Those Weekend Golf Guys

Lesson Tee vs. On‑Course Work Jeff breaks down the difference: Lesson tee = mechanics On-course = thinking Golfers get in trouble because they grab a club based solely on yardage. Jeff explains why 155 yards is NOT always a six‑iron—especially when there’s wind, elevation, trouble in front, or a lie that changes loft. • Becoming Your Own Caddy Jeff urges golfers to talk to themselves like a caddy would: Is long better than short? Is left better than right? What’s the wind doing up there, not just at your ankles? Most golfers toss grass in the air and pretend it means something. Jeff explains why that’s adorable… and useless. The Invisible Enemy: Wind Jeff goes deep on how wind affects ball flight: Wedges balloon and stall Trees tell the truth Clouds tell the real truth Ground wind ≠ sky wind Rule of thumb: whatever you feel at ground level, it’s worse up where your ball is flying. • Lies That Lie to You Uphill lie? Adds loft. Downhill lie? Takes loft away. Jeff explains how to brace the downhill leg, match shoulder tilt to the slope, and choose the right club so your six‑iron doesn’t suddenly become a four‑iron or an eight‑iron. • Rough Reality Check If the ball is sitting down, your six‑iron is a fantasy. Jeff walks through how to test the grass, choose the longest club with enough loft to cut through, and why the ball should NOT be shoved back in your stance unless you enjoy hitting low screamers. Football Break – FanDuel Accuracy & Michigan’s “Extra Second” John and Jeff take a detour into college football, roasting Michigan’s infamous “extra second,” praising FanDuel’s spooky accuracy, and sharing stories about Indiana fans who sometimes forget they have a football team. • Closing – Off to Sedona Jeff heads off to Oak Creek Golf Course for desert-style teaching, psychic energy, and maybe aliens. John stays in the studio where the wind is controlled and the lies are only metaphorical. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

00:00 – Cold Open: “So… You Changed Teachers, Didn’t You?” Jeff warms up with a couple of cautionary tales about students who wandered off and came back with swings that looked like they’d been assembled by IKEA. 03:12 – Why Picking the Right Instructor Matters We dive into the big truth: golf instruction isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. If your teacher thinks it is, run. Fast. 07:45 – The Franken‑Swing Files Jeff breaks down how well‑meaning golfers get turned into confused pretzels when instructors force them into positions their bodies simply can’t do. 12:10 – Grip, Stance, Ball Position: The “It Depends” Fundamentals A lively rant on why fundamentals aren’t commandments — they’re adjustable tools that must fit you, not the instructor’s favorite tour player. 17:30 – Golf Courses: Environmental Villains or Community Heroes? We take a detour (because of course we do) into water usage, economics, and why golf courses aren’t the bad guys people think they are. 22:55 – How to Choose a Teacher Who Won’t Break You Jeff lays out the criteria: look for instructors with a track record of improving all kinds of golfers, not disciples of a single swing religion. 28:40 – Sneak Peek: Jeff’s Top 100 Teacher Conference Talk A preview of Jeff’s upcoming presentation on ball position — why it matters, why most golfers get it wrong, and why fixing it changes everything. 32:00 – Final Thoughts: Your Swing, Your Body, Your Teacher We wrap with the big takeaway: find a coach who teaches you, not their system. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John’s in the studio, holding down the fort like a man who hasn’t seen daylight since Tuesday, while Jeff is literally driving through the desert on his way back to Flagstaff — still high on the fumes of a three‑day golf binge on the Monterey Peninsula. And not just any golf binge. Oh no. Jeff went full “bucket‑list flex” and knocked out Pebble Beach, Clint Eastwood’s super‑secret Tehama, and the mythical unicorn of golf courses, Cypress Point. Jeff breaks it all down with the excitement of a kid who just found out recess is now three hours long. Pebble’s wind tried to knock him over. Tehama’s hills tried to roll him back down to sea level. Cypress Point was so gorgeous it should’ve come with a warning label. And the man played each round with one golf ball. One. Per. Day. That’s not golf — that’s wizardry. Naturally, the boys detoured into college football, because it’s early season and everybody’s already losing their minds over rankings that don’t matter yet. Jeff and John talk matchups, meltdowns, and why Week 1 is basically a giant Rorschach test for fanbases. Then Jeff flips into full instructor mode — breaking down how to survive golf on hilly terrain without looking like you’re auditioning for a blooper reel. Ball above