Stay ConnectedMost golfers stay stuck doing the same things. We’re here to change that.
Cordie Walker talks with the best coaches, players, and researchers in the game to figure out what actually helps you improve. Then we break it down into simple, practical ideas you can use right away.
No jargon. No fluff. Just real conversations, smarter strategies, and tools that move your game forward.
If you love the process of getting better and want to train with purpose, this show is for you.
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Ever wondered why tour pros rarely hit 60-yard wedge shots? Or why amateurs obsess over yardages that the best in the world actively avoid? In this episode of the Golf Well Podcast, host Cordie Walker sits down with Dr. Nico Darras of Golf Blueprint to unpack the real data, strategies, and myths behind distance wedge play. From launch angles and spin control to wind math and why setup is everything, this conversation dives deep into what the pros actually practice and how you can apply those insights to your game. They also explore how to think like a pro when it comes to decision-making, shot shaping, and course management. Plus, Nico shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with elite players and how Golf Blueprint is helping everyday golfers build smarter training plans. Whether you're working on your 60-yard shot or trying to understand how wind really impacts your ball, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fun stories from the tour. Subscribe for weekly golf performance content and insights from some of the game's best coaches. Follow Nico: @golf__blueprint Visit: golfblueprint.com
What if the 3-wood is the most overrated club in your bag?
In this episode of the Golf Well podcast, I sit down with Marty Jertson, VP of Fitting & Performance at Ping, to talk about the rise of the Thriver—a shorter, higher-lofted second driver that's replacing fairway woods for tour players like Neil Shipley and Preston Summerhays.
We break down:
– Why the 3-wood is becoming obsolete for high-speed players
– How a Thriver setup can drastically improve accuracy off the tee
– Fitting insights using Ping’s in-house strokes gained calculator
– Why your course strategy might need a total re-think
– How to build one yourself (or get it built the right way)
This might be the most under-the-radar gear trend in golf right now—and after hearing this, you might want to build one yourself.
Get ready for a deep dive into the science of golf with Dr. Sasho MacKenzie. In this episode, we cover it all, from the surprising impact of iron size on shot shaping to advanced concepts in swing mechanics. Here’s what you’ll learn as we recap the World Scientific Congress of Golf: - Why smaller irons might not always be better for shaping shots - The surprising truths about club kinetics and how they influence your swing - The science behind face-to-path variability and what it means for your game - How ground interaction affects your wedge play more than you think - A fascinating analogy involving car doors and swing speed (yes, really!) - Tips for testing different swing thoughts and stance setups for maximum speed - The unexpected ways putter weighting can affect your stroke consistency - What Dr. MacKenzie is researching next, including groundbreaking studies on ground reaction forces
In this episode, Dr. Paul Wood, Vice President of Engineering at Ping and President of the Golf Science Organization, discuss insights from the recent World Scientific Congress of Golf. They delve into various research topics, including the physics of putting on sloping surfaces, technological advancements in measuring putting dynamics and the latest buzz in the research community.
After Tony Ruggiero and Smylie Kaufman reflect on their years working together – Smylie was one of the best students Tony ever had. Smylie shares the secret to his success it was his understanding of his swing and keeping his focus simple, by having three to four things he’d monitor. They dive into specific techniques and approaches, as well as the best advice he’s ever received, what the best players can do and how his greatest strengths as a player have helped him in broadcasting.
Ralph Bauer and Tony talk all things putting. He explains where he starts when work with tour players, it’s changing their perspective to understanding how they missed is due to misreading instead of pushing or pulling. He talks about his new app, and how it solves the missing part to putting better is reading the greens better. The technology accelerates what would take years into weeks. They also discuss which grip is best for your putting, and the data he found from testing twelve tour players on left to righters and right to lefters. This episode is full of ways to improve your putting, and stories from Ralph and Tony on how they’ve helped players improve over the years.
Tony has Tour Player, Akshay Bhatia, on the show this week. Tony shares what really stood out to him about Akshay. They talk about his journey and choices with turning Pro at 17 years old. The uncharted challenges he struggled with and how he’s worked through them the past two years. He talks about the amazing coaches that have helped on the journey, and what he’s learned from playing with some of the greatest in the game: Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Bill Haas, Bryson DeChambeau and many more.
Michael Jacobs - 50 Best Teacher in America by Golf Digest, and top 100 Teacher in America by Golf Magazine; shares his journey, with Tony Ruggiero to creating his own research software and what the Jacobs 3D team is working on now. Teaching for 22 years, Michael explains how his focus changed and the 2 steps to becoming a great coach if you’re just starting out. Tony and Michael also discuss the culture of golf instruction and the great modern debate of pushing vs. pulling on the back of the shaft and so much more.
This week’s guest is Shaun Webb - he’s a top 100 teacher, been coaching for 20 years and has achieved great success with his business Athletic Motion Golf. Athletic Motion Golf integrates other sports' exercises and drills to golf instruction. He also studies the commonalities of great players to incorporate and improve the uniqueness of each student. Tony and Shaun share four different similarities of great players, they also talk about what it takes to become a successful coach. This episode is loaded with great teaching techniques and experience.
We sit down with Luke Benoit, a renowned instructor and Founder of Ryp Golf, the inventor of Rypstick, a speed training tool. He's done interesting work in the fields of attention of focus and learning. There's tons of GREAT info to help you train and play better.
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