The Meaning of Golf

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: thegolfpractice

A podcast hosted by Andy Hayes and Dasa Urbankoava from The Golf Practice.

An 8 At Erin Hills, How Would You Swing This Was Your Last Swing?
#231
Yesterday at 10:10 PM

Dasa joins Andy as he shares a recap of two days of golf at Erin Hills.


Lessons from Seinfeld "The Opposite," Going against your own choices leads to success.
#230
05/18/2026

Dasa joins Andy as he recaps  his latest round of golf-- and uses a lesson from Seinfeld to make sense of it all. They end by recapping the first ever Meaning of Golf School— which was a resounding success! Andy and Dasa will do the school again in June. Don’t miss it!


Half-Set Optimizing, What Can Be Gained By Playing Fewer Clubs, The 14 Club Corporate Conspiracy
#229
05/12/2026

Dasa and Andy begin by talking about the upcoming "Meaning of Golf School." Then Dasa recaps her first round using fewer than 14 clubs. She made a lot of birdies, and a lot of bogeys. They discuss her club choices, make adjustments. Andy shares about his time with the loft/lie machine, gifted clubs, and an old putter. They end by discussing the 14 Club Corporate Conspiracy, and suggest that maybe the pros are playing too many clubs.


Imagining The Apocalypse To Help Build A Set Of Clubs
#228
05/11/2026

Andy gives Dasa an update on the state of his lost clubs. They discuss putting together a new set of golf clubs, and explore how a person's clubs could help bring more freedom, simplicity and fun to there game, therefore lowering their score.


People Actually Play Golf For The Bad Shots -- The Imaginary, The Symbolic, And The Real
#227
05/04/2026

Pete Leinenweber joins Dasa and Andy to discuss a theory from French philosopher Jacques Lacan: the imaginary, symbolic, and the real. This theory gives a lens for which to see the world in all its depth and complexity. In comparing it to golf they question if its the bad shots, not the good ones, that keep people playing golf and give golf its flavor.


The Elixir of Golf - Sweetens Cove with New Club Golf Society
#226
04/27/2026

Andy shares a recap from his trip to New Club Golf Society's Spring Meeting at Sweetens Cove. He and Dasa discuss the golf course, competition, community, and what makes Sweetens Cove such a special place.


Reality Rules. Have You Noticed?
#225
04/23/2026

Dasa and Andy discuss "The Work" -- a process of examining your thoughts and reality developed by Byron Katie. They broadly discuss the theory and then apply it to various thoughts golfers have that cause them suffering.


Outdoor Golf! An Incredible Par Save, 4 Birdies in 9 Holes. Patience, Commitment, and More!
#224
04/20/2026

Dasa and Andy discuss their early outdoor golf matches. They discuss their rounds and how they're feeling about their golf. They end by discussing the need for patience and commitment for best performance.


The Masters and Rory Taught Us About the Essence of Golf... Again
#223
04/13/2026

Andy and Dasa discuss lessons from the 2026 Masters- goal setting, perspective, expectations, and more!


"What should I do when golf actually counts?"
#222
04/06/2026

Dasa and Andy discuss a listener question asking what to do when their round actually matters, like in a tournament or qualifier. They discuss "Golf Without Why," other philosophies, the Bible, and more!


Breaking 85, Scoring Goals, and More - with Daniel Warren Johnson
#221
03/30/2026

Daniel Warren Johnson joins the podcast and gives the show's first ever cold open about a memorable caddy at Whistling Straits. Then he talks with Dasa and Andy about shooting his personal best score, and how to manage goals and expectations going forward.


Championships, Identity, Transferring Your Game From The Range To The Course
#220
03/23/2026

Dasa and Andy begin by recapping the final of the TGP Staff Championship. They then discuss mindsets, and how certain approaches can help or hurt performance. Andy suggests that it's a good idea not to associate your identity with your score. The pair end by recapping Andy's first outdoor round this year, and contrast it with his infamous failure in Mexico in 2024.


Swing Thoughts Paradox
#219
03/16/2026

Dasa and Andy begin by discussing the TGP Staff Championship tournament before getting into a conversation about swing thoughts. Andy shares his experience finding new swing thoughts, and an experiment doing the opposite on purpose. Are swing thoughts needed? If so, how can we hit good shots with no thoughts at all? How do we find the balance?


