The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf

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. 

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Chapters
  • (00:00) - Introduction and Musical Memories
  • (02:51) - Golf Course Experiences and Recommendations
  • (05:29) - Golfing Challenges and Personal Stories
  • (08:12) - Exploring Championship Formats in Golf
  • (11:10) - Health and Nutrition Insights
  • (14:03) - Professional Golf Playoffs Discussion
  • (27:30) - Playoff Formats in Sports
  • (30:35) - Innovative Ideas for Golf Playoffs
  • (37:28) - Semi-Finals and Championship Structure
  • (46:51) - Television and Match Play Dynamics
  • (50:26) - The Impact of Player Visibility in Match Play
  • (51:08) - Innovative Championship Structures Inspired by Cricket
  • (52:53) - Reimagining Scoring Systems in Golf
  • (54:51) - Enhancing Viewer Engagement Through Match Play Dynamics
  • (56:45) - Learning from Other Sports: The Savannah Bananas Approach
  • (57:36) - The Importance of Home Course Advantage
  • (58:48) - The Complexity of Playoff Formats
  • (59:56) - Balancing Stakeholder Interests in Golf
  • (01:00:25) - Team Golf: A New Era for Professional Golf
  • (01:02:17) - Creative Match Play Formats and Strategies
  • (01:04:10) - The Role of Technology in Golf Broadcasting
  • (01:06:16) - The Future of Golf: Merging Tradition with Innovation


Creators and Guests

Host
Matt Considine
Founder of NewClub and our resident feel player. Matt’s junior golf career led him to the University of Akron where he met our co-host. During his junior year, Matt Studied abroad in Ireland and discovered golf societies. Subsequent trips to Scotland fed his passion for the history, ideals, and culture of accessible, affordable, and sustainable golf, a concept he would later bring to the U.S. with NewClub. Known for his interviewing style, quick wit, and compelling storytelling, Matt brings thoughtful, reflective conversations to The Bag Drop. His professional journey before NewClub included multiple leadership positions in growth-stage startups, where he managed teams responsible for more than $250 million in revenue. Matt actively gives back to the game as a Board Member of the First Tee of Akron and past chair of the Evans Scholar Foundation. Proudly based in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, Matt finds inspiration in family life with his wife, their three children, and their golf dog, Gypsy.
Host
The Professor
NewClub's Chief Ambassador and every golf sicko's favorite educator. Kevin is a thoughtful and deeply curious host. His studied, constructivist approach adds intellectual enrichment and balance to the show. As a professor of Math Education at the University of Georgia, Kevin's background in applied mathematics and cognitive psychology uniquely informs his insights on golf strategy and performance. Originally from Ohio, Kevin was a Division I collegiate golfer at the University of Akron, where his passion for understanding mathematical thinking began. After earning his doctorate from Arizona State University, he combined his analytical expertise with his love for golf by co-founding Golf Blueprint, an organization aimed at helping golfers optimize their games through data-driven strategies. Kevin enjoys balancing deep philosophical discussions with simple pleasures, such as indulging his sweet tooth, cheering on college football, and spending relaxed evenings with his friends, his wife, and their beloved dog, Nole.

What is The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf?

A golf podcast about life. Weekly stories from the culture, community, and characters shaping the game today. The Bag Drop blends honest authenticity with expert insights for passionate golfers at every level. Produced by NewClub and supported by its members, each episode welcomes guests from clubs, courses, and the lesser-known corners of the golf world for thoughtful discussions on all things golf and life.

Founded in 2017, NewClub is the first of its kind golf society in the United States; blending the community and access of a private club with the variety and affordability more typical of public golf. Members enjoy thousands of reserved tee times, competitions, and events at exceptional partner courses across our local chapters, plus signature trips and exclusive perks. NewClub is on a mission to revolutionize golf membership, making the game more meaningful for all those who love it.

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⛳ Learn more about NewClub: https://www.newclub.golf