We dive deep into golf, sharing expert insights to help you improve your golf swing and lower your scores. Renowned golf coach Mark Crossfield, stats expert Lou Stagner, and PGA Tour player Greg Chalmers join forces to bring you an engaging, informative, and entertaining show dedicated to all things golf. Your game will improve, and you will have a lot of laughs along the way listening to the banter of these three friends. Whether you're a seasoned pro or beginner golfer, this podcast is you ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Sean Foley's Greatest Coaching Accomplishment
16:37
16:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:37
Today's episode is the second part of Mark's interview in Sean Foley. Here, Mark asks Sean what Sean regards as his greatest accomplishment in coaching. The discussion turns philosophical, as Sean reflects on what he really values most in coaching, what he's learned over the years, and what he appreciated most when (as a surprise gift) his wife com…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Scratch and 15 Index, 175 in Fairway, Double or Worse
14:36
14:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:36
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In this edition of the Saturday Stat, a golfer is sitting in the fairway, 175 yards from the hole. How likely is he to make double or worse if he's a scratch golfer? What if he's a 15-index? Mark and Greg register their guesses, and the actual number surprises them quite…
…
continue reading
Welcome to another episode of the top-ranked Champions Tour podcast in the world.* In this episode, Greg gets us (and Mark and Lou) up to date as his first season on the Champions Tour draws near the playoffs. We'll hear from Greg how he thinks the season has gone, what has worked well and what hasn't, what has led to a couple of rough closing hole…
…
continue reading
In this special episode of the Hack It Out Golf Podcast, Mark has the opportunity to sit down for an extended conversation with famed golf coach Sean Foley. In this segment of their discussion, they talk about Sean's time coaching one of the greatest players in the history of the sport: Tiger Woods. Sean discusses the unique pressures of coaching T…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Amateur Driver Distance When Missing the Center
13:44
13:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:44
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Golf's statistical revolution has made it clear: distance matters. And because distance matters, speed matters. But what happens when you bring the speed, but miss the center of the driver face? In this episode, Lou asks Greg and Mark about the drop-off in distance for o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 8 (Center of Mass to Hand Distance)
18:32
18:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:32
Mark, Lou, and Greg continue to take measured data from Tour (and, in this case, also amateur) swings and see what it tells us for making real improvement in our games. In this episode, Mark pulls up data on the distance between the golfer's center of mass and the edge of his hand, both at address and at the top of the backswing. Because these can …
…
continue reading
Recently, Mark had a lesson with Sean Foley, famed for his work with a number of elite Tour pros. In this episode, he recaps that lesson with Greg and Lou, talking about Sean's approach to coaching, the way he integrates technology and a concern for the whole body, how Mark approaches making swing changes for his own game, and (maybe) what Mark mig…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - 10 Index, Scoring Average Hitting Fairways and Greens
11:53
11:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:53
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Today's episode will make you think. Take a 10-index golfer: what will he score in rounds where he hits 13 fairways? What about in rounds in which he hits 9 greens in regulation? Lou puts this question to Lou and Greg, and after settling the winner, the discussion turns …
…
continue reading
In this episode, the guys continue to see what they can learn about the golf swing using motion tracking analysis. Here, Mark asks Greg and Lou how much the hip should turn in the swing (using Tour players as a benchmark) and compares that number to his own measurement. A key idea in this episode: because our bodies are connected and our swing is o…
…
continue reading
New technology keeps making information that was once exclusive to expensive equipment available to the avid regular golfer. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg look at information about Lou's swing captured by Sportsbox AI, which takes video of a golf swing and translates it to measured data comparable to motion capture technology. The data: how …
…
continue reading
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Modern golf instruction emphasizes distance; the old "drive for show" slogan has been thoroughly debunked. But does that translate to recreational golfers, or is that just for Tour players? In this episode, Lou quizzes Mark and Greg about the effects that gaining 10 yard…
…
continue reading
Go Greggie, Go Greggie! In this episode, Greg joins Mark and Lou to recap the 2024 Senior Open Championship, in which Greg finished T17. They discuss Dougie's tenuous hold on Greg's bag (ahem), the joy of having friends and family at a tournament, and Greg's challenge at adapting to Carnoustie's green speeds. If you want to get better at dialing in…
