In an effort to stick to our #yearoftheprocess, we have decided to enhance our weekly gambling content to include a written feature.  NLU is proud to introduce Mark & Jeff from the Walk It In Podcast.  Mark & Jeff are good friends, hack golfers, and fans of the game that love gambling and talking sports.  We could not be more excited to have them onboard and see what type of "experts" they actually are.  Cheers - 

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Find them on Twitter and Instagram: @walkitinpod

It was a monumental week at Riviera as friend of the program and all-world guy Max Homa won the Genesis Invitational in exciting fashion over Tony Finau and the rest of a loaded field. Homa (70/1) overcame a missed birdie putt on the 72nd hole to beat Finau on the second playoff hole and cash big money for his supporters (of which there were many).

, is the new Draft King this week after betting on Homa to win outright at a massive 70/1. He missed all his other bets last week, but it doesn’t matter as he’ll be playing with house money (nuggets) for a while. 

 has escaped the Pouch of Misery after going 1-4, his first win in five weeks - progress! Homa’s three foot birdie miss at the end of regulation single handedly passed the Pouch to 

 as Randy had a prop that the winner birdie the 72nd hole. He finished the week 0-5 with his other misses on Morikawa and Scott top 10’s, Bubba Watson to win and a winning margin of two strokes. 

hit a Max Homa top 20 (+200), but missed on Cantlay to win, Niemann top 10, Norlander top 20 and a matchup parlay. 

 had a good week at the book, also supporting Homa with a top 20. If only he and DJ were as confident in their friend as Tron was, amirite?! Soly also hit on a Tony Finau top 10 and a matchup parlay with Rory and Morikawa. His two losses were Jordan Spieth top 10 and Cam Tringale top 20.

The Walk It In guys had mixed results last week as Mark was up almost four units and Jeff was down almost six. Viktor Hovland (top 10 and top Oklahoma State player) came up huge for Mark as well as Tony Finau (top 10). Swings and misses included a Carlos Ortiz top 20 and a matchup with Tringale as well as Joaquin Niemann top 10 and win bets. Add Jeff to the Homa supporters section as he had him in a matchup over Jason Kokrak. He also won Morikawa over Matsuyama, but his finishing position bets didn’t fare as well. He lost on Cantlay to win and finish top 10, Ortiz to win and finish top 20, HVIII to finish top 40 and Justin Thomas to win.

The TOUR puts a new course in play this week at the WGC-Workday Championship and we each also have a bonus play on the Puerto Rico Open…

How do the pros put themselves in the best position to score? A great approach! Here’s how the Walk It In guys are looking at this week’s tournament, followed by our best bets. Our safer picks are dubbed “Inside the Leather”, like a short putt that your friend might give you at the country club. Longshot plays are “Double Breaker” bets; difficult, but makeable putts that require great reads and execution. Mark leads it off this week after a better showing at Riviera.

 The Concession Golf Club looks awesome, but that doesn’t help bettors handicap a tournament much, does it? Without course history, I’m putting my chips mostly into approach and putting (specifically on Bermuda) considering how long this course is and how small the greens are. Of course I’m also looking at recent form. There may be some value in players down the board for me, but I typically favor better players in WGC’s as the cream often rises to the top.

 The approach was errant last week. Very errant. You could say that I had some trouble even finding the green with the direction some of my picks went. Need a big rebound week (looking at you too, Justin Thomas) down in Florida where a longer course at 7,400 yards should put a premium on approach. The par 3s are long (180+ yards) and a couple Par 4s have some teeth at 470+ yards. With little to no course history this week (except for NCAAs in 2015) I’m looking for guys who play Florida well, flush irons, and have fantastic form.

Back to the well with Hovland after he came through huge for me at Riviera. He is currently doing everything well, led last week’s field in SG: Off The Tee, is 9th this season in SG: T2G and 11th in GIR percentage. I love this kid!

Hatton (+106) over Justin Thomas - 1 unit

I hope people keep sleeping on Hatton because I’ll try and take advantage of the prices every time. Hasn’t played in America in a few months so he’s flying under the radar, but he’s 5th in the world, won in Abu Dhabi last month and won last year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational  in Orlando. Fantastic iron player and fantastic putter, especially on Bermuda. Neil is on Hatton this week too and he’s kinda sorta turning a corner with his picks so let’s go!

Xander Schauffele Top 10 (+138) - 2 units

Doing EVERYTHING well right now and has the results to prove it. Over his last 16 rounds, Xander ranks 6th in the field in SG: T2G, 6th in Approach and 5th in putting. He has 16 straight top 25’s and he’s going to win again very soon.

Jeff’s weekly system play tries to identify a golfer who missed the cut the previous week but showed positive indicators in strokes gained approach and off the tee. To date we’re 3-2 in the system with wins on Sam Burns, Abraham Ancer, and Jason Day but loses on Cameron Champ and last week with Harold Varner. Sergio Garcia showed well last week despite the MC at Riviera and that can be chalked up to a bad putter. This guy crushes in Florida and before the missed cut had three top 15s out of the previous 4 events he played. Vamos!

