Golf Performance and Barbell Training with McKenna Murphy | Stronger is Better Podcast #8

Send a textIn Episode 8 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with elite junior golfer McKenna Murphy and her Starting Strength Coach, Pete Troupos, to discuss how barbell training played a critical role in elevating McKenna’s golf performance. From winning the U.S. Kids Teen World Championship to earning a D1 scholarship at South Alabama, McKenna shares her journey and how lifting—particularly squats and deadlifts—directly improved her club head speed, consistency, and endurance on the course.Pete gives insight into programming for a high-level youth athlete and highlights the value of adapting barbell training to support a primary sport rather than compete with it.Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking for that performance edge, this episode showcases how strength training can transform golf—and why it might be the X-factor you’ve overlooked.00:00 – Intro: Meet McKenna Murphy and Coach Pete Troupos01:16 – The link between barbell training and golf performance02:51 – Pete’s coaching background and Starting Strength journey06:05 – McKenna’s athletic background and how she started lifting10:00 – Winning the U.S. Kids Teen World Championship13:56 – How competitive junior golf really is17:14 – Technical vs. mental breakthroughs in tournament play18:58 – Club head speed, consistency, and fatigue resistance21:17 – A 10 mph club head speed gain: how rare is that?24:02 – Pete reflects on tracking performance gains through strength27:45 – Observations from golf coaches and peers32:08 – Why strength needs to come before “golf-specific” training34:00 – Golf as a sport: redefining athleticism37:51 – McKenna’s college schedule: balancing golf and strength41:23 – Adjusting programming around tournaments and travel44:34 – The coach’s role: strength serves the athlete’s goals46:19 – Is golf hard on the body?48:34 – Future plans: McKenna’s goal of turning pro50:51 – 1,400+ swings a week: what elite training volume looks like53:00 – Strength training as the untapped differentiator in golf56:04 – Final thoughts: strength + consistency = performance57:39 – Thanks and closing remarks⸻ 🔗 Brought to you by https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com 🎧 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify 📩 Send feedback or questions to: [email protected]