…
continue reading
Is it the shoes? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk golf shoes and the ways that our footwear can influence how we play. From a discussion of metal spikes, to hightops, to shoe fit, to "traditional" versus more modern sporty shoes, it's a wide-ranging discussion of a piece of equipment that probably doesn't get the attention it deserves. Whe…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Scoring Average, Easiest Hole on the Course, Scratch and 20
12:12
12:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:12
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week, a chastened and humbled Mark returns with Greg to guess how well scratch and 20-index players play the hole on the course that is officially the easiest. Lou Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will disc…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 7 (Left Knee Turn)
17:52
17:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:52
In today's episode, Mark again is analyzing motion capture data from elite players—this episode features Rory McIlroy. In this episode, Mark asks Greg and Lou about Rory's left knee movement at address through impact. A little spoiler: his knee does turn quite a bit toward target at impact: but the way that he gets there might not be what you think…
…
continue reading
We all love new golf gear. But in the hierarchy of sparkly new golf clubs, drivers are likely at the top, followed by iron sets and putters. What about your wedges? Could a new set of wedges make a real difference in your scoring? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the performance changes of worn out wedges, and the ways in which—not j…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Putting Make Rate From 8', Scratch and 20 Index
15:19
15:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:19
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Is this the best Saturday Stat ever? Probably. Today, Lou asks Mark and Greg about the putting make rate from 8 feet. Many golf statheads know that this is the break even point for Tour pros: they make 50% of these. But what about scratch players? And what about 20 index…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 6 (Hip Turn)
19:09
19:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:09
In today's episode, Mark again is analyzing motion capture data from elite players—this episode features Brooks Koepka. Today, Mark quizzes Lou and Greg (who, as always, loves making random guesses) about Koepka's hip turn in his swing. In the discussion that follows, the guys talk about the massive effects that hip turn can have on your swing—incl…
…
continue reading
Greg Champions Tour major schedule takes him to the other side of the Atlantic, where he's headed to Carnoustie to play the Senior Open Championship. In this episode, he joins Lou and Mark to talk about the upcoming major, including his thoughts on the course and his history playing there, his preparation, and also his take on Rolexes and haggis. W…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - 10 Index, SG:Putting when Good and Poor Iron Play
19:50
19:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:50
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. We know that the traditional putts per round stat is very dependent on approach play: in general, the better your approach play, the more putts you are likely to have. But what about Strokes Gained:Putting? In this episode, Lou asks Greg and Mark what happens to a 10-ind…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 5 (Turn)
24:09
24:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:09
In today's episode, Mark again is analyzing motion capture data from elite players—this time, Jon Rahm. Jon is famous for having a relatively "short" backswing, even with driver. The question today for Lou and Greg: how much does Rahm turn his upper body? And as always, the discussion turns from Rahm's swing to how we can learn how to improve our o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Lou's Visit to the Titleist Performance Institute
33:22
33:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:22
In today's episode, Lou joins Mark and Greg to talk about his recent visit to a golf Mecca: the Titleist Performance Institute. There, Lou experienced a body screening that measured his mobility and strength, got fitted for some of Titleist's newest products, and saw some of their future plans. Listen in and learn how TPI (and there are TPI-certifi…
…
continue reading
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. The topic today: megaduffs. How often do you hit your approach shot and come up short 30% or more of your distance to the target? In today's episode, Lou, Mark, and Greg talk about that number for both scratch and 20-index golfers, and the answer might surprise you. The …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 4 (Sway)
22:53
22:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:53
In today's episode, Mark compares motion capture data from two elite players—this time, Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler. The point of comparison: how much do they move their center away from or toward the target at different points in the swing. Lou and Greg make their best guesses, but then the discussion turns to how "sway" in the swing affects other …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Putts Per Round and Other Traditional Stats