feet, ball below feet, uphill, downhill, stance tweaks, shoulder tilt… all the stuff that keeps you from chunking it like you’re digging for truffles. They wrap things up with a shoutout to FanDuel Sportsbook, plus a tease about future listener golf trips. Because if Jeff can get onto Cypress Point, maybe — just maybe — you can too. Or at least you can hear Jeff brag about it again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Sandbagging Actually Looks Like Jeff breaks down the most common sandbagging tactics he’s seen in the wild, including: Forward‑tee manipulation — playing casual rounds from the up tees, then submitting those scores for handicap calculation. Intentional bad lies — dropping balls into rough, roots, or hazards “just to see what happens,” conveniently inflating scores. Penalty‑stroke amnesia — magically forgetting to count OB, water balls, or unplayable situations. Casual‑round heroics, tournament miracles — mysteriously shooting 10–12 shots better only when prizes are on the line. Jeff’s take: real low‑handicap players win net tournaments. If the 18‑handicap is suddenly posting net 63s, something smells like week‑old range balls. How to Spot a Sandbagger The guys talk through the tells: Look at club championship history — who consistently performs way above their stated handicap. Compare casual‑round scoring vs. tournament scoring — massive gaps are red flags. Watch for “I never play this well” miracles — especially when they happen every time a trophy or gift card is involved. Cheating Stories That Make You Shake Your Head Jeff shares two jaw‑dropping incidents: The Fake Hole‑in‑One — a golfer pre‑placed his ball in the cup before the group arrived, then “found” it. The only thing missing was confetti and a marching band. The Vaseline Driver Guy — a player secretly applied Vaseline to his driver face to reduce spin and straighten shots. Creative? Yes. Legal? Absolutely not. The Rule: Confront Cheaters Immediately Jeff’s message is blunt and correct: If you witness cheating, you must call it out right away. Not later. Not after the round. Not “I didn’t want to make things awkward.” Integrity only survives if honest players defend it in the moment. Road‑Trip Vibes All of this unfolds while Jeff is literally driving through Arizona, proving once again that he can teach, rant, and diagnose golf pathology even while navigating desert highways. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John checks in fresh off a trip to Maine, where the lobster is great and the golf is classic New England. Jeff counters with his time teaching at the ultra‑exclusive Yellowstone Club in Montana — mountain golf, thin air, and views that make you forget you just chunked a wedge. Donald Ross & The Art of Greens That Make You Cry The guys dive into Donald Ross’s legendary greens — the ones that look innocent until your ball starts rolling like it’s late for a meeting. They compare Ross’s style with Pete Dye’s “I dare you” intimidation and McKenzie’s artistic, flowing layouts. Jeff previews his upcoming West Coast McKenzie tour, which John immediately tries to invite himself on. Renovations, Reconstructions & Golden Age Reboots Jeff talks Spyglass renovations and a reconstructed McKenzie course in Wisconsin. John wonders what it would be like to play a 1920s design built with modern machinery — old strategy meets new bulldozers. The Lido, Sand Valley & Modern Classics The guys geek out over the original Lido — a C.B. MacDonald/McKenzie/Raynor masterpiece — and its modern recreation at Sand Valley. They hit on courses that became famous fast: Bandon Dunes Whistling Straits Payne’s Valley (aka “Tiger’s scenic roller coaster”) The Tillinghast Tour Idea Jeff rattles off Tillinghast courses like he’s reading from a phone book. John suggests a “Tillinghast Tour,” the golf‑nerd equivalent of following the Grateful Dead around the country. They compare it to Dye, Palmer, and Norman tours and swap favorite designer quotes — including Rocco Mediate’s classic Dye jab. Design Philosophy & How Not to Get Tricked Jeff breaks down fairway bunkering, hidden landing zones, and greens that wiggle like a toddler on sugar. They talk about how caddies can save your round on visually deceptive layouts — assuming you actually listen to them. Mountain Golf & Wildlife Cameos Jeff shares stories from Pine Canyon in Flagstaff, where the scenery is gorgeous and the wildlife occasionally decides it owns the fairway. The Big Idea: East‑to‑West Golf Trip John pitches an October RV golf adventure from the East Coast to the West Coast. Jeff pretends to think about it. John invites Chris Mascaro to join a future show, because every good golf trip needs at least one guy who brings snacks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

