The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf

What if the places we romanticize most in golf aren’t perfect at all, just alive in a way we rarely get at home?In this episode of The Bag Drop, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) sit down with Joshua Ralston, professor at the University of Edinburgh, North Berwick member, and the voice behind Golfing Scotland on Instagram, to explore what makes a place feel real even when the postcard version wears off.From East Lothian to Melbourne’s sandbelt, this is a conversation about club culture, architecture, competition, travel, and the difference between famous golf and golf that still feels lived in. If you’ve ever wondered why some places stay in your head long after the trip is over, this one gets at the answer.The conversation dives into:How Josh fell in love with North Berwick, and why Scottish golf changed the way he thinks about score, competition, and what a round is supposed to feel likeWhy Melbourne sandbelt golf hit him so hard, from Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath to the broader feeling of finding “his Scotland” somewhere newWhat actually separates Scottish links from Australian sandbelt golf: firmer greens, strategic bunkering, subtler landforms, and approach shots that matter after the ball landsWhy club culture feels different in Scotland and Australia than it often does in the U.S., from bounce games and Stableford to honour boards and rounds that actually mean somethingThe hidden-gem conversation every golf obsessive eventually has: Dunbar, Panmure, Woodlands, Barwon Heads, St Andrews Beach, and where the magic still lives once the famous names get crowdedSupport our Partners🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golfConnect with our guests⛳ Joshua Ralston —  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golfing_scotland/ | https://edwebprofiles.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-joshua-ralstonSubscribe to the show:🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Follow The Bag Drop📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdrop 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolfJoin 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/newclubConnect 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/Chapters00:00 Introduction 06:59 Joshua Ralston returns 11:25 The Profontication on ego, comparison, and what actually gives golf meaning 17:16 How Josh ended up at North Berwick 27:53 How Melbourne happened 32:50 Why Melbourne felt different 36:01 Competition culture, Stableford, and rounds that count 43:00 Sandbelt golf vs. Scottish links 58:56 St Andrews Beach and Australia’s next tier 01:08:51 What Melbourne costs and where the value is 01:14:43 Five courses in Scotland 01:19:07 Five courses in Melbourne 01:24:08 Can American golf recreate real club culture?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 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 has The Masters mastered—what might it be losing along the way?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore ("The Professor") take a loving but honest look at Augusta National. No guest this week—just Matt and Kevin in full golf-sicko form, unpacking why The Masters still feels like the best executed tournament in golf: the beauty, intimacy, reverence, memorable recovery shots, and the no-phone policy that makes the patron experience feel almost sacred in a distracted world.But they also ask the harder question most golf coverage avoids. As merch culture grows, premium access expands, and the tournament’s narrative becomes more curated, is some of Augusta’s old magic being chipped away? From Magnolia Lane and Rory’s recovery shots to pimento cheese, boredom, agronomy, and a sneaky Athens, Georgia lodging tip, this is a soulful, sharp, and affectionate conversation about spectacle, stewardship, and what makes Masters week unforgettable.The conversation dives into:🌺 Why Augusta still feels beautiful, intimate, and deeply reverent⛳ Why recovery, contour, trees, and strategy create golf’s most memorable shots📵 How the no-phone policy changes attention, memory, and the patron experience🧠 Why Augusta gets inside players’ heads and produces a different kind of pressure🛍️ Whether merch culture and consumerism are starting to crowd out the old magic🎟️ How hospitality tiers, access, and control may be changing Masters week🌱 Why Augusta sets a seductive but unrealistic agronomy standard for everyday golf🏡 A sneaky Masters-week lodging idea for golfers: Athens, Georgia🏌️ A quick detour on Titleist SM11 wedges, fittings, and why turf interaction mattersFollow The Bag DropInstagram/Facebook/Threads: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdropX/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolfYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolfListen to The Bag DropApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGHTransistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/Join the NewClub communityWebsite: https://www.newclub.golfInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolfYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolfLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclubSupport our PartnersNewClub: https://www.newclub.golfTitleist: https://www.titleist.comGolf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comConnect with Matt & The ProfessorMatt 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/Chapters00:00 Jim Nantz, Augusta trips, and Masters week logistics07:56 What has The Masters really mastered?08:19 Titleist wedge fitting and why turf interaction matters11:36 Beauty, class, intimacy, and reverence at Augusta17:41 Why Augusta produces unforgettable golf shots24:12 The course as the crown jewel28:40 No phones and the patron experience32:56 Boredom, presence, and conversation on the grounds35:15 What Augusta may no longer master39:31 Merch lines, consumerism, and the changing crowd45:56 "Skip it," contrivance, and the loss of spontaneity51:47 Magnolia Lane, hospitality tiers, and access57:26 Power brokers, secrecy, and corporate influence62:56 The agronomy standard Augusta sets for the rest of golf65:06 Augusta's impact on the local economy66:21 Rahm vs. XanderWhat 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 insight for passionate golfers at every level.What is NewClub?Founded in 2017, NewClub blends the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability of public golf, bringing to life the first premier golf society in the U.S. with local chapters in Chicago, Atlanta, and Northeast Ohio and others coming soon.

