Scrap to Scratch: Stories Behind the Game

Ep. 8: Behind the Gate - Public vs Private Golf and What Really Matters

Golf has always lived between two worlds. In this episode of Scrap to Scratch, host Ryan explores the divide between public and private golf, where it came from, why it still exists, and what it actually feels like to play on both sides of the gate. From the earliest days of golf on shared land in Scotland to the rise of private country clubs and municipal courses in the United States, this episode looks at how access, money, and tradition shaped the modern game. We dig into the social role of private clubs, the welcoming nature of public golf, and the assumptions many golfers carry before ever stepping onto a private course. This episode is about understanding why both public and private golf exist, how they support the game in different ways, and why golf’s legacy belongs to everyone willing to tee it up. Whether you play a local muni every weekend or dream about the courses behind closed gates, this episode is for you. Follow along on social media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mrfairways] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mrfairways] Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways [https://www.youtube.com/@mrfairways]

Ep. 7: Breaking 80 Without Perfect Swings - A Conversation with the BogeyWhisperer

Breaking 80. Breaking 90. Breaking 100. In golf, we chase numbers but are they helping us play better, or holding us back? In this episode of Scrap to Scratch, Ryan Wimer (@MrFairways) sits down with Tyler Hamilton (@BogeyWhisperer) to talk about breaking scoring barriers and why mindset, course management, and decision-making might matter more than perfect swings. From handling pressure to accepting bogeys, they explore what it really takes to shave strokes and enjoy the process. A candid conversation about golf goals, mental game, damage control, and why sometimes a bogey is actually a win. Follow Tyler on social media: Instagram: @BogeyWhisperer [https://www.instagram.com/bogeywhisperer/] TikTok: @BogeyWhisperer [https://www.tiktok.com/@bogey.whisperer] Follow Ryan on social media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mrfairways] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mrfairways] Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways [https://www.youtube.com/@mrfairways]

Ep. 6: The Holes That Heal - Inside Golf Course Maintenance

Every golfer knows the feeling, you walk up to the first green and see holes, sand, and disruption. But what looks like damage is actually devotion. In this episode of Scrap to Scratch, Ryan Wimer (@MrFairways) dives into the history and science of golf course maintenance, from early greenkeeping in Scotland to modern aeration, mowing heights, and the technology superintendents use today. This is the story of why greens get plugged, how courses recover faster than ever, and why maintenance is the single most important thing keeping the game alive. A behind-the-scenes look at the people, practices, and progress that shape every round we play. Follow along on social media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mrfairways] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mrfairways] Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways [https://www.youtube.com/@mrfairways]

Ep. 5: The Story of the Golf Ball - 600 Years of Innovation

Ever wonder how a simple golf ball shaped the entire game? In this episode of Scrap to Scratch, Ryan Wimer (@MrFairways) traces the golf ball’s evolution, from hand-stitched featheries and gutta-percha to the rubber-wound Haskell and today’s multi-layer urethane designs. Along the way, he explores how each invention changed distance, control, and who could afford to play. A story about innovation, accessibility, and how the smallest piece of equipment carries the biggest impact on the game. Follow along on social media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mrfairways] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mrfairways] Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways [https://www.youtube.com/@mrfairways]

Ep4: Princeville Makai - Golf on the Edge of Paradise

High above Kauai’s North Shore, where mountains meet the Pacific, sits Princeville Makai Golf Club, a course shaped by rain, wind, and one architect’s vision to blend golf with nature. In this episode of Scrap to Scratch, Ryan Wimer (@MrFairways) explores the history of Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s Hawaiian masterpiece, from its 1971 design to its 2009 rebirth, what makes golf in Hawaii so uniquely alive, and personal stories of playing on Kauai's North shore. A story about architecture, environment, and the art of playing where the ocean feels just a swing away. Follow along on social media: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mrfairways] TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mrfairways] Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrFairways [https://www.youtube.com/@mrfairways]