The year of Scottie? Or of Rory? Or of the Greggie? In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg look back at the big golf stories of 2025, from Rory's history-clinching win at Augusta to Scottie's sustained dominance. They also look ahead: will Tiger be willing to face Greg on the Champions Tour, battling to decide who is golf's true Needle? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark...
Dec 29, 2025•29 min
Today's episode belongs in the Expectations Hall of Fame. How long would a par 3, a par 4, and a par 5 need to be for a 10-index player to average par on each? Lou puts this question to Mark and Greg. The answer gives these golfers a good reference point for expected scoring, and a mental game that is set up to score best on these "short" holes. 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 ...
Dec 27, 2025•17 min
In today's episode, Greg's stat internship has ended and he is now in the quizmaster's seat! Rather than a deep dive into the Arccos database, Greg pulls from a recent charity golf event to ask Lou and Mark about how often these charitable golfers came up short on a par 3 hole with some wind. Can Lou win at his own game? And how can we get better by just being more aware of what the hole is asking of us? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscr...
Dec 25, 2025•28 min
You're playing with Greg and make the turn playing far better than normal. What's your mindset? In this episode, Greg tells a recent story just like this, and Mark and Lou talk about how recreational golfers handle the pressure of playing well—especially given the statistical odds that it might all come crashing down. Here are tips to strengthen your mental game to keep your next good round rolling. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe M...
Dec 22, 2025•21 min
Where is the good variability in scoring? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about the ridiculously good rounds—where you go out and shoot 5 strokes (or better) than your season scoring average. How likely are you to do that if you're a low versus and high handicap player? 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 course to lower your scores and lower ...
Dec 20, 2025•14 min
X is abuzz with suggestions of players going to—and possibly leaving—LIV Golf. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg offer their opinions on these rumors, but more significantly, discuss the state of LIV and whether its current method of positioning itself has a future in professional golf. 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/u...
Dec 18, 2025•20 min
Greg remains an absolute world-class golfer. In today's episode, he joins Mark and Lou to recap his T14 finish at the Australian Open. At an event he's won twice before, Greg showed up in force. He takes us through the week of golf, the course, the crowds. And maybe Mark is better than Rory? 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...
Dec 15, 2025•34 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week, the crew welcomes Greg back after his impressive Australian Open performance, and Lou comes with a grab bag of Tour Pro questions for Greg and Mark. Will Greg recover from his unusually poor performance last week, when Mark answered for him? 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 th...
Dec 13, 2025•14 min
You're regularly shooting in the 80s: that's no small accomplishment in this game. Your next goal: a handicap index solidly in the single figures. In this episode, Lou and Mark give you the best tips and advice for where to focus your practice and play to get to the next level of golf performance. 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.youtu...
Dec 11, 2025•27 min
Recorded before Greg's strong showing at the Australian Open, in this episode Greg chats with Mark and Greg about his recently-completed second season on the Champions Tour. They cover the highlights and challenges of season, what changes Greg anticipates for his next season, and his goals for the year ahead. 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...
Dec 08, 2025•21 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week, Greg's off training to regain Australia's Open championship. So Lou pits Mark against his newsletter audience. What will a 5 index golfer average on a short, 275-yard par 4? Why has Mark always loved holes like this? And what's the secret to an Australian accent? 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...
Dec 06, 2025•12 min
These are tough days for what was once the European Tour. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the conclusion of the DP World Tour season, and especially the fact that the top ten players on that tour are issued playing privileges on the PGA Tour. Is this sustainable? Does the DP World Tour have any better options than to be a development tour for the American tour? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitt...
Dec 04, 2025•25 min
Are you more knowledgeable about the game of golf because of the broadcasts of the professional tours? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg compare some of the ways that advanced analytics are presented in other major sports to golf, and consider ways in which the popular knowledge of the game could be improved with better information presented well for the fans of the game. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter...
Dec 01, 2025•29 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. What will a 5-index golfer score on a "standard" hole? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg the scoring average for a good golfer on a 150 yard par 3, a 375 yard par 4, and a 500 yard par 5. Social media golfers might consider these "gettable." Are they? 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 app...
Nov 29, 2025•12 min
It's a classic discussion: who is the greatest golfer of all time? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take their cracks at this topic, and not only the greatest ever, but also the criteria to just the great golfers a bit further down the list. How can we compare eras? How much different is golf as a sport on this side of Tiger? And where would Greg rank himself? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://t...
Nov 27, 2025•29 min
Mark's ball speed is rising on his launch monitor as he refines techniques and strengthens his body, but how does that translate to the course? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about some really practical obstacles to brining the speed gains you're making in your practice to the course, from warming the body to some often overlooked equipment that might be holding you back. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on...
