The Sweet Spot - Golf Podcast

To learn more about Jim Waldron's teaching and golf schools, visit: https://balancepointgolf.com/

In this episode, we are joined by golf coach Jim Waldron for a wide-ranging conversation about the mind-body connection in golf. Jim explains how awareness, focused attention, and staying “external” can help golfers quiet the inner voice, manage pressure, and access their skills more freely on the course.

The discussion also covers the yips, pre-shot routines, balance, Ben Hogan’s mental approach, and why many golfers sabotage themselves by trying too hard to control the outcom...

In this episode we explore what we would do differently if we had the chance to start golf over again with all the knowledge we have now.

Thanks to our show sponsors For Wellness, Strike Wedge, Monarch, and Ultra Pouches:

For Wellness is a small scoop that can be added to coffee, smoothies, or protein shakes, with ingredients like collagen for joint support, L-theanine for focus, MCTs for energy, cinnamon for antioxidants, and Himalayan salt for minerals and electrolytes. For Wellness conducted an IRB-approved study showing up to an 85% reduction in joint...

The episode explores why golfers should not expect to feel fully comfortable on the course, especially under pressure, and how accepting nerves, bad swings, or lingering fears can help keep a round together. There is also a debate about whether golfers should tee the ball up on par threes, which is tied to a larger conversation about margin for error, reducing big mistakes, and testing what works best for your own game. Finally, the episode covers how on-course personality affects performance, and why finding the right balance between focus on the ball and staying relaxed between shots can be...

In this episode, Jon and Adam discuss a simple but more useful way to track golf stats without getting buried in apps or misleading numbers like fairways hit and total putts. Jon explains how golfers can evaluate tee shots, approach shots, wedge play, and putting with a basic checkmark/X system focused on whether shots were functional, playable, and connected to scoring. The larger message is that stat tracking only matters if it leads to a better post-round review: identifying good shots, spotting real patterns, and separating ball-striking issues from strategy or mental-process mistakes. The episode also includes a...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of golf’s most misunderstood words: consistency. Adam and Jon unpack why consistency is not about making the exact same swing every time, but rather learning how to manage variability, improve impact patterns, and build bigger margins for error.

They discuss why golfers often make themselves less consistent by trying to control too much, and how external focus, differential practice, smarter strategy, and better expectations can all help. If you’ve ever wondered why your good shots and bad shots can show up in rand...

In this episode, we discuss how to spend whatever time you have before your round productively. Whether it's 5 minutes or 45 minutes, you'll get ideas for warming up effectively without falling into common traps.

Thank you to our show sponsors Monarch, Ultra Pouches, For Wellness, and Rhoback

Golfers who care about their game should care about taking care of their bodies too. The Good Stuff from For Wellness is a small scoop that can be added to coffee, smoothies, or protein shakes, with ingredients like collagen for joint support, L-theanine for focus, MCTs for energy, cinnamon...

Scott is offering a 30% discount on both DECADE Elite and DECADE Foundations for Sweet Spot listeners. Use promo code sweetspot on the DECADE website: ⁠⁠https://decade.golf/⁠⁠ Also, ⁠⁠this link⁠⁠ will automatically apply the coupon code.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Scott Fawcett from DECADE Golf, we shift from shot shaping into how golfers can actually prepare to score better. Scott shares what he’s focusing on as he gets ready for tournament golf, including 20- to 40-foot speed control, basic chip-shot practice, and avoiding the mistakes that lead to big numbers. We also get into a debate on block...

Scott is offering a 30% discount on both DECADE Elite and DECADE Foundations for Sweet Spot listeners. Use promo code sweetspot on the DECADE website: ⁠https://decade.golf/⁠ Also, ⁠this link⁠ will automatically apply the coupon code.

Check out Jon's new YouTube Channel with Pete's Golf called Golf Gear Explained: https://www.youtube.com/@golfgearexplained

Scott Fawcett from DECADE Golf joins us for another wide-ranging conversation, and this one quickly turns into a deep dive on one of golf’s most debated topics: shot shaping.

Scott, Adam, and Jon debate...