0:00 – Cold Open / Welcome John and Jeff kick off the show, presented by FanDuel. Introduce guest Dr. Fredric Abramson — “smartest guy in any room… except maybe this one.” 2:00 – Abramson’s Background & Injury Story Former athlete, tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Broke his ankle at Michigan… then played his best golf round ever with a cast . Jeff explains why the locked‑up left leg actually improved his swing. 6:00 – The Origin of the DNA Injury Test Meeting with Philip Morris CEO: “Americans want to die healthy.” Abramson decides genetics should help people live better , not just diagnose disease. Human Genome Project inspires practical injury‑prediction research. 10:00 – How the Test Works Simple cheek swab — no blood, kid‑friendly, mail‑anywhere. Uses Illumina testing (same as 23andMe). Identifies genetic markers linked to injury susceptibility. Example: 8 known markers for concussion risk. 15:00 – Break / GhostBed Ad John explains why GhostBed keeps you cool and pain‑free. Promo code: golfguys . 17:00 – FanDuel Segment College sports talk: Indiana football hype, Michigan rivalry jokes. John threatens to ban Ohio State grads from the show. 20:00 – Injury Prediction for Golfers Back injuries most common in younger, high‑speed players. Older golfers deal with accumulated life injuries. DNA could help adjust swing load, warm‑ups, and training. 23:00 – Precision Nutrition Abramson holds the first patent in precision nutrition. Matching diet to DNA to improve recovery and reduce injury risk. 25:00 – Future Tech: AI Swing Analysis Planned mobile app: Upload swing video AI analyzes injury risk 3D body mapping Nutrition + genetics + mechanics combined 28:00 – John’s Knee & Thursday Tee Time John asks if the test can help him by Thursday. Abramson: “Not yet — still a startup.” 30:00 – COVID Humor & Teaching Background Abramson lost his sense of smell after COVID. Corona beer joke. More banter about sports longevity and golf as a lifelong game. 33:00 – Closing Thoughts Golfers could play longer, safer, and smarter with DNA‑based injury prediction. Jeff imagines entire institutes jumping on this tech. Wrap‑up and tease future conversations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What We Covered Golf exposes your inner dialogue Jim explains why your brain is louder than your driver — and how to quiet it. One shot at a time (seriously) Scorecards drag you into the past and future. Jim says stay here, now, with this shot. Tension kills swings A tight mind creates a tight body. We talk breathing, relaxing focus, and resetting your system. Recovery > perfection Jeff’s “spectator technique” helps you detach from bad shots instead of spiraling. The orchestra of negativity Too many swing thoughts = mental noise. Jim shows how to become your own “internal master.” Identity vs. score You are not your number. Jim breaks down how to separate self-worth from performance. Golf as life in 18 chapters Every hole is a new challenge — and a new chance to respond instead of react. Why You’ll Love This Episode If you’ve ever walked off a green muttering to yourself, gripping the club like it owes you money, or predicting your doom based on the first three holes… this episode is your antidote. Jim gives you tools you can use today, and we add the usual Golf Guys flavor: honesty, humor, and a little self‑deprecation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Those Weekend Golf Guys, the crew dove into the messy, hilarious, and occasionally heartbreaking world of golf performance — especially the mental circus happening between a golfer’s ears. They kicked things off with a story about a player who had all the physical tools but confidence lower than a worm’s shoe size. Classic case: the swing was fine, the fundamentals were fine… but the brain? Oh boy. Total chaos. Jeff jumped in with the reminder every golfer needs tattooed on their forehead: range golf and real golf are not the same sport. You can stripe it on the range like you’re auditioning for a commercial, but the second you step onto the first tee of a tournament? Suddenly your hands shake, your heart races, and you forget how to hold the club. Welcome to competitive golf. The guys hammered home the idea that a golf shot is a golf shot — whether you’re on the range, on the course, or staring down a college coach who may or may not be watching. But getting golfers, especially juniors, to believe that? That’s the trick. Then came the junior‑golf deep dive. iPad shared a win with a 15‑year‑old from Montana who turned his game around once he got the right mental tools. But he also pointed out the obvious: how a kid handles pressure usually comes down to how they’ve been raised. Some kids soak up coaching like a sponge. Others crumble the second they think someone’s judging them. And yes — parents are often the biggest variable