The Meaning of Golf

On the drive home from Sand Valley Andy and Jantzen recap their hickory matches at Sand Valley. They discuss adjusting to the clubs, competing with hickories, and the differences between playing with hickory and modern equipment. 

In a very special car episode, Andy is joined by Jantzen Miserak on their drive up to Sand Valley as they weigh whether to play hickory or modern golf clubs on their trip. Andy describes an experience of divine intervention, and the two reminisce about past hickory golf memories.

Dasa tells the story of her putting struggles this season. She discusses the process of trying to find the answer when things stop working. Dasa and Andy discuss the golden statue story, finding your baseline, and how to make changes without getting to mechanical.

Dasa and Andy lay out two different ways of playing golf: one that is playing in True Gravity, and another that leads to Frustration, Pain, and Suffering.

Andy and Dasa continue their search for defining what happens when peak performance occurs. They discuss theories from Interstellar, the band Bleachers, and Golf in the Kingdom.

Dasa and Andy continue a conversation about what actually leads to peak performance. If it's not confidence and feeling good about your swing, then what actually matters? They discuss a theory of linking motion to outcome, and get help from Interstellar and Albert Einstein along the way.

Daniel Johnson rejoins the podcast after a recent trip to Scotland. He discusses his experience playing golf in Scotland for the first time at courses Elie, New Course, Dumbarnie. They also discuss the magic of golf and how Scotland helps you find the soul of the game.

Dasa joins Andy as he shares about a recent round: a stroke play event with live scoring. Andy talks about nerves and preparation going into the event, as well as how to play and what to focus on when the pressure increases.

Dasa and Andy will be back later in the week. For now, have a listen to a 2022 episode about a very special tournament played in 1964.  Jantzen Miserak and Peter Donahue join Andy to discuss half sets, shot making, creativity, and more!

Dasa joins Andy as he shares a recap of two days of golf at Erin Hills.

Dasa joins Andy as he recaps  his latest round of golf-- and uses a lesson from Seinfeld to make sense of it all. They end by recapping the first ever Meaning of Golf School— which was a resounding success! Andy and Dasa will do the school again in June. Don’t miss it!

Dasa and Andy begin by talking about the upcoming "Meaning of Golf School." Then Dasa recaps her first round using fewer than 14 clubs. She made a lot of birdies, and a lot of bogeys. They discuss her club choices, make adjustments. Andy shares about his time with the loft/lie machine, gifted clubs, and an old putter. They end by discussing the 14 Club Corporate Conspiracy, and suggest that maybe the pros are playing too many clubs.

Andy gives Dasa an update on the state of his lost clubs. They discuss putting together a new set of golf clubs, and explore how a person's clubs could help bring more freedom, simplicity and fun to there game, therefore lowering their score.

Pete Leinenweber joins Dasa and Andy to discuss a theory from French philosopher Jacques Lacan: the imaginary, symbolic, and the real. This theory gives a lens for which to see the world in all its depth and complexity. In comparing it to golf they question if its the bad shots, not the good ones, that keep people playing golf and give golf its flavor.

Andy shares a recap from his trip to New Club Golf Society's Spring Meeting at Sweetens Cove. He and Dasa discuss the golf course, competition, community, and what makes Sweetens Cove such a special place.

Dasa and Andy discuss "The Work" -- a process of examining your thoughts and reality developed by Byron Katie. They broadly discuss the theory and then apply it to various thoughts golfers have that cause them suffering.

Dasa and Andy discuss their early outdoor golf matches. They discuss their rounds and how they're feeling about their golf. They end by discussing the need for patience and commitment for best performance.

Andy and Dasa discuss lessons from the 2026 Masters- goal setting, perspective, expectations, and more!

Dasa and Andy discuss a listener question asking what to do when their round actually matters, like in a tournament or qualifier. They discuss "Golf Without Why," other philosophies, the Bible, and more!

Daniel Warren Johnson joins the podcast and gives the show's first ever cold open about a memorable caddy at Whistling Straits. Then he talks with Dasa and Andy about shooting his personal best score, and how to manage goals and expectations going forward.

Dasa and Andy begin by recapping the final of the TGP Staff Championship. They then discuss mindsets, and how certain approaches can help or hurt performance. Andy suggests that it's a good idea not to associate your identity with your score. The pair end by recapping Andy's first outdoor round this year, and contrast it with his infamous failure in Mexico in 2024.

Dasa and Andy begin by discussing the TGP Staff Championship tournament before getting into a conversation about swing thoughts. Andy shares his experience finding new swing thoughts, and an experiment doing the opposite on purpose. Are swing thoughts needed? If so, how can we hit good shots with no thoughts at all? How do we find the balance?

Andy and Dasa look forward to the outdoor golf season and discuss how to bring some of their philosophies out to the course. They discuss keeping score, golf without why, suffering, fun, joy, and more!

Dasa and Andy discuss Shane Lowry, Viktor Frankl, and finding meaning in the bad shots.

In this episode, Andy and Dasa are joined by the show's Harvey Pekar - Daniel Warren Johnson - to hear the story of Andy's journey of golf and his search for meaning in golf and life. Andy shares personal stories, transformative experiences, and the deeper meanings he has found over the last 15 years.

Peter Donahue joins Andy and Dasa for a wide ranging conversation looking back on the history of the podcast, Peter's latest swing discoveries, song lyrics on losing, and much more! 

In this episode Andy and Dasa begin by challenging the way golfers typically talk about their golf - more like a medical autopsy than coming from a place of joy and curiosity. Since golfers are typically taught to fix themselves, Andy offers 10 questions to help people recognize what makes their game unique, and give them a different perspective to play from.

