Jake Stoutland

Jake Stoutland All things golf 🏌️‍♂️

07/23/2025

What is the most iconic tee in golf?

This season’s golf travels have reinforced my longstanding belief: golf is about so much more than the scorecard. It’s t...
07/16/2025

This season’s golf travels have reinforced my longstanding belief: golf is about so much more than the scorecard. It’s the small touches that make each course memorable – and nothing captures a club’s personality quite like their flags.

From classic elegance to bold statements, each flag tells a story about the course’s character and attention to detail. Here are some of my favorites from this summer’s rounds 👇

Just wrapped an unforgettable golf getaway in Southampton, NY. Here’s a recap of an epic few days:Kicked things off at A...
07/01/2025

Just wrapped an unforgettable golf getaway in Southampton, NY. Here’s a recap of an epic few days:

Kicked things off at Atlantic Golf Club, now my top contender for the most underrated course in the world. Everything - conditions, layout, vibe, people - is absolutely elite. Jermaine, the legendary Berkeley Cup veteran, led me around. Great person, great caddie. I felt privileged to share the round with him. This is a place that has forged a special place in my heart. Special shout out to Atlantic’s legendary pro Rick Hartmann - one of the most respected pros in the game of golf (founder of the Berkeley cup - amongst many of his achievements)

Friday brought me to Southampton Golf Club, a Seth Raynor masterpiece. Walking this course felt like strolling through a living museum of Raynor’s genius - template holes galore! Every hole oozes character, yet it’s also often overshadowed by its legendary neighbors.

Saturday was a doubleheader: The Bridge in the morning, a modern marvel that feels like an art gallery with a pristine course to match. The clubhouse? Straight out of Architectural Digest. My caddie Ryan (aka Lunchbox) always makes it an absolute blast. Then, the afternoon at The K Club at Three Ponds Farm - a surreal experience. A private Rees Jones designed course on a 65-acre estate. Multiple pins per green create an 18-hole adventure, and the aura is pure fantasy. One of the coolest golfing moments of my life.

Sunday capped it with Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Lunch on the patio overlooking the 9th green, with views of NGLA, Sebonack, and Great Peconic Bay, was pure magic - maybe the best lunch patio in golf? The course itself? Holes 1-8 are stellar, but 9-18 are jaw-dropping, with wild topography and strategic brilliance. My caddie Lucas guided me to a memorable 71 - still buzzing from that round!

Southampton is where old-school classics (Shinnecock, NGLA, Southampton) meet modern stunners (Atlantic, The Bridge, Sebonack, Friars). Is this the holy land for golf in the United States?

Southampton is a Seth Raynor gem celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The course is a timeless design that exudes ...
06/28/2025

Southampton is a Seth Raynor gem celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The course is a timeless design that exudes character and endures the test of time. If you enjoy template holes, you will love it. If you dont, you will still love it.

It is unlike any other golf club in the general area. I learned that ~ 75% of the members here are “locals”. It is clear, observing membership, that this is a tight nit membership with true camaraderie. You feel it the second you step foot onto the property.

What also stood out was the contrast between the nines. The front nine threads through trees yet keeps wide, inviting corridors, never feeling confined. The fairways roll with wild, almost surreal topography, echoing the dramatic flair of National Golf Links. And the greens - bursting with bold, unique character - make every hole a puzzle and a delight.

Set in the shadows of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton Golf Club gets overlooked. But I can tell you this: put this course in any other part of the world and the whole world would know about it.

Yesterday, I played Atlantic Golf Club on the East End of Long Island, New York. It’s a golfing experience that left an ...
06/27/2025

Yesterday, I played Atlantic Golf Club on the East End of Long Island, New York. It’s a golfing experience that left an indelible mark:

Nestled amongst many notable golf clubs of the region, Atlantic, designed by Rees Jones and opened in 1992, is one of the more elite clubs in the northeast. But what sets Atlantic apart to me is its warmth. Unlike many clubs in the area where guests may walk away feeling unwelcome, Atlantic’s staff and members exude genuine hospitality. It truly is a “member for a day” type experience.

