PODCAST · sports
GolfWell Podcast
by Cordie Walker - Formerly Golf Science Lab
Most golfers stay stuck doing the same things. We’re here to change that.Cordie Walker talks with the best coaches, players, and researchers in the game to figure out what actually helps you improve. Then we break it down into simple, practical ideas you can use right away.No jargon. No fluff. Just real conversations, smarter strategies, and tools that move your game forward.If you love the process of getting better and want to train with purpose, this show is for you.
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199
Is Zero Path Actually Bad? Two Coaches Disagree
Is a zero club path actually bad? Justin Kraft and Dr Luke Benoit join the GolfWell podcast to debate club path, face angle, and the flyer lie myth most golfers get wrong.We get into why your 9-iron flies farther than your wedge on a flyer lie, what good ball striking actually means, on-course practice that works, and why so many tour pros draw the driver.Justin Kraft - https://www.instagram.com/kraftygolf/Dr Luke Benoit - https://www.instagram.com/dr.luke.benoit.golf/Check out the post on the flyer lies https://www.instagram.com/p/DY0OwG1EU-h/?img_index=1
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198
Emergency Call With My Coach After a TERRIBLE Tournament
You ever practice for months and then completely fall apart in your first real round? Yeah. Me too.I called Coach Will Robbins right after to break down what actually happens to your body and your brain under tournament pressure — and what to do about it.🏌️ Work with Will → bit.ly/scoringmethod-golfwell (code GOLFWELL)📘 Get The Scoring Edge → https://www.amazon.com/Scoring-Edge-Coaches-Golfwell-Guidebook/dp/B0GR6S11PV📩 Free weekly newsletter → golfwell.co
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197
I'm Training for the US Speed Golf Open (I Don't Run)
Can a scratch golfer who doesn't run compete in the US Speed Golf Open? 80 days to find out.The Garmin watches are awesome for fitness AND golf - https://creatorlink.shop/4mW5uedThis is Episode 1 of Chasing Opens. Scott Dawley held the speed golf world record (65 in 42 minutes) and runs Speedgolf USA. He's coaching me through what might be the dumbest thing I've ever signed up for.🏃 Speedgolf USA: https://speedgolfusa.comScott Dawley: https://www.instagram.com/scottdawleygolf/0:00 — The challenge1:00 — What is speed golf?5:55 — How speed golf scoring works9:30 — The "shot box" and why seconds matter11:54 — Training plan for a non-runner15:14 — Scott's world record round (65 in 42 min)17:24 — Golf and fitness at that level22:10 — How to actually practice speed golf26:34 — Club selection strategy (5 clubs only)31:00 — Race day strategy36:36 — How to try speed golf yourself#speedgolf #golf #chasingopens
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196
The Fitness Shift Every Golfer Needs To Make (with Dr. Joe Lacaze)
We got the chance to sit down with Dr. Joe Lacaze (inventor of Rotex) to talk about why it is so effective in activating the golf swing so quickly and efficiently. Use code GOLFWELL10 for a discount when picking up the ROTEXMotionCombo Bundle https://bit.ly/rotexgolf
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195
Fast Eddie Fernandes: Training, Speed & Performance Secrets
Fast Eddie Fernandes joins the podcast to break down how he started and maintains his training for an elite swing speed, what it takes to become a long drive golfer, and how he structures his workouts and recovery to stay at the top of his game.We dive into how Eddie approaches strength, mobility, and durability in the gym in his 50's and what his recovery looks like as well. Whether you're chasing more distance or just want to train like a high-level athlete, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.If you’ve ever wondered what goes into producing 200+ mph ball speed—this is it.
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194
Scott Fawcett responds to comments about DECADE Golf!
