Welcome to Hack it Out Golf!

Episodes

Jan. 16, 2026

SMS - Mark, Lou, and Greg, Shoulder Turn

A Saturday Stat without the Master of Stats?! In this Lou-less episode, Mark and Greg take a dive, not into the Arccos database, but into swing numbers. All three have had their swings measured on gears, and Mark brings the numbers (and Greg guesses) shoulder turns and tilts. Seeing how and why golfers of differing abilities move like they do can help all of us make a more effective swing at the ball. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We w...
Jan. 16, 2026

SMS - Mark, Lou, and Greg, Shoulder Turn

A Saturday Stat without the Master of Stats?! In this Lou-less episode, Mark and Greg take a dive, not into the Arccos database, but into swing numbers. All three have had their swings measured on gears, and Mark brings the numbers (and Greg guesses) shoulder turns and tilts. Seeing how and why golfers of differing abilities move like they do can help all of us make a more effective swing at the ball. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We w...
Jan. 14, 2026

The Great Golf Bag Purge

Northern hemisphere are in the depths of winter. What is a golfer to do? Maybe it's a good time to go through your golf bag and discard the unneeded items. In this episode, Mark and Lou give a tour of items in your golf bag that need to go or be replaced. From clubs you never use to barely intact gloves, the changing out grips and on-course snacks, we can make the most of the off-season. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Cross...
Jan. 14, 2026

The Great Golf Bag Purge

Northern hemisphere are in the depths of winter. What is a golfer to do? Maybe it's a good time to go through your golf bag and discard the unneeded items. In this episode, Mark and Lou give a tour of items in your golf bag that need to go or be replaced. From clubs you never use to barely intact gloves, the changing out grips and on-course snacks, we can make the most of the off-season. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Cross...
Jan. 11, 2026

Rule Changes on the PGA Tour

With the start of a new PGA Tour season, it's a good time to catch up with rule changes for this year's play. In this episode, Lou and Mark talk about changes to preferred lies and embedded ball rules, unintentional ball movement, obstructions and internal OB, and distance measuring devices. 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...
Jan. 11, 2026

Rule Changes on the PGA Tour

With the start of a new PGA Tour season, it's a good time to catch up with rule changes for this year's play. In this episode, Lou and Mark talk about changes to preferred lies and embedded ball rules, unintentional ball movement, obstructions and internal OB, and distance measuring devices. 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...
Jan. 9, 2026

SMS - Tour Pro, 15 Yards in Rough, More Than 10 Feet

With Greg out sunning himself again, Mark and Lou run the two-man Saturday Stat: Mark vs Lou's newsletter audience. In this episode: a Tour Pro is in the rough, a mere 15 yards from the hole. How often will his chip finish more than 10 feet from the hole? The announcer would suggest it should never happen, but it does—and probably more often than you'd expect. 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 i...
Jan. 9, 2026

SMS - Tour Pro, 15 Yards in Rough, More Than 10 Feet

With Greg out sunning himself again, Mark and Lou run the two-man Saturday Stat: Mark vs Lou's newsletter audience. In this episode: a Tour Pro is in the rough, a mere 15 yards from the hole. How often will his chip finish more than 10 feet from the hole? The announcer would suggest it should never happen, but it does—and probably more often than you'd expect. 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 i...
Jan. 7, 2026

Making Practice Better

If you're listening to this, you probably want to be better at golf. But you're unlikely to play better on the course continuing exactly the same practice routine you've had off the course. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg are talking practice: both the how and why for better practice that will improve your scores for the next season. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline ...
Jan. 7, 2026

Making Practice Better

If you're listening to this, you probably want to be better at golf. But you're unlikely to play better on the course continuing exactly the same practice routine you've had off the course. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg are talking practice: both the how and why for better practice that will improve your scores for the next season. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline ...
Jan. 4, 2026

What Does It Mean to Swing Fast?

With modern launch monitors, it's pretty easy to tell who swings fastest—you just measure it. But what about relative speed? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk speed potential and efficiency. Which of the three of them swings the fastest relative to their potential? Which swings fastest on the course relative to their current top end? And what do these differences mean for typical golfers trying to play our best game, especially off the tee? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly ne...
Jan. 4, 2026

What Does It Mean to Swing Fast?

With modern launch monitors, it's pretty easy to tell who swings fastest—you just measure it. But what about relative speed? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk speed potential and efficiency. Which of the three of them swings the fastest relative to their potential? Which swings fastest on the course relative to their current top end? And what do these differences mean for typical golfers trying to play our best game, especially off the tee? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly ne...
Jan. 2, 2026

SMS - Scratch, 125 in Fairway, Shots to Finish Hitting vs Missing Green

You already know it: hitting more greens in regulation is the key to better scores. But how much difference does it make? In this episode, Lou asks Greg and Mark to compare the scores a scratch golfer will make when he hits vs misses the green from 125 in the fairway. And this one is a performance for the history books for one of the two competitors. 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...
Jan. 2, 2026

SMS - Scratch, 125 in Fairway, Shots to Finish Hitting vs Missing Green

You already know it: hitting more greens in regulation is the key to better scores. But how much difference does it make? In this episode, Lou asks Greg and Mark to compare the scores a scratch golfer will make when he hits vs misses the green from 125 in the fairway. And this one is a performance for the history books for one of the two competitors. 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. 31, 2025

Pathways to the PGA Tour

The limited routes to be able to play on LIV have been much-discussed, but is the PGA Tour headed in a similar direction? In this episode, Greg, Mark, and Lou discuss changes to the PGA Tour qualifying. How should qualification through the Korn Ferry Tour, the DP World Tour, and Q-School be weighted? 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://ww...
Dec. 31, 2025

Pathways to the PGA Tour

The limited routes to be able to play on LIV have been much-discussed, but is the PGA Tour headed in a similar direction? In this episode, Greg, Mark, and Lou discuss changes to the PGA Tour qualifying. How should qualification through the Korn Ferry Tour, the DP World Tour, and Q-School be weighted? 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://ww...
Dec. 28, 2025

2025 Golf Year in Review

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 ...
Dec. 28, 2025

2025 Golf Year in Review

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 ...
Dec. 27, 2025

SMS - Length of Holes for 10 Index to Average Par

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

SMS - Length of Holes for 10 Index to Average Par

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. 24, 2025

Greggie as Quizmaster

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/subs...
Dec. 24, 2025

Greggie as Quizmaster

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/subs...
Dec. 21, 2025

When the Wheels Fall Off

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...
Dec. 21, 2025

When the Wheels Fall Off

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...