Hack It Out Golf
Hack It Out Golf is a podcast dedicated to helping golfers improve their swing and lower their scores. Hosted by renowned golf coach Mark Crossfield, stats expert Lou Stagner, and PGA Tour player Greg Chalmers, the show combines expert insights with entertaining banter. Each episode dives deep into golf techniques, statistics, and anecdotes to benefit players of all skill levels. The podcast aims to be both informative and enjoyable for golf enthusiasts.
Episodes
Roll It Back, Jack!
During the week of the Memorial, Jack Nicklaus made a new set of comments at a press conference in support of a rolled back golf ball. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg consider his opinion. Does winning 18 majors convey expertise on this topic? Are opponents of the rollback just parroting the talking points of their OEM sponsors?If you have a question you want covered on the pod, plea
Do You Make More Putts on Comebackers?
A listener question sends Lou on a deep, deep dive into the Arccos database. We know that "never up, never in" is poor advice, especially on longer putts. But if a putt rolls past the hole, how much more likely is a golfer to make the comebacker than a similar-length putt where he hasn't seen the break? Lou, Greg, and Mark talk about the way that gathering information from balls rolling o
SMS: 5 Strokes or More Worse Than Scoring Average
Among the most prominent themes of this podcast is the need to manage expectations. That's not just a "each shot" idea; it's a "whole round" idea. How often will golfers of differing handicaps have one of those rounds, scoring at least 5 shots higher than his typical scoring average? Lou puts this question to Mark and Greg, and after the scoring is settled, they give advice for keeping in
Rai, Rahm, and a Bit of US Open
The 2026 PGA Championship was won by an incredible performance by Aaron Rai. So shouldn't that—and maybe not how he chooses to cover his hands and his irons—be the lead story? In this episode, Tour Slayer, Lou, and Greg talk about the way Rai's victory was covered, and how it tended to overshadow just how spectacular his play was. They also discuss the future of LIV players and take a few
Should I Shorten My Driver Shaft
A great, broadly applicable listener question today. In the past couple of decades, drivers have not only experienced increases in head size, but also in shaft length. In today's episode, Mark and Lou ask whether many amateurs might not be better off the tee with a shorter driver shaft. What are the trade-offs in shaft lengths? Is it possible that a shorter shaft might produce tighter dis
SMS - Tour Pros, Short Chips from Rough, Different Greens
By this point, we know that we want to avoid short-siding ourselves. But should we think about uphill vs downhill chips? In this episode, Lou offers Mark and Greg a handful of scenarios with Tour players around the green. They have different amounts of green to work with, but some chips are uphill and others are downhill. What effect does that have on scoring? And stay turned for Lou's bo
Is Pro Golf Just Driver/Wedge Now?
It's just bomb and gouge, right? In this episode, Mark and Lou look at the numbers to see if reality matches the common perception that Tour players almost never have long approach shots anymore. Are there still any 3-shot holes on the PGA Tour? How often does a Tour pro have a short iron left on a par 5? If there is a discussion to be had about distance, it starts with knowing what is *a
Steven Alker on Playing Well for Years
In this episode of Hack It Out Golf, Mark, Greg, and Lou welcome Champions Tour star Steven Alker. They explore his journey from New Zealand amateur golf through the Canada, European, Korn Ferry, and PGA Tours, to his remarkable Champions Tour career: 11 wins, a perfect 104/104 cuts made, and 76 top-10s in just 104 events. Steven shares the key shifts in his game: smarter (not harder) pre
SMS - 100 Yards in FW on Par 4, Double or Worse, Scratch, 10, and 20
Is it a trick question? In this episode, Lou asks about the green light scenario: 100 yards in the fairway on a par 4. How often will a scratch, a 10, and a 20-index golfer make double bogey or worse in that scenario? You'd think it wouldn't be that often—but you might be overlooking something. And if you can fix that thing, your scoring might get better here too.Each of these will be a m
The One Stupid Hole