Scott Fawcett answers your comments from our two-video series at Old Memorial - course management, aiming off middle of the green, lag putting drills, wind math, and why "just hit it at the middle" isn't good enough.👉 Get DECADE: https://decade.golf — use code CORDIE for a discount
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193
Honest Takes on the Best PGA Show 2026 Equipment
I talked with Jake from Fully Equipped Golf at Golf.com and we went over all things PGA Show 2026. We talk through everything we liked and would potentially use in our own golf game and training.
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192
Justin Kraft Responds To Critics and Comments About the Modern Golf Swing
Watch the video that started the conversation → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkl5agGLkck@kraftygolf_ broke down the modern pattern he teaches: shallow arm mechanics + steep body mechanics. Controlling the clubface, shallowing the club in transition, and staying in posture while you rotate through the ball. This sparked a lot of discussion around these mechanics and who can use them in their own game. We took the time to go through some of the most engaging comments from the video to explain or give insight to how people can utilize aspects of this type of swing when they practice and play. 📩 Want more instruction like this every Thursday? Join the free Golfwell Weekly: https://golfwell.co
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191
Bettinardi Reveals the Real Story Behind ARMLOCK PUTTING
If you’ve ever wondered why armlock putting didn’t completely take over the game, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for. I sat down with Sam Bettinardi to unpack the real story behind the first mass-market armlock putter, how Matt Kuchar helped shape its design, and what Bettinardi learned after more than a decade of building these putters.We dig into the prototypes, the early challenges, the seven-degree loft decision, the offset, and why this thing almost looks like a chipper. More importantly, Sam explains why armlock saw a surge of early hype in 2013 but never became the dominant putting style many expected.⛳ In This Episode:• How the armlock idea started with Matt Kuchar• Why Bettinardi built 25+ prototypes before finding the right design• The reason early armlocks looked like wedges• The secret behind the “ski-pole” shaft• Why armlock exploded after the USGA anchoring ban• Who should (and shouldn’t) use armlock today• Inside Kuchar’s reverse armlock setup• Why long/broomstick putters are rising againWhether you’re curious about alternative putting styles, struggling with short putts, or just love club design stories, this one’s packed with insights.Get the best golf content every week, right in your inbox! 👉 https://golfwell.co/👍 Like the video if this helped you.💬 Comment your putting style — Armlock? Long Putter? Standard?📌 Subscribe for more gear breakdowns and putting tech stories.
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190
Broomstick vs. Armlock: David Orr’s No-BS Guide to Smarter Putting
Have you ever wondered if a broomstick or armlock putter could actually make putting easier? 🤔 In this episode, putting coach David Orr of Flatstick Academy breaks down the science, biomechanics, and psychology behind alternative putting styles — from the claw to lead-arm lock to broomstick.🎙️ This is part of our Alternative Putting Series on the GolfWell Podcast— where we talk with the best minds in golf about how to improve your game, one stroke at a time.💡 Learn from David Orr:Check out more drills, lessons, and advanced putting concepts at FlatstickAcademy.com
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189
The Truth About the Long Putter (ft. Lucas Glover)
The long putter is back... and Lucas Glover is a big reason why. After years of battling the yips, Glover found a new weapon that completely transformed his game.We break down the rise of the long putter, how it helped Glover win back-to-back tournaments, and what makes this putting style so effective. If you’ve ever wondered why more pros are switching to broomsticks, this is the story behind the trend.⛳️ What You’ll Learn:-Why Lucas decided to switch to the long putter-How he built his new setup and technique-The mental side of rebuilding confidence on the greens-What this shift means for the future of putting🎙️ Part of GolfWell’s Series on Alternative Putting StylesWe’re exploring everything from arm lock to broomstick — and what’s really working for the best putters in the game.