In a special episode - Daniel takes the reigns of podcast host, and asks Andy and Dasa some questions. They share stories of worst rounds, crying in the parking lot, and the suffering that comes when playing with people who are better than you.

Dasa and Andy discuss the joy and magic inherent in the game of golf. From a beginner overcoming the shanks, to Jenny hitting a 200 yard drive, the game is full of magic if we pay attention. They explore why golf analysis treats rounds of golf the same way the doctors in "The Pitt" treat a dead body, and talk about why this common approach may be causing more harm than good. They end by suggesting that not trying to fix things could be the first step to improvement for every golfer.

Dasa and Andy welcome special guest Daniel Warren Johnson. Daniel is a comic book artist and has found a new obsession with golf. This wide ranging conversation covers Daniel's history with the game as well as a life changing round at Torrey Pines. Daniel even helps Dasa in her search for meaning with the game.

The Golf Practice Podcast is back with a new name! In this episode, Andy and Dasa discuss drawings from golf aficionado and comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson that bring back a view of the golf swing that has been lost. Andy shares how these drawings have changed his life! He has a new perspective on the golf swing, making changes, and is generally a more self accepting person.

Dasa joins Andy as he shares some theories and philosophies about finding non-religious meaning in Christmas. They then have a wide ranging discussion about finding meaning and. purpose in the ordinary.

Dasa joins Andy as he shares about joining Facebook and spending time in the comments section of Michael Hebron's page. Then the two discuss how they have been applying Hebron's principles of self-guided learning to their own lessons and programs at The Golf Practice.

Andy Hayes is joined by Dasa Urbankova and Peter Donahue for a deep conversation about finding meaning in golf and in life. Dasa shares her first post-college season, Q-School, the US Mid-Am, and the unsettling feeling of not knowing what golf means without tournaments. From Czech hip hop dance battles to Victor Frankl and the idea of “doing it without applause,” the three explore competition, curiosity, creativity, and whether we can learn to play golf, and live life, more for its own sake than for outcomes.

Pete L. and Dasa join Andy to interrogate him over his recent blurry golf swing videos he has posted online. Andy shares his motivations, and they have a larger conversation about social media in general, and what gets attention.

Peter Donahue joins Andy as they continue their recap of their 2025 golf season. Andy shares how he finally figured out his driver, but it didn't lead to the better scores he was expecting.

Peter Donahue joins Andy to recap his year of golf. They discuss dealing with change, learning from experience, and much more!

Andy and Dasa talk about a quote from Ben Hogan and how they are trying to apply it to business, life, and golf.

In the final episode of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game, Dasa joins Andy to share her experience playing at the US Women's Mid Am golf tournament, and how she was able to practice playing "Without Why." They give examples and suggestions of how others could play golf "Without Why" and discuss the benefits of experience and performance that can come along with it.

Dasa joins Andy as they discuss some lingering question surrounding the details and practice of playing golf without why.

Dasa and Andy sit down for part three of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game. In this episode Andy shares a poem about a rose, and a story about musicians aboard the Titanic as he presents his theory of Playing Golf Without Why.

Dasa joins Andy for the second part of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game. In this episode they discuss "The Hum" and "The Lack," two competing philosophies that provide a lens to view golf and all of its mental game theories through. Is there ultimate goodness or suffering in the deepest parts of the game?

Andy is joined by Dasa on the podcast as they search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game.They have studied and tried out many theories, but they all seem to fall short in one way or another. In this episode they cover some popular ideas, and share about past successes and failures with various mental game philosophies. They end by discussing the Hum of golf, and hides from Irish philosopher Peter Rollins - searching for a lens that all other ideas could be viewed through.

In this episode, Pete L, Dasa, and Andy dive deep into Scottie Scheffler’s recent comments about success not fulfilling the deepest desires of his heart. They explore the difference between chasing results and finding joy in the process, both in golf and in life. The conversation ranges from Tiger vs. Scottie’s mental approach to the idea that nothing external can truly satisfy us. Along the way, they share personal updates, struggles, and reflections from their own summer golf journeys.

Andy is joined by Dasa as they dive into the mental journey of golf, exploring the tension between searching for swing perfection and finding freedom in simply “swinging your swing.” They discuss concepts like tuning into “the hum,” gratitude on the course, and how life’s everyday moments—like kids eating waffles on the bed—mirror the challenges of staying present in golf. Through candid stories, swing experiments, and philosophical reflections, they remind listeners that golf is as much about self-discovery as it is about scores.

Andy, Pete L, and Dasa are back on the pod talking about how working at The Golf Practice has impacted their own games. Dasa opens up about a rare rough round, experimenting with new putting mechanics from Stan Utley, and the tension between coaching and playing. They get into swing changes, chasing speed, when (or if) to make adjustments, and how AI might fit into the coaching mix.

Andy is joined by Peter Donahue as they discuss their latest ideas, insights, developments, and practices from their coaching and own golf games. 

Peter Donahue joins Andy as Andy shares about his time at Lookout Mountain and Sweetens Cove with New Club Golf Society. They discuss New Club, the golf courses, and Andy gives a breakdown of the journey of his golf game over three full days of golf.

Peter Donahue joins Andy to discuss Rory Mcilroy and Bryson Dechambeau at the 2025 Masters. They talk about the many ways this week taught us what golf is. They cover the parts of golf we seemingly can control and the parts that are still confounding and mysterious.

Peter Donahue joins Andy to discuss the upcoming Masters Tournament. They spend most of the time hearing about Peter's experience playing  the back 9 of Augusta National, and then discuss why watching these tournaments on tv can be so valuable and enjoyable.