Welcome to Hack it Out Golf!

Episodes

Oct. 24, 2025

SMS - All Scratch Stats

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. For many golfers, a scratch handicap is an aspiration, and scratch players are the best players they know. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg questions only about scratch golfers—and some of the numbers might surprise you. A really good standard of golf still includes missed shots. 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 mo...
Oct. 24, 2025

SMS - All Scratch Stats

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. For many golfers, a scratch handicap is an aspiration, and scratch players are the best players they know. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg questions only about scratch golfers—and some of the numbers might surprise you. A really good standard of golf still includes missed shots. 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 mo...
Oct. 22, 2025

Why Is Change So Hard in Golf?

"And there's that slice/hook/chunk again!" We've all been there: working at the range to make a swing change, and then we see the old pattern emerge. Why is it so hard to make a change stick? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg bring three very different perspectives (a coach, an avid am, and a professional) to this question. There may not be shortcuts, but there are ways to engage with a change that can accelerate your progress. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://...
Oct. 22, 2025

Why Is Change So Hard in Golf?

"And there's that slice/hook/chunk again!" We've all been there: working at the range to make a swing change, and then we see the old pattern emerge. Why is it so hard to make a change stick? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg bring three very different perspectives (a coach, an avid am, and a professional) to this question. There may not be shortcuts, but there are ways to engage with a change that can accelerate your progress. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://...
Oct. 19, 2025

Where Do Double Bogeys Come From?

We've all said it: "It would have been an amazing round except for those few holes!" Buy why does that keep happening? In this episode, Lou brings data from fellow Arccos data maestro Michael Hutch, and he and Mark talk about what causes double bogeys at each skill level. You'll learn where you're dropping shots, and where you can focus your practice to drop your handicap. The charts and data from this episode are in this newsletter from Lou: https://newsletter.loustagnergolf.com/p/where-your-d...
Oct. 19, 2025

Where Do Double Bogeys Come From?

We've all said it: "It would have been an amazing round except for those few holes!" Buy why does that keep happening? In this episode, Lou brings data from fellow Arccos data maestro Michael Hutch, and he and Mark talk about what causes double bogeys at each skill level. You'll learn where you're dropping shots, and where you can focus your practice to drop your handicap. The charts and data from this episode are in this newsletter from Lou: https://newsletter.loustagnergolf.com/p/where-your-d...
Oct. 17, 2025

SMS - 50 Yard Wedge, 0 SG, Scratch, 10, and 20

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Ah, the dread half-wedge. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about the distance at which a scratch, 10, and 20 index golfer breaks even for Strokes Gained from 50 yards in the fairway. What is the baseline for a good shot for those skills? And how can we all improve those touch shots? 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...
Oct. 17, 2025

SMS - 50 Yard Wedge, 0 SG, Scratch, 10, and 20

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. Ah, the dread half-wedge. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about the distance at which a scratch, 10, and 20 index golfer breaks even for Strokes Gained from 50 yards in the fairway. What is the baseline for a good shot for those skills? And how can we all improve those touch shots? 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...
Oct. 15, 2025

Mark Hits the Gym

It's that time: Mark needs to work on his body. In this episode, Mark talks with Greg and Lou about his early steps in evaluating his strength and fitness and what he's working on to improve his strength and make better gains with an already-optimized swing. Want your own free golf performance assessment from Par 4 Success Golf? Click here: https://go.par4success.com/mark-crossfield Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfiel...
Oct. 15, 2025

Mark Hits the Gym

It's that time: Mark needs to work on his body. In this episode, Mark talks with Greg and Lou about his early steps in evaluating his strength and fitness and what he's working on to improve his strength and make better gains with an already-optimized swing. 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.com/user/4golfonline Lou Stagner...
Oct. 12, 2025

Lou Going to the Home of Golf

Among the hats worn by our resident Stat Guy is Assistant Coach of the Princeton Tigers golf team. In today's episode, he and Mark discuss an event (beginning today!) that the Princeton golfers will be playing at St. Andrews. Lou and Mark talk about what Lou hopes to see and do in St. Andrews, Mark's thoughts on the Old Course, and how the weather might (or might not) be a factor in the tournament. The event is being broadcast on the Golf Channel and Sky Sports, so tune in to see if Lou makes a...
Oct. 12, 2025