Soly and I are all aboard the Scottie train this weekend. He’s rounding into form with his irons (20th in approach in the last month amongst the field) and has booked a T7 and T20 in his last two (amongst strong fields) after back to back missed cuts. Remember he had new clubs to start the season so I think he’s finding the right groove.

Xander Schauffele Top 10 (+138) - 1.5 units

Xander has 5 straight T17 or better and three of those were top 5s. He’s got a complete game and is gaining strokes in every category in the last 30 days. He’s an elite player that should contend this weekend. These greens won’t give anyone a break and he’s bringing a hot putter to compliment an approach game that ranks 8th in the field. Xander Finau final group on Sunday?! One can hope.

Patrick Cantlay Top 10 (+138) - 1.5 units

Patrick just missed the top 10 last week with a really lackluster performance on Sunday. He had to wake up and finish on Sunday and with a guy with that kind of injury history and the effort he has to put in to get ready I think it was just too much for him on Sunday. I like the bounce back here for another guy who is so good in every category just like Xander, and especially with the irons placing 5th in the field in the last 30 days.

Xander Schauffele to Win (+1200) - 1 unit

Jeff and I told you all the reasons why we love Xander for a top 10 this week and he’s my pick to win the tournament as well. He’s crushing just about every metric out there right now and is real close to collecting another trophy.

Writing this on the one year anniversary of his win in Puerto Rico, it’s fitting that that tournament is also being played this week. Hovland is stepping up in class to the WGC-Workday this year and has what it takes to win this one as well.

It may not seem like it sometimes, but I swear I’m rooting for Tony Finau. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”, he’s also always gracious in defeat and always bounces back with another top performance. Maybe he wins this week and maybe he doesn’t, but he’s playing great golf and hopefully keeps charging ahead. Top 5 Tony, let’s dance.

Can someone explain to me how the 32nd ranked player in the world is 125/1 to win a golf tournament? In his last five events, he’s gone T8-T24-T4-T18-T32 and he always tends to creep up the leaderboard in big tournaments. 4th in the field over his last 16 rounds in SG: Approach and 16th T2G. He’s also a much better putter on Bermuda greens. I mentioned Hatton’s win last year at the API - Leishman was the runner up in that tournament.

Christian Bezeuidenhout Top 20 (+300) - 1 unit

Shout out to my co-host for allowing me to properly pronounce the South African’s last name. Not a lot of folks probably pay close attention to a guy that only comes over to the PGA Tour a few times a year. He’s been showing up on leaderboards over in Europe this season and has 4 T22s or better in his last 5 and won a European Tour event in December. His putting is a bitttt volatile, but he brings the 11th ranked iron game on strokes gained approach. Let’s hit 'em close, Christian!

Soly and DJ are all over this and I’m along for the roller coaster ride that this could be. I’ll protect the downside of a duel on Sunday with the Top 5, but I was sold on this pick watching him react to losing the playoff on Sunday. Gracious, positive, and calm describe his comments even after shooting a 64 on Sunday and still losing. He’s a complete player (2nd in approach amongst the field in the last 30 days) and will break his own Puerto Rico curse the same weekend as the Puerto Rico Open is played. It’s just too perfect.

Much like Bez, Tyrell is back over in the states and resides in Florida during these swings. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year and showed some amazing golf after the restart. He’s legit and has 5 straight top 25s including a win at HSBC in December in a very solid field. He also gains in all categories amongst this field and packs a sweet set of irons on contact.

This is a boom or bust play. With Finau why not protect the downside of a close finish, but with Sungjae he brings an all or nothing attack every week. Surprisingly (and good for my bet) he took a week off last week to rest up because this guy has played a lot. His putter has been a little shaky and his irons haven’t been what we expect, but I bet he figured it out in the off week in his new home in Atlanta. If he has a silky set of irons this week I think he’s right there, and he’s been comfortable during the Florida swing.

I picked Berger at Phoenix he goes missed cut and then victory at Pebble. I take Molinari at Pebble and he cold tops to open the weekend and fades outside the top 45. Then comes back to finish T8 at Genesis. Now last week, where I take Justin Thomas and he folds for one of the worst performances in recent memory. The form and iron numbers do not back this up, but my ability to be a week early sure does. Let’s do it.

With a bottle of bourbon on the line, we have a special H2H matchup between co-hosts to make the Puerto Rico Open more interesting! In one corner, Jeff and Branden Grace (20/1). In the other corner, Mark and Cameron Percy (45/1). Who you got?!

Making Picks: WGC Workday at The Concession

We have glossed this “The Year of the Process” for No Laying Up, so let’s begin. Those that listened to the “2021 Goals” episode of the TrapDraw podcast heard me talk about an itch to build on last year’s movie goal. The idea I settled on was to take some time each month and write about a film for this increasingly-golf-adjacent website. For better or worse, here is installment, No. 1.