Another highlight was my caddie, Jermaine, a Berkeley Cup veteran whose knowledge, wit, and professionalism turned a great round into an unforgettable one. I later learned I was walking with caddie royalty, as Jermaine has played in more Berkeley Cups than any other caddie - quite the accomplishment!

If you ever get the chance to play Atlantic Golf Club, seize it! It’s a flawless blend of world-class golf, unmatched hospitality, and scenic beauty.

PS: don’t miss the PBJ at the halfway house

Yesterday, I played Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It’s one of those courses where, the moment I pull i...
06/03/2025

Yesterday, I played Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It’s one of those courses where, the moment I pull in, I take a deep breath and feel right at home. In my book, it’s among the most underrated golf courses anywhere.

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Lehigh Valley, this William Flynn masterpiece, opened in 1928, is as authentic a Flynn design that I know of. The course’s magic comes from two standout qualities:

First, the property flows naturally over meandering hills and valleys, crisscrossed by the Little Lehigh Creek. It delivers breathtaking vistas and iconic tee shots, like the par 4 4th and the par 3 7th. The second shot on the par 5 11th is also a gem.

Second, the course is in pristine condition every single time I visit. The greens are lightning-fast, and the fairways are immaculate. Superintendent John Chassard and his team keep Lehigh in MINT condition.

If you ever get the chance to play Lehigh Country Club, don’t pass it up! It’s a rare blend of classic design, natural beauty, and pure joy that every golfer should experience.

Lastly, the best news: I filmed a full youtube video at Lehigh and will be positing it in a couple weeks. Keep your eyes out!

Three summers ago, my dad and I took a bucket list golf trip to Southampton, NY. During the trip, I purchased a white p...
06/02/2025

Three summers ago, my dad and I took a bucket list golf trip to Southampton, NY. During the trip, I purchased a white polo from a club’s pro shop. It was the first time I had ever heard of the brand. I wore it the next day. It fit perfectly. The lightweight fabric kept me comfortable in the summer heat. It was unlike any golf shirt I’d worn before. I was instantly hooked.

After that day, my pro shop routine became predictable: head straight for the B. Draddy section. Little did I know, my appreciation for their clothing would evolve into something more….

About a year ago, I had the privilege of meeting the team behind B. Draddy and Zero Restriction. Getting to know this group over the past twelve months has only deepened my respect for their craftsmanship and vision.

Today, I’m thrilled to announce my official partnership with B. Draddy and Zero Restriction. What began with a white polo has transformed into a relationship I’m genuinely proud of.

This past weekend, I played the Old Course at Stonewall, just an hour outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s a golfing...
05/21/2025

This past weekend, I played the Old Course at Stonewall, just an hour outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s a golfing experience that exceeded my expectations:

Tucked into the rolling hills of Chester County, this Tom Doak masterpiece, opened in 1993, was his first private course design. Historic stone walls weave through the fairways, giving the property a timeless charm that feels much older than it actually is.

The Old Course is walking friendly - tee boxes are close to greens, making the walk quite manageable. It’s like playing through a nature preserve, with creeks, ponds, and birds accompanying every hole. A few tee boxes get up to a height where you can see the rolling terrain in the distance.

The halfway house patio, overlooking the 8th and 18th greens and 9th tee, is a highlight. I had the seared tuna wrap and highly recommend it!

If you ever get the chance to play Stonewall’s Old Course, take it! It’s among the best blends of golf and tranquility you will find anywhere!

Just a week ago, I had the opportunity to play Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course, this week’s stage for the...
05/06/2025

Just a week ago, I had the opportunity to play Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course, this week’s stage for the PGA Tour’s Truist Championship. You’ve heard about the course, now let’s talk details…

Great golf clubs live in the nuances, and PCC masters them. Ever notice a bunker rake? Here, they’re classy, expertly crafted, a joy to rake a bunker with (never thought I’d write those words, but its true - best rakes in golf). The wood tees? Simple, elegant. Tee markers? Cricket balls, a nod to PCC’s Cricket roots. The bench between holes 4 and 7, carved from a native tree, oozes character.