Lou Going to the Home of Golf

Among the hats worn by our resident Stat Guy is Assistant Coach of the Princeton Tigers golf team. In today's episode, he and Mark discuss an event (beginning today!) that the Princeton golfers will be playing at St. Andrews. Lou and Mark talk about what Lou hopes to see and do in St. Andrews, Mark's thoughts on the Old Course, and how the weather might (or might not) be a factor in the tournament. The event is being broadcast on the Golf Channel and Sky Sports, so tune in to see if Lou makes a...
Oct. 10, 2025

SMS - Median Driver Distance, 5, 15, 25 Index

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. How far do golfers really hit their drives? Yes, increasing distance might help, but knowing the typical driver distance for your target index is really helpful. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how far a 5, 15, and 25 handicap golfer hits their drivers, and then they discuss the value of realism in your distances. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We wil...
Oct. 10, 2025

SMS - Median Driver Distance, 5, 15, 25 Index

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. How far do golfers really hit their drives? Yes, increasing distance might help, but knowing the typical driver distance for your target index is really helpful. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how far a 5, 15, and 25 handicap golfer hits their drivers, and then they discuss the value of realism in your distances. Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We wil...
Oct. 8, 2025

Ryder Cup and the Rest of the World/2025 Majors/Off-Season Work

Today's episode is a grab bag of topics. Mark first asks Lou and Greg about how the rest of the world perceives the USA/European Ryder Cup. Then they each offer their favorite highlight from the 2025 major season. They conclude by previewing what each of them are working toward this off-season. 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.yout...
Oct. 8, 2025

Ryder Cup and the Rest of the World/2025 Majors/Off-Season Work

Today's episode is a grab bag of topics. Mark first asks Lou and Greg about how the rest of the world perceives the USA/European Ryder Cup. Then they each offer their favorite highlight from the 2025 major season. They conclude by previewing what each of them are working toward this off-season. 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.yout...
Oct. 5, 2025

2025 Ryder Cup Recap

Now that the dust has settled a bit, Mark, Lou, and Greg gather to talk through their thoughts following the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. In this episode, they offer their takes on the course setup, the pairings, the crowd, the captains, the envelope rule, and the furious but unfinished comeback attempt in the singles matches on Sunday. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonli...
Oct. 5, 2025

2025 Ryder Cup Recap

Now that the dust has settled a bit, Mark, Lou, and Greg gather to talk through their thoughts following the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. In this episode, they offer their takes on the course setup, the pairings, the crowd, the captains, the envelope rule, and the furious but unfinished comeback attempt in the singles matches on Sunday. Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonli...
Oct. 3, 2025

SMS - 250 Yards Left on Par 5, 5 Index, Birdie vs Bogey or Worse

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. You're a single-figure index—a good golfer. And you're 250 out, in the fairway, on a par 5. How often will you birdie this hole? And how often will you make bogey or worse? Lou, Mark, and Greg discuss this and give instruction to help you find your best scores on the long 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 impor...
Oct. 3, 2025

SMS - 250 Yards Left on Par 5, 5 Index, Birdie vs Bogey or Worse

Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. You're a single-figure index—a good golfer. And you're 250 out, in the fairway, on a par 5. How often will you birdie this hole? And how often will you make bogey or worse? Lou, Mark, and Greg discuss this and give instruction to help you find your best scores on the long 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 impor...
Oct. 1, 2025

No Tees?!

A multiple major winner recently offered another suggestion to solve golf's "distance problem." In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss what would happen if tees were banned and wedge loft was limited. Mark gets a little hot here, both about the responsibilities of golf media and about the actual proposal itself. Would Tour pros be able to figure out new ways to optimize their performance under these restrictions? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfie...
Oct. 1, 2025

No Tees?!

A multiple major winner recently offered another suggestion to solve golf's "distance problem." In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss what would happen if tees were banned and wedge loft was limited. Mark gets a little hot here, both about the responsibilities of golf media and about the actual proposal itself. Would Tour pros be able to figure out new ways to optimize their performance under these restrictions? Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfie...
Sept. 28, 2025

Streaking In Golf

A good listener question for today's episode: how do you handle the streaks of a golf round? It often feels like you get hit for several holes, and then suddenly, you are on a run of birdies. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk through mental game and on-course strategies to get off the bogey train while stringing together more of those solid holes. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/hackitout⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Our link will also give you 4 extra months on t...
Sept. 28, 2025

Streaking In Golf

A good listener question for today's episode: how do you handle the streaks of a golf round? It often feels like you get hit for several holes, and then suddenly, you are on a run of birdies. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk through mental game and on-course strategies to get off the bogey train while stringing together more of those solid holes. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/hackitout⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Our link will also give you 4 extra months on t...