The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf

How does a professional MMA fighter go from combat to the course and find meaning in amateur golf? In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and co-host Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) sit down with Caleb Bowman (former MMA fighter & Chief Sales Officer at Solid Property Investments) to explore the more profound parallels between combat sports, competitive golf, mental discipline, and the selfless pursuit of purpose—on and off the course.The conversation dives into:Matt & Kevin’s long-awaited debut at the USGA Four-Ball QualifierCaleb’s journey from the MMA cage to the golf courseHow adrenaline, fear, and mental discipline shape performanceThe power of selflessness, service, and mission workGolf as a mirror for life’s challenges and personal growthWhy minimizing mistakes—on the course and in life—creates breakthroughsThe birdie game, snacks as strategy, and the psychology of partnership playConnect with our guest🔨 Caleb Bowman — Solid Property Investments (Roofing & Construction, GA): https://www.solidpropertyga.comJoin the NewClub community🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/ 🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubLinks & Partners🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf 🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com 🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comListen to The Bag Drop🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH 🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf 🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Connect with Matt & The Professor🎙️ Matt Considine ("The Host") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/🗣️ Contribute to the show! 📧 [email protected]:00 Introduction02:32 The Journey to the USGA Four-Ball09:47 Meeting Caleb Bowman12:09 The Social Side of Golf14:07 Competition & the Fighter’s Mindset17:14 Where Four-Ball Came From20:27 Why Four-Ball Is So Popular22:34 Team Dynamics & Trust26:07 The Importance of Snacks30:38 Inside the Birdie Game35:07 Adrenaline in Golf vs MMA41:57 Selflessness & Mission Work55:28 Golf’s Hardest Life Lessons58:32 Community & Connection59:30 Major Golf Event Moments01:05:21 From Beginner to Plus-Two01:12:04 Mental Strategies for ImprovementWhat is NewClub?Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions, and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.What is The Bag Drop?The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.

Can a walking-first golf club in metro Detroit blend a patron-style membership model with public access and sustainable design—and still feel like a world-class place to play golf?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine (Founder of NewClub) and co-host Dr. Kevin Moore (AKA The Professor) sit down with Proving Ground Golf Club’s Ben Cowan to explore how a walking-first, public-access course outside Detroit is rethinking memberships and club culture. From the patron member model and daily public tee times to sustainable maintenance practices and a complete Mike DeVries reimagining of Dunham Hills, they dig into what it takes to build a modern club that puts golf—and community—first.The conversation dives into:Why walking golf changes the cadence of a round, the quality of conversation, and the health of the gameHow golf societies and “clubs without real estate” shaped Ben’s view of membership and communityProving Ground’s patron member model: affordable dues, no initiation, and daily public-access tee timesSustainability and maintenance meld: rough that’s actually rough, bunkers as bunkers, and walkable routingWorking with architect Mike DeVries to turn Dunham Hills into a walking-first modern classicJuniors, high school teams, pace-of-play pledges, and why access sits at the center of the projectConnect with our guests ⛳️ Proving Ground Golf Club / Ben Cowan — http://www.devriesgolfdetroit.com/ | 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/DevriesGolfDet | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devriesgolfdetroit/ | ✉️ Email: [email protected] the NewClub community🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/ 🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubLinks & partners ⛳️ NewClub Golf Society: https://www.newclub.golf 🎯 Titleist: https://www.titleist.com 📊 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comListen to The Bag Drop 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH 🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf 🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/ 🎧 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-bag-dropConnect with Matt & The Professor 🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/ 📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/Chapters 00:00 Introduction & fall-golf banter 05:00 Walking vs. riding 14:00 Golf societies & Walking Golfers Society 26:00 Patron member model & daily public access 39:00 Sustainability, maintenance meld & DeVries’ vision 52:00 Juniors, culture & pace of play 01:03:00 Rapid-fire questions & closingWhat is NewClub? NewClub Golf Society is a private golf society without real estate for committed golfers who care more about access, architecture, and community than locker-room status. Members enjoy curated tee sheets, competitions, events, and bucket-list travel across partner clubs in each chapter.What is The Bag Drop?The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf shares weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping the game today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, the show pairs honest, curious conversations with expert insight from clubs, courses, and every corner of golf’s evolving landscape.

What does “amateur” really mean in 2025—when reinstated pros, NIL, and a Masters invite collide?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and co-host Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) explore how reinstated professionals, NIL-era amateurs, and governing-body policy are reshaping elite amateur golf—the discussion is timely and personal, as the duo is prepping for their own USGA Four-Ball bid in November.The conversation dives into:🗺️ USGA Four-Ball prep, roles, and strategy ahead of Nov 17 Qualifier🏁 NewClub Atlanta Club Championship at Bobby Jones GC: pick-the-tee strategy, massive greens, and champions crowned🍬 A candy-fueled warm-up: the “leftovers,” Top-10 sellers🧲 The “college putter” decision, arm-bar stance, and putting science (range of motion → more makes!)🧾 Reinstatement basics: fees, true “cooling-off,” back-dating, and living like an am💼 NIL’s ripple effects and why “reps never leave you”🏆 The Mid-Am flashpoint: late-round fields stacked with reinstated players and the Masters invite incentive🧭 Solutions: hard red lines (e.g., PGA/KFT wins), multi-year restrictions for crown-jewel amateur events, or a new competitive categoryJoin the NewClub community🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubLinks & Partners🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comListen to The Bag Drop🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Connect with Matt & The Professor🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/🗣️ Contribute to the show! — 📧 [email protected]:00 Introduction & Four-Ball announcement (Nov 17, White Homs CC)02:11 Four-Ball prep, roles, and strategy02:10–02:48 Putting science: range-of-motion and make rates (via NLU/Sasho MacKenzie)03:00 The “college putter,” arm-bar stance, and chasing true potential05:20 Post-Halloween candy banter; Top-10 sellers; M&M’s at #109:26 NewClub Atlanta Club Championship at Bobby Jones GC; pick-the-tee match play11:46 Reinstatement 101: application, fees, back-dating, and “live like an amateur”19:59 NIL’s impact and why waiting on new policy may be smart22:17 Scale check: 700–800 reinstatement applications per year26:00 2025 U.S. Mid-Am flashpoint: reinstated players in late rounds27:44 Masters invite as unstated motivator30:48 History: from class lines to competition reality37:04 “Reps never leave you”: why fresh pro reps create imbalance49:22 Colt Knost: sincerity vs consequences and dilution risk53:55 Solution space: thresholds, categories, and principles58:22 Easy red lines: PGA/KFT wins01:06:32 Cooling-off vs reinstatement windows; restricted-event idea01:14:13 Will the USGA act? Principles vs popularity01:18:38 Iron sharpens iron; closing thoughtsWhat is NewClub?Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.What is The Bag Drop?The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.

