We are the Club: Duty, Culture, and the Future of Golf Membership

Show Notes

In this episode, Matt Considine and The Professor delve into the concept of duty within the context of golf clubs and country clubs. They explore how duty, or the responsibility of members, influences the culture of each club, and the differences between ownership and rental mindsets in club membership. The conversation also touches on the evolution of golf clubs and their courses, the impact of elite clubs like Augusta National, and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all golfers. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for clubs to focus on their duty to promote the game of golf and foster community among members and within the broader community. 

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 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the New Club and Hosting Dynamics 03:54 Exploring Duty in Golf and Club Membership 12:25 The Role of Duty in Golf Culture 20:10 Service Above Self: The True Meaning of Duty 26:32 The Evolution of Golf in America 28:13 Understanding Club Membership Dynamics 32:57 The Concept of Club Citizenship 36:33 The Role of Duty in Club Membership 40:15 Financial Sustainability in Golf Clubs 45:53 The Future of Golf Clubs and Inclusivity 53:17 The Duty of Exclusive Golf Clubs 55:07 Conflicted Individuals and the Role of Augusta National 57:29 Tradition vs. Change in Golf Clubs 01:01:19 The Importance of Club Duty 01:04:08 Creating a New Golf Society 01:11:52 The Broader Impact of Golf Duty

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?

Deeply researched audio documentaries that tell the definitive stories behind golf's greatest clubs + weekly conversations with the characters and communities shaping golf today.