Golf Rule 4: The Player’s Golf Equipment
Rule #2 is all about your equipment...everything you're using to play golf. The equipment that a golfer can use during a round of golf is regulated by the Rules of Golf. The purpose of these regulations is to maintain the spirit of the game
Golf Rule 1: The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules
Golf Rule 1 covers the overall conduct of the game and the behavior of the players. It sets out the guidelines for fair play and sportsmanship, and emphasizes the importance of respecting the rules of the game
Easy Tips for Longer Drives
Some things to help you pick up that much needed distance you're craving!
Tee Your Driver This High
Such a common question among beginners and average players...how high should I tee the ball up?
How Tiger Woods Hits a Wedge Shot
Watch as Tiger Woods walks Team TaylorMade through his thought process and feels for hitting a wedge shot with his 56-degree MG Wedge.
How to Hit the Low Punch Shot
Great golfers generally have the ablilty to addapt the flight of the ball to the conditions out on the course.
How to Play Golf – The Basics
Get started with some core fundamentals.
How to play Banker – Golf $ Games
Do you want to get better, faster? This is the game that you HAVE to play with your group!
How to Play Dots – A Fun Game for Your Foursome
Learn how to play the golf game called dots or as some call it, garbage.
Wolf Hammer: The Most Dangerous Golf Betting Game
A full rundown of the most dangerous game in golf betting: Wolf Hammer.
How to Hit Fairway Woods Pure
Great tips for probably the hardest shots in golf for average players - fairway woods off the deck!
Five Things Every Golfer Should Have In Their Bag
Tour pros chime in on common amateur equipment mistakes while Rick Young recommends basic gear needs for every golfer.
Chipping Made Simple
Chipping Made Simple This weeks impact show features PGA Tour coach and short game specialist James Ridyard.
Top 3 Golf Chipping Tips
3 Basic tips to help you chip better around the green.
Chipping vs Pitching
Chipping Vs Pitching: What is the difference between chipping and pitching?
Which Club Should I Use for Chipping?
Is there a best club for chipping? Pitching wedge, eight-iron, lob wedge etc... here are some variances & pros/cons to using a lower iron vs. lofted wedges w...
Phil Mickelson: Chipping 101
Short game legend Phil Mickelson demonstrates the three basic keys of how to hit more consistent chip shots.
How to Play a Greenside Bunker Shot
Chris Ryan takes a look at how to play a greenside bunker shot
Bunker Technique with Tiger Woods & Jason Day | TaylorMade Golf – YouTube
Watch the TaylorMade Team athletes Tiger Woods and Jason Day explain how they hit bunker shots, and their differing philosophies to execute a plan to get out...
The 13 best golf gambling games: how to play, rules and more
You don't have to be a Vegas native — or even a gambler —…
Strike Your Irons Pure
Basic fundamental reminders for striking your irons crisply.
Drive the Ball 60 Yards Longer
Intended for better players, this is some good advice from a couple guys that really know their stuff. They're using data to show how a simple change in setup can yield HUGE distance increases...with exactly the same swing speed.
Why Gary Vee’s Killer Advice Doesn’t Translate to Golf This Time (Ep.114)
Gary Vaynerchuk has the record in my personal book for the highest ratio of total words spoken to me - words I disagreed with. About a million to zero.
The Challenges of Scaling and Hiring for my Small Business (Ep.113)
It'll always be a work in progress. I'm taking the mindset that I'm going to execute quickly and refine as I go...rather than delaying, thinking, calculating on something so riddle with uncertainty.
How Real-Time Data Brings Huge Impact to Golf Course Operations (Ep.112)
Hampton Connect software is offered in conjunction with KPI Consult - a package offering recurring lightweight and affordable insights and deployable tactics to reach performance benchmarks at golf facilities.
Distance Wedges – You Know, Those Shots You HATE (Ep.109)
Well, I know this methodology REALLY helped my game, and I know for a fact that most Tour players do something similar - including Nick Faldo.
Scramble Advice for Beginners – How to Deliver Value to Your Team (Ep.108)
This session is all about a strategy for contributing to your team, and which areas you can focus on before you tee it up. Don't worry, you don't need to learn how to hit 300 yard drives the morning of the event.
A Logical Chipping and Pitching Strategy I Bet You Never Thought of Before (Ep.107)
All things remaining equal, try to land your chips and pitches in low areas rather than high areas. This strategy alone will improve your results.