Paradox, Score, and How to Play Golf Without Why
#218
03/09/2026

Andy and Dasa look forward to the outdoor golf season and discuss how to bring some of their philosophies out to the course. They discuss keeping score, golf without why, suffering, fun, joy, and more!


Shane Lowry, Viktor Frankl, and Finding Meaning in the Bad Shots
#217
03/02/2026

Dasa and Andy discuss Shane Lowry, Viktor Frankl, and finding meaning in the bad shots.


A History of The Meaning of Golf Podcast
#216
02/23/2026

In this episode, Andy and Dasa are joined by the show's Harvey Pekar - Daniel Warren Johnson - to hear the story of Andy's journey of golf and his search for meaning in golf and life. Andy shares personal stories, transformative experiences, and the deeper meanings he has found over the last 15 years.


Springsteen Lyrics About Losing, Reverse Engineering Golf, and more with Peter Donahue
#215
02/16/2026

Peter Donahue joins Andy and Dasa for a wide ranging conversation looking back on the history of the podcast, Peter's latest swing discoveries, song lyrics on losing, and much more! 


10 Questions That Change How You See Your Game
#214
02/09/2026

In this episode Andy and Dasa begin by challenging the way golfers typically talk about their golf - more like a medical autopsy than coming from a place of joy and curiosity. Since golfers are typically taught to fix themselves, Andy offers 10 questions to help people recognize what makes their game unique, and give them a different perspective to play from.


Golf Advice! with Daniel Warren Johnson
#213
02/02/2026

In a special episode - Daniel takes the reigns of podcast host, and asks Andy and Dasa some questions. They share stories of worst rounds, crying in the parking lot, and the suffering that comes when playing with people who are better than you.


The Joy of a 200-Yard Drive; and Stop Treating Your Golf Like a Dead Body
#212
01/28/2026

Dasa and Andy discuss the joy and magic inherent in the game of golf. From a beginner overcoming the shanks, to Jenny hitting a 200 yard drive, the game is full of magic if we pay attention. They explore why golf analysis treats rounds of golf the same way the doctors in "The Pitt" treat a dead body, and talk about why this common approach may be causing more harm than good. They end by suggesting that not trying to fix things could be the first step to improvement for every golfer.


Life Changing Golf - with Daniel Warren Johnson
#211
01/22/2026

Dasa and Andy welcome special guest Daniel Warren Johnson. Daniel is a comic book artist and has found a new obsession with golf. This wide ranging conversation covers Daniel's history with the game as well as a life changing round at Torrey Pines. Daniel even helps Dasa in her search for meaning with the game.


From a Swing Fault to a Superpower
#210
01/15/2026

The Golf Practice Podcast is back with a new name! In this episode, Andy and Dasa discuss drawings from golf aficionado and comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson that bring back a view of the golf swing that has been lost. Andy shares how these drawings have changed his life! He has a new perspective on the golf swing, making changes, and is generally a more self accepting person.


Christmas Reflections for Your Holiday Season and Golfing Life
#209
12/11/2025

Dasa joins Andy as he shares some theories and philosophies about finding non-religious meaning in Christmas. They then have a wide ranging discussion about finding meaning and. purpose in the ordinary.


A Common Misconception in Learning Golf
#208
12/04/2025

Dasa joins Andy as he shares about joining Facebook and spending time in the comments section of Michael Hebron's page. Then the two discuss how they have been applying Hebron's principles of self-guided learning to their own lessons and programs at The Golf Practice.


Searching for Meaning in Golf and Life
#207
11/19/2025

Andy Hayes is joined by Dasa Urbankova and Peter Donahue for a deep conversation about finding meaning in golf and in life. Dasa shares her first post-college season, Q-School, the US Mid-Am, and the unsettling feeling of not knowing what golf means without tournaments. From Czech hip hop dance battles to Victor Frankl and the idea of “doing it without applause,” the three explore competition, curiosity, creativity, and whether we can learn to play golf, and live life, more for its own sake than for outcomes.


Blurry Videos and Golf Social Media
#206
11/13/2025

Pete L. and Dasa join Andy to interrogate him over his recent blurry golf swing videos he has posted online. Andy shares his motivations, and they have a larger conversation about social media in general, and what gets attention.