If you have a course you play regularly, you almost certainly have one hole that gives you fits. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg give advice for troublesome holes. If a hole makes you choose between tee shot lengths, do you know which one creates a better average score for you? Do you have a 'get it in play' shot that you can rely on when there's trouble everywhere? And how do you ge
Internal vs External Swing Thoughts
If you're listening to this podcast, there's a good chance you have a swing thought—and there's a pretty high chance that you're thinking about how some part of your body should be moving (or not) during the swing. In this episode, Mark and Greg talk about one of the most important ideas in golf improvement: you can think about something other than your body position during the swing. The
SMS - Scratch Golfer Skills
Scratch is a aspiration for most amateur golfers, and it's a very good standard of play. How good? In this episode, Lou brings three different stats about scratch golfers, and Mark and Greg attempt to guess how a scratch player would perform in each. The answers might be surprising—and will absolutely contribute to all of us managing our expectations.Each of these will be a mini-episode (
How to Fix a Swing Path
It's hard to play effective golf with an extreme swing path. The problem: most golfers are very consistent with swing path—even when they don't want to be. In this episode, Mark and Greg talk about strategies to dislodge a less-than-optimal path and move it to a place of greater functionality. They explain that path sometimes is the result instead of the cause of the problem and the impor
Ryder Cup Ticket Prices
What's it worth? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the recently-released price for next year's Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. Is the significant price increase warranted? Is the Ryder Cup worth attending at all? The guys give some tips for watching golf in person, discuss some of the early news about captain selections, and attempt to establish international understanding among E
SMS - 175 Yard Par 3, Average Score, Scratch, 10, and 20
From a reasonably long par 3, what scores are typical for golfers of different levels? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about scoring averages on a 175-yard par 3. Tiny spoiler: there's a bonus question in this episode, and the answer there provides real insight into course strategy when fairway bunkers are in play.Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an
LIV, the Fitzpatricks, and Koepka
One episode, a few professional golf topics. In this edition, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the unfolding confirmation of the end of PIF funding for LIV and what that might mean for the future of that league—and its players. Then they shift gears to the PGA Tour, where Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick recently teamed up to win a Tour event, securing a card for Alex. (Could Scottie carry Lou to
What Even Is Shallowing?
When the best player in the world is "struggling," everyone has a solution. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the language of the golf swing. It seems everyone talks about shallowing, but few define it. What is shallowing? Why does it matter? And shouldn't we have some idea what we're talking about before we talk?If you have a question you want covered on the pod, please sub
SMS - 120 from Fairway, Scoring Average, Tour Pro, 10, and 20
Once again, we have a green light: 120 from the hole in the fairway. How different are amateurs and pros? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how 10 and 20 index golfers compare on this shot to a Tour pro. And perhaps a lot of 10s and 20s have their expectations set by the Tour numbers, rather than reality closer to home.Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about
2026 Senior PGA Championship Recap
It's Champions Tour major season, which means it's time for Greg—and the Gregulators—to mount up! In this episode, Greg joins Mark and Lou to recap the first major of the season, the PGA Championship at The Concession Golf Club. Greg was right in the mix but cooled off late. He talks about some of the really impressive play from Cink, Alker, and the ageless Langer, his impressive hole-out
Would You Rather a Pro Hit Your Drives or Your Approach Shots?
