Study the Game.

Essays, operational analysis, and field observations exploring the structure and culture of golf.

Carts & Caddies publishes long-form work through the lens of Golf Operational Intelligence — examining both the systems that run the game and the reasons we return to it.

Essays   |   Operations   |   Field Notes

Featured Work

Essays

The Architecture of the Perfect Round

We examine how course design, player psychology, and operational decisions converge to create moments of excellence. Through field observation and systems analysis, we map the invisible structures that shape every shot.

8 min read

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Recent Publications

  • Pace of Play

    Operations

    A quantitative analysis of how course design, staffing decisions, and player behavior interact to determine round duration.

    12 min read

  • The Caddie's Perspective

    Field Notes

    Observations from 200+ rounds: how caddies read conditions, manage player psychology, and optimize course strategy.

    9 min read

  • Revenue Models in Golf

    Essays

    How membership structures, green fees, and ancillary services create sustainable economics for different course types.

    15 min read
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  • The Starter's Role

    Field Notes

    How the starter manages tee sheet flow, player expectations, and course rhythm—the invisible orchestrator of the golf experience.

    7 min read

  • Course Maintenance Economics

    Operations

    The hidden costs and strategic decisions behind maintaining championship-level turf. A systems analysis of labor, equipment, and environmental factors.

    11 min read

  • Why We Play

    Essays

    Beyond competition and recreation—an exploration of golf's deeper appeal. What the game reveals about human nature, decision-making, and meaning.

    10 min read
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New to the Journal?

Start with these cornerstone pieces to understand our approach to golf operational intelligence.

Essays

What is Golf Operational Intelligence?

Our foundational framework for understanding golf as a system.

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Field Notes

A Day at the Course

Observational methodology and what we learn from watching rounds unfold.

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Operations

The Systems That Run Golf

How course operations, staffing, and design create the conditions for play.

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Golf is a game of systems, decisions, and meaning. We study it with rigor and respect. Every essay, every observation, every analysis is an invitation to understand the game more deeply.