Episode 14 of Divots & Skins starts with Shane Lowry's dominant performance at the Irish Open before the guys turn their attention to the golf they've been playing themselves.

And there's been a lot of it.

Over Labor Day weekend, Jake and Brett joined US Am Tour Albany Region director Don to check out several courses that could potentially become future tour stops.

The trip started at Apple Greens Golf Course in Highland, New York, a unique layout built through an apple orchard with rows of apple trees lining portions of the course.

From there they headed to Western Massachusetts for Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Springfield and Chicopee Country Club in Chicopee before returning home and adding one more round at Top of the World Golf Resort near Lake George.

Top of the World provided one of the highlights of the weekend, including a spectacular par 3 overlooking Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

Four rounds in three days apparently wasn't enough.

The following weekend, Jake and Brett headed back into the Hudson Valley to play Casperkill Golf Club and McCann Memorial Golf Course in Poughkeepsie.

Jake put together one of his better rounds of the season with a 93 at Casperkill, while the course gave the guys a chance to talk about playing smart from heavy rough, avoiding hero shots and why keeping the ball straight can be far more important than hitting it a long way.

At McCann Memorial, they learn about the history of the course, experience possibly the most comfortable golf carts they've ever ridden in and eventually find themselves playing speed golf as they race to get their cart back before the deadline.

All of these rounds lead into a larger conversation about the US Am Tour and why Jake and Brett believe more everyday golfers should give competitive amateur golf a try.

You don't need to shoot in the 70s.

You don't need to shoot in the 80s.

Jake won a tournament this season with a 97.

Flighted competition gives golfers the opportunity to play against people at a similar ability level while experiencing courses, including private clubs, they might never otherwise have an opportunity to play.

The guys talk about the competition, friendships and community they've found through the tour and why the experience has changed the way they look at amateur golf.

Brett also brings a couple of complaints for Golfer Gripe of the Day, including golfers who wander into other fairways without paying attention and people who pick up golf balls that clearly might still be in play.

Then it's time for another Rule of the Day.

If another golfer is smoking a cigarette, can you watch the smoke to determine which way the wind is blowing?

Yes.

But intentionally creating smoke for the purpose of gauging the wind is another story.

*COURSES FEATURED:
*
Apple Greens Golf Course
https://applegreens.com/

Veterans Memorial Golf Course
https://vets-franconia-golf.com

Chicopee Country Club
https://www.chicopeecountryclub.com

Top of the World Golf Resort
https://www.topoftheworldgolfresort.com/golf/

Casperkill Golf Club
https://casperkillgolf.com/

McCann Memorial Golf Course
https://www.mccanngolfcourse.com/

*SPONSORS & PARTNERS:
*
Blueprint Leadership Development
https://www.blueprintleadershipdevelopment.com

The Luxury Box
https://theluxurybox.net

US AM TOUR ALBANY REGION:
https://www.usamtour.com/

If you're an everyday golfer who loves discovering new courses, amateur tournament golf, golf course reviews, golf rules and honest conversations about trying to get better at this ridiculous game, you're in the right place.

SUBSCRIBE to Divots & Skins and come along for the ride.

And tell us in the comments: What's the hidden-gem golf course near YOU that we should know about?