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:
Crystal Downs Country Club
🏌️ Website: https://www.crystaldowns.org
📖 Top 100 Golf Courses profile: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/crystal-downs
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/newclub
Links & Partners
🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
Listen 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
🎧 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: thebagdrop@newclub.golf
Chapters
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 MacKenzie
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 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:
Connect 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/newclub
Links & Partners
🏡 Neighborhood National: https://www.neighborhoodnationalgc.com
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com
Listen 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/
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: thebagdrop@newclub.golf
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Golf and Community Engagement
02:36 The Rise of Municipal Golf and Accessibility
05:36 Transitioning from Corporate to Startup Life
08:06 Building a Home Golf Simulator
10:46 The Concept of Neighborhood National
13:41 The Evolution of Golf Simulators
16:19 Cultural Shifts in Golf Participation
20:21 Altruism vs. Business in Golf
23:02 Community and Golf: A Shared Experience
25:57 The Importance of Social Connections in Golf
28:42 The Future of Golf Technology
31:38 Navigating the Golf Industry Landscape
34:08 The Role of Neighborhood National in Golf
36:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations
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 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 a place so special that people want their ashes spread there? In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine sits down with Colton Craig (golf course architect) and Nick Jorgensen (CEO of Jorgensen Land & Cattle) to talk about the creation of the Lazy J Sporting Club in Ideal, South Dakota.
The conversation dives into:
Connect with our Guests:
🐮 Nick Jorgensen — Lazy J Sporting Club — 💼 LinkedIn
Colton Craig — Smyers, Craig, Coyne Golf Course Architects — 💼 LinkedIn
Join The Community at NewClub
🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf
📸 Instagram: @newclubgolf
🐦 Twitter/X: @newclubgolf
📺 Youtube: @newclubgolf
💼 LinkedIn: NewClub
Links & Partners
🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com/
🌾 Lazy J Sporting Club: https://www.lazyjclub.com
Listen to The Bag Drop
🎧 Apple Podcasts: The Bag Drop on Apple
🎧 Spotify: The Bag Drop on Spotify
🎧 Transistor: The Bag Drop on Transistor
Connect with Matt & The Professor
🎙️ Matt Considine — 🐦 X/Twitter | 📸 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn
📚 Dr. Kevin Moore “The Professor” — 🐦 X/Twitter | 📸 Instagram| 💼 LinkedIn
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Lazy J Sporting Club
03:59 Meet the Guests: Colton Craig and Nick Jorgensen
07:22 Colton's Passion for Golf Course Architecture
10:08 Nick Jorgensen's Journey in the Cattle Business
16:01 The Vision Behind Lazy J Sporting Club
24:10 Connecting Agriculture and Golf
28:30 The Aha Moment for Golf Development
31:53 The Beauty of the Land and Golf Design
33:30 The Journey to Lazy J Sporting Club
36:53 The Goldilocks Zone: Land and Design Philosophy
38:37 Maximizing Land Use: Golf as the Best Option
41:36 Creating Accessibility and Affordability in Golf
43:06 A Memorable Experience with Bill Murray
46:15 The Future of Lazy J: Milestones and Vision
48:52 Unique Offerings: Golf and Hunting Combined
51:46 The Sporting Club Experience: Privacy and Adventure
56:48 Building a Legacy: Family and Community Values
What is NewClub?
Founded in 2017, NewClub is the premier private golf society in the U.S., blending the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability more akin to a public golf experience. 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. The NewClub ecosystem is revolutionizing golf memberships, pushing traditional U.S. structures forward, and making golf more meaningful for those who genuinely love the game.
What is The Bag Drop?
Weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping the game today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, the show blends authenticity and expert insights for passionate golfers at every level. Special guests from clubs, courses, and every corner of the changing landscape will join us for thoughtful, in-depth discussions on all things golf.
What wins the Ryder Cup—ego or humility?
In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine welcomes back Kyle Porter, founder of 🐑 Normal Sport and longtime voice in golf media. Together, they dive into the cultural contrasts between American and European Ryder Cup teams, the balance between confidence (ego) and selflessness (humility) required to win, and how Keegan’s unlikely Captaincy and even more unlikely moves thus far might have shifted the future of U.S. team golf for good.
The conversation explores:
Connect with our guest
🐑 Kyle Porter — Normal Sport
Website: https://www.normalsport.com
🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/kyleporterns
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleporterns
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-porter-71874848/
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/newclub
Links & Partners
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com
🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf
Listen 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/
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/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
08:22 American vs. European Team Dynamics
18:14 Ego and Humility in Team Golf
27:47 Keegan Bradley’s Leadership
37:00 The Emotional Toll of Competitive 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 is The Bag Drop?