What does it take to save a golf course and keep it true to itself?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) sit down with Josh Beer, president and chairman of Hooper Golf Course, to explore how one beloved nine-hole course in Walpole, New Hampshire was nearly lost, then preserved through community passion, stewardship, and a clear sense of purpose.Josh shares Hooper’s remarkable story, from its roots as a town course on donated land to the years of uncertainty that nearly saw it disappear. The conversation moves through the role of volunteers, conservation easements, thoughtful restoration, and why the best courses know exactly what they are and who they serve.The conversation dives into:⛳ How Hooper was saved after years of financial pressure, uncertainty, and a grassroots “Save Hooper” movement🌲 Why stewardship, conservation, and restraint have shaped Hooper’s future both on and off the course🏌️ What makes nine-hole golf so soulful, memorable, and perfectly suited to community🏡 How Hooper balances public access, local identity, history, and hospitality in a modern golf world🍻 Why a trip to Hooper is about more than nine holes, from the Watkins Inn & Tavern to the broader golf around Walpole, Vermont, and western New EnglandConnect with our guests⛳ Hooper Golf Course — https://www.hoopergolfcourse.com/ — 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopergolfcourse/ | 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooperGolfCourse📚 Josh Beer — 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlbeer8/ | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-beer-618b8779/Follow The Bag Drop📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdrop🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolf📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolfListen and Subscribe: 🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/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/newclubSupport our Partners🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comConnect 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/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 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 keeps us coming back to golf—and when does obsession cross into addiction?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) unpack the powerful connection between golf, dopamine, and the human brain. From obsession to balance, they explore why the game can feel so all-consuming—and how to build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with it.The conversation dives into:• How golf delivers both quick dopamine hits and deeper, more sustainable satisfaction • The phases of falling in and out of love with the game—and why they matter • How phones, social media, and constant stimulation impact focus and performance • Practical ways to shift from addictive patterns to a more intentional golf experience • The parallels between addiction, performance anxiety, and long-term enjoyment • The role of golf course architecture in shaping emotional highs and lasting memories • How to prioritize golf within a full life—without letting it take overFollow The Bag Drop📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdrop 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolfListen 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🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/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/newclubSupport our PartnersTitleist: https://www.titleist.comGolf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comConnect 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/Chapters00:00 Introduction 04:15 Phases of falling in and out of love with the game 10:05 Technology, distraction, and presence on the course 16:00 Building sustainable joy and balance 27:43 Brain science: exertion, reward, and dopamine 36:14 Breaking the quick-hit dopamine cycle 42:50 Architecture and designing meaningful golf experiences 55:45 Prioritizing what matters in your golf life 66:20 Final thoughts: finding balance in the gameWhat 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 happens when you chase the Old Course, and Scotland gives you something even better?In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine and cohost Dr. Kevin Moore (a.k.a. “The Professor”) reunite NewClub’s Pilgrimage Three to relive a week in St. Andrews shaped by ballot drama, links golf, hickory clubs, family memories, and the deeper meaning of why golfers return to Scotland in the first place.The conversation explores the thrill and heartbreak of balloting for the Old Course, Steve Pease’s storybook late tee time and birdies on 1 and 18, Hilary’s first true links golf experience, and why Kingarrock Hickories may have stolen the show. Along the way, the group reflects on golf’s civility, creativity, fellowship, and the feeling that even when you do not get exactly what you wanted, golf somehow gives you what you needed.The conversation dives into:Why St. Andrews feels more like a pilgrimage than a tripThe emotion of missing the Old Course ballot and leaving fulfilledSteve Pease’s unforgettable Old Course finishWhy Hickory Golf became a surprise highlightThe creativity, simplicity, and soul of links golfWhat American golf can still learn from Scottish golf cultureThanks to our Pilgrimage Three crew and esteemed NewClub Members for joining us and sharing their stories: Hilary, Jimmy, Steve, Tyler, Ananth, Michael, Dean, and Bill. Your chapter is now part of The Pilgrimage Tradition, and we're all richer because of it. Follow The Bag Drop📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebagdrop 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/thebagdropgolf 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBagDropGolfListen 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🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/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/newclubSupport our Partners🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.comConnect 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/Chapters00:00 Introduction 03:33 Professor’s Fact 05:48 Why Scotland feels like a pilgrimage 10:11 Pilgrimage Three reunion begins 11:08 Steve’s storybook Old Course round 20:10 Hilary on first-time links golf and the Old Course 22:44 Missing the ballot and wanting another crack at it 31:45 House of Gods, surprise guests, and Adamson Links 39:30 Why hickories at Kingarrock stole the show 51:02 What Scotland gives back to golfers 57:25 Lightning round for the 2026 pilgrims 01:00:20 Leave with a full heartWhat 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 across the changing landscape join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.What 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, along with signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is revolutionizing golf membership, making the game more meaningful for those who love it.