If you could sub in a professional golfer for one shot each hole, what would it be? In this episode, Mark talks Lou and Greg through a recent video of his that tests this question. On some holes, he hit a tee shot for his friend; on others, the approach shot. Which helped more? And which might make the biggest difference in your game? Knowing this might give you an insight as to the best
SMS - 8 Foot Putts, Make Rate, Tour Pros Top 10
If you listen to this podcast, you probably know that Tour pros average about 50% on their putts from 8 feet. But how does that number change for players when they finish in the top 10? Or, on the other hand, in weeks in which they miss the cut? Lou puts this question to Greg and Mark, and the answer might give some insight into how much putting contributes to the hot and cold rounds that
How to Play a Narrow Hole
Trouble down both sides—what's your best option? In this episode, Mark, Greg, and Lou give advice for approaching a hole when neither side offers a bailout. What are the strategic considerations to take into account when neither miss is great? And what are some drills to get you ready to face the pressure to hit the demanding shot the moment it's needed?If you have a question you want cov
Chipping With a Hybrid
Do you play golf to shoot your lowest scores—or to bubble wrap your ego? In this episode, Mark and Lou take up a listener question on chipping. Most golfers get around the green and grab a wedge (often their most lofted wedge) for almost all their shots. But there are other options: from irons to hybrids to fairway woods to putter to—yes, even chippers. Is your short game a part of golf i
SMS - PW from Fairway, Scratch and 15, Greens Hit
From the same yardage, better golfers are, well, better. Duh. But better golfers most often are hitting less club from the same distance. If a scratch golfer and 15-index both have a pitching wedge from the fairway, won't they hit the green at a similar rate? That's the question the Lou puts to Mark and Greg. Once they settle the winner for the weekend, they talk about the advantages of a
2026 Masters Recap
Rory retains his Green Jacket! In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the recently completed 2026 edition of the Masters. Tempers flared, the course setup offered some surprises, and multiple great players ascended the leaderboard—almost. What does Rory's win mean for his position in the history of golf? And could Mark help Rory's game?If you have a question you want covered o
Match Play Strategy
What's different in your approach to match play? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take up a listener question about match play. In addition to any general changes in strategy, they discuss how to handle a match in which you're giving a lot of strokes to your opponent, as well as some of the pros and cons of gamesmanship in a match format.If you have a question you want covered on the
SMS - 50 Yards Fairway, SG of 0, Scratch, 10, and 20
For many of our listeners, it's the beginning of the golf season, and those partial wedge shots are often some of the trickiest to re-find on the course. What's a good shot? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about a 50-yard shot from the fairway. At what distances are a scratch, 10 and 20 index golfers breaking even on strokes gained? The answer is essential for having reasonable ex
Why Not Just Hit It Straight?
Do you need to have a preferred shape on the course? Why can't straight be a shape? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg take on a listener question about that affects swing and course strategy. With so many talking about "taking one side of the course out of play," is an intentional straight ball really a bad idea? Mark weighs in from a coaching perspective, Greg as a pro, and Lou as som
2026 Masters Preview
It's Masters Week! In today's episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the otherworldly magic that exist at Augusta National, where the normal rules of reality seem not to apply. Has Scottie peaked? What does Rory do for an encore? And who are they picking to win this year's edition of the tournament?If you have a question you want covered on the pod, please submit here: https://www.hackit
SMS - Short Par 5, Scratch and 10, Birdie or Better
Ah, the short par 5: might as well call them gimme birdies, right? Ahem. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how often solid amateur golfers of two different standards will break par on a short par 5. After the answers are sorted, they offer advice for dealing with expectations for scoring on each of the standard par holes—advice that might make you appreciate your birdies even more.E
What's Next for Tiger?
Again. Sadly, again. In this episode of the podcast, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about the arrest of Tiger Woods for driving under the influence. They discuss the media coverage and the place of Tiger in the modern golf marketplace.If you have a question you want covered on the pod, please submit here: https://www.hackitoutgolf.com/contact/Listeners can also leave us a voicemail! https://www
The Anchoring Ban
There are just a handful of notable professional golfers still using the long putters, and whenever they have success, they are often publicly suspected of cheating the no-anchoring rule. In this episode, Mark and Lou discuss this pattern. Should anchoring have been banned in the first place? Is there a performance advantage from anchoring? And there's a putting technique that Lou hasn't
SMS - Tiger's Make Rate From 7-8 Feet, Back Nine, Final Rounds
With Greg missing, Lou brings a Tiger question to today's Saturday Stat. We all have the memories of Tiger's clutch moments, many of which were must-make putts that he seemed to always make. But did he? Today's question: how does Tiger's make rate for putts in the final round of tournaments compare with his normal make rate? Mark competes against Lou's newsletter audience as we seek to se
Improving Strike at Full Speed
The whole golf world knows: one way to lower your scores is to increase your swing speed. But all the swing speed in the world won't help your scores if you can't convert it into ball speed—and that means you still need to find the center of the clubface when you're swinging fast. In this episode, Mark and Lou answer a listener question about exactly this topic, and offer pointers to help
Q&A: Match Play and Captain Luke
In today's episode, Mark and Lou take on a grab bag of questions. Should the Tour Championship be a match play event? Is match play a decent way to find the best golfer—and is it a good format for watching golf? And the European Ryder Cup team recently announced that Luke Donald is coming back as captain for the third time—should Team USA just concede the 2028 Ryder Cup now?If you have a
SMS - 5 Index, 40/100/180 Yards, Break Even SG Proximity
A 5-index golfer is a good player. How close does he need to hit his approach from 40, 100, and 180 yards in the fairway to gain strokes? This is today's question from Lou's dive into the Arccos database, and Mark and Greg's answers lead to some significant surprises. As always with the Saturday Stat: these are numbers that can help you set and maintain expectations on the course, and eve
Tiger on the Champions Tour?
