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.
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.
These matches are all really good today. This is the Ryder Cup we thought it would be.
September 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
These matches are all really good today. This is the Ryder Cup we thought it would be.
Gotta think the Nassau Players Club members aren't happy with how their beloved Bethpage Black is playing this weekend.
September 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Gotta think the Nassau Players Club members aren't happy with how their beloved Bethpage Black is playing this weekend.
Apparently, the motivational speech in the US team room for today was the 28-3 Super Bowl comeback. That’s only four scores. The US needs 9.5 scores.
September 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Apparently, the motivational speech in the US team room for today was the 28-3 Super Bowl comeback. That’s only four scores. The US needs 9.5 scores.
Instead of having an envelope, I think the Ryder Cup should go like the NHL emergency goalie they just pull a random guy out of the stands to play.
September 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Instead of having an envelope, I think the Ryder Cup should go like the NHL emergency goalie they just pull a random guy out of the stands to play.
Genuinely excited to watch the first four matches tomorrow.
Too bad it seems like the final result is not really in question.
Too bad it seems like the final result is not really in question.
September 28, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Genuinely excited to watch the first four matches tomorrow.
Too bad it seems like the final result is not really in question.
Too bad it seems like the final result is not really in question.
Is Luke Donald the European captain in 2027?
September 27, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Is Luke Donald the European captain in 2027?
The biggest European win since 1979 is 18.5 to 9.5 in 2004 at Oakland Hills. Just throwing that out there.
September 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The biggest European win since 1979 is 18.5 to 9.5 in 2004 at Oakland Hills. Just throwing that out there.