Purchase Jared Tendler's new book, Everyday Golf Psychology here

Join the free community Jared created around the book here

In this episode, Jon and Adam are joined by Jared Tendler to break down the biggest misconceptions in the mental game and the release of his new book Everyday Golf Psychology. They explore why golfers are obsessed with “finding it,” why that mindset is fundamentally flawed, and how real improvement comes from managing variability—not eliminating it. The conversation dives into frustration, pressure, and negative thinking, with a focus on identifying root causes and us...

This episode focuses on how to manage your game after a long layoff, particularly an offseason.

Thanks to our sponsors PuttOUT, HackMotion, Rag & Bone, Warby Parker

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PuttOut Golf offers some of the most intuitive putting training aids available, and the AirBreak putting green stands out for its ability to simulate real course conditions. Unlike standard flat mats, it uses adjustable pumps to create a variety of slopes, helping golfers better understand the relationship between speed and line while keeping practice engaging. The new AirBreak Max expands on the original with a...

This episode explores a few common traps golfers fall into, starting with the overreliance on club fitting as a “fix” rather than a tool that can only accommodate your tendencies. Jon and Adam make the case that real improvement comes from skill—especially your ability to identify and adjust strike patterns. They also break down the handicap system and why matches can feel unfair, but ultimately argue you’re better off accepting the variability and focusing on your own performance.

Thanks to our show sponsors HackMotion, PuttOut, Rhoback, LMNT, and Ultra Pouches

If you’v...

In this episode, we’re joined by renowned coach and co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, Dave Phillips, for a deep dive into how the body truly drives the golf swing. We explore why there’s no single “perfect” swing and how understanding a player’s physical capabilities is critical to building a repeatable, efficient motion. Dave shares behind-the-scenes insights from working with elite players like Jon Rahm, including how limitations can actually become strengths when properly managed. We also discuss the role of technology, biomechanics, and AI in the future of coaching—and where human coaching still matters most. Dave a...

To learn more about Adam's 8-week course, visit this link: https://www.adamyounggolf.com/8wk/

This episode explores why many golfers struggle to score well—not because of their swing, but because of how they think on the course. We break down the concept of “fast vs. slow thinking” and explain how most players use these mental systems in the wrong order, leading to poor decisions and unnecessary mistakes. You’ll hear real on-course examples of how emotional, instinctive decisions can derail a round, and why better players rely on more deliberate thinking before the shot...

This episode dives into the 2026 Shot Scope data report to uncover why most golfers struggle to break 80. Using data from hundreds of thousands of rounds, the discussion reveals that scoring isn’t about making more birdies, but about avoiding costly mistakes and managing difficult situations more effectively. It walks through each part of the game—off the tee, approach play, short game, and putting—to show how small inefficiencies compound into higher scores. The episode also challenges common misconceptions about what it takes to improve, highlighting why many golfers get stuck in the same scoring range. Ultimately, it reframes breaki...

In this episode, Jon and Adam explore one of the most common reasoning errors in golf instruction: false dichotomies. Many debates in golf are framed as “either/or” arguments—technique vs feel, steep vs shallow, mechanics vs athleticism—when the reality is far more nuanced. Jon and Adam break down how these faulty binaries show up in instruction, social media discussions, and the way golfers interpret advice. They explain why this type of thinking can slow improvement and create unnecessary confusion for players trying to get better. The episode offers a more balanced framework for evaluating golf ideas without falling...

Former Navy SEAL and performance coach Jason Kuhn tackles one of golf’s most frustrating problems - the yips. Jason shares his unique special forces background, struggling with the yips himself, and working with elite athletes across multiple sports, and explains why the yips are often misunderstood. The conversation dives into the psychology behind performance breakdowns, why trying to “fix” the problem can sometimes make it worse, and how golfers can change their relationship with fear and pressure on the course. Whether you’ve struggled with the yips yourself or just want to understand the mental side of performance, this epi...

In this episode, we revisit what you can control in golf and what you cannot control, and how it's crucial in your development as a player. We talk about the big five from Jon's book The Four Foundations of Golf, and you'll get some much-needed perspective on your game.

Thank you to our show sponsor Pestie

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This episode tackles a classic Ben Hogan quote: “You only hit a straight ball by accident… so you’d better make it go one way or the other.”

We break down what that really means, and whether trying to shape every shot is actually helping your game or quietly widening your dispersion. Using real launch monitor data, on-course experience, and some ball-flight physics, we explore why tighter shot patterns matter more than how the ball curves in the air.

