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 find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mar...
Jun 17, 2024•29 min
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 and Mark register their guesses, and then the three of them talk about how differing golfers of all ages can make improvements to their games to give t...
Jun 15, 2024•11 min
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.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Crossfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/4golfonlin...
Jun 13, 2024•38 min
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 insights to our own golf improvement. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield ...
Jun 10, 2024•19 min
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 of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, and most importantly, how you...
Jun 08, 2024•11 min
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 importantly, what can "normal" golfers learn from these outlier players? How can this data help us improve in ways that are tailored to us a unique golfers...
Jun 06, 2024•23 min
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 Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Crossfield on Y...
Jun 03, 2024•28 min
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 probably surprise you as much as it does them—and it might give you different ideas of your goal when you're standing on the next tee. Each of these will b...
Jun 01, 2024•11 min
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 (especially his putter), honing his practice, and getting some competitive reps before the Major Championship. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly ne...
May 30, 2024•27 min
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 improvement technology? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https...
May 27, 2024•24 min
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 the win yet again. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, and mo...
May 25, 2024•16 min
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 and get you in the best position to hit your best shots on the course. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgol...
May 23, 2024•24 min
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 fan and spectator. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://t...
May 20, 2024•28 min
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-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, and most importantly, how you can apply this on the golf c...
May 18, 2024•13 min
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 fixing their ball marks don't seem to be working. There might be more to this than you expected. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter...
May 16, 2024•22 min
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, and playing as to the best ways to get the most out of your pre-round warm-ups, so that you put yourself in the very best position to play your best go...
May 13, 2024•34 min
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 Greg, and then the guys talk about the proper expectations for this shot—including something too far from many amateurs' minds: avoiding the big numb...
May 11, 2024•12 min
How much golf have you been watching? In this episode, Greg brings the numbers (Lou is impressed) on this season's steep decline in TV viewership of the Tour. Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the factors that might be contributing to this downturn, including the play, the product, and the switch to streaming instead of TV. They also discuss the link—if there is any—between golf viewership on TV and golf participation at your local course. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: http...
May 09, 2024•22 min
How do you get around the golf course? Do you walk and carry your bag? Or do you push a pushcart/trolley? Or do you typically ride a cart/buggy? [Also, could we please get an the English speakers around the world to adopt one language?] In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about how they prefer their golf commute. Lou talks about the effect of walking vs carting on scoring, and Greg talks about removing regulators, but not Gregulators. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: ...
May 06, 2024•18 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In this week's stat, an ordinary golfer is 20 yards from the hole with a reasonable amount of green to work with. Should he use his LW or PW? Lou quizzes Mark and Greg on this question, and the three of them have a great discussion that might well help you make choices on the course that will save you fractional strokes—fractional strokes that become full strokes off your score by the end of the round. Each of these w...
May 04, 2024•12 min
Caddies have long been part of professional golf—some have achieved remarkable, sustained success. In this episode, Mark and Greg talk about the role of a caddie in professional golf: how they are chosen, what their responsibilities are, the boundaries of on- and off-course friendships, and the challenge of changing a caddie. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Crossfield ...
May 02, 2024•29 min
A slump. A setback. A downturn in form. A funk. A run of bad play. Whatever you want to call it, anyone who plays golf for any length of time will have a period in which their standard of play isn't meeting the standard that they've already established. How do you turn things around? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg give their advice for shaking off a period of bad golf and getting back to having fun on the course (and it might mean that having fun is how you break the slump). Where to find ...
Apr 29, 2024•15 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week's stat is simple: greens in regulation, the "traditional" stat that has the greatest correlation with handicap and scoring. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg to guess the average GIRs of a scratch golfer and of a 15-index player. After, they give advice to help with your approaches to the green—and your approach to golf. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting gol...
Apr 27, 2024•15 min
With Lou out for this episode, Mark and Greg sit down to talk ground forces. Perhaps you caught Mark's video about the lesson Greg had about ground forces (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eay0xd61fyY). In today's show, they talk about what it means to use the ground (hint: you are), how to use the ground well, and how wise use of technology can lead to big changes in your swing and improvements in ball flight—sometimes without thinking about how you're swinging at all. Where to find us: Mark Cro...
Apr 25, 2024•29 min
Project Lou returns! In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about Lou's current progress, including a recent driver lesson in which Lou learned that he was re-gripping his hands on his driver swing. The guys talk about the importance of lessons— continued lessons—and maybe make some plans for another in-person meeting in the future. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark C...
Apr 22, 2024•28 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week's episode takes us to a greenside bunker, where we're joined by a scratch golfer and a 15 index. How many shots, on average, will it take each of them to hole out? In our episode this week, Greg and Mark each take a crack at answering Lou's question, and then they talk about growing in bunker play skill and having reasonable expectations from the sand traps. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minute...
Apr 20, 2024•12 min
Scottie dons a second green jacket at the 2024 Masters! In this episode, Lou, Mark, and Greg offer their opinions on the recently-concluded major, from the course setup, the app experience, whether dominance is boring, Tiger's performance—and more. Join us as we revisit the highlights of one of the best events of the season. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Crossfield o...
Apr 18, 2024•46 min
In this episode of the Hack It Out Golf podcast, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk coaching—and when to consider changing coaches. With some big name Tour players either changing coaches or making headlines from seeing new coaches, it's a good time to consider the reasons that you might find benefit in a different instructor. Greg will talk about his own experience with coaching on a Tour level, Mark brings his experience with years of coaching, and Lou has had a handful of coaches (including Mark). Wher...
Apr 15, 2024•29 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Following up on last week's episode, this week we're sitting on the tee of a 500 yard par 5 with a scratch golfer and a 20 handicap. On average, how many shots will it take each of them to finish the hole? Lou poses this question to Mark and Greg, and after sorting through the answers, they consider how these averages should shape our expectations as we head to the course. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 m...
Apr 13, 2024•11 min
The advice to lay up to your favorite yardage simply refuses to go away, and people who really ought to know better continue to advocate for a strategy that is objectively unsound. In this episode, Mark and Lou (minus Greg, who was out owning the Champions Tour) attack this myth again. They also give important clarification: in rejecting "laying up to a preferred yardage," are they advocating attacking every green? (No.) This episode is an important refresher of the data-driven reasons to get th...
Apr 11, 2024•30 min