in the whole equation. Jeff broke down performance variance in a way every sports parent needs to hear. He compared it to basketball: you don’t score the same number of points every night because the gym, the opponent, and the pressure all change. Golf’s the same. But parents see one bad round and act like the kid’s scholarship just burst into flames. Speaking of pressure… Jeff and Joe talked about the cost of chasing big tournaments. Flights, hotels, rental cars, food — suddenly you’re two grand deep before the kid even tees off. And then you hear a college coach might be there? Yeah, that’ll tighten the screws on everybody. Joe wrapped things up with some of his best emotional‑management tools. The big one: the detachment mechanism. Kid hits a bad shot? Instead of spiraling into a meltdown, they say, “Isn’t that fascinating.” Boom — emotional reset. No shame, no panic, no identity crisis. He even teaches players to jokingly blame their playing partner for the shot just to break the tension. It works way better than you’d think. The final message was simple and loud: your golf game is not your identity. Kids need hobbies, interests, and confidence that don’t depend on whether they shot 72 or 92. Because the second golf becomes their whole personality, the game stops being fun — and that’s when everything falls apart. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on The Weekend Golf Guys, Tom and Jeff teamed up to remind golfers everywhere that your brain can wreck a round faster than a topped tee shot. They hammered home the idea that if you’re not having fun out there, you’re basically paying good money to be miserable — and that’s just bad economics. Frustration, fear, and those wild expectations we all carry around? Yeah, those are the real swing killers. Tom talked mindset, Jeff talked mechanics, and together they made one thing crystal clear: your setup and your patterns matter way more than whatever complicated nonsense you saw on YouTube at 2 a.m. Jeff even pulled out some wisdom from Dr. Bob Christina, explaining how your physical structure — the way you stand, balance, and move — shapes your swing more than any “try this one weird trick” tip ever will. Then Jeff rolled out one of his classic lesson moves: he takes the golf ball away. Just removes it. Students freak out for a second, then suddenly start swinging like actual athletes instead of nervous wrecks trying not to embarrass themselves. No ball means no fear, no overthinking, no “don’t shank this.” Just balance, motion, and a swing that finally makes sense. Tom backed him up, pointing out that golfers don’t need a dictionary of technical jargon. They need simple, practical stuff they can actually use — grip, stance, alignment, and a brain that isn’t screaming at them. Keep it simple, and the swing gets better. Make it complicated, and the golfer gets worse. Every. Single. Time. The show wrapped with Tom sharing how folks can reach him for instruction, and of course, we reminded everyone to subscribe, leave a review, and keep the game fun — because golf is hard enough without you turning it into a science project. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Jared Shared From His Book, “EVERYDAY GOLF PSYCHOLOGY” 1. Emotions aren’t random—they’re signals • Anger, fear, embarrassment, overconfidence… none of these are “mental weaknesses.” • They’re outputs of something deeper: expectations, flawed goals, poor preparation, or misjudged skill. • Trying to “stay calm” without understanding why you’re upset is like trying to fix a slice by adjusting your grip every hole. 2. Overconfidence is a silent killer Most golfers don’t realize they’re overconfident until they’re already playing poorly. Overconfidence often comes from: • A few good practice sessions • A hot streak on the range • Misjudging actual skill level • Tournament performance exposes the truth: practice success ≠ competitive readiness. 3. Fear of embarrassment is more common than fear of failure Recreational golfers especially worry about: • Looking stupid • Holding up the group • Hitting a bad shot in front of others This creates tension, rushed routines, and poor decision-making. Focus: The Real Engine of Performance 4. Focus is driven by goals, not discipline Jared was adamant: “Focus isn’t something you do—it’s something your goals create.” If your goals are vague (“play well today”), your focus will be vague. Clear goals = clear attention. 