Episodes

Last week, Hack It Out co-host Greg Chalmers continued his first season on the Champions Tour by qualifying for the Galleri Classic. Once again, he needed to play very well to continue to earn spots in upcoming Champions Tour events. In this episode, he's joined by Lou Stagner and Mark Crossfield as he recaps the week, from the Tuesday Qualifier, to playing the pro-am with a Hack It Out listener, to regaining a round after a disastrous hole. Come along on Greg's Champions Tour journey! Where to...

10K MOI Drivers

Most years, the new driver releases boast about their new higher ball speeds and being the longest ever. This year, a major talking point for a few of the driver releases is their higher forgiveness, boasting 10K MOI specifications. In this episode, Mark leads Lou and Greg in a discussion of MOI, marketing, and whether these new drivers are likely to help your game in a way that you'll notice. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark...

Saturday Morning Golf Stat - Scratch and 15 Index, 150 Yards FW, SG Break Even Point

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. 150 yards in the fairway is considered by many golfers to be a really ideal spot. Expectations are high; is a birdie in play? In this episode, Lou asks Greg and Mark what a scratch golfer and 15-index golfer should think of as being a good shot: one that, relatively to their handicap, loses no strokes. These answers are absolutely key for managing your own expectations on the course, giving yourself credit when you've...

Secret Weapons Every Golf Bag Needs

Serious question: are the clubs in your bag the very best clubs to help you shoot your lowest scores? Or are you (perhaps) refusing to use (totally legal!) gear that might help you play better? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about three clubs that you really need to consider owning and using if you want to play your best golf. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline ...

Cheap vs. Premium Balls

Does your ball matter? Do you have a particular model ball that you play? Or if we opened your bag right now, would we discover two dozen random balls that you've found in the woods and water? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the difference a good ball can make for your game, and what you should consider the next time you purchase a sleeve or a dozen. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: http...

Saturday Morning Golf Stat - 20 Index and Scratch, 40 Yards in the Rough

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In today's episode, we begin by refreshing the difference between average and median, and then the question is about median proximity to the hole for highly skilled and higher handicap golfers from 40 yards in the rough. Lou's numbers alongside Mark and Greg's guesses set the table for an important discussion for how best to shave off strokes in your short game. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes lon...

Was the Players Field Weak?

Last week's Players Championship was a great event, ending with a dramatic, heartbreaking lip out. Historically, this tournament has tended to have one of the strongest—if not the strongest—fields in professional golf. Obviously, that was slightly less true this year, with yet another major competitor having decided to play on the LIV Tour. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss some of the history of the fields at the Players and what its current state is. Where to find us: Mark Crossfi...

Facing Your Golf Fears

It's weird when we stop to think about it: almost none of us have to play golf. And yet very often, we allow aspects of our leisure activity to fill us with fear: terror about certains kinds of shots, pressure situations, or outcomes. In this episode, Lou, Mark, and Greg talk about their greatest golf fears and the steps they've taken to address them. Their advice here will help us all to enjoy our recreation a whole lot more. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www....

Saturday Morning Golf Stat - Scratch Golfer, Shots After GIR from 125 FW

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In this episode, Lou has chosen a stat that highlights the enormous importance of hitting greens. Suppose a scratch golfer is in the fairway, 125 from the pin. What's the expected difference in his scoring when he hits the green versus missing the green? Mark and Greg register their guesses, and then talk about ways to pursue a strategy on the course that maximizes greens hit. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10...

Cologuard Recap: Greg Chalmers Champions Tour Debut!

Gregulators: Mount Up! In this episode, Greg leads Mark and Lou through his very first Champions Tour event, the Cologuard Classic. Greg talks about the different "feel" around a Champions Tour event, the process of qualifying, some work he did to prepare for this event, and the challenges of trying to gain and retain starts on the Tour. Listen in as Greg recaps his very solid debut event! Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Cro...

Feeling the Clubface

When you're at the top of your backswing, where is your clubface pointing? And what does that mean for how the rest of your swing needs to work? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss not just clubface control, but clubface awareness: knowing and feeling what the clubface is doing all through the swing. They suggest drills that will help you develop the feel of the clubface—a major key to helping you become a better golfer. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://w...

Saturday Morning Golf Stat - 10 Index, Putting from 18', Make vs 3-Putt Percentage

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Many of us have spent the winter months working on indoor putting mats. When we return to the course, it's a bit shocking to remember that real greens don't have alignment lines. Making 15 straight ten-footers no longer seems quite so easy. In today's episode, Lou serves up a classic—and helpful—dose of expectation management, as he asks Greg and Mark about the make and 3-putt percentages of a 10-index golfer from 18 ...

How Should You Hold the Club?