Brian VanDongen - From the Drop Zone
@fromthedropzone.bsky.social
Conversations you can have over a cocktail in the clubhouse. On a quest to qualify for a state championship.
The PGA Tour’s potential model for 2027 is built on scarcity. Meanwhile, every other major league is expanding.
We break down that contradiction in No 53 of the FTDZ newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
We break down that contradiction in No 53 of the FTDZ newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
The PGA Tour Wants Scarcity ... While Everyone Else Expands
The PGA Tour's new proposed model is unique in the sports world always wanting more.
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The PGA Tour’s potential model for 2027 is built on scarcity. Meanwhile, every other major league is expanding.
We break down that contradiction in No 53 of the FTDZ newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
We break down that contradiction in No 53 of the FTDZ newsletter.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
It’s Cyber Monday and we’re offering 20% off orders $35+ and $15 socks.
It’s our last sale of the long weekend, so now is the time to stock up!
Proceeds support our storytelling, events, newsletters, and more.
SHOP: www.from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
It’s our last sale of the long weekend, so now is the time to stock up!
Proceeds support our storytelling, events, newsletters, and more.
SHOP: www.from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
It’s Cyber Monday and we’re offering 20% off orders $35+ and $15 socks.
It’s our last sale of the long weekend, so now is the time to stock up!
Proceeds support our storytelling, events, newsletters, and more.
SHOP: www.from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
It’s our last sale of the long weekend, so now is the time to stock up!
Proceeds support our storytelling, events, newsletters, and more.
SHOP: www.from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
Our Sunday sale is now live in the Pro Shop!
Get a free pint glass with purchase of a polo (inc. our exclusive Acorn Hills polo) or get a free can cooler with purchase of a t-shirt.
Free item automatically added at checkout. Limit 1 per order.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
Get a free pint glass with purchase of a polo (inc. our exclusive Acorn Hills polo) or get a free can cooler with purchase of a t-shirt.
Free item automatically added at checkout. Limit 1 per order.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our Sunday sale is now live in the Pro Shop!
Get a free pint glass with purchase of a polo (inc. our exclusive Acorn Hills polo) or get a free can cooler with purchase of a t-shirt.
Free item automatically added at checkout. Limit 1 per order.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
Get a free pint glass with purchase of a polo (inc. our exclusive Acorn Hills polo) or get a free can cooler with purchase of a t-shirt.
Free item automatically added at checkout. Limit 1 per order.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com
I know we have a lot of college football rivalries on today, but if you have room for a second or third screen, just a PSA that Golf Channel is running Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf matches all day.
November 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I know we have a lot of college football rivalries on today, but if you have room for a second or third screen, just a PSA that Golf Channel is running Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf matches all day.
Support our small business this Small Business Saturday. Our promotion today is free shipping on orders $100+.
It’s a great day to get your FTDZ gear!
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_8JUQZ_XBNN92D
It’s a great day to get your FTDZ gear!
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_8JUQZ_XBNN92D
November 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Support our small business this Small Business Saturday. Our promotion today is free shipping on orders $100+.
It’s a great day to get your FTDZ gear!
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_8JUQZ_XBNN92D
It’s a great day to get your FTDZ gear!
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_8JUQZ_XBNN92D
Put Keegan on the Ryder Cup team.
November 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Put Keegan on the Ryder Cup team.
Our From the (Price) Drop Zone sales have begun! Each day at 9:00am ET, we’ll launch a new promotion through Cyber Monday.
Today, we’re offering 15% off the entire shop, no minimum. Discount applied at check out.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_K...
Today, we’re offering 15% off the entire shop, no minimum. Discount applied at check out.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_K...
November 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Our From the (Price) Drop Zone sales have begun! Each day at 9:00am ET, we’ll launch a new promotion through Cyber Monday.
Today, we’re offering 15% off the entire shop, no minimum. Discount applied at check out.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_K...
Today, we’re offering 15% off the entire shop, no minimum. Discount applied at check out.
SHOP: from-the-drop-zone-shop.fourthwall.com/promo/AUTO_K...
You can have your Ohio State-Michigan or your Iron Bowl or your Maui Invitational. Thanksgiving weekend sports wasn’t the same without the Skins Game.
But it’s back this year!
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
But it’s back this year!
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
The Skins Game Returns
A golf sicko's favorite Thanksgiving tradition is back.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:14 PM
You can have your Ohio State-Michigan or your Iron Bowl or your Maui Invitational. Thanksgiving weekend sports wasn’t the same without the Skins Game.
But it’s back this year!
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
But it’s back this year!
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Happy 153rd birthday, Donald Ross.
November 23, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Happy 153rd birthday, Donald Ross.
