Welcome to Hack it Out Golf!

Episodes

Feb. 13, 2026

SMS - 3 Putt Percentage from 35 Feet, Tour Pro, Scratch, and 20 Index

The dreaded 3 putt. You know the odds of it increases the further you get from the hole. How often, from 35 feet, will a Tour pro, a scratch golfer, and a 20 index take three putts to finish the hole? Lou poses this question to Mark and Greg, and two of their answers are off by shocking margins. This might help manage expectations, but it's also a wake-up call: here's an element of the game that investing a little practice could bring big benefits. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 mi...
Feb. 13, 2026

SMS - 3 Putt Percentage from 35 Feet, Tour Pro, Scratch, and 20 Index

The dreaded 3 putt. You know the odds of it increases the further you get from the hole. How often, from 35 feet, will a Tour pro, a scratch golfer, and a 20 index take three putts to finish the hole? Lou poses this question to Mark and Greg, and two of their answers are off by shocking margins. This might help manage expectations, but it's also a wake-up call: here's an element of the game that investing a little practice could bring big benefits. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 mi...
Feb. 11, 2026

Hitting More Greens in Regulation, Part One

GIR remains, by far, the best of the traditional golf stats. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg start with their definitions of a GIR (should there be some flexibility?), and then transition into the most important—and overlooked—question: Why are you missing greens? Until you can get a clear answer to that question, it's hard to make consistent improvement in your golf. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitte...
Feb. 11, 2026

Hitting More Greens in Regulation, Part One

GIR remains, by far, the best of the traditional golf stats. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg start with their definitions of a GIR (should there be some flexibility?), and then transition into the most important—and overlooked—question: Why are you missing greens? Until you can get a clear answer to that question, it's hard to make consistent improvement in your golf. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitte...
Feb. 8, 2026

Making Your 3 Wood Work for You

Our recent episode about prepping your bag for the upcoming season encouraged you to ditch the club you never use. For many amateur golfers, that club is the 3 wood. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg offer advice for making the most of your strongest fairway wood. From swing tips to tweaks you can make to the club itself, let's make that slot be a contributor to your best scores. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield...
Feb. 8, 2026

Making Your 3 Wood Work for You

Our recent episode about prepping your bag for the upcoming season encouraged you to ditch the club you never use. For many amateur golfers, that club is the 3 wood. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg offer advice for making the most of your strongest fairway wood. From swing tips to tweaks you can make to the club itself, let's make that slot be a contributor to your best scores. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield...
Feb. 6, 2026

SMS - 10 Index, Bogey Percentage, Par 3, 4, and 5

You're a solid handicap golfer. On the tee, how often should you expect to make a bogey? And how does that change when the hole is a par 3, a par 4, and a par 5? Lou puts that question to Mark and Greg, and after they answer, they dissect the data. Where could you pick up lost shots most easily, to help lower your scores? 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 t...
Feb. 6, 2026

SMS - 10 Index, Bogey Percentage, Par 3, 4, and 5

You're a solid handicap golfer. On the tee, how often should you expect to make a bogey? And how does that change when the hole is a par 3, a par 4, and a par 5? Lou puts that question to Mark and Greg, and after they answer, they dissect the data. Where could you pick up lost shots most easily, to help lower your scores? 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 t...
Feb. 4, 2026

What Is the Future of LIV?

Not all the traffic with LIV Golf has been back to the PGA Tour. Recently, one of the top amateur golfers in the United States joined the team league. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss his signing and what it might mean for the future of LIV. Can they develop a generation of young star golfers? Even if they do, will anyone notice? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonli...
Feb. 4, 2026

What Is the Future of LIV?

Not all the traffic with LIV Golf has been back to the PGA Tour. Recently, one of the top amateur golfers in the United States joined the team league. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss his signing and what it might mean for the future of LIV. Can they develop a generation of young star golfers? Even if they do, will anyone notice? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonli...
Feb. 1, 2026

Indoor Practice vs Outdoor Play in Winter

For many of our listeners, we're in the hard part of winter. You're still interested in golf improvement. When the course is cold and wet, will you get more improvement from indoor practice or from playing outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions? In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take their shots at answering this listener question. They off suggestions for maximizing both routes, including indoor practice tips and prep for play in cold weather. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly ...
Feb. 1, 2026

Indoor Practice vs Outdoor Play in Winter

For many of our listeners, we're in the hard part of winter. You're still interested in golf improvement. When the course is cold and wet, will you get more improvement from indoor practice or from playing outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions? In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take their shots at answering this listener question. They off suggestions for maximizing both routes, including indoor practice tips and prep for play in cold weather. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly ...
Jan. 30, 2026