How to Dial in Your Stock Greenside Bunker Shot (Ep.106)
The pros make it look so easy. Well, of course they practice a lot, but there are other reasons they get such great results out of the sand.
How to Fix Yourself Without Relying on a Golf Instructor (Ep.105)
I want you to be able to "read" your shots and know exactly why the ball goes where it does. Over time, this helps you to diagnose yourself
A Data-Backed Discussion on Golf Inclusion & Participation with Stuart Lindsay (Ep.104)
Great conversation with golf technology and data guru Stuart Lindsay today. We cover all sorts of topics related to golf course ownership, operations and marketing to newcomers.
How to Consistently Work the Ball Left and Right on Purpose (Ep.103)
If you miss to the right or slice the ball all the time, you're leaving the club face open. If you hook or miss left, the club is looking left at impact. It's that simple.
Where are the Best Golf “Guy Trip” Destinations? (Ep.102)
We've got our annual Floyd Manny Invitational coming up in a few weeks - a college buddy trip. This year, we're heading back to Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Bad Boss = Bad Culture = Get Out of There (Ep.101)
There are lots of types of people, and also lots of types of bosses. If yours suck, then get out now!
KPI Golf Owner’s Forum – How to Market and Sell Golf (Ep.100)
I'm leading a discussion on strategies that golf courses typically fail to consider. Golf is what we call a "Considered" buying process. The time it takes to usher someone along the customer lifecycle from stranger to loyal customer is often considerable - 2 to 6 months or more.
Give Your Golf Club a Chance to Compete – Big Data in Golf Biz (Ep.99)
All things equal, there’s simply no way that a club without this kind of solution can compete with those deploying true data-driven execution.
Giving Without Expectation – Business Strategy with Legs (Ep.98)
At the core, KPI Golf is built around the principle that golf courses serve as the epicenter of the communities in which they reside. The local living environment goes the way of your country club - jobs, recreation, real estate values, quality of life.
How to Make the Hole Look ENORMOUS When You Start Playing Golf in the Spring (Ep.97)
I'm just checking in on your northerners to see if you've been putting in the work. A month back I talked about my indoor putting drills and how they really helped my technique and confidence back when I was in high school.
A Case Study: Free Golf Lessons in Orlando (Ep.96)
I'll be dedicating 4 - 6 weeks of my time for these free sessions. I'm marketing and taking registrations all on my own. Any business that comes of it is going to the golf facility
19th Hole Topic – My Biggest Golf Disappointment (Ep.95)
Following the round, our group grabbed a drink in the grille room. One of them brought up the topic: What's your biggest golf disappointment?
Get Your Equipment Dialed In for the Season – Club Fitting Tips (Ep.94)
Super excited to be heading over to Oceanside CC in Ormond Beach next week to get things dialed in. On this podcast, I share a few thoughts on how fittings go, and what I like to focus on to make sure my equipment is right for me.
What it’s Like to Feel a “Connected” Golf Swing (Ep.93)
For the first time in a while, I was able to really feel that connectivity between body turn and club face. The results were killer - great contact, direction and trajectory control, and just a lot less effort to make things happen.
Putting in the Work: An Interview with the Vermont Lumberjacks Hockey Team (Ep.92)
Here are some thoughts and tips for traveling to other golf courses. It's super important to get the speed of the greens down before you hit the first tee.
Putting Speed Control Tips When You’re Playing Off Campus (Ep.91)
Here are some thoughts and tips for traveling to other golf courses. It's super important to get the speed of the greens down before you hit the first tee.
John Brown Shares His 85/50 Golf Course Membership Sales Strategy (Ep.90)
The 85/50 program is about engaging your newest members to become your most important evangelists for the club. The sooner you can engage these members in the recruiting process, the better.
Business Golf: Why You’re One Fun Day Away from the Keys to the Castle (Ep.89)
If you're 20 or 30-something and you don't know how to play golf, you're making a huge career mistake. All the old dudes running companies are retiring and play more golf than any other part of the population right now. It's not going to last forever though.
3 Key Takeaways from a Day of Killer Beachside Golf (Ep.88)
My good friend Brendon Elliott with Little Linksters Junior Golf invited my wife and I out to play Hammock Beach Resort today. The day was perfect and we learned a few very important things that I though worthy of sharing with you.