The Bag Drop features weekly stories from the questions, community and characters shaping golf today. Produced by NewClub Golf Society, each episode blends our untamed curiosities with expert insights for passionate golfers at all levels. Special guests from clubs, courses and every corner of golf’s broad landscape join us for thoughtful, in‑depth discussions on all things golf.
Why does the Ryder Cup make us care so deeply about even the most obscure of Ryder Cuppers?
In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine welcomes back friend of the program and EMMY NOMINATED Sean Martin (Senior Manager, Content Development at the PGA TOUR) to celebrate the magic of fall golf, preview the Ryder Cup, and share stories of lesser-known names who became cult heroes. From JJ Spaun’s resilience to Rory McIlroy’s emotional connection with fans, they explore how community, history, and team spirit make this event unlike anything else in golf.
The conversation dives into:
Connect with our guest
📸 Sean Martin — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmartingolf/
🐦 Sean Martin — X/Twitter: https://x.com/PGATOURSMartin
💼 Sean Martin — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spmartin/
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/newclub
Links & Partners
🐝 NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf
🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com
🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com
Rate, Review, and Subscribe 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/
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/
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Fall Golf Enthusiasm
02:42 Golf Seasons: Preferences and Experiences
05:36 Ryder Cup Anticipation and Content Creation
08:13 Highlighting Underrated Golfers in the Ryder Cup
11:12 Obscure Ryder Cup Heroes and Their Stories
19:54 Seve’s Heartbreaking Ryder Cup Experience
21:27 Memorable American Players in Ryder Cup History
23:15 The Unique Journey of Jeff Overton
24:54 Exploring Lesser-Known Ryder Cup Heroes
27:02 The Impact of Nicolas Colsaerts
28:33 The Molinari Brothers’ Legacy
30:35 The Rise of Ben Curtis and Ryan Moore
32:26 Future Cult Heroes of the Ryder Cup
34:15 Predictions for the Upcoming Ryder Cup
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 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.
Joel Beall, a senior writer for Golf Digest and author of "Playing Dirty: Rediscovering Golf’s Soul in Scotland in an Age of Sportswashing," offers insights on golf’s civil war, the value of accessibility, and the everyday joys the game brings to individuals and communities alike. This week’s episode was a delightful chat for co-hosts Matt and The Professor. They explore the multifaceted and often hypocritical golf world with Joel, sharing their personal passions, as well as the cultural differences between American and Scottish golf, and, of course, offer some timely insights for the upcoming Ryder Cup. They examine the importance of community in golf, the impact of leadership decisions in the professional game, and the sport's future amid all these changing dynamics.
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
Playing Dirty > https://back9press.com/products/beall
00:00 Introduction and Personal Indulgences
02:50 The Transition to Golf and Guest Introduction
05:45 Exploring the Ryder Cup and Keegan's Captaincy
08:27 The Soul of Golf: Scotland vs. America
11:34 The Impact of Golf Culture on Personal Experiences
14:11 The Joy of Golf and Community Connections
16:50 The Future of Golf: Changes and Innovations
19:51 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
In this episode of "The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf," hosts Matt Considine and The Professor explore golf courses that any golfer can get excited about! They dive into the charm and potential of some of their favorite accessible places to play the game. They discuss the unique appeal of lesser-known venues, highlighting the importance of accessibility and community in the golf experience. The conversation examines both the history and future of these courses, focusing on how public-private partnerships can revitalize golf spaces. Tune in for an insightful discussion on golf's evolving landscape and the joy of playing courses rich in history and character.
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
Episode Chapters
In this episode, Matt and The Professor explore how certain golf clubs are building upon tradition and revolutionizing the membership model for today's most committed and golf-minded members. By offering flexible options, accessibility with welcoming atmospheres, and a strong community focus that emphasizes the golf experience above all else, these clubs are becoming places where many want to be both members and guests.
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
Chapters
In this episode, Matt and The Professor engage in a focused discussion about professional golf playoffs and tournament formats. They explore the challenges of current playoff systems and suggest innovative alternatives that could improve viewer engagement. The conversation covers group play dynamics, semi-finals structures, and final formats that balance equity with entertainment. They specifically address the TV challenges of match play formats and consider creative scoring systems to keep tournaments exciting. Drawing inspiration from other sports, they propose ideas that blend tradition with innovation, emphasizing formats that create compelling stories while satisfying both players and fans. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of designing championship structures that showcase the best talent and deliver dramatic endings that captivate audiences while not taking any one proposal or potential fix too seriously.
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
Creators & Guests
Chapters