Thank you to our show sponsors Ultra Pouches and Cash App

Ultra is...

In this episode, Jon and Adam explore where golf technology is heading after some eye-opening demos at the PGA Show, including AI-powered swing analysis and voice-interactive simulator coaching. They wrestle with the big question: will these tools actually make golfers better, or are we overestimating what AI can realistically diagnose and communicate? The conversation then shifts into a practical experiment using AI to simulate optimal target strategy, revealing just how many strokes golfers can save by aiming smarter. A wide-ranging discussion on tech, decision-making, and the limits (and promise) of data in improving your game.

To access your free evaluation from Par4Success, vist this link: https://par4success.com/sweetspot

Chris Finn of PAR4Success unpacks what actually matters in golf fitness - and where most golfers go wrong. In this episode, we discuss:

Research-driven insights on aging, mobility, strength, and power, including what truly correlates with clubhead speed.

Overspeed training myths, why more volume often backfires, and how golfers should think about mobility vs. flexibility.

Building a proper physical foundation is critical for hitting it farther and staying healthy.

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Renowned swing instructor Shauheen Nakhjavani joins us to discuss how different grip techniques can alter your golf swing. Find out why the older information might not apply, and how good match-ups are the key to helping control wrist angles and your clubface direction

Thank you to our show sponsors Warby Parker and Cash App

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In this episode, Jon and Adam explore a simple question: what does actually getting better at golf look like beyond just shooting lower scores? They break down practical, experience-based signs of improvement - from losing fewer balls and avoiding compounding mistakes to making better strategic decisions when things go wrong. The conversation dives deep into course management, adaptability, mental crutches like mulligans and gimmies, and why better golfers tend to miss in smarter places. A wide-ranging, honest discussion that helps go...

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In this episode, Jon and Adam explore a simple question: what does actually getting better at golf look like beyond just shooting lower scores? They break down practical, experience-based signs of improvement - from losing fewer balls and avoiding compounding mistakes to making better strategic decisions when things go wrong. The conversation dives deep into course management, adaptability, mental crutches like mulligans and gimmies, and why better golfers tend to miss in smarter places. A wide-ranging, honest discussion that...

In this episode, Jon and Adam are joined by club-fitting experts Woody Lashen and Sonny Burgo from Pete's Golf to unpack what’s really going on with the surge in zero-torque style putters, most notably from L.A.B. Golf. They explain who these putters can genuinely help, who they can hurt, and why no putter technology is ever a one-size-fits-all solution. The conversation expands into how elite fitters think about face rotation, weight, loft, grip styles, and even the yips—and why confidence and predictability matter more than chasing trends. A wide-ranging, myth-busting discussion that shows why great putt...

In Part II of our discussion with Kent Osbourne, we discuss productive ways to look ahead in your next year of golf and set goals properly.

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Before you can think about your goals in 2026, you have to reflect properly on your last year. In this episode, we revisit a conversation with performance coach Kent Osbourne on specific steps to make this happen.

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In this episode, Jon and Adam tackle two difficult questions golfers wrestle with all the time. First, they dig into why trying not to think about your score often backfires - and how understanding scoring ranges, perspective, and better mental “redirects” can quiet the obsession without pretending it doesn’t exist. Then they break down the real pros and cons of online versus in-person lessons, including when remote coaching can actually outperform local instruction.

Thanks to our show sponsors Aura Frames, , LMNT, and The Indoor Golf Shop:

If you’re scram...

In this episode, Jon and Adam dive into a new framework Jon calls the “In Spite Of” model - an honest look at the flaws every golfer has, and how you can still play great golf anyway. They unpack why some quirks should be ignored, others need ongoing management, and a select few truly deserve your attention. Along the way, they share examples from tour pros, their students, and their own games to show how imperfect swings and tendencies can still produce excellent results.

The conversation wraps with a deep breakdown of smash factor - what it real...

Everyone wants to know how good they could get with unlimited time and resources. Renowned author Tom Coyne joins the show to discuss the time he tried this for his best-selling book, Paper Tiger.

We also discuss some of his work for the Golfer's Journal's newest book release - Quiet, Please. To learn more about this project, you can visit https://www.golfersjournal.com/

Thanks to our show sponsors Aura Frames, HackMotion, LMNT, and The Indoor Golf Shop:

If you’re scrambling for a meaningful holiday gift, Au...

