Tee Time Golf Classic

From pumpkin to porch

1. 1

   Transfer the layout

   Since this is an AI concept, plan a real pumpkin by picking a smooth, flat-fronted one so the club shaft and ball sit without distortion. Tape your stencil on and poke the outlines of the club head, shaft, ball, and grass line with a pin. Space the dots close together on the curved club head so the shape stays clear. Step back and check the diagonal shaft angle before you commit to any cutting.

2. 2

   Peel the shaft and head first

   With a small loop or ribbon tool, shave off only the orange skin inside the shaft and club head to reach the pale layer beneath. Work in the same direction so the surface stays even and glows a soft yellow. Keep the peel shallow, roughly the thickness of an orange peel, so the wall stays strong. Leave a thin ridge of skin between the shaft and head so each shape still reads as its own piece.

3. 3

   Cut the clubface grooves

   Peel the flat face of the iron, then use a V gouge or the tip of a knife to draw the row of horizontal grooves. Make each groove shallow and evenly spaced so they catch light as thin dark lines against the peeled face. Take your time here since these grooves are the detail that sells the club. A steady hand and light pressure beat trying to carve deep.

4. 4

   Peel and dimple the ball

   Shave the round ball area smooth, keeping it a clean circle. Press small dimples into the peeled surface using the rounded tip of a ballpoint pen or a tiny gouge, staggering them in offset rows. You are dimpling the flesh, not punching through, so use gentle pressure. Leave a little untouched skin as a shadow along one edge to give the ball a rounded feel.

5. 5

   Flick in the grass

   Along the base line, make short upward cuts with a small knife to suggest blades of rough. Vary the height and lean of the blades so it looks natural instead of a straight fence. Keep the cuts shallow and let some overlap the club head for depth. This ragged edge also hides any uneven spots where your peeled areas end.

6. 6

   Light it and photograph

   Drop a battery LED puck or string light inside through a lid or a hole cut in the back, never a candle. Because the design is etched rather than cut through, the light will make the peeled shapes glow warm while the untouched skin stays dark. Shoot at dusk on a porch step for the best contrast. Wipe the peeled areas dry first so they photograph clean.

Written with AI to match this design