A common rule change thought from golfers is that free relief should be given from a ball in a divot. But no one can define what a divot is under the rules. So play it as it lies.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Play It As It Lies
Because, what exactly is a divot anyway?
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A common rule change thought from golfers is that free relief should be given from a ball in a divot. But no one can define what a divot is under the rules. So play it as it lies.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Today is the end of active golf season in many places, including my home turf in New Jersey. But it’s not a farewell, it’s a see you soon.
Read FTDZ No. 7 from the archive. open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Read FTDZ No. 7 from the archive. open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Farewell, Active Golf Season
It's not good bye, but see you soon.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Today is the end of active golf season in many places, including my home turf in New Jersey. But it’s not a farewell, it’s a see you soon.
Read FTDZ No. 7 from the archive. open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
Read FTDZ No. 7 from the archive. open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
I caught up with Mark the Caddie (@caddietales over on X) to talk about golf and life from the other side of the bag.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Q&A With Mark The Caddie
A conversation with Mark Milatz, a caddie at Whistling Straits (and @caddietales on X)
fromthedropzone.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I caught up with Mark the Caddie (@caddietales over on X) to talk about golf and life from the other side of the bag.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/q-and-a-wi...
Fall ball at Forest Hill.
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Fall ball at Forest Hill.
54 holes. Now one of the core rebellions of LIV (hell, they named their league after the number 54) is gone: tournaments are 72 holes. LIV’s revolution just needed an extra day to get what they want … world ranking points.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/liv-become...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/liv-become...
LIV Becomes Lixy
Or however you pronounce LXXII.
fromthedropzone.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:35 PM
54 holes. Now one of the core rebellions of LIV (hell, they named their league after the number 54) is gone: tournaments are 72 holes. LIV’s revolution just needed an extra day to get what they want … world ranking points.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/liv-become...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/liv-become...
Nothing like a fall home game.
November 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Nothing like a fall home game.
“…that bridge, it has some haunted feel to it.”
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“…that bridge, it has some haunted feel to it.”
I’ll make sure my alarm is set.
October 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I’ll make sure my alarm is set.
Frost delay. One of golf’s most deflating phrases.
But playing on frozen turf can kill the grass and destroy quality course conditions.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/the-pain-a...
But playing on frozen turf can kill the grass and destroy quality course conditions.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/the-pain-a...
The Pain and Purpose of a Frost Delay
Frost and fairways don't mix.
fromthedropzone.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Frost delay. One of golf’s most deflating phrases.
But playing on frozen turf can kill the grass and destroy quality course conditions.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/the-pain-a...
But playing on frozen turf can kill the grass and destroy quality course conditions.
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/the-pain-a...
I haven’t played golf in three weeks. I need to play this weekend before it gets really cold. (I mean, it’s gonna be a high of 60, which isn’t bad, but a November 60 hits different.) But it seems like everyone else has that idea too, since the tee sheets are packkkedddd.
October 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I haven’t played golf in three weeks. I need to play this weekend before it gets really cold. (I mean, it’s gonna be a high of 60, which isn’t bad, but a November 60 hits different.) But it seems like everyone else has that idea too, since the tee sheets are packkkedddd.
MeTEEdeconk National.
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
MeTEEdeconk National.
Somerset Hills at 6,000 feet.
October 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Somerset Hills at 6,000 feet.
I’ve driven past the USGA Museum sign on I-287 more times than I can count, always thinking I’d stop “someday.” A few weeks ago, I finally did.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
I Finally Took Exit 22A Off Of I-287 To Visit the USGA Museum
It's a gem hiding in plain sight.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I’ve driven past the USGA Museum sign on I-287 more times than I can count, always thinking I’d stop “someday.” A few weeks ago, I finally did.
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
open.substack.com/pub/fromthed...
If the last (at least) two years of the Ryder Cup taught us anything, it’s that the captaincy matters. So who should be captain in 2027 for the US team?
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/who-should...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/who-should...
Who Should Be The U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 2027?
And no, it shouldn't be Tiger.
fromthedropzone.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
If the last (at least) two years of the Ryder Cup taught us anything, it’s that the captaincy matters. So who should be captain in 2027 for the US team?
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/who-should...
fromthedropzone.substack.com/p/who-should...
Assuming Burns wins his match, the final score would be 14.5 to 13.5. With the envelope rule giving a withdrawn singles match a tie and therefore a half point. If that counted as a loss, the score would be 14 to 14, with Europe retaining the Cup.
September 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Assuming Burns wins his match, the final score would be 14.5 to 13.5. With the envelope rule giving a withdrawn singles match a tie and therefore a half point. If that counted as a loss, the score would be 14 to 14, with Europe retaining the Cup.
Rolex, please pay for another hour of commercial free golf.
September 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Rolex, please pay for another hour of commercial free golf.