“They’ll never catch me, man… Because I’m fuckin’ innocent.” – Dignan, mid-robbery

If you have any questions about Dignan’s dedication to The Process, please look no further than his bulletproof 75-year plan.


Yes, the finer points of his proposal get a little off the rails throughout “Bottle Rocket,” the first film by Wes Anderson. But you can’t tell me it’s due to a lack of planning and process.


I have a tough time thinking of a character that can make me mood-swing harder between joy and immense heartbreak than Dignan can. It’s a character so good that it has never even bothered me that Owen Wilson (or Owen C. Wilson as he was known in his debut role) has seemed to dust it off for just about every role he’s played since. 

Borrowing from Scott Tobias (A.V. Club) here

, but Wilson’s role in “Armageddon” feels a lot like “Dignan in Space.” Eli Cash in “The Royal Tenenbaums” and Hansel in “Zoolander” both have shades of what it would look like if the world placed a little more value on Dignan’s specific set of skills. If your old pal Dignan finally got a little recognition for his painstaking work.

And to be clear, I love all these roles. I love watching Owen Wilson in anything. All of those characters – but none more than Dignan – are earnest, sweet, loyal, delusional and cripplingly insecure. Each of the three main characters in “Bottle Rocket” possess all of these traits as well and I think seeing them in contrast with each other is what I’ve grown to love so much about the movie.

They might all have different names for it, and different plans of action, but all three main characters in the film seem to be trying their best to stave off some level of depression and aimlessness. “Bottle Rocket” is framed through the journey of Anthony (Luke Wilson), who begins the film by “escaping” from a high-end mental rehabilitation facility. He spends the rest of the movie pondering the meaning of his existence and finding it in – among other things – a motel housekeeper from Paraguay, his “program” of daily routine and coaching youth soccer. This is Anthony’s Process.

It all stems from a “what is the point of talking about watersports?” feeling that young, bookish, handsome stars have been dealing with for ages.  In fact, we get a nod to the godfather of the Aimless Boys with a swimming pool shot straight out of “The Graduate” when Anthony first arrives at the motel.


And like Benjamin Braddock before him, Anthony goes straight from the swimming pool into a very... 

 relationship. There’s no shortage of heartwarming or peculiar thoughts or interpretations to have about the Anthony-Inez relationship – a relationship where the participants barely speak each other’s language. But what is more interesting to me is the fact that no matter how many times Anthony tries to re-wire his life – to try to force some semblance of connection or place or meaning – the one thing he can’t stop doing is trying to make Dignan feel just a little less alone.

“Did it ever occur to you that your old pal Dignan might enjoy a great stay at some mental hospital out in the middle of nowhere?” – Dignan

While Bob, Dignan and Anthony all seem to be going through somewhat similar internal crises, I think what’s most interesting is that they’re all doing it from drastically different circumstances.

Bob’s emotional journey is thrown in almost for comedic effect (“I’ve been through some pretty heavy shit myself.”) As is made obvious and key to the plot, Bob comes from a ton of money – of course, a shout out to Future Man’s Pine Valley shirt in the country club scene.

And judging by Anthony’s rehab location, his stories of hanging at lake houses with beautiful girls, his sister’s private school (“What has she ever accomplished with her life that’s so great?”), it’s clear that his family has some means as well. And while money certainly isn’t a fix for what either Anthony or Bob is going through, it does at least allow for the “luxury” of sitting around and ruminating about it.


Again, like in “The Graduate,” it’s so easy to acutely identify with both the feeling of existential aimlessness, while, at the same time, screaming at the TV that it might help if both characters would get out of the god damn pool for a little while. “

One thing that makes Dignan unique to this trio is that he seems to have none of these resources (“You know there’s nothing to steal from my mom and Craig!”). He has no car. He has no role models that weren’t lifted straight from heist or kung-fu movies. This is why he naively and loyally chases the caricature of Mr. Henry (Fact: Mr. Henry has a Jaguar).

Mr. Henry reminds me of the John Mulaney line about Donald Trump – that he’s like a hobo’s idea of what a rich guy is. And in this instance, our hobo is Dignan, picturing what it would be like to have it all figured out. Ice cream cones by day and elaborate heists by night. All the while wearing what no one else is 

 to wear. Try not to laugh out loud when picturing Mr. Henry having a Very Serious Conversation while wearing a ponytail, socks-and-sandals and his karate robe.

But it’s actually kind of easy to see why Dignan buys in. At a bare minimum, Anthony and Bob have some financial insulation to help keep their misery at a bit of a distance – as an inconvenience to be worked on and treated as part of a slow rebuild. They can take up hobbies like jogging or coaching or being a construction worker or a valet while they think about what it all means.

The only lifeboat with room for Dignan is captained by the owner of the Lawn Wranglers who is doing karate in his underwear.

Of course, no matter how hard Dignan is willing to pull himself up by his bootstraps, one simply does not become Abe Henry overnight. It takes time and planning. So, as life continues to kick him between the legs of his yellow jumpsuit, Dignan's only real option is to dedicate himself to his own Process. His only defense from the onslaught of the world is to go on offense. To make a plan. “I don’t think we get anywhere by complaining, guys.”

