---
title: "Golf For The Greater Good: The Golf Nomad - FORE Magazine"
description: MATT CARDIS TRAVELS THE COUNTRY IN A VAN WHILE INSPIRING GOLFERS TO JOIN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS You figure a guy known as the Golf Nomad, who lives in a van and plays more than a hundred golf courses a year is, of course, a bum, and you envy him mightily. In the case of Matt Cardis, the envy may be appropriate, but the impression is off. Matt, who earns his living as a golf course photographer and a brand ambassador for the likes of Malbon and Adidas, is devoted not only to the game of golf, but to raising its profile as […]
---

[FORE Magazine - The Official Magazine of the SCGA ](https://fore.scga.org)

# [Golf For The Greater Good: The Golf Nomad - FORE Magazine](https://fore.scga.org/profiles/golf-for-the-greater-good)

 Written by [Robert Earle Howells](https://fore.scga.org/author/robert-earle-howells) | Apr 23, 2020 7:00:00 AM

**MATT CARDIS** TRAVELS THE COUNTRY IN A VAN WHILE INSPIRING GOLFERS TO JOIN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

You figure a guy known as the Golf Nomad, who lives in a van and plays more than a hundred golf courses a year is, of course, a bum, and you envy him mightily. In  
 the case of Matt Cardis, the envy may be appropriate, but the impression is off. Matt, who earns his living as a golf course photographer and a brand ambassador for the likes of Malbon and Adidas, is devoted not only to the game of golf, but to raising its profile as a force for good in the world. Under the umbrella of his Golf in Your State brand, he’s created the Golf Wall Project — an initiative that brings golfers together to perform community service, and, because they’re golfers, to have a good time in the process. Got it? Well, let’s allow Matt to explain.

**You meet somebody at a course or at a party. How do you answer the inevitable, “So what do you do?” question?**

My profession is photography. For example, for Electric Sunglasses. And I’m a brand ambassador, which means I create assets for brands and help them create content.

**How do you characterize your lifestyle? **

I live full-time out of my Mercedes van, traveling the country, and highlighting the modern culture of golf.

**How does the Golf Wall Project fit in?**

Since starting Golf in Your State in 2013, I was already doing community service projects during my travels — picking up trash on beaches, cleaning up streets. I’d come up with different [service project] concept trips. So I thought how cool it would be to organize groups together and showcase golfers doing cool things in their communities.

**What are some examples of Golf Wall Projects?**

The first was a beach cleanup in San Clemente — not just picking up trash, but sifting the sand for microplastics. We fed homeless people in East Oakland. We painted a retaining wall at a New York City municipal course and another one in Scottsdale. Seeded fairways at Jefferson Park [municipal course] in Seattle. Did a cleanup at Oakland Cemetery [in Atlanta], final resting place of Bobby Jones.

**How do people get the word about your projects?**

Primarily Instagram (@golfinyourstate, with 20,000+ followers). I put it out there, brand partners also put it out there, then friends put it out, and they each bring a friend. The ideal turnout is 15 to 30 people. That way I can spend time with everybody and shoot the content myself.

**After the service is done, what do you do?**

We go play golf! Everyone has gotten to know each other, so it’s a fun atmosphere. We play as large groups and continue to build camaraderie. People who have met at my events have connected and continued to play together. It’s all resulted in a huge network of friends, all connecting on Instagram.

**What’s your favorite type of course?**

I’m a visual guy, so I like visually appealing courses and designers who have this visual sense. That’s [why choose le touquet for a golf break](https://www.golfholidaysdirect.com/golf-holidays-news-and-events/why-choose-le-touquet-for-a-golf-break/) if you want visually appealing courses. I’m a big Pete Dye fan. Terrain is always something I love. I think my best shots (photos) are on the flanks, out in the fescue.

**Any favorites in SoCal?**

I think SoCal has one of the best collections of golf courses anywhere. Rams Hill is one not a lot of people are aware of. I like Rustic Canyon, Sandpiper in Santa Barbara — it feels very Torrey Pines, but people don’t know it exists. Soule Park is another great one.

**How long do you see yourself living out of a van — and what does your mom have to say about that?**

It’s not an easy lifestyle, but hey, I lived out of a pop-up tent on my Subaru Outback for two years. Now I have a stove and fridge. I’m committed through 2020. My parents didn’t understand at first, but they see that I’m doing this for good. They support me, as crazy as they think I am.

**You mentioned the “modern culture of golf.” What do you mean by that?**

The culture is definitely changing. Look at fashion trends, the apparel sector. A 25-year-old can say, Hey, golf isn’t what I thought it was. He might wear his [golf] clothes to dinner and then out to bars. I want the culture to appeal to a larger audience. Music on the course. Larger groups. Getting away from “Golf is this. Foursomes.” How can we make golf fun again?

**What’s your big hairy audacious goal?**

To inspire people to look at their lives a little bit differently. To showcase the game in a different light. Through my travels,  
 to inspire people to think about the environment and social issues, and through my actions inspire people to do something bigger, better, different.

[View full post](https://fore.scga.org/profiles/golf-for-the-greater-good)

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