SMS - 90 Yards, Scratch, 10, and 20, to 30 Feet or Less

A simple stock wedge from 90 yards: how often will a scratch golfer, a 10 index, and a 20 index player finish within 30 feet of the hole? The catch: the ball doesn't need to be on the green. In this episode, Lou puts this question to Mark and Greg, and after sorting through the wreckage of their answers, they discuss ways to make the most of these scoring opportunities. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, ...
Jan. 30, 2026

SMS - 90 Yards, Scratch, 10, and 20, to 30 Feet or Less

A simple stock wedge from 90 yards: how often will a scratch golfer, a 10 index, and a 20 index player finish within 30 feet of the hole? The catch: the ball doesn't need to be on the green. In this episode, Lou puts this question to Mark and Greg, and after sorting through the wreckage of their answers, they discuss ways to make the most of these scoring opportunities. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, ...
Jan. 28, 2026

Tips for Strike Awareness and Shot Shaping

If you want to play better golf, 1) hit the center of the face 2) while controlling the face. But how? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about practical ways to work on strike and shot shaping. What are some tips for improving strike? How about some drills and games to measure your improvement? The instruction here can make a real difference in your scores. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https...
Jan. 28, 2026

Tips for Strike Awareness and Shot Shaping

If you want to play better golf, 1) hit the center of the face 2) while controlling the face. But how? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about practical ways to work on strike and shot shaping. What are some tips for improving strike? How about some drills and games to measure your improvement? The instruction here can make a real difference in your scores. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https...
Jan. 25, 2026

Listener Questions: TGL, New Drivers, and the Right Tees

Today's episode is a grab bag of listener questions. First up: Greg, Mark, and Lou stop in with early reflections on the second season of TGL. Are the new holes working? Then they turn to this season's big new driver releases from the major manufacturers: how should ordinary golfers react to the new models? And finally, how should recreational golfers choose which tees to play from? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield...
Jan. 25, 2026

Listener Questions: TGL, New Drivers, and the Right Tees

Today's episode is a grab bag of listener questions. First up: Greg, Mark, and Lou stop in with early reflections on the second season of TGL. Are the new holes working? Then they turn to this season's big new driver releases from the major manufacturers: how should ordinary golfers react to the new models? And finally, how should recreational golfers choose which tees to play from? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield...
Jan. 23, 2026

SMS - Tour Player, Bogey vs Birdie, 120 and 180 in FW

This episode is unbelievably exciting. Please read that in your very best Lou monotone. (But it is really good!) In today's Saturday Stat, Lou highlights the skills of the best players on the planet. How often, hitting approaches from the fairway at 120 and 180 yards, are they making birdie and bogey? Greg and Mark offer their guesses, and the answers raise yet another question.... Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you...
Jan. 23, 2026

SMS - Tour Player, Bogey vs Birdie, 120 and 180 in FW

This episode is unbelievably exciting. Please read that in your very best Lou monotone. (But it is really good!) In today's Saturday Stat, Lou highlights the skills of the best players on the planet. How often, hitting approaches from the fairway at 120 and 180 yards, are they making birdie and bogey? Greg and Mark offer their guesses, and the answers raise yet another question.... Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you...
Jan. 21, 2026

Singh Back on Tour at 62?!

Brooks isn't the only one coming back to the PGA Tour: this past week, Vijay Singh played on the PGA Tour for the first time in years. In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the status that allowed Singh to play on Tour again, its consequence for other Tour members, and whether these kinds of exceptions should exist on a competitive Tour. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/...
Jan. 21, 2026

Singh Back on Tour at 62?!

Brooks isn't the only one coming back to the PGA Tour: this past week, Vijay Singh played on the PGA Tour for the first time in years. In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the status that allowed Singh to play on Tour again, its consequence for other Tour members, and whether these kinds of exceptions should exist on a competitive Tour. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/...
Jan. 18, 2026

Brooks Comes Back from LIV

Brooks returns! In today's episode, Mark and Greg discuss the big news in professional golf: Brooks Koepka leaving LIV and being reinstated to the PGA Tour. They talk about the terms of his return and what it might mean for others on LIV and what it might mean for the PGA Tour under its new leadership. 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://...
Jan. 18, 2026

Brooks Comes Back from LIV

Brooks returns! In today's episode, Mark and Greg discuss the big news in professional golf: Brooks Koepka leaving LIV and being reinstated to the PGA Tour. They talk about the terms of his return and what it might mean for others on LIV and what it might mean for the PGA Tour under its new leadership. 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://...