What High School Golf is Like in Maine (and Most Everywhere) (Ep.87)
My old friend Jon Jacques is a longtime high school golf coach in Maine. He shares some thoughts on what he's seen out of his players over the years, and what it takes to have some fun at the high school level in most areas of the country.
Surrounding Yourself with Good People – It Matters (Ep.86)
Choose the people that you play golf with carefully. If you like hard core games, putting everything out, or gambling, go for it. If you'd rather never keep score or never have to hit out of a bunker, find some people who want to play that way.
Swing Thought for the Day: Why 2 Levers are Always Better Than 3 (Ep.85)
Your golf swing begins as a one lever system. It's basically a straight line down your left arm down the shaft of the club. As you swing the club further back, you allow your wrist hinge bringing into play a second lever. This is the most powerful system.
Ever Seen a 90-Page Request for Proposal in Business? (Ep.84)
KPI Golf sent out 2 proposals today for 2 different golf courses. One proposal was a response to a 90-page RFP (request for proposal)! Crazy right?
An Attitude of Gratitude is Good for Golf (and Everything) (Ep.83)
A great friend and colleague called me out on social media the other day in a hugely complimentary way. I can tell you that it really hit home and I believe in paying positivity forward.
How to Aim Golf Shots Like Jack Nicklaus (Ep.82)
Whether you're precise with your shot making or not, it's good advice to at least aim precisely. It's the best chance you've got to produce the shot you're hoping for...and to evaluate your results.
Lots of DATA Making My Life Better Today (Ep.81)
First, I got myself a Flightscope MEVO to play around with. MEVO is a tiny golf launch monitor...about the size of a deck of cards. You can bring it with you anywhere and set it behind you when you're hitting shots.
The Stress is Real for Beginners – FOMU (Fear of Messing Up) (Ep.80)
Beginners always feel super intimidated at the golf course. Everyone seems to be experts. They all know how to dress, hit great shots, and have so much fun. Starting out can feel overwhelming.
Golf Course Owners: How to Get Vendors Competing for Your Business (Ep.79)
Vendors need to be competing for your business, not the other way around...
Get Your Short Game Feel Down – The Leap Frog Drill (Ep.78)
Super simple. Start with a short chip or pitch shot on the range. On your next shot, try to land the ball on top of the previous ball. It’ll roll out a little farther, then try to hit the 2nd ball with your 3rd shot, and so on.
Need More Distance & Consistency? Grip it Softly (Ep.77)
It’s human nature to squeeze the club and try to hit the ball harder when you need more distance.
The problem is that the complete opposite will give you much better results.
The problem is that the complete opposite will give you much better results.
Quit Chasing Your Tail and Give Long-Term Improvement a Chance (Ep.76)
Lately, I’ve been really simplifying my practice. In my career, whenever I’ve been struggling, I’ve always found that the solutions were far more simple than I would have ever imagined.
John Brown’s PGA Show Recap – Hampton Connect, Motorcycles and Mini Launch Monitors (Ep.75)
KPI Golf struck an incredible collaboration deal with MG Orender and Hampton Golf to deliver their new Hampton Connect club management software to the market.
Playing the Canadian PGA Tour & The Infamous Over-Under Rule (Ep.74)
Saw an article about Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler sharing the lead (after the first round) and also sharing a house out in Phoenix this week. Brought back some old memories of traveling around with the boys on the Canadian PGA Tour some years back.
Exactly How Free Golf Lessons Are Helping Golf Courses Win vs. Slumping Demand (Ep.73)
I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that the estimates and assumption I’m using are extremely conservative. A 5% conversion rate is very low for public facilities, but for private clubs may be very high (of course average customer values are also much higher).
Ball Position: Why It Matters and How to Be Consistent (Ep.72)
I get a lot of questions about ball position.
Why is it important? Where do I put the ball for the different clubs in my bag? How do I know if I’m doing it right?
Why is it important? Where do I put the ball for the different clubs in my bag? How do I know if I’m doing it right?
Improvement 101 – Own the Fact that You Can’t Get Around Putting in the Work (Ep.71)
I believe that casual golfers don’t need to spend money on golf lessons...or at least they shouldn't have to spend money on lessons.
Why Fearing the Opinions of Others is Sabotaging Your Golf Game (Ep.70)
I’ve heard a few times from my audience that they feel that my stuff is too advanced for them or that they aren’t good enough to benefit.
