Is This Still a Simulation?

Is This Still a Simulation?

Author: NewClub Golf Society October 13, 2025 Duration: 1:01:03

Can Simulated Golf Build Real Community? What if golf’s next great clubhouse is in your neighborhood?

In this episode of The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf, host Matt Considine sits down with Jeff Testa, founder of Neighborhood National, to explore how golf simulators, technology, and shared spaces are reshaping the way golfers connect, practice, and build community.

The conversation dives into:

  • How technology and simulators are expanding access to golf
  • Why municipal and local golf remains vital for affordability and inclusion
  • The entrepreneurial journey behind Neighborhood National
  • The balance between altruism and business in golf
  • How social connection fuels the next era of the game

Connect with our guest

Jeff Testahttps://www.neighborhoodnationalgc.com — 🐦 X/Twitter: https://x.com/GolfNeighbor | 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhood.national | 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-testa-86507823a/


Join the NewClub community

🌍 Website: https://www.newclub.golf

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newclubgolf/

🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newclubgolf

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@newclubgolf

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/newclub


Links & Partners

🏡 Neighborhood National: https://www.neighborhoodnationalgc.com

🏌️ Titleist: https://www.titleist.com

🌐 Golf Blueprint: https://www.golfblueprint.com


Listen to The Bag Drop

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf/id1430328006

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xRWtUBJH8RazdLw14oaGH

🎧 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/633c8703-5880-4522-bd6d-5967b45fc777/the-bag-drop-untold-stories-in-golf

🎧 Transistor: https://thebagdrop.transistor.fm/


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: thebagdrop@newclub.golf


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Golf and Community Engagement

02:36 The Rise of Municipal Golf and Accessibility

05:36 Transitioning from Corporate to Startup Life

08:06 Building a Home Golf Simulator

10:46 The Concept of Neighborhood National

13:41 The Evolution of Golf Simulators

16:19 Cultural Shifts in Golf Participation

20:21 Altruism vs. Business in Golf

23:02 Community and Golf: A Shared Experience

25:57 The Importance of Social Connections in Golf

28:42 The Future of Golf Technology

31:38 Navigating the Golf Industry Landscape

34:08 The Role of Neighborhood National in Golf

36:56 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations


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.


There's a whole world of stories that never make it to the leaderboard or the final green, and that's exactly where The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf finds its voice. This isn't just a series about swings and scores; it's a weekly exploration of the people, places, and moments that truly define the game's rich culture. You'll hear from greenkeepers, historians, passionate amateurs, and tour veterans, all sharing perspectives that go far beyond the typical post-round interview. Produced by the NewClub Golf Society, the podcast is built on a foundation of authentic conversation, digging into the connections between life on and off the course. Every episode feels like pulling up a chair in the clubhouse after a round, where the talk is as much about character as it is about character. It’s for anyone who feels that golf is about more than just a number on a card-it's about community, legacy, and the unexpected lessons found in a walk across eighteen holes. Tune in for thoughtful, often surprising discussions that remind us why this game continues to captivate so many.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 274

The Bag Drop: Untold Stories in Golf
Podcast Episodes
We are the Club: Duty, Culture, and the Future of Golf Membership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:35
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…
What Competitive Golf Teaches You at 40 That It Couldn’t at 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:50
In this episode of the Bag Drop Podcast, our hosts Matt Considine and The Professor are joined by special guest and longtime friend Jamie Grigas to explore the world of competitive golf. Jamie and Matt go way back to chi…
Is England home to the best golf trip in the world? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:02
Fellow NewClub members join Matt and The Professor to unpack NewClub’s 2025 International to Southeast England; why unforgettable English links, accessible and stunning architecture along with vibrant club culture makes…
Open & Closed: Exploring Golf's Accessibility with Ru MacDonald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:10
The Open Championship! Most golf nuts' favorite golf-on-tv week of the year (Sincerest apologies to the third week in April). Matt and the Professor welcome a special guest, Ru MacDonald of Cruden Bay fame, to explore hi…
Golf as a Creative Canvas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:54
In this episode, Matt Considine and The Professor welcome PGA Professional, Brad Davis, to the show to discuss the importance of creativity in the sport and the role club professionals can play in unlocking more creative…
Sand Hills Golf Club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
In this episode of Bag Drop Untold Stories in Golf, hosts Matt Considine and The Professor explore themes of family dynamics, the challenges PGA professionals face, and visiting Sandhills Golf Club. They discuss balancin…
Redesigning the Game: Jay Blasi and Golf’s Biggest Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:41
Our Host Matt Considine welcomes golf course architect Jay Blasi. They discuss Jay's passion for golf, his upbringing in a golf-centric family, and his journey into architecture. Jay shares stories from his childhood, in…
How King Collins Dormer Landed Their Dream Job at Royal Dornoch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:26
In this episode, hosts Matt Considine and Dr. Kevin Moore sit down with renowned golf course architect Rob Collins of King Collins Dormer Design, delving into the proposal and process that won the bid for Royal Dornoch.…