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188
Why Pros Are Switching to Sweepers: LAB CEO Sam Hahn Explains
Is the future of putting already here?LAB Golf CEO Sam Hahn joins us to break down the rise of broomstick and sweeper putters — from Adam Scott’s early switch to Lucas Glover’s breakout wins. We dive into the tech behind LAB’s designs, why graphite shafts changed everything, and Sam’s controversial take on armlock putting. If you’ve ever wondered why more pros (and amateurs) are going long, this episode is for you.⛳ Topics covered:-How LAB Golf first built sweeper putters-Tour moments that sparked the revolution-Why shaft tech matters for consistency-Heavy vs. light head weight philosophy-The future of sweepers vs. armlockGet the best golf content every week, right in your inbox! 👉 https://golfwell.co/
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187
Should You Switch to Armlock Putting? (Ping Expert Explains)
Thinking about switching to an armlock putter? In this episode, we dive deep into all things armlock putting with Marty Jertson, VP of Fitting & Performance at Ping. We cover everything you need to know:-Why armlock works and who it helps most-The big drawback that golfers overlook-Best specs (length, loft, head weight) for armlock putters-How it stacks up against broomstick/long putters-Training drills to dial in start-line and lag putting-Insights from Ping on their latest armlock designsWhether you’re fighting the yips, chasing more stability on short putts, or just curious about alternative putting styles, this conversation gives you the full picture, straight from one of golf’s leading experts.👉 Subscribe for more deep-dive episodes on putting, gear, and performance.👉 Comment: Have you tried armlock putting, and what’s your experience?
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186
Coach Will Answers Critics: Does the Scoring Method Really Work?
Want to lower your golf scores without rebuilding your swing? Coach Will explains the Scoring Method-how smarter decisions, better course management, and simple drills can help golfers of all levels break 80, avoid big numbers, and finally play consistent golf.From breaking 80 without obsessing over swing changes to avoiding costly triple bogeys with smarter course management, this episode dives into the real purpose behind the system.We tackle the biggest criticisms head-on:-Is the Scoring Method only for beginners or high handicaps?-How can you “keep it in play” if you slice everything?-What’s more important: swing mechanics or scoring IQ?-Why bogey avoidance matters more than birdie hunting.-Practical drills: wedges at 25/50/75/100 yards, go-to clubs, and dispersion mapping.Whether you’re a 25-handicap or a single-digit player, you’ll learn how better decisions—not just better swings-can transform your game.📌 Topics include: course strategy, short game benchmarks, practice purpose, real player stories, and insights from coaches like Scott Fawcett and Mark Broadie.If you want to lower scores, reduce frustration, and finally understand what “scoring” really means in golf, this episode is for you.📩 Want more instruction like this every Thursday? Join the free Golfwell Weekly: https://golfwell.co
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185
Are You Gripping Your Golf Club Wrong?
How tight should you hold the golf club? Is it really a “3 out of 10” like you’ve always heard… or is there more to the story?In this episode, we break down brand-new research on grip pressure with insights from Liam Mucklow, who has studied golfers of every skill level using pressure-sensor grips. From Tour pros to slicers and high-handicappers, we’ll show you what really happens with the hands at setup, transition, and impact - and why most golfers get it wrong.You’ll see why:-Tour pros grip firmer than you think (and why their “3/10” isn’t yours)-High-handicappers often grip too lightly and lose control of the club-Hooks and slices both come from hand pressure patterns gone wrong-Grip strength and even grip size can change your swing speed and contactThis is practical, research-backed info you can use the next time you tee it up.📩 Want more instruction like this every Thursday? Join the free Golfwell Weekly: https://golfwell.co
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184
How to Practice So Your Range Swing Survives Tournament PRESSURE