Why Beginners & Casual Golfers Should Never Have to Pay for Golf Lessons (Ep.69)
After 2 months of running this podcast, I've figured out the tie that binds all my messaging together:
Free Golf Lessons for All Beginners and Casual Golfers
Free Golf Lessons for All Beginners and Casual Golfers
Testing Some New Equipment at the PGA Show (Ep.68)
Spent that last couple days running around the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. I had the chance to test out all the new clubs and equipment on the ma
Hey Northerners – Are you Putting in the Work? (Ep.67)
If you're not practicing don't complain about not getting better. When I was in high school, I used to hit balls in to a net every day, and head to the beach because that was the only place without snow.
Golf Equipment Primer – My Two Cents on Choosing New Sticks (Ep.66)
It’s that time of year when lots of people start thinking about building their set for the spring. This episode is about my thoughts on some basics to go with if you’re a relative beginner grabbing some new clubs.
Sports Injury Prevention & Recovery with Craig Kotilinek (Ep.65)
Flashback to a chat I had with videographer Craig Kotilinek last week about his sports injuries and some remedies that have worked well.
The Shanks – A Cure for That Enjoyment-Sucking Death Spiral (Ep.64)
The shanks can come out of nowhere. They’re super scary and often paralyze golfers and suck the enjoyment out of the game.
The big problem is when they get into your head and you feel things spiraling out of control.
The big problem is when they get into your head and you feel things spiraling out of control.
Prep for the PGA Show in Orlando Next Week & Launching KPI Golf (Ep.63)
Heading to the PGA Show next week. So much to do in preparation for announcing KPI Golf Management to the world.
We’re going to be super busy next week meeting with vendors and solidifying contractual relationships.
We’re going to be super busy next week meeting with vendors and solidifying contractual relationships.
Yup, The Yips Exist in Other Sports – Like Tennis (Ep.62)
Sidechannel conversation with my good friend and master videographer Craig Kotilinek. Craig's day job is running CSK Creative, a videography and design agency here in Orlando.
International Jr. Golf Swing Contest – Judged by Jack Nicklaus, Francesco Molinari, Lauren Thompson (Ep.61)
Brendon Elliott, PGA Member shares the details on his global junior golf swing contest. The panel of judges is incredible - Jack Nicklaus, Lauren Thompson, Francesco Molinari to name a few.
KPI Golf on Underperforming Golf Courses & Their Options (Ep.60)
John Brown discusses the options that struggling and underperforming golf courses have. The first big misconception is that professional advice and exploratory conversations only come with hard sales pitches for club management contracts. This isn't the case at all.
2 Simple Pre-Swing Tips to Get Out of a Golf Slump – or Winter Hiatus (Ep.59)
Without good setup and alignment, your swing is doomed. Don't get it mixed up. The quickest wins are in your setup and stance - nothing to do with your swing. Most people focus on "in-swing" faults and ignore the "pre-swing". I do the opposite.
Tips For Shooting Great Video With What You’ve Got – CSK Creative’s Craig Kotilinek (Ep.58)
I've known Craig for 8 or 9 years now here in Orlando. He's an extremely talented and accomplished videographer and business operator. CSK Creative is a video production agency boasting clients like Golf Digest, Mercedes, The US Coast Guard, Total Wine and Wakeboarding Magazine.
The Good, Bad and the Ugly of Golf Course Ownership (Ep.57)
KPI Golf Management owner and business partner John Brown Jr. shares some stories of over 45 years in the golf course ownership and management business.
It's not always sunshine and lollipops in the golf business!
It's not always sunshine and lollipops in the golf business!
Guys Trips, A Car Accident & A Simple Swing Key That Worked for Me (Ep.55)
Well, last night was the first car accident ever. Fortunately nobody was hurt, but a close call nevertheless. A REALLY close call...and a lesson for all of you on guy golf trips.
Charlie Rymer Talking Golf, Television, PGA Tour & Myrtle Beach (Ep.54)
Many don't realize (myself included) how great a player that Charlie was in his early days. He's still competing occasionally on PGA Tour Champions as well.