Right now, the question is whether Tiger will play the Masters. But if he wants tournament reps, should he also play the Champions Tour? In this episode, Mark and Greg talk about that possibility. What would make it worthwhile for Tiger to play on the Champions Tour? Would he dominate the field there? Is he just scared of the Greggie?If you have a question you want covered on the pod, ple
Getting Ahead of Yourself on the Golf Course
In this episode, Mark and Greg talk forecasting—projecting future outcomes during a round. Drawing from personal experience and Tour insights, they offer strategies for staying present. Mark shares how his most relaxed and enjoyable golf happened when score didn’t matter, and Greg offers practical ways to build awareness of forecasting tendencies that all of us can use in our next round.I
SMS - 10 Index, Scoring Average, Course Rating 66/70/74
Par is just a number. But so is course rating. How much better will a 10 index golfer play at an "easy" course? And what impact will a "hard" course have on his average score? Lou puts Mark and Greg to the test, and we all come away with better expectations for our next rounds of golf.Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss
Making Sense of Shallowing
Social media swing tips and training aid adverts are full of help to get you to shallow your swing. Should you? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about shallowing. What does it even mean? How do cameras deceive us about what's happening in the swing? Is there a connection between a shallowing downswing and a shallow angle of attack? And can you play good golf without trying to sha
Driver Angle of Attack and Path
A useful, technical listener question: what is the relationship between swing path and angle of attack? Mark takes the lead on answering a listener question (that might be from Lou?). If the driver head is ascending into impact, isn't it more likely also turning back to the inside of the arc? Mark attempts to offer some conceptual clarity on a good question—a concept that could have you h
SMS - Top 10 Tour Pro vs Sub-150 Tour Pros, Greens Hit from 175
Tour pros are good—we all know that. But how much better are the very best Tour pros compared to their peers further down the leaderboards? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about how often Tour players hit the green from 175 yards in the fairway. The comparison: the top 10 players in the world versus those ranked from 150–175. How big is the gap between these elite golfers? There's
Filtering Online Golf Instruction
There has never been more information available to a golfer who wants to improve as there is now. But how can you separate the good information from the bad? And perhaps even harder: in the good information, how can you know what's relevant for you? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg bring their different perspectives to bear on these questions. Mark, as one of the first to use YouTube
Q&A: Clubfitting, How to Have Fun, Starting Juniors
A bit of a grab bag of listener questions in today's episode. Greg and Mark take on three good ones. The first: what should I expect from a clubfitting? Am I good enough for a fitting? How much can getting fitted for clubs matter for my game? The second: how can an amateur golfer have fun on the course and not allow this game to drive him crazy? And finally, how and when should junior gol
SMS - 10 Index, 10 Yards in Rough vs in Bunker
A 10-index golfer misses the green, but he's close to the green. Would he be better to be in the rough or the bunker? And by how much? In this episode, Lou brings the question to Mark and Greg. The first drama: can Greg continue trotting? Will the podcast continue when Lou needs to be rebooted mid-episode? And how can ordinary golfers make bunkers less penalizing?Each of these will be a m
Speed and Shot Options
What can you do with speed on the course? In this episode, a Lou-less Mark and Greg answer a listener question about speed gains. Surely, more speed means longer drives, but what other options does it offer? Greg has gained speed over the past several years, and Mark is working hard on his own speed-gaining project now. They talk about shots off the tee and into the green that are possibl
The Future of Golf Speed
Today's episode begins with a list: the driver speeds of some of the younger, up-and-coming Tour pros. Mark, Lou, and Greg (at least until his internet failed and/or he bailed on the call because he was intimidated by the speed of Mark and Lou) jump from there to a discussion of the future of speed in the professional game. They talk about why these younger pros are so much faster than th
SMS - 10 Index, Birdies Per Round Shooting 70s vs 90s
Longtime listeners of the pod will know that for typical golfers, the key to lower scores isn't making more birdies. Today's episode drives that point home. How many birdies will a 10-index golfer make when he shoots in the 90s versus his rounds when he shoots in the 70s? Mark and Greg offer their guesses, and there is no small surprise when Lou reveals the correct answer....Each of these
Changing Grip to Change Shot Shapes?
