Friday Dispatch-Issue No. 7 | The Old School Player in Modern Golf

Today, with all the new technology and focus on hitting the ball farther, some traditions on the course still quietly earn respect.

These traditions are not for show.

They are intentional.

I walk and carry my bag three or four times a week. I do this not out of nostalgia, but because it still teaches me a lot about golf. Each round adds up. Walking keeps my mind focused between shots and helps my body stay strong throughout the game.

People I play with often say, “I used to walk and carry.” Usually, they are not just talking about the act itself. They are noticing something missing in today’s faster game: the chance to think, watch, and use judgment instead of just focusing on technique.

Walking brings golf back to its natural pace. It gives time to reflect and notice things like the wind, the lie, and the line. It shows that golf is about more than just swing speed; it’s about making good decisions as things change.

The same idea applies to private clubs that last.

My driver can go over 300 yards when the situation is right, but I leave it in the bag most of the time. The real advantage isn’t power, but choosing the right club for each shot. Power is common, but clear restraint is rare and often makes the difference.

Modernization brings a steady flow of new technology, amenities, programs, and ways to communicate. Many of these are valuable, and some are needed to meet changing member needs. But clubs that last do not chase every new thing. They focus on protecting what makes them unique and valuable over time.

It’s easy to keep adding new things, but it’s much more valuable to focus on preserving what matters.

Golf has always rewarded players who focus on the deeper parts of the game: patience, good manners, caring for the course, sticking to a process, and respecting tradition without being stuck in the past.

These same qualities help clubs stay strong through changes in leadership and membership.

The player who walks and carries is not outdated. He knows that principles like pace, judgment, and restraint still lead to better results because they fit the true nature of the game, not just its latest trends.

One steady, careful swing.

One thoughtful choice at a time.

For private clubs, the comparison is clear. Modernization works best when it fits the club’s way of running things, not when it’s just a bunch of quick changes. Careful planning, not speed, helps protect what matters most: identity, unity, and good stewardship, lasting beyond any one board or manager.

Clubs that stay true to their values and act with discipline will keep earning quiet respect, even after the louder, faster trends are gone.

Markus Van Meter is a Brand Architect for private golf clubs, specializing in governance alignment, institutional identity, and long-term institutional architecture.