I don’t want to venture too deep into David Brooks’ or Tom Wolfe’s respective territories. But if you drive across this country, as I just did, it is astonishing how many golf courses there are. Public and private, there are everywhere. Teeny-tiny towns with small houses and old junkers in the front yard boast – what appear to be – beautifully maintained courses. I know golf is popular. But what I find amazing is how middle class golf has become. It wasn’t long ago that golf had the reputation as the pastime of the upper-crust. Now, mechanics and truck drivers play. That is at least what I’m assuming going by the extremely modest towns dotting Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota etc. which boast public golf courses. I may be one of the world’s worst two-armed golfers but I have lots of friends who play, including folks from decidedly blue collar upbringings who’ve played since they were teenagers, and certainly college. It’s a tiny example, I think, of how Americans are becoming richer even if the don’t always feel richer.