Ever wonder why your perfect range swing falls apart the second you tee off in a tournament? 🏌️♂️ This video reveals the real reason - and how to fix it starting today. I sit down with performance coach Dr. Luke Benoit @rypgolf to uncover exactly why your golf swing changes under pressure - and how to finally take your practice swing to the course.Learn more about Ryp and the Ryp Ignite program here - https://rypgolf.com/pages/ryp-igniteWe break down:-The real reason your swing collapses in competition-The 3 training stages (Workshop, Lab, Arena) that build consistency-How to use pressure practice drills to bulletproof your swing-Mental strategies to stop overthinking and trust your game-Drills that simulate tournament pressure so your swing holds up when it matters mostWhether you’re chasing a club championship, playing in your first amateur event, or just trying to beat your buddies, these tips will help you swing with confidence when the stakes are high.⛳ Watch now and learn how to:-Fix your golf swing under pressure-Build a consistent swing that transfers from range to tournament-Use mental game strategies for better scoring
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183
What Pros Do (and You Shouldn’t) Before a Golf Trip
It’s Open Championship week — and we’re talking all things prep, practice, and the gear moves players make when it matters most.Nico Darras is back for a wide-ranging conversation on how pros get ready for majors, the difference between sticking with your stock shot or adapting to links golf, why some players tinker with gear (and why most of us shouldn’t), and the weird things wind does to your short game in Scotland.We also dive into amateur golf trip prep — how to actually practice before your buddies' trip, why “golf shape” is real, and the unspoken rules around bags, headcovers, merch, and yes… staff bags.If you’re into golf, gear, tour talk, or just love a good rant about golf trip etiquette — this one’s for you.🎧 Follow for more conversations on golf practice, tour insights, and playing your best. Podcast & newsletter powered by GolfWell.
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182
I Asked a Golf Scientist How to Get Faster… Here’s What He Said
We’re diving deep into golf speed training with Dr. Alex Ehlert, a sports scientist who works with players of all levels at PGA Frisco. In this episode, we break down the mechanics of speed, how to structure a smart training session, and the real-world journey of adding 10+ mph to your swing. Whether you're trying to break through a plateau or just figuring out how to swing faster without losing control, this conversation is packed with insights. Dr. Alex shares the most effective physical predictors of speed (spoiler: vertical jump impulse), how to train your body to move faster, and why speed sticks can be more than just a “go fast” tool. This one is for the golfers who want to better understand their body, biomechanics, and how to actually train for lasting speed. Watch or listen to the truth about plateaus in swing speed, what your jump says about your golf potential, how to build your engine and express it on the course, a science-backed breakdown of grip strength, mobility, and rotational force, and also how to structure a 45-minute speed session that delivers results. Podcast & newsletter powered by GolfWell.
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181
How Tour Pros Really Practice Wedge Play (And Why You Should Rethink Yours)
Ever wondered why tour pros rarely hit 60-yard wedge shots? Or why amateurs obsess over yardages that the best in the world actively avoid? In this episode of the Golf Well Podcast, host Cordie Walker sits down with Dr. Nico Darras of Golf Blueprint to unpack the real data, strategies, and myths behind distance wedge play. From launch angles and spin control to wind math and why setup is everything, this conversation dives deep into what the pros actually practice and how you can apply those insights to your game. They also explore how to think like a pro when it comes to decision-making, shot shaping, and course management. Plus, Nico shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with elite players and how Golf Blueprint is helping everyday golfers build smarter training plans. Whether you're working on your 60-yard shot or trying to understand how wind really impacts your ball, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fun stories from the tour. Subscribe for weekly golf performance content and insights from some of the game's best coaches. Follow Nico: @golf__blueprint Visit: golfblueprint.com
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180
Two Drivers in the Bag?! Here’s Why It’s Actually Genius
What if the 3-wood is the most overrated club in your bag?In this episode of the Golf Well podcast, I sit down with Marty Jertson, VP of Fitting & Performance at Ping, to talk about the rise of the Thriver—a shorter, higher-lofted second driver that's replacing fairway woods for tour players like Neil Shipley and Preston Summerhays.We break down:– Why the 3-wood is becoming obsolete for high-speed players– How a Thriver setup can drastically improve accuracy off the tee– Fitting insights using Ping’s in-house strokes gained calculator– Why your course strategy might need a total re-think– How to build one yourself (or get it built the right way)This might be the most under-the-radar gear trend in golf right now—and after hearing this, you might want to build one yourself.