27:38
27:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:38
You want to get better at golf, so you start tracking some stats in your game in addition to score alone. Are those stats going to give you useful information that you can use to shape your practice plan? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about traditional golf stats like putts per round or fairways per round, and the ways that those number…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Scratch Players, Scoring Average, Easy vs Hard Courses
18:54
18:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:54
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. The course rating system for handicap purposes is a mystery to many golfers, even some avid ones. What happens to the scoring of a scratch golfer when he plays a course that, by rating, is relatively versus a round on a course with a much higher rating? In this episode, …
…
continue reading
Greg Chalmers just completed his second major on the Champions Tour: the US Senior Open! In this episode, he, Mark, and Lou talk through his week at Newport Country Club. He talks about the course and club, the challenges of the late/early tee times that week, the one hole that gave him fits, and the impact his finish has on his season and his Cham…
…
continue reading
This past week, Miles Russell played in a PGA Tour event at age 15. Although he didn't make the cut, he did shoot even par for two rounds and beat dozens of established professionals. Earlier this season, Nick Dunlap won a PGA Tour event as a amateur, the first time that had happened in over two decades. In this episode of the podcast, Mark, Lou, a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Greenside Bunkers vs Rough, 10 yards, Scratch and 20 Index
12:29
12:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:29
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Greenside bunkers—higher handicappers often dread them, while better players sometimes favor them over being next to the green in the rough. What do the stats say? How much is of a penalty is a bunker over the rough for a scratch player? And for a 20-index? The answers m…
…
continue reading
The 2024 US Open at Pinehurst was electric! A memorable course and a memorable finish give Mark, Lou, and Greg and lot ot talk about. In this episode, they discuss the course (and the role of luck vs skill), the broadcast, Rory's putting woes down the stretch and his quick exit, and Bryson's triumph and celebration(s). Where to find us: Mark Crossf…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 2 (Lag)
22:24
22:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:24
Today's episode, Mark again pulls up motion capture data from elite players—this time, Sergio Garcia and Billy Horschel. Sergio is famous for his lag: that deep angle he gets between his lead forearm and the club shaft as he transitions into the downswing. In this episode, Mark asks Lou and Greg to compare that angle between Sergio and Horschel (fo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Percent of US Male Golfers, Plus vs High Index
11:39
11:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
11:39
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Managing expectations isn't just about individual shots. What percentage of golfers reach a plus index? And how many golfers maintain a relatively high handicap? In this Saturday stat, we join Lou, Mark, and Greg to talk about the ends of the bell curve of the handicaps.…
…
continue reading
Right now, we're about halfway through Greg Chalmer's first season on the PGA Champions Tour. In this episode, he and Lou and Mark recap the season thus far. In addition, they talk about Greg's road ahead: what he needs to do the remainder of the season to secure status on the Champions Tour next year, so that he won't have to keep qualifying into …
…
continue reading
In recent days, Lexi Thompson announced her retirement from professional golf. In this episode, Greg, Lou, and Mark talk about the reasons behind her decision. What is it like to travel on a tour for 15 years? How is a person supposed to handle being accessible online, where every anonymous person can make the cruelest comments about you? Where to …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - 5 Index Players, Age 20s vs 60s, SG Short Game
12:29
12:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:29
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Sometimes the stats confirm long-held suspicions. Sometimes they overturn them. In today's episode, Lou asks us to consider two 5-index golfers. One of them is in his 20s; the other in his 60s. Which of them, on average, has the better short game? And by how much? Greg a…
…
continue reading
Greg Chalmers played his first Champions Tour major—and was this close to winning the whole thing! In this episode, Greg joins Mark and Lou to talk through the event, including the tense final stretch, in which Greg had the lead before he was overtaken on the final few holes. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossf…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 2 (Trail Elbow)
20:33
20:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:33
Today's episode, Mark again pulls up motion capture data from elite players—this time, Rory and Bryson. Here, he focuses in on a comparison the angle of the trail elbow. After quizzing Lou and Greg about how these Tour players differ, Mark gives instruction on what is an overlooked element of a golf swing, so that we can apply these motion capture …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - 180 in Fairway, Greens Hit, Scratch-10-20
