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:
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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
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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.