Today, a listener question: is changing grip a good way to change a shot shape on a particular shot? Mark brings this topic to Lou and Greg, and they discuss whether they themselves would use differing grips on the course to hit specific shots. From there, there's a bit of a deep dive into the various ways (and there are many) that grip changes can change ball flight—with maybe a dash of
Hitting More Greens in Regulation, Part Two
Picking up with more on hitting greens. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg dig deeper into the stats of GIR, in a way that emphasizes just how much it matters to hit greens, and how vast the gap is between great and less-great golfers in their approach play skill. Take this as motivation to work on your skill with the full swing.
Episode 1 of this series
Apple Podcasts: https://podcast
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 ga
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
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.
Wher
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 a
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 ne
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, in
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 wil
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:
Mar
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?
Wher
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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 mi
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 newsl
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
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
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/s
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 newsl
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 (10-1
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
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 rou
SMS - Shooting 5 Strokes Better Than Scoring Average
Where is the good variability in scoring? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about the ridiculously good rounds—where you go out and shoot 5 strokes (or better) than your season scoring average. How likely are you to do that if you're a low versus and high handicap player?
Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what
LIV Player Movement Rumors
X is abuzz with suggestions of players going to—and possibly leaving—LIV Golf. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg offer their opinions on these rumors, but more significantly, discuss the state of LIV and whether its current method of positioning itself has a future in professional golf.
Where to find us:
Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe
Ma
Australian Open Recap
Greg remains an absolute world-class golfer. In today's episode, he joins Mark and Lou to recap his T14 finish at the Australian Open. At an event he's won twice before, Greg showed up in force. He takes us through the week of golf, the course, the crowds. And maybe Mark is better than Rory?
Where to find us:
Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe
SMS - Multiple PGA Tour Player Stats
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. This week, the crew welcomes Greg back after his impressive Australian Open performance, and Lou comes with a grab bag of Tour Pro questions for Greg and Mark. Will Greg recover from his unusually poor performance last week, when Mark answered for him?
Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long)
Getting to a Single Figure Index
You're regularly shooting in the 80s: that's no small accomplishment in this game. Your next goal: a handicap index solidly in the single figures. In this episode, Lou and Mark give you the best tips and advice for where to focus your practice and play to get to the next level of golf performance.
Where to find us:
Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subs
Greg's Second Year on the Champions Tour
Recorded before Greg's strong showing at the Australian Open, in this episode Greg chats with Mark and Greg about his recently-completed second season on the Champions Tour. They cover the highlights and challenges of season, what changes Greg anticipates for his next season, and his goals for the year ahead.
Where to find us:
Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldg
Recommended
12 Hour Sound Machines for Sleep (no loops or fades)
#12minconvos
12 Minute Meditation
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson, Book Summary, Podcast, English
1440 Explores
1490 Doom - Lore Series Podcast
15 MINS OF FAME
15 Minute Mysteries: The Deep Dive
15 minutes de grâce et de vérité
15 Minutes of Infamy
15 Minutes with Jesus: Christian Meditation, Guided Prayer, Bible Study, Emotional Healing, Devotional, Hear God’s Voice
180Podcast.