5. Phones destroy focus more than people admit • Even checking your phone between shots fractures your mental rhythm. • The brain doesn’t fully “return” to golf for several minutes. • Recreational golfers underestimate how much this matters. Accessing Information During Shots 6. Great players access more detail, not less They see: • Wind patterns • Lies • Shot windows • Tendencies • Emotional state Most amateurs try to “simplify” too much and end up ignoring critical data. Bridging Practice → Competition 7. Practice must simulate pressure Otherwise: • You build skills you can’t access under stress. • You create false confidence. • You never learn how your emotions behave in competition. Jared’s strategies included: • Adding consequences to practice • Tracking emotional patterns • Practicing decision-making, not just mechanics • Using post‑shot evaluations to build awareness Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Those Weekend Golf Guys , John Ashton is joined by two of our favorite smart‑aleck swing whisperers, Scott Monroe and Jeff Smith , for a conversation that wanders all over the golf landscape — in the best possible way. We kick things off with the U.S. Open , where the golf was great, the crowds were… enthusiastic, and the etiquette was somewhere between “country club polite” and “rock concert adjacent.” From there, we jump into the hot‑button topic of music on the golf course — does it help you groove or make you shank it harder? Depends on who you ask. Scott drops an absolute gem of a story about a pro in Australia who literally blacked out mid‑round and kept playing. Yes, really. That leads us straight into the mental side of golf — why this game demands a totally different headspace than sports where you never stop moving. We dig into hypnotism, visualization, and positive self‑talk , including Scott’s upcoming work with hypnotist Ricky Kalman , who might just be the next secret weapon for golfers everywhere. We also talk about the future of young talent: Can late bloomers still make it? How has NIL changed college golf? And what does the modern path to the pros look like now that 19‑year‑olds have sponsorship deals bigger than our mortgages? It’s smart, it’s funny, it’s a little chaotic — in other words, it’s exactly what you expect from Those Weekend Golf Guys Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, John and Jeff dive headfirst into the part of golf that ruins more rounds than bad lies and slow groups combined: the mental circus inside your own head. Pressure, Panic & Playing With People Who Scare You Jeff kicks things off with a story about playing at his father‑in‑law’s club — the classic “I swear I’m better than this” round — where he tried so hard to impress everyone that he played like a man who’d never held a golf club before. John jumps in with how working with Jeff helped him stop trying to prove anything to anyone and start leaning into humor, fun, and the occasional self‑burn. Because nothing lowers expectations faster than making fun of yourself before anyone else can. Golf With Better Players (AKA: The Intimidation Olympics) Jeff talks about playing with golfers of all skill levels and how he tries to make people comfortable by pretending he’s not a Top‑100 teacher. John admits that playing with Jeff can be intimidating — because watching someone flush it on command is a humbling experience — but it all circles back to the mental game being the real separator. U.S. Open Talk: Courses, Carnage & Wyndham Clark The guys break down the U.S. Open setup and whether the USGA intentionally picks courses designed to make grown men cry. They talk about Wyndham Clark’s win, how a previous meltdown shaped his mindset, and that ridiculous recovery shot on 16 that basically said, “I’m winning this thing, thanks.” Hero Shots & Why Pros Go Full Send John and Jeff debate a player choosing the aggressive route instead of taking an unplayable. Jeff calls it a hero shot. John calls it Tuesday. They agree that when the difference between first and second is millions of dollars, you don’t lay up — you swing like you mean it. Golf Psychology: Your Brain Is Not Your Friend The guys get into why telling yourself “don’t hit it in the water” is the fastest way to hit it in the water. Jeff shares his Golf.com first‑tee jitters video and how negative thoughts become self‑fulfilling disasters. They lay out real fixes: Deep breaths Fast, loose practice swings A single, clear target ZERO math mid‑round Because nothing ruins tempo like trying to calculate your handicap on the 14th tee. Bagger Vance, Tunnel Vision & The Good Kind of Zoning Out Jeff brings up The Legend of Bagger Vance to explain that magical moment when the world blurs, the target sharpens, and the swing just happens. John nods approvingly, mostly because it means he gets to reference a movie he actually remembers. Thinking vs. Doing (Spoiler: Thinking Loses) Jeff reminds listeners that you can’t think your way through a golf swing — it happens too fast. It’s like trying to play guitar while reading the sheet music for the first time. As Jeff’s buddy John Dunnigan says: “When you think, you stink.” Warm‑Up Like You Mean It They talk about warming up without a ball first to avoid early‑round negativity. Jeff suggests hitting the ground with a tee to find balance and rhythm before you start judging yourself. Stop Doing Math & Start Playing Golf The guys wrap by reminding golfers to stop calculating their score mid‑round and focus on one shot at a time. They tease an upcoming episode with sports psychologist Jared Tendler, who will either validate everything they’ve said… or politely tell them they’re full of it. They close with the usual: subscribe, leave a review, and stay tuned for more mental‑game wisdom — or at least entertaining nonsense. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John and Jeff spent this episode diving into the stuff golfers pretend they know how to handle but absolutely do not: dumb lies in thick rough, dumb decisions in thick rough, and the Dumb Ass penalties that come from both. They kicked things off with the age‑old debate: the hand wedge. Does it count as a stroke? Depends on the group. Some guys call it “winter rules,” some call it “improving your lie,” and some call it “I’m not writing down a 9 today.” But the point stands — if you’re going to cheat, at least be consistent. Jeff rolled out his “loop of control” — brain → hands → clubface → ball → brain — which is basically his polite way of saying, “If your grip is trash, everything else is going to be trash too.” Check the clubface before you swing. Seriously. It’s free. Then they got into the real meat: hitting from the rough. Jeff explained how to read the grooves, steepen the swing, and for the love of all things holy, use a wedge. If you’re pulling a 5‑iron out of knee‑high rough, you’re not a hero — you’re auditioning for a DA penalty. Speaking of which… Jeff told the story of a Big Ten Championship at French Lick where a college player made such a catastrophically bad decision on the 17th hole that it cost his team the entire tournament. Not a rulebook penalty. A Dumb Ass penalty. The kind you earn by ignoring every smart option available and choosing violence instead. They broke down the unplayable lie rule, too — when to use it, how to use it, and why it exists to save you from yourself. You can take one unplayable. You can take two. You can take three. The Rules of Golf don’t judge you. Your buddies will, but the rules won’t. And finally, they wrapped with the two kinds of penalties in golf: • Rulebook penalties — the ones the USGA wrote • Idiot penalties (DA penalties) — the ones you write yourself by doing something dumb Most golfers worry about the first category. Most golfers suffer from the second. Jeff and John reminded listeners that knowing the rules — and knowing when to stop being a Dumb Ass — will Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, John and Jeff take a friendly flamethrower to one of golf’s biggest myths: that all the fancy, high‑tech, tour‑speed gear is somehow going to magically fix the game of a golfer who swings like a normal human being. Spoiler alert — it won’t. Jeff breaks down why so much of today’s “longer, faster, lower‑spin” equipment is built for people who swing 115 mph and have personal trainers, not for the senior golfer who just wants the ball to get up, go forward, and not disappear into the right rough. He shares real stories from his slower‑swing students and the gear that actually helped them hit better shots without needing a physics degree or a new chiropractor. The guys dig into wedges that make life easier instead of harder — Wilson Harmonize , Cleveland CRS‑X , Callaway Sure A+2 — the kind of clubs that don’t care about your ego, just your scorecard. Then they talk golf balls, explaining why lower‑compression options like the Titleist TourSoft can give seniors more launch and carry, even if they don’t spin like a tour ball around the greens. And honestly, if you’re not delivering tour‑level speed, who cares. They wrap it all up with the most important lesson of the episode: Stop buying the logo. Start buying what works. Get fit, test gear, ignore the hype, and play equipment that matches your swing — not the guy on TV. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Golf Instruction & Slice ‑Fixing Reality Check John and Jeff kicked things off by tackling the world’s most popular golf shot: the slice. And instead of giving listeners the usual “just swing more inside‑out” nonsense, Jeff broke down how he actually fixes slices in real lessons. Turns out the problem usually isn’t the swing at all — it’s the hands: A left hand so weak it should be on the injured list A hand position that practically begs the clubface to stay open Or a wrist hinge that’s doing interpretive dance instead of squaring the face Jeff hammered home the idea that your natural arm hang determines your proper grip — not what your favorite tour pro does, not what