One of those nut shots comes in the most gut-wrenching scene in the movie, when, just for fun, Future Man gives Dignan an emotional de-pantsing (“Keep up the mowing, kemosabe.”).  This is where Wes Anderson flexes the magic trick that seems to level me in all of his movies. When he takes a character as patently ridiculous as Dignan and, with a flash of crushing humanity, he makes the absurd facade fall away. In that moment, you’re left recognizing at least a shred of yourself in what’s still standing. Dignan puts it best in one of the greatest lines in the film. Sometimes we’re not always as confident as we look.

Since he doesn’t have time to coach youth soccer, Dignan’s Process is rooted in something a little more conventional. To establish some shred of control over his life, he tries to obsessively plan out every detail. To control a completely uncontrollable situation. Looked at in that way, doesn’t ridiculous Dignan sort of become the most relatable character in the film? Who hasn’t tried to do the same? And who hasn’t failed just as spectacularly as he does? But who didn’t feel better for at least trying?

Dignan’s plan for the next 75 years might be based around wrangling lawns and doing crimes, but I’m not sure that makes his process of planning any less noble. The alternative is to simply let his life wash over him. To continue trimming the hedges for Future Man.

Of course his plans don’t come to fruition. Ours usually don’t either. People change. They have horribly-timed heart attacks. But this doesn’t mean you stop making plans. Even in the shittiest of circumstances – with nothing at your disposal – you can always make a plan. There’s always a chance to take Step 1.

Dignan fails at almost every possible thing in this movie. But he never fails at making a plan.

“Everybody wants to know what’s next. May I enjoy this moment?”

Dignan and The Process

Madelene Sagström is the newest No Laying Up Young Hitter!

https://twitter.com/NoLayingUp/status/1352039902641324034

(Cover photo courtesy of Madelene Sagstrom Instagram)

Madelene is poised for a breakout on the LPGA tour this season. She is the defending champion at the Gainbridge LPGA, the next stop on tour, albeit at a different course this year, Lake Nona (shoutout Nona Blue and G-Mac’s sliders). That event in Orlando is Feb 25-28, with the tour slowly ramping up play for the rest of the 2021 season.

Madelene becomes the first Young Hitter to have won on a Big Tour, and takes over the highly watched spot as Best Young Hitter Never to Have Won a Major.

Madelene’s track record on those big stages is pretty strong:

T-11 at the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (Olympia Fields North Course)

T-17 at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open (Shoal Creek Club)

T-20 at the 2018 Women’s British Open (Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club)

T-23 at the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (Aronimink Golf Club)

 were impressive, to say the least.  Highlights included wins at the 2009 Swedish Junior Stroke-play Championship and the 2011 French Junior Championship, and a spot on the winning Swedish team at the European Ladies' Team Championship at Golf Club Murhof in Austria.  In total, Madelene’s junior career saw 11 wins, 10 second place finishes, and 21 top 10’s.

 for the LSU Lady Tigers team at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 2011-2015.  She was the 2015 SEC Player of the Year, 2015 First Team All-American, and a finalist for the ANNIKA Award which is presented annually to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer.  During Madelene’s senior year she set a season record for stroke average at 71.48, the first LSU women’s play to average under 72 for a single season.  She carded 23 of 33 rounds of par or better with 2 wins (3 total at LSU).  Over the summers Madelene returned to Sweden and represented her home country in the European Women’s Team Amatear competition.

Madelene earned her LPGA card after killing it on the Symetra Tour in 2016 – three victories to earn Rookie and Player of the Year awards, respectively. Madelene also represented Europe on the 2017 Solheim Cup team as a captain’s pick of Annika Sörenstam.

Sagström had a solid end to 2020, making cuts in 8 of her last 9 starts, a solo 10th and T-13 among them. Madelene competed in the 2021 season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, a no-cut cash grab, so business is boomin for 2021.

As usual, the bag is niiiiice. NLU livin that C-Suite life alongside the Four Seasons Orlando, which also happens to be the home course of one Julio Bell, aka “La Maquina.” 

No Laying Up could not be more excited to support Madelene in all of her endeavors.  If you want to get #involved, check out:

https://www.instagram.com/madelenesagstrom/?igshid=pb4d4vqeh80j

https://www.lpga.com/players/madelene-sagstrom/98642/overview 6

And to see more of Madelene’s game, check out the Wild World of Golf episode with her, Annie Park, Soly and “Stuck in Traffic” Lefty Tron at the Winter Park Nine: 

https://nolayingup.com/videos/wwog/wild-word-of-golf/wild-world-of-golf-winter-park-9-madelene-sagstroem-and-annie-park

Young Hitters:  Welcoming Madelene Sagström

Tournament Picks – Travelers Championship

For the third consecutive week, the NLU crew is celebrating the return of golf by making gambling picks via the DraftKings Sportsbook app. To compliment the release of each video (if you missed this week's, 

), the guys have graciously invited me to provide an unbiased 

 breakdown of the crew's predictions. I will also tabulate each week's results and accumulate totals to keep everything as fair as Al Czervik would advise.  

