David Alfred Bywaters’s Wall Street Journal crossword, “Golf Hazards”—Jim P’s assessment

At first it appeared fairly clear what the theme was. The principal theme solutions all finish with a kind of golf membership.

Wall St Journal crossword resolution · “Golf Hazards” · David Alfred Bywaters · Wed., 1.4.23

• 17a. [Banned V-shaped football maneuver] FLYING WEDGE.
• 30a. [Pan material] CAST IRON.
• 42a. [City on New Jersey’s Cape May] WILDWOOD.

But then the revealer added slightly extra to the story: 54a, [Boat enthusiast’s group, or frustrated golfer’s projectile that appears three times in this puzzle] with the reply SAILING CLUB. This was surprising. Yes, we get the golf golf equipment on the ends of the two-word phrases, however the first phrase may also describe that membership because it’s been thrown by the air in anger. Pretty cool, huh? And it offers the puzzle title an entire new which means, too. Nicely carried out!

But wait, there’s extra! Lots of enjoyable lengthy fill in BARBARIANS, SMALL PRINT, SMIDGENS, TEAMED UP, and HENNERY. I’ve by no means heard this final phrase however I cherished studying it. If you need contemporary eggs, get thee to a HENNERY!

Not so enthusiastic about HAD A GAS [Really enjoyed oneself] which feels fairly dated. But “a gas” might be a greater factor to have than simply “gas.”

Clues of word:

• 1a. [Be beyond the pail?]. SLOSH. Good beginning clue. I went with SPILL at first, although.
• 61a. [Tap choice]. HOT. Good misdirection. I didn’t suppose “water” till I had already gotten it by the crosses and even then I nonetheless wanted an additional beat.
• 29d. [Font for legal niceties]. SMALL PRINT. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s not a font.

An spectacular, stunning theme and powerful lengthy fill. Four stars from me.