a YouTube thumbnail promises, and definitely not what your buddy Chad insists is “the only correct grip.” Equipment Talk: Overhyped Clubs & Real Value Then the boys dove into the equipment world, where marketing departments work harder than most golfers do on their short game. They called out the brands that sell “revolutionary distance gains” every 15 minutes… and then pointed listeners toward the companies that actually deliver value without the circus tent: Mizuno — feel without the flex Cobra — tech without the tax Srixon — performance without the peacocking The message: stop buying clubs because your favorite player uses them. That guy swings 122 mph and has a tour van following him. You have a day job and a 3‑year‑old headcover shaped like a flaming. Putter Talk & Status Symbol Madness Next up: putters. Jeff admitted he’s a LAB guy, but gave nods to Scotty Cameron and Ping — the usual suspects in the “my putter cost more than my first car” category. John and Jeff roasted the idea that golfers care more about fancy headcovers than actually making putts. Because at the end of the day: No one on the green cares what brand you’re holding They care whether you can roll it inside 3 feet without sweating Performance > status. Always. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weather Golf: Mud, Rain & Misery Jeff goes full meteorologist, explaining how weather absolutely wrecks your game — distance drops, mud adds side spin, and TV never shows how bad it really is because half the shots are pre‑recorded. The guys talk about: • Why mud on the ball is basically Mother Nature saying “good luck, buddy” • How to stay safe when the course turns into a Slip ’N Slide • Why rain golf is character‑building… or at least story‑building Swing Thoughts & Mental Game Simplification Jeff shares coaching wisdom from the trenches: The fewer thoughts you have, the better you play. They break down how simplifying your swing and ball position can turn a struggling golfer into someone who suddenly looks like they know what they’re doing. Towels, Gloves & Staying Dry Without a Caddy Rain round survival school is in session. Jeff and John cover: • The “weave your towel through the umbrella” trick • The “stuff it inside your jacket” backup plan • Rotating gloves like a Vegas blackjack dealer • Why worn‑out gloves are basically a confession of bad grip habits • And yes… buying gloves in bulk is not only allowed, it’s encouraged Mountain Golf Destinations Jeff goes on a tour of his favorite elevation‑heavy golf spots across the country, including: • Pine Canyon (AZ) • Cliffs at Glassie (SC) • French Lick (IN) • Wolf Creek (Mesquite, NV) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pros vs. Amateurs: Two Different Sports The guys explore how the rollback highlights a bigger truth: professional golf and amateur golf are practically different sports. Jeff explains how equipment, swing speed, and course setup create two completely separate realities. John doubles down on the idea that amateurs shouldn’t be governed by rules designed for the 0.01%. Jeff’s Equipment Talk & His Upcoming Par‑3 Outing Jeff shares his personal experience testing the new Titleist balls and how they behave in real‑world conditions. He also previews an upcoming round with an 8th‑grade golfer at a local par‑3 course — a reminder that golf is still about fun, learning, and good company. Who Should Govern What? The conversation shifts to the USGA’s role in the game. John argues that the USGA should focus on amateur golf — their actual domain — instead of influencing the professional game, which operates under entirely different conditions. Jeff agrees that pros and amateurs essentially play two different sports, and applying the same equipment rules to both groups makes little sense. Growing the Recreational Game: The “Sorta Golf Manifesto” John and Jeff brainstorm ways to make golf more fun and accessible for the masses. Their tongue‑in‑cheek “golf manifesto” includes ideas like: No penalty for lost balls — just pay a $5 “stupid tax” and move on. Scramble putts for everyone — every player gets a chance to roll one in. Relaxed rules that keep the game moving and keep players smiling. The goal: grow the recreational market by making golf less intimidating and more enjoyable. PGA Championship & Oddball Habits They wrap up with a look at the recent PGA Championship, including a player whose quirky head‑cover routine caught their attention. John jokes that FanDuel still doesn’t offer odds on “most unusual equipment ritual,” though it probably should Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Smoltz: From the Mound to the Senior Tees The guys kicked things off talking about John Smoltz’s move into senior golf. Jeff and Scott broke down how a Hall‑of‑Fame pitcher can suddenly become a legit