Joe Kinsey, host of the Screencaps page, analyzed the financial implications of Danica Patrick's recent golf trip to New Zealand. The analysis centered on the expenses associated with playing at Te Arai Links, a course featured in Patrick's social media content. Kinsey noted that the trip highlights the significant cost differential for international golf travel, specifically citing estimates provided by the AI model Gemini.
According to Gemini, a mid-range golf trip to New Zealand would cost between $4,000 and $5,500. This estimate includes five to six rounds of golf and accommodation in an Airbnb. Kinsey challenged these figures, arguing that they failed to account for the specific pricing at Te Arai Links during the off-season. The AI model reported that greens fees at Te Arai Links are approximately $430 per round during this time of year. This base fee excludes a caddie fee of $140, mandatory tips, and an additional $140 charge for a forecaddie if utilized by the group.
Kinsey stated that when factoring in additional expenses such as golf bets, alcohol, and transportation to entertainment districts via Uber, the total cost of the trip would likely range from $7,000 to $10,000. He expressed disagreement with Gemini's initial lower estimates, suggesting that the AI's calculations did not fully capture the reality of high-end international golf travel. The column also mentioned that regional elite courses typically charge between $150 and $250 per round, contrasting this with the premium pricing at Te Arai Links.
In other segments of the column, Kinsey discussed various fan interactions and sports news items. A reader named Brad S. shared a strategy for purchasing NFL tickets, noting that he bought three seats for a Browns-Steelers game for $96 each after a coach's press conference following a loss. The same tickets are currently listed for $175. Kinsey also highlighted that MLB playoff games will be broadcast across nine different networks and streaming services, including NBC, Peacock, NBCSN, TNT, Fox, FS1, TBS, TruTV, and Max. Additionally, the column featured a reader's reaction to six NHL teams moving their in-market streaming rights to Prime Video. Kinsey signed off from the column ahead of a short break, encouraging readers to continue sending in tips and photos.