Nov 24, 2025•29 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. We know it's a bad to be short-sided. But there's one pin location that makes us blind to the danger. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how often low single-figure indexes miss the green from 120–130 yards when the pin is in the back of the green versus the front of the green. The difference is not trivial, and should be something you keep in mind next time you head to the course. Each of these will be a mini-ep...
Nov 22, 2025•11 min
Is Greggie going back to Augusta? In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss some adjustments that The Masters has made to the qualifying criteria. Out are the winners of some alternative field events; in are winners of some international events. Can Greg punch his ticket by winning the Australian Open (again)? Should the field be expanded? Will Lou ever get Greg's bag? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter...
Nov 20, 2025•24 min
Now entering its fourth year of play, LIV has announced that this season's events will be contested over 72 holes. In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss this change. Why is living abandoning its signature identity? Does it matter? Does it add credibility to its events? And how do things look for the future of this rival to the PGA Tour? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfon...
Nov 17, 2025•26 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In a blatant attempt to rig the game for Greg, Lou asks Mark and Greg about Tour Pro putting stats from 30 feet. This episode is full of great data that will help you have the right mindset over these mid- to long-range putts, and for seeing whether attempting to rig the game works out. 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 mos...
Nov 15, 2025•16 min
In today's episode, Lou, Mark, and Greg revisit and expand some of their recent discussion on professionals regaining their amateur status, pulling on a lot of threads of what is a challenging conversation with (pardon the pun) a lot of pros and cons. Then they discuss the announced changes being made to the Old Course at St Andrews. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Cro...
Nov 13, 2025•32 min
Today's episode is inspired by another listener question: should bunkers present more of a hazard—especially for professional golfers? Mark, Lou, and Greg engage in a really insightful conversation that reaches to the foundations of what golf is "supposed" to be. Most amateurs struggle mightily from bunkers, but especially on the biggest tours, the sand often seems more predictable than the surrounding rough. Can—or should—anything be done about that? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly n...
Nov 10, 2025•25 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. From 150–159 in the fairway, how often would you expect to close out the hole in 4 shots or less? In this episode, Lou brings that question to Mark and Greg for scratch, 10, and 20 index golfers. This is another good episodes for setting meaningful expectations for yourself on the course—and giving you goals for your next handicap improvement. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interest...
Nov 08, 2025•12 min
The Schwab Cup Playoffs are underway! In this episode, recorded after the first playoff event (the Dominion Energy Charity Classic) and before the second (the Simmons Bank Championship), Greg joins Mark and Lou to recap the first event, talk about the marvel that is Bernhard Langer, explain what went slightly sideways in his closing round, and what he's aiming for as the Playoffs conclude and the offseason begins. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf....
Nov 06, 2025•25 min
Previously, Lou previewed with Mark and Lou his upcoming trip, with the Princeton Golf Teams, to St Andrews. In this episode, he takes us through the trip: the practice rounds at Jubilee, the tournament format, the food, the weather, and his thoughts on the Old Course. 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/4golfonline Lou S...
Nov 03, 2025•30 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Today's episode: good golfers, simple shot. How often will a 5-index player get up and down from 75 yards in the fairway? At the other extreme, how often will it take him 4 or more shots to hole out? Lou puts this question to Mark and Greg, and the answer may well shock you as well. Learning to avoid the big numbers continues to be the theme of effective scoring. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes lon...
Nov 01, 2025•11 min
If you play golf at more than one place, you'll find that the playing surface for our game varies considerably. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take a listener question about playing from different types of grasses. You'll learn some of the basic characteristics of turfs and techniques to deal with grabby grasses—along with some inside info on Greg's home course. Mark's tip on using the Divot Board to practice chipping at the end of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcFmNCZimM4 Wh...
Oct 30, 2025•27 min
You probably don't have the golf skill of a Tour pro, or else you'd likely be a Tour pro. But there are other facets of the professional's game that any golfer can learn from. In this episode, Mark, Greg, and Lou pull insight from Greg's 30 years on tour to give advice for preparation and strategy that can help you score, no matter your level. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonlin...
Oct 27, 2025•19 min
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. For many golfers, a scratch handicap is an aspiration, and scratch players are the best players they know. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg questions only about scratch golfers—and some of the numbers might surprise you. A really good standard of golf still includes missed shots. 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 mos...
Oct 25, 2025•12 min
"And there's that slice/hook/chunk again!" We've all been there: working at the range to make a swing change, and then we see the old pattern emerge. Why is it so hard to make a change stick? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg bring three very different perspectives (a coach, an avid am, and a professional) to this question. There may not be shortcuts, but there are ways to engage with a change that can accelerate your progress. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://ww...
Oct 23, 2025•27 min