threat on the Champions Tour — apparently elite hand‑eye coordination doesn’t disappear just because you stop throwing 97 mph. Why Your Short Game Deserves More Love Then Jeff went full professor mode, reminding everyone that if you want to score, you’d better learn to putt and chip like you mean it. Scott chimed in with the painful truth: amateurs spend 90% of their time on the range and 10% on the putting green… when it should probably be the other way around. PGA Tour Putting Stats: Prepare to Feel Bad John pulled up some Tour putting numbers, and the room collectively sighed. Tour pros make everything inside eight feet. Amateurs? We think we do… until someone actually measures it. Jeff hammered home the point: If you can’t aim your putter, you’re basically guessing. And most golfers? They’re guessing. Why Club Fitting Isn’t Optional Scott jumped in with a sermon on club fitting — especially putters. Lie angle, loft, head shape, grip size… all the stuff amateurs ignore but complain about when they miss a four‑footer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Those Weekend Golf Guys, John and Jeff dragged their buddy James Hong away from Harbor Links on Long Island — probably the only place in America where you can lose a golf ball and get a parking ticket at the same time — to talk about golf courses and the vacations we pretend are “family trips.” We kicked things off with the Top 10 U.S. states for golf, which, shocker, starts with Florida. Because of course it does. If there’s a patch of grass in Florida bigger than a doormat, somebody’s already built a par‑3 on it. Then we zoomed out to the global leaderboard. The United States leads the world in total golf courses (again, shocking), and Japan comes in second — which blows people’s minds until they realize the Japanese take golf as seriously as they take sushi knives. From there, the show turned into three guys swapping war stories. James talked about life at Bethpage State Park, home to five courses, including the Black — the only course in America that warns you at the first tee that you’re not good enough to be there. Jeff and John reminisced about South Carolina, including hidden gems like Shira State Park, where the fairways are gorgeous, the greens are pure, and the mosquitoes are roughly the size of rescue helicopters. And because we can’t resist a passport stamp, we headed overseas to places like Costa Rica, where the Iguana Course gives you ocean views, jungle vibes, and the occasional lizard who looks at your swing like he could do better. We wrapped with some real‑world advice for planning a golf vacation: Do your homework — the internet is full of lies and stock photos Call the pros or staff directly — they’ll tell you what the website won’t Use reciprocal club agreements — the secret handshake of golf travel And be careful with tee‑time aggregators — some are great, some are… let’s say “optimistic” with availability Another classic episode: part travel guide, part therapy session, part “three golf guys bragging about where they’ve played.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Those Weekend Golf Guys , John Ashton and Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Jeff Smith dove into one of the most misunderstood pieces of the golf swing: the grip . Not the “hold it like a baby bird” nonsense you’ve heard a thousand times — Jeff broke down the real way to find the grip that actually fits your body. Jeff’s method is beautifully simple: Get into your golf posture, let your arms hang naturally, and look at how your hands want to sit. That natural orientation tells you exactly how the club should fit into your fingers. No twisting. No contorting. No trying to copy a tour pro’s hands from a magazine cover. Just match the club to your body and suddenly the clubface behaves, the tension disappears, and your swing stops fighting itself. John, of course, pointed out that most amateurs spend years trying to “fix” a grip that was never right for them in the first place. Jeff agreed — if your grip doesn’t match your natural arm hang, you’re basically signing up for a lifetime of compensations. After solving the world’s grip problems, the guys shifted gears to something just as important: golf leagues . Jeff and John both made the case that leagues are the secret weapon for golfers who want to get better and have more fun. Weekly play builds consistency. A little friendly pressure sharpens your focus. And the social side? That’s where the real magic happens. You show up, you play, you laugh, you meet people, and suddenly golf becomes more than a game — it becomes your community. As John put it, leagues are where golfers find their people. Another fun, fast, useful episode — equal parts instruction, entertainment, and “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.