372: Akshay Bhatia Gets Technical On Driver Work, Bunker Play, & His Go-To Cook Out Order

Akshay Bhatia joins Smylie Kaufman and Charlie Hulme for his third appearance on the show (rising up the all-time leaderboard - watch out Justin Thomas and James Nitties!).Fresh off his third straight Tour Championship, Akshay opens up on why he's calling his 2026 season "mediocre," the exact swing changes he's targeting this off-season to fix his driver, and what it would mean to finally crack the top 20 in strokes gained off the tee.Plus: his partnership with caddie Joe Greiner after their first year together, his cross-handed chipping technique and elite bunker play, the mind-blowing way he uses ball speed as a distance control mechanism with his irons, and with a childhood spent in North Carolina - his go-to Cook Out order.Don't forget to like, comment, subscribe, and follow us on socials @thesmylieshow!Chapters0:00 Intro2:00 Magic Shoes?7:07 Ground rules for the dogs at home8:19 NC golf courses & Cook Out order11:38 2026 season reflection14:05 Marriage & life at 2416:22 Tour friend group & housing18:33 Tuesday money games20:39 Three straight Tour Championships23:04 Caddie Joe Greiner25:33 Driver rebuild for 202733:00 Playing golf with Joe34:44 Cross-handed chipping technique40:49 Ball-speed feel for distance43:28 Best bunker player on tour?46:54 Lining up the golf ball51:30 Sign-off & Japan trip#golf #pgatour #akshaybhatia #smylieshow