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179
Decoding Shot Shaping & Iron Size: Dr Sasho MacKenzie breaks down new research
Get ready for a deep dive into the science of golf with Dr. Sasho MacKenzie. In this episode, we cover it all, from the surprising impact of iron size on shot shaping to advanced concepts in swing mechanics. Here’s what you’ll learn as we recap the World Scientific Congress of Golf: - Why smaller irons might not always be better for shaping shots - The surprising truths about club kinetics and how they influence your swing - The science behind face-to-path variability and what it means for your game - How ground interaction affects your wedge play more than you think - A fascinating analogy involving car doors and swing speed (yes, really!) - Tips for testing different swing thoughts and stance setups for maximum speed - The unexpected ways putter weighting can affect your stroke consistency - What Dr. MacKenzie is researching next, including groundbreaking studies on ground reaction forces
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178
3 Unique Insights from the 2024 World Scientific Congress of Golf w/ Dr Paul Wood
In this episode, Dr. Paul Wood, Vice President of Engineering at Ping and President of the Golf Science Organization, discuss insights from the recent World Scientific Congress of Golf. They delve into various research topics, including the physics of putting on sloping surfaces, technological advancements in measuring putting dynamics and the latest buzz in the research community.
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177
Smylie Kaufman shares the success in keeping it simple
After Tony Ruggiero and Smylie Kaufman reflect on their years working together – Smylie was one of the best students Tony ever had. Smylie shares the secret to his success it was his understanding of his swing and keeping his focus simple, by having three to four things he’d monitor. They dive into specific techniques and approaches, as well as the best advice he’s ever received, what the best players can do and how his greatest strengths as a player have helped him in broadcasting.
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176
Ralph Bauer: What you need to know about putting
Ralph Bauer and Tony talk all things putting. He explains where he starts when work with tour players, it’s changing their perspective to understanding how they missed is due to misreading instead of pushing or pulling. He talks about his new app, and how it solves the missing part to putting better is reading the greens better. The technology accelerates what would take years into weeks. They also discuss which grip is best for your putting, and the data he found from testing twelve tour players on left to righters and right to lefters. This episode is full of ways to improve your putting, and stories from Ralph and Tony on how they’ve helped players improve over the years.
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175
Akshay Bhatia: The Journey to Playing Pro at 17
Tony has Tour Player, Akshay Bhatia, on the show this week. Tony shares what really stood out to him about Akshay. They talk about his journey and choices with turning Pro at 17 years old. The uncharted challenges he struggled with and how he’s worked through them the past two years. He talks about the amazing coaches that have helped on the journey, and what he’s learned from playing with some of the greatest in the game: Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Bill Haas, Bryson DeChambeau and many more.
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174
Science Behind the Swing w/ Michael Jacobs
Michael Jacobs - 50 Best Teacher in America by Golf Digest, and top 100 Teacher in America by Golf Magazine; shares his journey, with Tony Ruggiero to creating his own research software and what the Jacobs 3D team is working on now. Teaching for 22 years, Michael explains how his focus changed and the 2 steps to becoming a great coach if you’re just starting out. Tony and Michael also discuss the culture of golf instruction and the great modern debate of pushing vs. pulling on the back of the shaft and so much more.
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173
Integrating Athletics into Golf Training w/ Shaun Webb
This week’s guest is Shaun Webb - he’s a top 100 teacher, been coaching for 20 years and has achieved great success with his business Athletic Motion Golf. Athletic Motion Golf integrates other sports' exercises and drills to golf instruction. He also studies the commonalities of great players to incorporate and improve the uniqueness of each student. Tony and Shaun share four different similarities of great players, they also talk about what it takes to become a successful coach. This episode is loaded with great teaching techniques and experience.
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172
Attention of Focus - External vs. Internal Cues
We sit down with Luke Benoit, a renowned instructor and Founder of Ryp Golf, the inventor of Rypstick, a speed training tool. He's done interesting work in the fields of attention of focus and learning. There's tons of GREAT info to help you train and play better.
