Is Golf Losing Its Soul? The Battle Between Profit, Purpose, and Play
In this episode of Untold Stories in Golf, hosts Matt and The Professor discuss the global golf course projects by reviewing a list of more than 700+ active golf projects since 2024. They examine renovations and new developments, their financial dimensions, and architectural trends shaping the future of golf. The conversation highlights the significance of member involvement and the evolving golf industry. Kevin and Matt also touch on local architects' contributions, golf course budgets, and the balance between profit and purpose. They explore abundance versus scarcity in golf culture and emphasize the importance of legacy and long-term effects in the sport, advocating for a more inclusive strategy focusing on accessibility and satisfaction for all players.
NewClub > https://www.newclub.golf
Titleist > https://www.titleist.com
Active Projects List > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AmKLQUPv1q88Q0mWmoD7Gf4-JlTjdrTAZH743Iv3sVA/edit?usp=sharing (Cred: Old Tom Ventures )
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.