In this episode, we bring back Gene Parente from Golf Laboratories to break down some of the most eye-opening robot tests we’ve ever discussed on the show. From wet-vs-dry performance to why a 95 mph swing can keep up with 105 when you optimize impact, Gene explains the data in a way every golfer can actually use on the course. We also dive into mini-drivers, three-woods, gear effect, and the hidden physics that make certain clubs way harder to hit than you think. If you love understanding the why behind better golf, this is one of those conversations that will ab...

In this episode, we discuss how Adam was "swing shamed" on social media and how it reveals some truths and myths about swing aesthetics. Jon also recounts the wildest behavior he's ever seen from a playing partner in a recent tournament. We discuss how to deal with distractions and how to avoid becoming one yourself.

Thanks to our show sponsors The Indoor Golf Shop, HackMotion, Ridge, and Ethos:

Level up your swing this off-season with HackMotion — the ultimate wrist and clubface feedback tool that’s like having a coach on your wrist. Trus...

In this episode, Adam and I take a deep dive into when you actually shouldn’t hit driver—because despite what modern analytics say, there are times when it makes sense to leave it in the bag. We talk through how to evaluate risk vs. reward off the tee, why certain holes (like tight doglegs and pinched fairways) punish driver, and how to make smarter decisions that protect your score. Adam also shares one of his best breakdowns of beginner fundamentals—grip, ball position, posture, and the common mistakes that create chaos at impact. I talk about watching my son le...

We revisit our episode on how more golf advice (especially on the swing) is available than ever. But is consuming too much of it making you better or worse? We discuss common mistakes and how best to filter out information—even from Adam and Jon!

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PGA Tour winner Mackenzie Hughes joins the show to recap his 2025 season. He discusses how seeing Chris Como and Scott Hamilton are reshaping the concept of his golf swing, how maintaining identity is hard for pro golfers, and the goals he's set for himself in 2026.

Thank you to our show sponsors DeleteMe, LMNT, and the Indoor Golf Shop

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In this episode, Jon and Adam unpack one of golf’s most overlooked fundamentals — arc depth, the vertical dimension of your swing that determines whether you strike it pure, fat, or thin. They explain how it differs from attack angle and plane, why it’s the “hidden force” behind contact quality, and how you can train it using simple feedback drills. Jon also shares lessons from a conversation with Sir Nick Faldo about confidence under pressure, preparation, and finding a go-to shot when it matters most. The two finish by debating how launch monitors have changed the way golfers learn — an...

In this episode, Jon opens up about a recent tournament where he lost his temper on the course for the first time in years and what it revealed about perfectionism, ego, and expectation management in golf. He and Adam break down why anger shows up for golfers of every level, from the feeling of helplessness to tying our self-worth to our scores. The conversation explores how to recognize when frustration crosses the line into self-sabotage, and how philosophy and rational thinking can help you regain control. Whether you’re slamming clubs or silently boiling inside, this episode will help yo...

In this episode, we revisit how to control your distance with irons. Every round, you will encounter shots where you seem to be caught between clubs. Do you choose a longer club and take something off? Or do you go with a shorter iron and try to swing harder? We clear up many of these concepts in this episode!

Thank you to our show sponsors The Indoor Golf Shop and DeleteMe

As we enter the fall season, many golfers will be looking to upgrade their indoor practice. I've been trusting The Indoor...

Performance coach Karl Morris joins the show to discuss a ton of topics, including:

Most golfers think new equipment is the answer, but the truth is one lesson can often do more than a $1,000 driver. In this episode, Adam and Jon dig into why so many players struggle to change their swing, the role that concepts and external cues play, and how Adam fixed a 60-yard slice in just a few swings with a simple drill. We also tackle a listener question about match play strateg - how to handle the mental side of competing against a friend and avoid the common traps golfers fall into. If you’ve ever wondered why swing ch...

PGA Tour winner Mike Kim joins the show to discuss his breakthrough year. We discuss changes he made in his swing, working on chipping with Joe Mayo, how he embraces playing golf in "chaos," and some of his top tips for recreational golfers.

Thank you to our show sponsors Hydrow, Ethos, and LMNT

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