When Fixing Something Doesn't Lead to Lower Scores
#205
11/11/2025

Peter Donahue joins Andy as they continue their recap of their 2025 golf season. Andy shares how he finally figured out his driver, but it didn't lead to the better scores he was expecting.


Recapping 2025 Golf with Peter Donahue
#204
11/07/2025

Peter Donahue joins Andy to recap his year of golf. They discuss dealing with change, learning from experience, and much more!


"I am the sole judge of my own standards."
#203
10/30/2025

Andy and Dasa talk about a quote from Ben Hogan and how they are trying to apply it to business, life, and golf.


Working It Out #5: Playing Golf Without Why at the US Women's Mid Am
#202
10/15/2025

In the final episode of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game, Dasa joins Andy to share her experience playing at the US Women's Mid Am golf tournament, and how she was able to practice playing "Without Why." They give examples and suggestions of how others could play golf "Without Why" and discuss the benefits of experience and performance that can come along with it.


Working It Out #4: Answering Questions About Playing Golf Without Why
#201
09/30/2025

Dasa joins Andy as they discuss some lingering question surrounding the details and practice of playing golf without why.


Working It Out #3: Golf Without Why
#200
09/23/2025

Dasa and Andy sit down for part three of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game. In this episode Andy shares a poem about a rose, and a story about musicians aboard the Titanic as he presents his theory of Playing Golf Without Why.


Working It Out #2: The Hum and The Lack
#199
09/16/2025

Dasa joins Andy for the second part of their search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game. In this episode they discuss "The Hum" and "The Lack," two competing philosophies that provide a lens to view golf and all of its mental game theories through. Is there ultimate goodness or suffering in the deepest parts of the game?


Working It Out #1: Golf's Mental Game
#198
09/06/2025

Andy is joined by Dasa on the podcast as they search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game.They have studied and tried out many theories, but they all seem to fall short in one way or another. In this episode they cover some popular ideas, and share about past successes and failures with various mental game philosophies. They end by discussing the Hum of golf, and hides from Irish philosopher Peter Rollins - searching for a lens that all other ideas could be viewed through.


Working it Out #1: Golf's Mental Game
#198
09/04/2025

Andy is joined by Dasa on the podcast as they search for a unifying theory of golf's mental game. They have studied and tried out many theories, but they all seem to fall short in one respect or another. In this episode they cover some popular ideas, and share about past successes and failures with various mental game philosophies. They end by discussing the Hum of golf, and ideas from Irish Philosopher Peter Rollins in search of a lens that all other ideas could be viewed through.


Advice for Scottie: A conversation on fulfillment and golf
#197
07/22/2025

In this episode, Pete L, Dasa, and Andy dive deep into Scottie Scheffler’s recent comments about success not fulfilling the deepest desires of his heart. They explore the difference between chasing results and finding joy in the process, both in golf and in life. The conversation ranges from Tiger vs. Scottie’s mental approach to the idea that nothing external can truly satisfy us. Along the way, they share personal updates, struggles, and reflections from their own summer golf journeys.


Tuning Into the Hum of Golf
#196
07/14/2025

Andy is joined by Dasa as they dive into the mental journey of golf, exploring the tension between searching for swing perfection and finding freedom in simply “swinging your swing.” They discuss concepts like tuning into “the hum,” gratitude on the course, and how life’s everyday moments—like kids eating waffles on the bed—mirror the challenges of staying present in golf. Through candid stories, swing experiments, and philosophical reflections, they remind listeners that golf is as much about self-discovery as it is about scores.


Eight 3-Putts and a New Philosophy
#195
05/29/2025

Andy, Pete L, and Dasa are back on the pod talking about how working at The Golf Practice has impacted their own games. Dasa opens up about a rare rough round, experimenting with new putting mechanics from Stan Utley, and the tension between coaching and playing. They get into swing changes, chasing speed, when (or if) to make adjustments, and how AI might fit into the coaching mix.


Never Be Too Confident In Your Ideas
#194
05/15/2025

Andy is joined by Peter Donahue as they discuss their latest ideas, insights, developments, and practices from their coaching and own golf games. 


Sweetens Cove with New Club Golf Society
#193
04/30/2025

Peter Donahue joins Andy as Andy shares about his time at Lookout Mountain and Sweetens Cove with New Club Golf Society. They discuss New Club, the golf courses, and Andy gives a breakdown of the journey of his golf game over three full days of golf.