12:41
12:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:41
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Here's a great expectations podcast: in this episode, Lou has Mark and Greg guessing how often a scratch, 10-, and 20-index player will hit the green from 180–185 yards. Listen in and you'll get a good idea of what a realistic number is—and how you need to improve! Each …
…
continue reading
Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy: both elite players, and both capable of absolutely smashing drivers. But how? In this episode, Mark grabs Lou's Stat host microphone and quizzes Lou and Greg about some of the measured movements in Finau's and McIlroy's swings. What do they do alike—and in what ways are their swings profoundly different? And most import…
…
continue reading
Greg Chalmers continues his roll! In today's episode, Greg recaps his qualifying round for the 2024 US Senior Open. He, Lou, and Mark talk about the qualifying site he chose, his work going into the day, his choice to play without his caddie (a detail that got Lou very interested), and his hopes for the tournament itself. Where to find us: Mark Cro…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - Tee Shot, 10 Handicap, Driving for 0 SG
12:14
12:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:14
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Today is an all-time reality check in expectations management. If you're a 10-index golfer, how far do you need to hit a tee shot into the fairway to break even in strokes gained? What about in the rough? Lou puts this question to Greg and Mark, and the answer will proba…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Preparing for the Senior PGA Championship
29:27
29:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:27
Recorded before last week's Senior PGA Championship, this episode features discussion with Greg, Mark, and Lou and Greg prepares for his first Champions Tour major. We know, with the benefit of hindsight, that Greg played really well, finishing third. Here, we'll listen to how Greg got ready for the tournament, tweaking some of his equipment (espec…
…
continue reading
What used to be the exclusive property of fitting studios, high-end coaches, and touring professionals is now accessible for the amateur golfer. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk home launch monitors. What kinds of options should you consider? What benefit could such a device be to your game? And what might the future hold for this golf imp…
…
continue reading
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. How long is 267 yards? Not in distance, of course: but where would a male golfer whose median drive is 267 rank among his peers? Today, Lou poses that question (and also 284 yards) to Mark and Greg, and the answer will probably surprise you. Expectation management, for t…
…
continue reading
Practice swings: useful? Necessary? Time-waster? What are your practice swings for? What about practice swings when you're practicing? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about practice. Should you take a practice swing? If so, for what reason? What should you be trying to accomplish? Here is practical advice to maximize your practice time an…
…
continue reading
Today's topic: team golf. This discussion is wide-ranging. Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss their own experiences playing team golf, and how it differs for them from playing individually. But then the discussion shifts to team golf at the collegiate and professional levels, and whether the team component helps—or hinders—the enjoyment of being a golf fa…
…
continue reading
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. On this major weekend, we have a special episode: this week, Mark asks the questions! Mark has some trivia—even Greggie-related trivia—from the history of the PGA Championship, and this week pits Lou vs. Greg in answering the questions. Each of these will be a mini-episo…
…
continue reading
It's one of the basics of golf etiquette: repair your pitch marks. And yet, almost universally, golfers complain that the other guys don't do it. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg tackle the topic of pitch marks. They float some theories as to why there are so many unrepaired craters in the greens and why the normal campaigns to get more people …
…
continue reading
How do you get ready for a round? Is your warm-up the sprint from the car to the first tee? Or do you have a scripted-to-the-minute routine, complete with a full physio, range session, short game practice, and a putting schedule? (Looking at you, Lou.) In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg give pointers from their own experience on Tour, coaching, a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SMS - 100-109 yards, Up and Down, Scratch vs 15
13:00
13:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:00
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In today's episode, the shot under consideration is the obvious green light: the chance to get up and down from about 100 yards away. How often does a scratch player actually accomplish that? What about a 15-handicap? In this episode, Lou brings the numbers for Mark and …
…
continue reading