Here are this week's picks, one by one. My take can be found beneath each of the NLU crew's picks in the section labeled 

where scummy, time-consuming greens books are rendered useless.

Bryson DeChambeau to Win (14:1) - Risking 

Collin Morikawa to finish Top 20 (+163) – Risking 

Sergio Garcia to finish Top 20 (2:1) – Risking 

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: -27 Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: -127 Points.

 UNLEASH THE KRAKEN! Although TPC River Highlands isn't necessarily a bomber's paradise, Soly expects Bryson to untame his beast this week. "B-rye" had another mediocre putting week around a course that neutralized his mass of ass...and still finished T8. His results should improve on a course slightly more suited to his strengths.

Following an usually positive Sunday on the greens for Ser-hee-o, the crew discussed whether they believed he would ever win on Tour again during Monday's recap pod. Soly argued he would "sooner or later" and is putting his proverbial nuggets where his mouth is in literally the earliest possible sense of that phrase. Let's just hope the prickly Spaniard wasn't unintentionally referring to himself when he mentioned there were players more deserving of contracting COVID-19. Taking a flier on Dahmen, a recent

, on a course that has yielded the only 58 in Tour history (shoutout Jax native & WWOG contestant Jim Furyk) seems worth the risk.

After riding with honest Abe all throughout last week, he is notably absent from Soly's lineup this week. My view? Soly had no choice as a founding member of the No Laying Up brand. An endorsement this week would have implied tolerance of Abe's "layup" putt that would have forced a playoff last week.

Ryan Ruffels to Win the Utah Championship (KFT) (90:1) - Risking 

Zac Blair to Finish Top 20 (12:1) – Risking

WEEKLY TOTAL: +49 Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: +19 Points.

Grumpy Tron rolled out of bed and decided to protest the 5-play maximum by making decidedly less than 5 plays. To be fair, his crankiness is likely attributible to spending the previous night speaking with Hitter Blanco about the legality of the arm-lock putting method until the wee hours of the morning. This also would explain the need for his controversial Starbucks cup seen in the preview video.

In an attempt to cheer himself up, TC is following the heart with his picks this week. If you've ever gambled, you know this 

 works out. The potential for over 4,300 points is there...and frankly I think we'd all be stumped if the TC way produces anything less.

Paul Casey to finish Top 5 (9:1) – Risking 

Chez Reavie to finish Top 10 (12:1) – Risking 

**note that Neil originally picked Cam Champ to Top 10 before his W/D**

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: -100 Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: -200 Points.

A truly puzzling RBC Heritage week for Icarito was perhaps summed up perfectly by his boy Chezzie finishing mini DFL (last of those who survived the cut). If you thought two straight weeks with almost no sign of elite play would deter Icarito from backing Chez again this week, you don't know Icarito. Neil may need an aid to quit Chez as badly as 

On paper, Neil’s picks last week didn’t look great. In reality, they were worse. If the “ethos” of the new gambling segment is to provide a rooting interest for each Sunday, consider Neil’s performance last week a big right miss. But I believe in this week's strategy (which only Neil could surmise) of picking "solid ball-strikers who learned to putt in the last three months."

People are talking. The rumor is that Neil’s anti-Bryson pick last week and obvious avoidance this week may be deeply rooted in jealousy. As Big Randy so righteously pointed out during this past week’s 

, Neil has been on a fitness journey of his own recently (in tandem of course with Shaun T). Unlike Bryson, Icarito’s results have yet to translate into improved play or gambling prowess. The prevailing belief is that the process is bound to produce...but, truthfully, who could say?

Max Homa to finish Top 10 (12:1) - Risking 

Bubba Watson to finish Top 10 (3:1) – Risking 

Viktor Hovland to finish Top 20 (5:2) – Risking 

Bryson DeChambeau to lead after round 1 (20:1) - Risking 

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: +480 Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: +380 Points.

Last week was redemptive in more ways than one, as DJ’s pointed strategy to back Rahm, Simpson and Smith (all MC’d at Colonial) handsomely rewarded him with 560 nuggets. CBS was unfortuntely unable to get a post-round word with DJ, but many of his delegates commented on his humility, repeating “that’s Dennis” and “he’d never want to make the story about him."

As he admitted, DJ spent his allotment this week the way a child might spend $20 when the ice cream truck rolls into the neighborhood. What good is house money if it can't be spent? Despite acknowledging that the "Hovland can't chip" theory had some serious legs at Harbour Town last week, Dennis is nonetheless electing to test the Norwegian waters this week. I'd say Bryson's odds of leading after round 1 are about as good as Dennis slipping up and saying, "Hello, friends" to open a Wild World of Golf....which is to say, it is very possible.

