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 category

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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]

Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Four-Ball announcement (Nov 17, White Homs CC)

02:11 Four-Ball prep, roles, and strategy

02:10–02:48 Putting science: range-of-motion and make rates (via NLU/Sasho MacKenzie)

03:00 The “college putter,” arm-bar stance, and chasing true potential

05:20 Post-Halloween candy banter; Top-10 sellers; M&M’s at #1

09:26 NewClub Atlanta Club Championship at Bobby Jones GC; pick-the-tee match play

11:46 Reinstatement 101: application, fees, back-dating, and “live like an amateur”

19:59 NIL’s impact and why waiting on new policy may be smart

22:17 Scale check: 700–800 reinstatement applications per year

26:00 2025 U.S. Mid-Am flashpoint: reinstated players in late rounds

27:44 Masters invite as unstated motivator

30:48 History: from class lines to competition reality

37:04 “Reps never leave you”: why fresh pro reps create imbalance

49:22 Colt Knost: sincerity vs consequences and dilution risk

53:55 Solution space: thresholds, categories, and principles

58:22 Easy red lines: PGA/KFT wins

01:06:32 Cooling-off vs reinstatement windows; restricted-event idea

01:14:13 Will the USGA act? Principles vs popularity

01:18:38 Iron sharpens iron; closing thoughts

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.