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171
Improve Your Ball Striking (Week 3)
This week we have the pleasure of sitting down with Trillium Rose. She shares her perspective on the foundations of great ball striking, helping her players understand their unique tendencies, the value of saving the data, making the most of feedback and having a go-to shot. Trillium is the Director of Instruction at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland and she’s been recognized by Golf Digest as one of “The 50 Best Teachers in America,” and a “Top 50 Master Kids Teacher” by U.S. Kids Golf. This episode is FULL of fantastic information.
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170
Using Stress for Better Practice
Brady Riggs joins Tony Ruggiero from our partner podcast, The Tour Coach. Brady has been recognized as a Top 100 Teacher for the past 13 years, and was inducted into the Southern California PGA Teaching Hall of Fame, in 2017. Alongside of coaching Tour Players, he's added Director of Instruction at Hualalai Golf Hale. Tony and Brady talk in depth about his practice strategies - 'Combine-arama', and utilizing stress - as well as the evolution of teaching.
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169
What is collaborative coaching and is it effective?
Drew Steckel sits down with our partner, Tour Coach with Tony Ruggiero. Drew has been recognized as one of the Best Young Coaches by Golf Digest - he shares his journey to coaching Tour Players and his keys to being a great coach. Tony and Drew talk in depth about being on tour, what are the most effective ways of coaching.
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168
Improve Your Ball Striking [Week 2]
This week we talked to Mike Malaska about what is good Ball Striking. He shares three super specific ways that you can improve your ball striking in practice. This discussion has tons of insight, great stories, helpful tools for you to check out. Use our discount code GSL for $75 off links.rapsodo.com/gsl-website-mlm-75off
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167
3 Ways to Improve Your Ball Striking
We are kicking off a new series today; it's all about ball striking. How can we do that more effectively? We have tons of accessibility to feedback with golf technology, but how do we use it to improve our ball striking. To kick off this series, we have Tony Ruggiero sharing what he is paying attention to when it comes to his Tour Pros and their ball striking - full of great info. Use our discount code GSL for $75 off http://links.rapsodo.com/gsl-website-mlm-75off
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166
RESEARCH: Insights into Virtual Reality and Golf Practice
We talk with Dr. David Harris who works at the University of Exeter in the UK, he’s a researcher in psychology and specifically interested in skill acquisition. He's done a lot of research in the world of VR, and has some conducted studies on quiet eye with VR equipment, and experimented with using VR as a way to practice. He offers insightful and relevant conclusions in terms of technology and sports.
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165
Chris Como talks Coaching Tour Players with Tony Ruggiero
Our Partner, Tour Coach with Tony Ruggiero had the chance to sit down with Chris Como. Como shares what he's learned from his coaching career, why Bryson and him work well together, his favorite players to watch, and what he does first when working with a new tour player.
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164
Masters Week with Chris O'Connell, Jamie Mulligan and Jeff Smith
Masters Roundtable with three amazing coaches: Jeff Smith, he works with Viktor Hovland, Chris O'Connell, who works with Matt Kuchar and Jamie Mulligan who works with Patrick Cantlay. They each have a ton of insights into how they're preparing for the masters - what they're doing beforehand, what they're doing there while on-site and some insights in strategy, jam packed with insights.
