some guy named Tiger!

Who are we kidding? As much as we love the storyline of Zalatoris returning from a severe back injury, it is the return to competitive action for Woods that will have us all locked in on the Hero World Challenge this week. Twenty of the PGA Tour’s top players, including 2x defending champion Viktor Hovland, will compete in this non-cut event for the $1 million top prize. No tears will be shed for whoever finishes the week in last place as even they will take home a six-figure pay day and nice tan for joining in on Eldrick’s festivities in the Caribbean.

Betting Favorite: Viktor Hovland (+400)

Meow.

🐅 Complete Cat Recap. If you have 32 minutes to kill this morning, here is Tiger’s full press conference at the Hero World Challenge.

🐅 Next time, consult the Cat. Tiger shares his frustration of being caught flat footed on June 6 by the PGA Tour’s framework agreement announcement with the PIF.

🐅 Caddying for the Cat. Tiger confirms that friend and business partner Rob McNamara will be on his bag in Albany. No decision on who will be his caddy in 2024.

🐅 Captain Cat? Tiger shows off his press conference acumen by deflecting questions on his potential U.S. Ryder Cup team captaincy in 2025.

🐅 Year of the Cat. Tiger lays out his plan to play one tournament per month during the 2024 season. He will look to kick off his season at the Genesis Invitational in February.

More on the PGA Tour

• The controversial Player Impact Program (PIP) dolls out another $100 million with Rory bagging $15 million and ousting Tiger at the top of the list.

Around the Game

⛳️ Goldman Sached. In a twist straight out of a USA Network prime time drama, the Ryder Cup’s hatless rebel Patrick Cantlay has lost his cap sponsor in Goldman Sachs. Cantlay was Goldman’s first-ever golf deal when they signed the emerging star in 2020.

⛳️ Ivy League to the Euro Tour. James Nicholas, who played both golf and football at Yale, secures his DP World Tour card after a final-round 67 at DP World Tour Q School.

⛳️ We Bought a Range. Rickie Fowler purchases Murrieta Valley Golf Range, the range he grew up playing, and promises his hometown to keep the range up and running.

⛳️ Globetrotting. LIV Golf formally unveils their 2024 schedule featuring stops at 12 courses across 8 countries.

⛳️ Coming in Cold. Players competing at the Asian Tour’s Taiwan Glass Tailing Open aren’t afforded the luxury of hitting range balls.

Dining Under Par

Golf themed sports bars are the vibe. Below are a few high profile dining establishments that merge good food and drinks with the great game:

• The Breezy Lounge at Five Iron Golf. Cult favorite Breezy Golf serves up adult beverages and handhelds at Five Iron Golf’s flagship Herald Square location in NYC.

• T-Squared Social in NYC. Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods initially dreamt up the concept of an elevated golf themed sports bar while playing a round together in the Bahamas. After a successful debut in NYC, the duo turns their attention towards opening a second restaurant just steps away from the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

• Atlanta Golf and Social. Greg and Andrea Hall’s vision of creating a neighborhood hang while helping to build a community around a shared love of golf takes shape in this gem located in Chamblee, GA.

• The Woods Cabo. You won’t find a golf simulator at this dining concept from the Big Cat. Billed as a legendary sports bar experience in Cabo San Lucas, Eldrick’s dining haven boasts a menu of Baja Mexican specialities infused with Mediterranean flavors. Can’t make it to Mexico? Check out the original The Woods restaurant located in Jupiter, FL.

Hero World Challenge

Does Christian McCaffrey deliver or does Christian McCaffrey deliver? I honestly don’t know what was tastier - the line set at 112.5 total yards or my grandmother’s green bean casserole. Thanksgiving is still undefeated as it delivers family, food, and of course football. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and are excited to get back to golf action this week as the PGA’s best head to the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas. 

The anticipation has been building for Tiger Woods’ return to competition. He is the host of the Hero World Challenge, and the field is sizzling like a perfectly cooked bratwurst. This week’s tournament has me reminiscing about my childhood hero, none other than Dolph Lundgren, who plays He-Man in Masters of the Universe. Take us back to when movies were made with that type of quality…I apologize for that pivot but when the opportunity strikes to fit in a Dolph Lundgren reference, I don’t squander it. 

Moving forward. I know you’re probably thinking; “this guy is going to take Brian Harman again, isn’t he?” Well guess again! That ship has sailed and BY is on to bigger and brighter opportunities. And it doesn’t get much bigger and brighter than a field of the 20 best golfers in the world. My first lean will be to Wyndham Clark with a top 10 finish at -110. What I like most here is the value at nearly even money. Wyndham had a strong showing at the Ryder Cup and is looking to make some waves in the Bahamas. I like seeing a return on the investment at this position. My final lean is Max Homa with a top 5 finish at +125. Max is coming off a win on the DP World Tour at The Nedbank Golf Challenge, which we know has him fired up to play against a top tier field like we will see at Albany. Plus money for Homa…count me in! -BY

Draft Kings DFS 3-Putt Pot

Each week I will give my three strongest value buys for DFS play. I am only getting you started, finishing your line up will be up to you!

• Justin Thomas: $8,400

• Jordan Speith: $7,400

• Justin Rose: $6,900

As always, please remember to gamble responsibly.

Worth the Follow: My Pro Golfer 24

Jeremy Franks, an established club pro, traded in the country club life to follow his passion for teaching the game, inspiring others, and playing courses around the world. From this pursuit, My Pro Golfer 24 was born. We are big fans of Jeremy and his Olive Tree Method that works to simplify the game for players of all skill levels. Need to get your game in shape for the upcoming season? We definitely recommend you give MPG24 a follow.

ICYMI

🦜 He said, he said. A rousing exchange between polarizing author Alan Shipnuck and polarizing golfer Phil Mickelson.

🍨 Back to School. Claire Rogers gets The Scoop from everyone’s favorite NBA Champ turned college golfer, J.R. Smith.

🏁 Racing Down Under. Who doesn’t enjoy a caddy race?

🦅 🦅 Pin Seeking. Adam Scott rattles the pin from the tee on a Par 4 during the 2nd round of the Australian PGA Championship.

🍞 Burnt Toast. Jordan Speith admits to re-injuring his wrist in the oddest of ways.

One winner will receive their hat of choice from Nation Golf!

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Name that Golfer

Three clues. Can you name this player?

• 4x winner on the PGA Tour.

• Won the US Open and Ryder Cup in the same calendar year.

• Has an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Ulster.

Issue no. 3 Answers

Golf Scramble: 1. Albatross 2. Pinseeker 3. Wormburner 4. Sandbagger 5. Gimme

Name that Golfer: Mackenzie Hughes