Episodes

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. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfo...

SMS - Scoring Average, Easiest Hole on the Course, Scratch and 20

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 discuss what you can learn, and most importantly, how you can apply this on the golf course to lower your scores and lower your handicap. Listen on your...

Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 7 (Left Knee Turn)

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. And as Mark says, it traces back to a simple setup issue that most amateurs get wrong. There may well be information here that can directly help you...

Do Worn Out Wedges Matter?

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 just marketing, but tested results—a fresh set of grooves might help you shoot lower scores. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: h...

SMS - Putting Make Rate From 8', Scratch and 20 Index

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 golfers? The answers will likely surprise you, as they did one of our hosts! But the numbers here are so helpful for having the right expectations on...

Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 6 (Hip Turn)

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—including things that Greg himself is working on in his pursuit of continued good results on the Champions Tour. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's wee...

Senior Open Championship Preview

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. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4gol...

SMS - 10 Index, SG:Putting when Good and Poor Iron Play

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-index golfer's SG:Putting number on good approach rounds vs poor approach rounds, and then they have a lengthy conversation about what might cause the di...

Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 5 (Turn)

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 own golf through a better understanding of body movements—and the swing characteristics that they tend to produce. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield'...

Lou's Visit to the Titleist Performance Institute

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-certified instructors around the world) can help you maximize your golf game. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfield...

SMS - Approach Shots Coming Up Way Short

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 biggest takeaway: all of us need to get better at striking the ball. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting g...

Learning from Tour Player Swings, Part 4 (Sway)

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 swing characteristics, and how that might be relevant to your game and helping you improve. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: h...

Putts Per Round and Other Traditional Stats