What makes Crystal Downs a thinking golfer’s paradise?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and co-host Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) unpack the fractured mid-amateur landscape, lay out their plan for a first-ever U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier together, and then flip the mics as The Professor interviews Matt about his first walk at Alister MacKenzie and Perry Maxwell’s Northern Michigan masterpiece, Crystal Downs Country Club. From minimalist clubhouse culture to wind-swept strategy and ecology in full bloom, this one’s for design-curious golfers who love a course that makes you think on every shot.The conversation dives into:Mid-amateurs today: reinstated pros, club championships, and why four-ball is the perfect proving groundPrepping for the U.S. Four-Ball: roles, strategy, and a putter identity crisisFirst impressions at Crystal Downs: the scenic approach, the “no sign” mystique, and a welcoming, golf-first vibeClubhouse culture: small, timeless, and egalitarian (yes, ball washers on every tee)Ecology and feel: monarchs, wildlife, native plants, and how they elevate the experienceRouting, wind, and strategy: severe contours, half-par tension, and the unforgettable 5–8 stretchPatience and stewardship: tree management, preservation, and letting the course reveal itselfHistory: MacKenzie/Maxwell lore, the connector par-3, and a 1970s “walk up and join” storyCrystal Downs Country Club 🏌️ Website: https://www.crystaldowns.org 📖 Top 100 Golf Courses profile: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/crystal-downsJoin the NewClub community 🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/ 🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubLinks & Partners 🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf 🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.comListen to The Bag Drop 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH 🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf 🎧 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/the-bag-drop 🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Connect with Matt & The Professor 🎙️ Matt Considine — X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/ 📚 Dr. Kevin Moore (“The Professor”) — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/Contribute to the show! 🗣️💬 Email: [email protected] 00:00 Introduction and context 02:40 The mid-amateur landscape 05:47 Prepping for the U.S. Four-Ball Qualifier 08:31 Anticipation of Crystal Downs 11:28 The drive and arrival experience 19:33 Clubhouse ethos and culture 24:21 The ethos of improvement 25:19 First-tee jitters 26:34 Ecology and wildlife at Crystal Downs 28:06 Course design and natural beauty 30:02 Playing Crystal Downs 31:38 Legacy and accessibility in golf 34:09 Completeness of the golf course 36:00 Flow and strategy in course design 37:53 The challenge of Crystal Downs 41:55 Comparative course analysis 44:16 The legacy of Alister MacKenzieWhat is NewClub? Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions, and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.What is The Bag Drop? The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.

Can Simulated Golf Build Real Community? What if golf’s next great clubhouse is in your neighborhood?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine sits down with Jeff Testa, founder of Neighborhood National, to explore how golf simulators, technology, and shared spaces are reshaping the way golfers connect, practice, and build community.The conversation dives into:How technology and simulators are expanding access to golfWhy municipal and local golf remains vital for affordability and inclusionThe entrepreneurial journey behind Neighborhood NationalThe balance between altruism and business in golfHow social connection fuels the next era of the gameConnect with our guest⛳ Jeff Testa — https://www.neighborhoodnationalgc.com — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/GolfNeighbor | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhood.national | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-testa-86507823a/Join the NewClub community🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubLinks & Partners🏡 Neighborhood National: https://www.neighborhoodnationalgc.com🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comListen to The Bag Drop🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Connect with Matt & The Professor🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/consequential85 | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequence18/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-considine-103bb21/📚 Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kevcmoore | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevcmoore | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-moore-177b30b3/🗣️ Contribute to the show! — 📧 email: [email protected]:00 Introduction to Golf and Community Engagement02:36 The Rise of Municipal Golf and Accessibility05:36 Transitioning from Corporate to Startup Life08:06 Building a Home Golf Simulator10:46 The Concept of Neighborhood National13:41 The Evolution of Golf Simulators16:19 Cultural Shifts in Golf Participation20:21 Altruism vs. Business in Golf23:02 Community and Golf: A Shared Experience25:57 The Importance of Social Connections in Golf28:42 The Future of Golf Technology31:38 Navigating the Golf Industry Landscape34:08 The Role of Neighborhood National in Golf36:56 Closing Thoughts and Future AspirationsWhat is NewClub?Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the United States. It blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, as well as signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.What is The Bag Drop?The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the culture, community and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in‑depth discussions on all things golf.