Randy declined to make picks this week and instead graciously offered his time to assist Colonial CC's Superintendent in mending the 1st teebox. Immediately following, he has scheduled a flight to Hilton Head to tend to the bunker behind the 18th green at Harbour Town that was disgustingly left unkempt by Carlos Ortiz's caddy on Sunday. Hats off, Big Man.

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: - Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: - Points.

MY PICKS (@total_misread on instagram and twitter):

Abraham Ancer to finish Top 10 (+280) - Risking 

Joaquin Niemann to win "Group D" (+275) - Risking 

(Group D includes Matt Fitzpatrick, Sergio Garcia, Tony Finau & Marc Leishman)

Matchup parlay: 1. Paul Casey over Gary Woodland 2. Patrick Cantlay over Justin Rose (+230) - Risking 

LAST WEEK'S TOTAL: -10 Points. YEAR TO DATE TOTAL: -72 Points.

 Ball-striking travels. At least I'm hopeful that will be the case for Abe and Jaco,  whom both flushed it last week. As I mentioned earlier, Bryson was able to manage a top 10 in an off-week at Harbour Town. Expect the full arsenal to be on display (barring a return to poor TV coverage) in Cromwell this week. Casey and Cantlay both have solid resumes at TPC River Highlands and come in as fresh as can be this week. I think they best Woodland and Rosie who are now competing in their third straight week. Harman may have the ugliest putter in golf, but I'll take a chance on Tron's fellow southpaw at those inflated odds.

3. Scott Schaeffer (@total_misread) -72 points

That'll do it. If you're interested in a recap of each week's results, up-to-date standings of the NLU crew and other golf/gambling related content, I can be found on Instagram and Twitter @total_misread. Like the NLU guys, I'm not quite a sharp…just a golf addict enjoying that these picks create a concrete rooting interest for us each week.

As has been the case the last couple weeks, look for the Rocket Mortgage Classic gambling preview video to be released next Tuesday. I feel humbled that the guys are allowing me to collaborate and be a small part of their content with these written previews. 

NLU Odds Preview - Travelers Championship

We’re back after a November hiatus. My most sincere apologies!

The selection this month is a bit different from any I’ve made to date, but I believe it’s good and healthy to mix things up. So without further delay, the selection is “The Evolution of Golf Course Design,” by Keith Cutten.

It’s a beautiful behemoth of a book on, you guessed it, the evolution of golf course design. I had the pleasure of meeting Keith earlier this year at Cabot Links, a piece of property he knows intimately from his involvement in the building of Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. In fact, over beers in the clubhouse one evening I, along with the whole NLU crew, was able to pick his brain about the profession and his philosophies. He sent us home with a copy of his book and I’ve wanted to feature it since, but I think December is the perfect month (more on that in a second).

This is where I need to be completely transparent and point out I am in no way a GCA (golf course architecture) buff. It’s an area that holds my curiosity, but I know less than any amount to be dangerous (my bona fides amount to a delightful reading of MacKenzie’s “Spirit of St. Andrews”). There are plenty of people far and wide in the golf universe that do an amazing job of discussing architecture (eg. Doak’s Golf Course Confidential, The Fried Egg and crew, etc etc). I do not pretend to be in that company. However, and this brings me to Keith’s book, what I love about it is the following:

: there are two distinct parts of the book: Part 1 is 200+ years of course design broken into decades. Part 2 is profiles on prominent golf course architects, authors, and visionaries.

: the book is over 350 pages but it’s format makes it easy to consume. Each section, each profile is distinctly marked and written. It can be a pejorative to call something a coffee-table book, but Keith’s book is something I would love to display on my coffee-table for the dual purpose of handy reading and referencing while I’m on the couch, watching golf for example.

: it’s a gorgeous, hard-bound book, replete with big, colorful images of courses and people. Again, the type of book that from a pure aesthetic standpoint, would look great on a table at home or the office.

With the holidays fast approaching, this book is an exceptional gift for yourself or golf-obsessed loved one. It’s the type of book you won’t consume in a few sittings, but instead tackle piece by piece over time, probably as you’re watching golf. Hopefully, too, you’ll slowly find your knowledge and appreciation for course design expanding!

Selection #18: December 2019

Twenty years ago this month the plane carrying Payne Stewart, along with business partners and colleagues, crashed into the fields of South Dakota. A shock to the golf world and beyond, the tragic death came just months after Stewart won the 1999 US Open. If you’re at all like me, I have only really known the Payne Stewart of 1999–the distinct wardrobe, the affable smile, the infamous made putt and celebration on the 18th green at Pinehurst. These are my enduring memories of the man.

With great anticipation I find this month’s selection, Kevin Robbins’ book, 

The Last Stand of Payne Stewart: The Year Golf Changed Forever

. His book chronicles Payne’s redemptive triumphs of 1999, juxtaposing those successes against the trials and tribulations leading up to that point. For me, it’s an avenue to learn so much more about a 3-time major champion, one of the game’s great characters, and a man who is so much deeper and more interesting than his wardrobe.

