The Spin Axis is a conversation among golf coaches and instructors. We discuss the latest in teaching methods and techniques, equipment, training aids, and technology. Episodes are 20 minutes or shorter so you can listen to an entire episode on your way to work (or the course).
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022: Listener Mailbag #1 - Shallowing, Compression, and Clubface Control
19:55
19:55
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19:55In this listener mailbag episode, we tackle five great questions from our audience. We dive into whether players should use their arms or body rotation to shallow the club, how to compress the ball with an in-to-out swing, and whether short game and putting should be recorded like full swings. We also share our favorite clubface control drills and …
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021: Online Lessons vs. In-Person — Pros and Cons
20:28
20:28
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20:28In this episode, we compare online and in-person golf lessons. Each format has unique advantages and challenges. Erik, Jayson, and Tyson discuss the value of hands-on instruction, real-time adjustments, and subtle feedback like facial reactions to good or bad shots. They also highlights how online lessons can be more affordable, accessible, and fle…
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In this episode, we unpack what makes a great student in golf lessons. Erik leads a discussion based on his viral Twitter thread detailing 14 traits of successful students, from being open to change and having a growth mindset to showing up on time and asking thoughtful questions. Jayson and Tyson weigh in on each point, sharing their coaching expe…
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019: Grip Pressure – How Tightly Should You Hold the Club?
21:50
21:50
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21:50In this episode, we dig into the nuances of grip pressure — how hard should you actually hold the club during a swing? We challenge the old “baby bird” analogy, explore how amateurs and professionals differ in both strength and pressure patterns, and debate when in the swing grip pressure matters most. With supporting insights from leading biomecha…
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018: Chasing Scratch with Mike Shade (Instruction, Ball Flight Laws, Grip Strength, Curling, and Lessons Learned)
34:04
34:04
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34:04In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Shade from the wildly popular podcast Chasing Scratch, where he and co-host Eli chronicle their journey to (some day) becoming scratch golfers. We talk to Mike about the emotional and practical challenges of long-term improvement, the biggest misconceptions he’s faced, and what he might do differently if he cou…
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017: Wrist Angles and Feedback with HackMotion
18:37
18:37
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18:37In this episode, we dive into the HackMotion training aid — a device that provides real-time data on wrist mechanics in the golf swing. We discuss how we primarily use it to monitor flexion and extension, radial and ulnar movement, and the timing of both throughout the swing and putting stroke. HackMotion helps students understand and refine their …
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016: Practicing to Improve Our Golf Swings
19:04
19:04
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19:04In this episode, Tyson takes the lead and interviews Jayson and Erik about their own golf swings, how they practice, and how those personal efforts shape the way they coach others. We dive into our specific swing tendencies — like crossing the line, poor trail side loading, left wrist position, and rate of closure — and how we tackle them with limi…
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In this episode, we break down how the approach to practice and swing changes shifts depending on the time of year. Should you chase big technical changes mid-season? Or save them for the off-season grind? We talk about when to focus on skill versus mechanics, how to layer in pressure and speed, and the importance of developing feels that last. We …
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014: Motor Pattern Learning — Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
19:41
19:41
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19:41Changing a golf swing isn’t just about knowing what to do — it’s about how you go about learning it. In this episode, we talk motor pattern learning: how golfers internalize new movements and build lasting change. We cover common pitfalls like rushing drills, under-using feedback, and expecting it to feel “normal” too soon. Erik shares his five S’s…
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In this episode, Erik surprises Jayson and Tyson with a list of ten golf training aids — from the classics to the quirky — and they rank each one live, tier list–style. With no prep and no hints, their honest, unfiltered reactions lead to some debate, a few laughs, and plenty of practical insights into what actually works, what’s overhyped, and wha…
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012: Pro Tips from Lowest Score Wins, with Mike Granato
19:16
19:16
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19:16Mike Granato of Athletic Motion Golf returns to join us for a discussion centered around Erik’s book, Lowest Score Wins. We take a closer look at the “Pro Tips” chapter — practical advice for golfers who want to lower scores without overhauling their swings. From managing wind like a pro (hint: it’s not just “one more club” across the board) to the…