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163
RESEARCH: Quiet Eye's Direct Correlation to Better Putting
This installment is part two of our conversation with Gal Ziv. If you didn’t catch the first part, make sure you go back and give it a listen – there’s some really interesting stuff we talk about that’s sure to pique your curiosity. Today, we’re going to talk about gaze behavior and the quiet eye. The quiet eye as described by Gal, is “the final fixation on a specific area in your visual field before a critical movement.” In golf, this is usually your last look at the ball before you hit a shot. Gal’s research has found that the best players in the world have longer quiet eyes than amateurs. In other words, “they fixate on the golf ball for a longer duration before they putt… and they maintain it longer.” Gal has applied the principle of the quiet eye in his research of people putting. He’s found that golfers of all levels have longer quiet eyes on successful putts and shorter quiet eyes on unsuccessful putts. What makes this interesting is that the concept of the quiet eye is something that can be taught. He then goes on to describe what that training looks like. Keep in mind that in order to do this, an eye tracker is needed. To begin, a golfer starts in their address position and gazes at the ball. After the student looks at the hole and is comfortable with where they’re aimed, they fixate on the ball for two to three seconds. From there, the stroke begins, and the fixation point of the golf doesn’t change. The tendency for most golfers is to look up from the ball before they’ve made contact. Gal’s research shows that this is a sign of a “busy brain.” I asked Gal why he thought the quiet eye was so important in putting. He said there is more than one theory. First, the preprogramming hypothesis maintains that “once your eyes are fixated on the ball… you give your brain time to calculate and plan the correct movement.” The second theory is that “during the putt… if something isn’t right, you still have time to correct it.” Lastly, the inhibition hypothesis maintains that “quiet eye time gives you time to pick the option you think is optimal…” When I asked Gal if the quiet eye concept translated to other areas of the game like full shots, he said that there’s more research that needs to be done. However, theoretically speaking, there’s no reason the same idea shouldn’t apply. Gal has some interesting suggestions on how you can implement the quiet eye practice into your putting. First, he says people have to understand that it’s not easy in the beginning. However, “after 10 or 20 repetitions…” it’s not that tough. One of the best ways to do this is to “maintain a journal.” This will help you see if it helps you or not. For most people, improvement will be gradual, it doesn’t happen in a single day. Once again, Gal shared some really interesting information with us. We can’t thank him enough for his time and hope to hear more about future work he’s doing in the future. Thanks for taking time to hang out with us here on the GSL Podcast. We have more exciting content on the way so stay tuned!
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162
RESEARCH: Do your expectations ACTUALLY impact your results?
In this installment of the GSL podcast, we’re going to take a deep dive into research as it pertains to golf and human behavior. As you know, we’re firm believers in data, backed by science. Our goal is to deliver it to you in a way that helps you better understand the game of golf and play your best. We’re privileged to be joined by Gal Ziv who has done a lot of work on “gaze behavior and enhanced or diminished expectancies.” This conversation is being broken down into two parts. In this first part, we’re going to explore enhanced or diminished expectancies. In a nutshell, we’re talking about “do you think you’re doing well in your practice, or do you think that you’re not doing well?” Our conversation begins with Gal describing an add-on he did to a study done about enhanced or diminished expectations. In this study, Gal wanted to know ‘if participants were given easier criteria for success, would it help them perform and learn better?” With that premise in mind, it was important to make the distinction between performance and learning. “Performance is everything you do right now… Learning is the long-term retention… of what you practice.” For this study, two circles were placed on a putting green, one smaller and one bigger. The goal for participants was to land the ball in the circle. One group of golfers was used for each circle. As expected, the group of golfers hitting putts to the larger circle had more immediate success. Two days later, the participants went through the same process from the same distance. Then, they repeated the process from slightly farther away. Again, the group hitting putts to the larger circle performed better. In short, the conclusion was that participants given easier criteria for success both performed and retained better. I asked Gal if “does this same principle carry out through any task or skill that folks are learning outside of golf?” Gal says that the results are little mixed, especially based on some similar studies done with darts and billiards. This is likely because “human behavior is a very complex thing… there are so many variables… personal traits, anxiety, reaction time, the difficulty of the task…” As far as this study is concerned, Gal looked at PGA Tour statistics and found that “even for the best putters, above a certain threshold of distance from the hole, putting statistics dropped.” Gal wonders if this threshold of distance is different based on a golfer’s skill level. He’s also quick to point out that the conditions in the lab for this experiment were done on flat surfaces that might not mirror the realities golfers face having to account for other variables like break. My next question for Gal was “would you suggest that we carry this concept beyond putting, like an iron shot, or hitting a driver… in a coaching scenario?” Gal says the simple answer is yes. “There is a great potential for this to help people in golf… It’s going to be up to the coach to stay on top the literature that is added all the time…” He also acknowledges that people have a limited amount of time to practice. The key is to make the most of that time with the best evidence-based practice. From a coaching standpoint, Gal emphasizes the role of positive feedback versus negative feedback. This isn’t just from the coach, but also from the perceived feedback the student is getting from their practice.