The back cover of the books reads as such:

Forever remembered as one of the most dramatic storylines in the history of golf, Payne Stewart’s legendary career was bookended by a dramatic comeback and a shocking, tragic end. Here, Robbins brings Stewart’s story vividly to life. Written off as a pompous showman past the prime of his career, Stewart emerged from a long slump in the unforgettable season of 1999 to capture the U.S. Open and play on the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team. He appeared to be a new man that summer: wiser, deeper, and on the verge of a new level of greatness. Then his journey to redemption ended in October, when his chartered Learjet flew aimlessly for more than a thousand miles, ran out of fuel, and fell to earth in a prairie in South Dakota.His death marked the end of an era, one made up of “shotmakers” who played the game with artistry, guile, finesse, and heart. Behind them were Tiger Woods, David Duval, Phil Mickelson, and other young players whose power and strength changed the PGA Tour forever. With exclusive access to Stewart’s friends, family, and onetime colleagues, Kevin Robbins provides a long-overdue portrait of one of golf’s greats in one of golf’s greatest seasons.

This is a rare selection that I have not read yet, but as mentioned, am very excited to do so. Also, if you’d like to hear the author, Kevin Robbins, discuss the book and his writing process, check out 

 available wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy!

Selection #17: October 2019

This month’s pick is John Feinstein’s “Tales from Q School: Inside Golf’s Fifth Major.” Published over a decade ago, it’s a popular read in golf circles and one of numerous golf-themed books by the prolific Feinstein. The book is dated in the sense that Q School no longer feeds directly into the PGA Tour, but it’s a phenomenal read about truly pressure-packed, high stakes golf. Additionally, Q School is still alive and well as a feeder into the Korn Ferry Tour. As the 2018-19 golf season just concluded and there was heartbreak and elation in Evansville, IN at the Korn Ferry Finals, this book will help put into perspective what many of those guys face in the coming months. If you haven’t read this book yet, I recommend it and this this time of year is perfect to do so.

It is the tournament that separates champions from mortals. It is the starting point for the careers of future legends and can be the final stop on the down escalator for fading stars. The annual PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament is one of the most grueling competitions in any sport. Every fall, veterans and talented hopefuls sweat through six rounds of hell at Q school, as the tournament is universally known, to get a shot at the PGA Tour, vying for the 30 slots available. The grim reality: if you don’t make it through Q school, you’re not on the PGA tour. You’re out. And those who make it to the six day finals are the lucky ones: Hundreds more players fail to get through the equally grueling first two stages of the event. John Feinstein tells the story of the players who compete for these coveted positions in the 2005 Q school as only he can. With arresting accounts from the players, established winners, rising stars, the defeated and the endlessly hopeful, America’s favorite sportswriter unearths the inside story behind the PGA Tour’s brutal all-or-nothing competition.

Selection #16: September 2019

Here’s a selection of photos from the No Laying Up Summit (both the Thursday “Peak Party” and the main event on Friday). Big thanks to EJ for taking these!

NLU Summit Photos

Thanks for your interest. This event is sold out and the wait list is also full.

No Laying Up is excited to announce a bucket list listener trip we’ve put together for April 2020. Join the five of us in Scotland to play a few of the world’s most iconic courses, discover some low-key gems, and experience a variety of unique elements of St Andrews. This package includes eight rounds, six nights accommodations at the five star 

 (including Full Scottish Breakfast each morning overlooking the Road Hole), six lunches, four dinners, and scheduled airport/golf transfers. The trip will be limited to the first 31 people to put down deposit. We’re thrilled to be able to share this experience (including an elusive tee time on The Old Course) with like-minded enthusiasts!


AM arrival into Edinburgh Airport (air travel booked on own; plan to arrive before 9am local time)
Transfer to Crail
Lunch at Crail
Afternoon jetlag round on Crail’s Balcomie Course
Transfer to St Andrews (30 min)
Check-in to The Old Course Hotel (Eden Twins/Eden Singles)
Straight to the Dunvegan private room to watch final round of The Masters in prime-time



Morning round on Eden Course
Lunch as you finish at the Jigger Inn
Afternoon NLU Putting Championship on Himalayas
Back to hotel
Welcome cocktails and informal tournament briefing
Group dinner in the Conservatory


Morning round on Jubilee Course
Lunch in Links Clubhouse
Afternoon round on New Course
Free evening for dinner


Morning round on The Old Course
Lunch at Hams Hame (included)
Afternoon at leisure – walking tour/pub crawl of St Andrews
Formal dinner at The St Andrews Golf Club, overlooking 18th green & R&A (jacket & tie required)


Transfer to Carnoustie (45 min)
Morning round at Carnoustie Golf Links
Lunch in the Rookery
Afternoon round at Panmure Golf Club
Transfer back to St Andrews (45 min)
Free evening for dinner


Transfer to Elie (30 min)
Morning round at Elie
Lunch at Elie
Transfer to St Andrews (30 min)
Final dinner in the Conservatory


Transfer to Edinburgh Airport
Depart for home

£ 3680.00 GBP for twin occupancy Eden Parkland Rooms (no course view)

£ 4230.00 GBP for single occupancy Eden Parkland Rooms (no course view)

50% deposit at time of booking + remaining 50% due at least 70 days prior to group arrival. Pricing does not include flights or alcohol.