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011: Prioritizing Swing Changes with GEARS and Mike Granato of Athletic Motion Golf
21:12
21:12
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21:12This episode features a conversation with Mike Granato of Athletic Motion Golf, where we dive deep into how GEARS 3D motion capture helps instructors and players better understand — and improve — the golf swing. We talk about how to prioritize data when you’re measuring dozens of swing variables, and how to bridge the gap between elite-level moveme…
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010: Commonly Misunderstood Concepts in Golf
19:12
19:12
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19:12In this episode, we dive into some of the most misunderstood ideas that golfers — of all levels — tend to get backward. We break down why your arms shouldn’t do much in the backswing but are crucial in the downswing, why the hands and club don’t just move straight toward the ball from the top, and how “lateral force” is not the same as swaying (and…
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009: The Most Common Golf Lessons We Give (Spin Axis Draft Style)
19:33
19:33
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19:33In Episode 9 of The Spin Axis, the crew goes draft-style again — this time picking the most common swing issues they see in lessons (excluding grip and setup). From over-the-top swings and open clubfaces to tension-filled postures and chicken-winged finishes, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down the problems they coach most often—and how they fix the…
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008: Should You Get Better or Worse in a Lesson?
18:46
18:46
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18:46We dive into a common (and oft-debated) part of the lesson experience — what should progress actually look like during a session? Should players expect immediate improvement, or is a temporary step back part of the process? We explore how ball flight, quality of motion, and player feel can all tell different stories — and why it’s crucial to define…
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007: Social Media Instruction — Helpful Hack or Harmful Shortcut?
17:56
17:56
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17:56In Episode 7, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson take a hard look at the rise of social media golf instruction. From Instagram reels to YouTube tips, golfers are flooded with quick fixes and flashy drills. But are they actually helping? The guys break down the pros and cons, from the accessibility and exposure to different teaching styles to the dangers of ch…
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006: Skill vs. Technique — What's the Difference and Why It Matters
19:56
19:56
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19:56Erik, Jayson, and Tyson dive into one of the most debated (and rightly so!) concepts in golf development: the difference between skill and technique. What separates the ability to execute under pressure from just having good mechanics? Can skill be coached, or is it something players must build on their own? The crew explores how technique influenc…
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005: Low Spinners vs. Using the Bounce — What's the Better Short Game Move?
19:06
19:06
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19:06In this episode, the guys break down one of the most mesmerizing shots in golf — the low spinner — and contrast it with the more forgiving, bounce-friendly approach to chipping and pitching. Is that sexy one-hop-and-stop shot worth chasing, or should you lean into bounce for better consistency and margin for error? The guys dig into the role of fri…
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As a follow-up to Episode 3, we’re drafting again… but this time, it’s six golf drills we hate! Believe it or not, there are drills out there that are recommended to golfers that we think are counter-productive or even mildly harmful to the swing golfers are trying to build. Erik, Jayson, and Tyson choose the golf drills they use the least in this …
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It’s draft day on The Spin Axis! Erik, Jayson, and Tyson choose their all-time favorite golf drills in a snake draft format. From building a good pivot with kettlebell swings to dialing in distance control with the random ladder drill, these six drills can help golfers of all levels improve their swing, consistency, and putting. Do you do any of th…
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002: Do's and Don'ts for Parents at a Junior Lesson
18:36
18:36
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18:36In the second episode of The Spin Axis, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson tackle a tricky but important topic — how parents should (and shouldn’t) be involved in their junior golfer’s lessons. Should you chime in with swing advice or leave it to the coach? Is recording the lesson a smart move, or just a distraction? And what about those parents who spend the…
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Welcome to the very first episode of The Spin Axis! Erik, Jayson, and Tyson kick things off by challenging a long-standing tradition in golf instruction — the one-hour lesson. Is 60 minutes really the sweet spot, or could a shorter (or longer) session be the key to unlocking a student’s best swing? This episode touches on the psychology, practicali…
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