Then there’s the staff. Jim Smith Jr., a legend in GAP and beyond, runs a first-class operation with warmth and precision. These details make PCC exceptional. I think it goes without saying, but if you ever have the opportunity to play the course, you absolutely should.

And for those who would like a sneak peak at the course, my full YouTube video of “the Wissahickon experience” is at the link in bio!

For the past few summers, I have played The Bridge in Bridgehampton, New York. It is a golfing experience like no other…...
04/24/2025

For the past few summers, I have played The Bridge in Bridgehampton, New York. It is a golfing experience like no other…

Once a racetrack, the property was transformed in 2002 into one of the world’s coolest golf clubs by Bob Rubin. With no prior golf expertise, Rubin envisioned a distinctive club, blending history and modernity, and brought it to life with remarkable success.

The Bridge is not just a walk on a golf course. Remnants of raceway walls and tires still stand alongside bold metal sculptures, creating the sense of an outdoor art gallery. The greens, among the fastest on Long Island. Multiple tee boxes offer views across Noyack Bay.

The caddies are exceptional. The pro shop, with its iconic logo, is a destination in itself. Even the glassware inside the clubhouse, delicate and nearly paper thin.

If the opportunity arises to play The Bridge, GO! It is truly a unique experience.

Aronimink Golf Club, host of the 2026 , stands as one of the crown jewels in the Philadelphia region. The history hits y...
04/16/2025

Aronimink Golf Club, host of the 2026 , stands as one of the crown jewels in the Philadelphia region. The history hits you immediately as you drive down the entrance through the trees, the course sitting to your right with the iconic clubhouse overlooking it all. This entrance creates one of golf’s most memorable first impressions, setting the scene from the moment you arrive.

The course, a Donald Ross design (recently renovated by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner), prompted Ross himself to declare, “I intended to make this course my masterpiece, but not until today did I realize I built better than I knew.” The property occupies one of the area’s finest sites, with the clubhouse perched perfectly on a high point. The 9th and 18th holes return uphill, creating spectacular approach shots with the clubhouse framing the background.

The patio along the clubhouse side, which overlooks both the 1st and 10th tees, ranks among the very best viewing areas in all of golf. And the men’s locker room? Simply unforgettable with its timeless character. Stepping inside feels like traveling back to golf’s golden age.

Apogee is one of the most exceptional all around golfing experiences anywhere. Much different than many other Florida co...
04/01/2025

Apogee is one of the most exceptional all around golfing experiences anywhere. Much different than many other Florida courses. As you approach the property through flat agricultural land, the entrance marks a dramatic transition with palm trees and vibrant flowers. Once inside, you’ll see elevation changes, pristine turf, and beautiful landscaping. It’s immediately clear you’ve entered a special destination.

The range is arguably the finest anywhere, featuring target greens for every club in your bag, authentic white sand bunkers protecting practice pins, and thoughtful orientation to avoid sun glare - no detail overlooked in the design.

The South Course (Tommy Fazio & Mike Davis Design) showcases distinctive white-faced bunkers with dramatic edges and natural-colored waste bunkers creating beautiful contrast. The drainage is exceptional; despite rain the previous night, the course was in perfect playing condition. The 13th hole stands out with approximately 50 feet of elevation change and views so elevated it feels like you could see the ocean.

The West Course (Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner) is a much different feel. Understated bunkers. More Trees. I did not play this course but it looked superb as well.

And then you have the amenities…. the clubhouse is being built and looks like it may be the best new clubhouse in golf. Will have multiple dining options, spa services, tennis courts, a short course, and putting course. Apogee is going to be thought of as one of the best golfing destinations in the world very soon. If you have the opportunity to visit, do so. It’s truly one-of-a-kind experience that doesn’t feel like typical Florida golf.

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