I’m Allyn Langford. I’m a small business owner, and I split my time between the Phoenix area and the New York City area.
I grew up in Colorado playing absolutely no golf. I finally discovered this awesome game at 22, in a college PE class in Utah, with a cheap set of Wilson clubs and a lot of lost golf balls.
In 2010, I was on a business trip to Fargo, North Dakota. At that point, I’d played golf in nine states. It occurred to me that with North Dakota and Minnesota right there, I could make it eleven in a couple of days. Which got me wondering: Could I play golf in all 50 states?
Sixteen years later, I’m at 49. Georgia is the last one.
Along the way, I’ve played 260 different courses and logged 968 rounds. I know the exact numbers because I’ve kept every score in a spreadsheet for years. I still have many of the scorecards.
A few favorites and observations
Best golf experience: The Old Course at St Andrews. Is it my favorite course? Maybe not if we’re judging courses in a vacuum, but who discusses golf courses in a vacuum? It would be way too loud. The history, the Scottish caddie, the bagpipes, and the feeling of walking the same fairways and hitting into the same bunkers and gorse where golfers have played for centuries made it an experience I’ll never forget. Some places can’t possibly live up to their reputations. This one did.
Best competitive experience: The 2012 Umpqua Bank Challenge at Brasada Ranch in Oregon. My friend Aaron got us into a Ryder Cup-style charity event, and Peter Jacobsen was our team captain. I drew one of the opposing team’s strongest players in singles and managed to beat him for a crucial point in our team’s victory. I still have the flag Jacobsen signed for me: “Allyn, congratulations on a great win!”
Most surprising state (so far): Michigan. When I started figuring out where to play, I couldn’t believe how many good options there were. An Arizona guy doesn’t expect to have that problem in a state better known for hockey and football.
What I’d change about golf: I think we spend too much time worrying about the number on the scorecard. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to play well. I definitely enjoy the low rounds. But the best parts of golf are the pursuit, the striving to get better, the friendships, being outside, the cool places it takes you, and a few hours away from everything else.
Yes, I’m aware that’s an odd position for a man with 968 rounds recorded in a spreadsheet.
Why “The Long Game”?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, and I’ve wanted to put some of these golf stories down for years. Now that my four kids are grown and off doing their own things, this seemed like a good time to start. It’s a way to preserve some memories, share a few experiences with them wherever they happen to be, and maybe give them something to laugh about along the way.
As for the name, golf is a game that takes a long time to learn, can be played for a lifetime, and has a funny way of finding its way into other parts of life. The more I’ve played, the more I’ve come to appreciate everything that happens between the first tee and the last green.
And if other people enjoy reading along, all the better.
What you’ll find here
I’ll be adding stories from my 50-state golf journey, including the courses, the trips, and the people I’ve played with. I’ll also share some thoughts about golf equipment, places worth visiting, and things I’ve learned along the way, usually through trial and error.
You’ll find longer essays under Reflections and occasional detours into sports, travel, and whatever else catches my attention at The 19th Hole.
Golf is the starting point. It isn’t necessarily where every story ends up.
What I’m not
I’m not a teaching pro, a tour player, or a golf journalist. I’m just a recreational golfer who’s played in a lot of places, seen a few things, and enjoys writing about them.
I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I’ve enjoyed collecting them. And I’m still collecting.
Say hello
Have a course I ought to play? Think I’ve got something completely wrong? Or just want to talk golf or share a thought about something I’ve written?
Email me at contact@50stategolfer.com, or find me on Instagram at @50stategolfer.