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161
Sean Foley: Most Candid Coaching Conversation You'll Hear
We're sharing an episode from Tour Coach. Tonny Ruggiero and Sean Foley discuss candidly about how quickly coaching and pro golf is changing.
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160
ACCURACY... How do you find it?
Adam Young, Jon Sherman, and Cordie Walker have a practical conversation about gaining accuracy in your golf game and what it actually means.
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159
Viktor Hovland: How to Prepare for a Major
We sit down with Viktor Hovland to talk about how he's getting ready for the US Open at Winged Foot. We talk about what he's working on in his golf swing and the strategy he takes toward choosing targets and right clubs around a US Open venue.
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158
How a Tour Pro makes a Swing Change w/ Mark Blackburn (revisited)
Two questions we need to talk about when we look at the golf swing. #1 - When do you make a swing change and #2 - How do we do it. PGA tour coach Mark Blackburn talks about his process and how it played out while working with Kevin Chappell.
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157
Distance Hacks w/ Clay Ballard (revisited)
Today we’re talking through some unique concepts to explore if you want to increase distance and gain club head speed.
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156
Should You Chase MORE Distance? Adam Young + Jon Sherman of Practical Golf
We look at 3 steps to gaining more distance and how to do it. Adam Young and Jon Sherman (Practical Golf).
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155
Block or Random Practice? Adam Young + Jon Sherman of Practical Golf
Casual conversation about block and random practice with Adam Young and Jon Sherman (Practical Golf).
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154
Swing your own swing?!? Adam Young + Jon Sherman of Practical Golf
Adam Young (author of Practice Manual) and Jon Sherman of Practical Golf join host Cordie Walker for a Q&A session around "swing your own swing".
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153
Eric Cogorno: Golf Instruction Around the Country
This conversation was recorded at Open Forum in January, at the PGA showtime frame. At that time, Eric was traveling around full-time on the road. We talk a little bit about his experiences; they're really unique. I enjoy hearing the different people he's spending time with, what he's learning, all that good stuff. We also talk about some of his teaching and what he’s learned from all his students. He has a huge platform on YouTube and gets a lot of comments, a lot of feedback. And I’m so curious what he has learned from that.
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152
Interesting viewpoint on LEARNING w/ Michael Hebron
Michael Hebron has helped push golf instruction to pay more attention to the brain, how we learn, and improving the practice of golfers all around the world. To back it all up he's been a PGA NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR and TOP 50 INSTRUCTOR GOLF DIGEST AND GOLF MAGAZINE.
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151
Bill Harmon: Crazy stories and realizations from a lifetime in golf
The legendary, Bill Harmon shares with us amazing stories from the Masters and so many years of coaching the best players in the world. He has been a top instructor for years and also a caddie for Jay Haas for 7+ years.
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150
Mike Adams: Why guess when you can measure?
The legendary Mike Adams joins us to help understand different swing types by walking us through some screens to better understand your golf swing.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Most golfers stay stuck doing the same things. We’re here to change that.Cordie Walker talks with the best coaches, players, and researchers in the game to figure out what actually helps you improve. Then we break it down into simple, practical ideas you can use right away.No jargon. No fluff. Just real conversations, smarter strategies, and tools that move your game forward.If you love the process of getting better and want to train with purpose, this show is for you.
HOSTED BY
Cordie Walker - Formerly Golf Science Lab
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