Episodes

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 both move (and they move quite differently between pros and amateurs), the distance answer might be surprising (it was to Lou and Greg!). From this, t...

Takeaways from a Lesson with Sean Foley

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 might have learned to be a better coach to Lou. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark C...

SMS - 10 Index, Scoring Average Hitting Fairways and Greens

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 to how this knowledge can help you shoot your best scores. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. ...

Sportsbox AI: Mark's Hip Turn

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 one big motion, changing one element of how your body moves will almost always change a number of other features of the way you deliver in the club. Ex...

Sportsbox AI: Lou's Hand Lift

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 high do Lou's hands get from their starting point at address? And more importantly: why does it matter and how can it help your swing? Where to find ...

SMS - Gaining Distance and Scoring

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 yards of driving distance has on Arccos golfers. How many of them improved? What percent of them improved by 3 shots/round or more? And what percentage of...

2024 Senior Open Championship Recap

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 your putting speed, take a look at ExPutt. For the best price on Exputt use code: GOLFSALE https://crossfieldgolf.info/ExPutt Where to find us: M...

Do Golf Shoes Matter?

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)