DAILY DIRT for Sept. 9, 2026
… Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,757 of The Daily Dirt.
1. Those who know me, realize this. But for those who don’t, I am not a golfer.
The last round I played (outside of pitch-and-putt and/or miniature golf) was back in late summer 1979. That ended with me throwing my clubs into the woods and never looking back.
That said, I still enjoy watching the major tournaments on TV, especially The Masters and U.S. Open, and while not anything close to being an avid follower of the game, I keep up enough to have a conversation with friends like Donnie “Ballgame” Crim.
I think what amazes me most about golf, especially in this day and age, centers around the expense. I know it costs an arm, leg and new driver just to play at a top-tier course, but at some of the premier public courses (that’s PUBLIC, not private) that cost was even more than I imagined. Here are the three most expensive U.S. public courses:
1. Shadow Creek Golf Course near Las Vegas will cost you $1,250 for a round.
2. The legendary TPC Sawgrass course on Ponte Vedra, Fla., which is also the home of the PGA Players Championship and also houses what is arguably the best-known par 3 hole in the world (yeah, that one with all the water). The cost? Be ready to fork over $950.
3. Pebble Beach, on the Monterrey Peninsula in northern California, is one of the game’s most iconic courses. And a round there will run you $675, which does not include some hidden costs. Pebble Beach incentivizes players to stay on property, which will cost you between $600 and $6,000 — per night. And if you don’t stay on property, look for a ton of extra fees to be included in your bill.
Strange golf rule
If a dog, bird, squirrel or some other varmint picks up your golf ball and moves it, you don’t play it from the new spot. You simply replace it where you think it had been.
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!
There is an 18-hole course in Australia that is 848 miles long, requires quite a bit or traveling and navigating. Finishing a round takes about four days. Nullabor Links sits along the southern coast of Australia and stretches across two Aussie states. Due to its location, the course has many unusual natural hazards, including crows, emus, kangaroos, three species of deadly venomous snakes, wedge-tailed eagles and wombat holes. Temperatures often are in the 120-degree range.
Japanese golf
After nine holes, there is a break in the play for a complete meal. Then, and only then, can the second nine be played. Throw in a nap after that meal and I’d be willing to catch the next flight to Japan and resume my golf career.
2. Did you know (Part 856)
— That Florida State will not be firing beleaguered coach Mike Norvell anytime soon. The school still owes him $45.6 million, and including the contracts of his assistants that total jumps to around $100 million. And for those wondering, it would cost Clemson $57 million million to get rid of Dabo Sweeney, and that doesn’t include his staff.
— That in 1991 these would have been some of your favorite pop hits: “Baby, Baby” by Amy Grant, “Cream” by Prince, “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, “Mysterious Ways” by U2, “Get Here” by Oleta Adams, “I Touch Myself” by the Divinyls, “Joyride” by Roxette and “”Love Is A Wonderful Thing” by Michael Bolton.
— That Campbell’s iconic red-and-white can design was inspired by Cornell University’s 1898 football uniforms.
— That a can of Campbell’s tomato soup has a shelf life of about two years unopened. And that every can of the soup is made using six tomatoes, according to the company.
— That McDonald’s is currently testing Tart Cherry Splash Sprite and Coconut Chill Diet Coke soft drinks.
3. Appalachian Word of the Day: Chores.
“Hey, honey, don’t grab that. It ain’t chores.”
Steve Thought O’ The Day — Considering today’s principal focus was on golf, I just read there is consideration among golfers to rename a “mulligan”. The new name? A “Michigan Wolverine”. Now that is quality.
Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. So did he throw his clubs playing mini golf?