This trip is arranged through Connoisseur Golf. Please read the 

 Payment of your deposit confirms you have read and understood the terms and conditions. Keep in mind the opportunity to add additional rounds before/after at your discretion (either on own, or through Connoisseur).

NLU Invitational: Scotland / SOLD OUT

Folks, we’re going to try a slightly different approach this month. We’ll see how it goes…

“Every year I bury a couple hundred of my townspeople.” So opens the singular testimony of the Thomas Lynch. Like all poets, inspired by death, Lynch is, unlike others, also hired to serve the living by caring for the dead in a small Michigan town where he serves as the funeral director. In this wholly unique collection of essays, the two vocations meet as Lynch shows himself to be a competent functionary of mourning, a reliable witness to life’s mysteries, and a poet poignantly tuning language to the right tones of private release.

Now, some metaphor. Of course, the 2018-19 PGA Tour season will be put to rest this month. A champion will be crowned, life will move on, and we’ll get set to do it all again in 2019-20. To be clear, this book is *not* about golf, except to the parallels you wish to draw to your own game and experience. I will say, though, golf is mentioned in the book (as is Icarus, for all you 

 fans!). If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read, please give this a try.

Lastly, for additional background on the author, Thomas Lynch, the New York Times’ Dinitia Smith wrote this article in June of 2000: 

Matters of Life and Death; A Prizewinning Writer Holds Onto His Day Job as a Funeral Director.

Selection #15: August 2019

This month’s pick is a follow-up from May and my Trap Draw podcast conversation with Alan Shipnuck (Episode 30). It is Michael Murphy’s classic, 

. It has a tie-in this month with the British Open (even though it’s being played in Ireland at Royal Portrush).

When a young man en route to India stops in Scotland to play at the legendary Burningbush golf club and in twenty-four hours, his life is transformed. Paired with a mysterious teacher named Shivas Irons, he is led through a round of phenomenal golf, swept into a world where extraordinary powers are unleashed in a backswing governed by “true gravity.” A night of adventure and revelation follows, and leads to a glimpse of Seamus MacDuff, the holy man who haunts a ravine off Burningbush’s thirteenth fairway—the one they call Lucifer’s Rug.

A classic, originally published in 1972, this novel is a must read for all golf fans, especially those (like me) bemused by the philosophical and etherial elements of the game. I mentioned Alan Shipnuck and I discussed the book on a Trap Draw, and shortly following that conversation Alan 

published a piece about a day spent with Michael Murphy at the US Open.

Selection #14: July 2019

 to host The Summit at CommonGround Golf Course for the benefit of the CGA’s 

 This will be our first official NLU event, and all net proceeds will benefit the fantastic initiatives of the Solich Academy. Event details, registration link, and other pertinent info listed below:

The No Laying Up Summit at CommonGround – Friday, August 23, 2019

The No Laying Up Summit will be a 36-hole golf event at the Tom Doak-designed 

, which is home of the Colorado Golf Association and the Solich Caddie Academy. The playing field will be limited to the first 100 registrants (50 two-player teams will participate). The entry fee is $400/player; participants will enjoy the following benefits:

36 holes of golf in a two-person format.
– Morning shotgun will begin at 8:00 a.m. Format is a net best ball.
– Afternoon shotgun (following lunch) is Scotch foursomes (alternate shot) handicapped.

On-course contests, including closest to pin and long drive.

Additional Playing Information:
– Although walking is strongly encouraged, golf carts are included in the $400 per person entry fee for those who prefer to ride.
– Don’t have a partner? Singles who register will be paired to form teams.
– Active GHIN number required for handicap calculation (otherwise players will play at scratch).


– Men’s Holderness & Bourne Polo or Women’s Polo (equivalent brand)
– Custom Sleeve of Callaway Golf Balls
– Custom NLU Golf Towel
– More tee gifts to be added

All players will enjoy breakfast and lunch, beer and non-alcoholic beverages on-course.

Post-afternoon round cocktails and awards

Complimentary admission ticket to The Peak Party on Thursday, August 22nd at CommonGround from 5:30-9:30pm (details below)

No Laying Up

Writing

Making Picks: WGC Workday at The Concession

Dignan and The Process

Young Hitters: Welcoming Madelene Sagström

NLU Odds Preview - Travelers Championship

Selection #18: December 2019

Selection #17: October 2019

Selection #16: September 2019

NLU Summit Photos

NLU Invitational: Scotland / SOLD OUT

Selection #15: August 2019

Selection #14: July 2019

The NLU Summit

Selection #13: June 2019

2019 NCAA Women's Championship Preview

Selection #12: May 2019

Selection #11: April 2019

Selection #10: March 2019

Selection #9: February 2019