After Q-School one year, he ran into his good friend Gary McCord who told him he should get into television:
After Q-School one year, he ran into his good friend Gary McCord who told him he should get into television:
Country Club Pitfalls: Golf Management Deals Too Good to Be True (Ep.53)
Country clubs bringing in outside management do so in one of two major ways:
1. They recognize they need help and expertise to help them move forward optimally.
2. A firm offers to inject some capital over time in exchange for ownership stake in the club (equity vs. non-equity).
1. They recognize they need help and expertise to help them move forward optimally.
2. A firm offers to inject some capital over time in exchange for ownership stake in the club (equity vs. non-equity).
Dominate the Springtime – Winter Drills for Putting, Chipping & Full Swing (Ep.52)
These 3 wintertime exercises helped me big time coming out of the gates in the spring back when I was in high school. I worked on my putting, chipping and full swing while our family was watching TV...and I won the Maine State Amateur that spring.
Rant: Why Short Sighted Golf Course Operators Suck (Ep.51)
I believe that the most successful businesses (golf or non-golf) take care of the most important things first...and at all costs. It's super upsetting to me to see operators ruining perfectly good businesses - especially golf courses - because they get it totally backwards.
2 Games To Make Putting Practice More Interesting (and Productive) (Ep.50)
These two putting games are incredible in a lot of ways. First of all, they help make putting practice a lot more interesting. That's a big deal for some of you who find putting super boring.
The benefits of these two games are many...they help lag putting as well as those testy 4 - 8 footers. You'll simulate real round conditions including a little bit of pressure if you're playing with others or matching your personal best.
The benefits of these two games are many...they help lag putting as well as those testy 4 - 8 footers. You'll simulate real round conditions including a little bit of pressure if you're playing with others or matching your personal best.
Help For Golfers Who Have Golf Courses They Care About (Ep.49)
Super Thankful - Time to Reflect
Just a regroup on why I'm bothering to deliver this podcast. It's two major reasons, both of which based on stuff that I've lived, experienced, and executed myself.
Just a regroup on why I'm bothering to deliver this podcast. It's two major reasons, both of which based on stuff that I've lived, experienced, and executed myself.
Drill: 5-Minutes A Day For Consistent Bunker Play and Pitching (Ep.48)
Super simple pitching and bunker play drill for improving your consistency. It's all about impacting the ball or the ground in the same place every time.
Here's how it goes:
Draw a line in the sand about 4-6 feet long
Here's how it goes:
Draw a line in the sand about 4-6 feet long
Golf Courses Turning to Tumbleweeds (Ep.47)
Visiting my parents in Southwest Florida this week. Their golf community lost their golf course a couple years back and it's super sad to see.
John Brown of KPI Golf on Humility, Owning Mistakes & Data-Driven Decisions (Ep.46)
There is no solution that allows for anything other than constant oversight and management. This is because conditions, economies, market positions, competition, and consumer preferences are always changing. The only way to compete is to evolve with the times. Golf courses are quickly finding that they are not different.
Hammer – A Killer Golf Money Game With a Hint of Poker (Ep.45)
Hammer has a wonderful way of revealing just how confident you are with your game. It's best played with other players of similar skill set, preferably with buddies who you can harass a little bit. Knowing your opponent is key. You should be able to strategically add pressure where they'll feel it most.
The Simplest Short Game Tip Ever – Better Contact & Distance Control (Ep.44)
For short shots, make a short backswing. For longer shots, make a longer backswing. It's that simple. If you truly focus on this, you'll be able to swing the club with exactly the same tempo for all length shots. You can relax your hands and arms, and the club will bottom out at the very same spot every time.
What Golf’s 2019 Rules Changes Mean for You (Ep.43)
If you're planning on playing some real competitive golf, moving forward the rules have changed quite a lot. You should rely on more trustworthy sources than me to get the details about what you're allowed and not allowed to do.
Holding It Together When You’re Nervous – Tips From Major Champions (and me) (Ep.42)
What is it about pressure that causes our body to react so strangely. You may not even be all that nervous about the outcome, and for some reason, you can't swing the same way, your putting goes bad, and you can't even think straight?
How to Play Those Touchy 50-Yard Wedge Shots Without Fear (Ep.41)
I used to absolutely fear a 50 yard wedge shot in golf tournaments. I'd do all I could to avoid them. Mostly that meant laying up to 100 yards leaving a full wedge into the green.
Fairway Wood Clinic – Basic Tips for Solid Contact (Ep.40)
This clip is from a clinic I did back in Phoenix for some relative beginners about hitting fairways woods. A lot of players struggle with this clubs - they're long, unforgiving, and you've got to be dead on to hit great shots. I hope these few tips help you out.
Deploying Trust and Added Revenue for Golf Courses (Ep.39)
When I go to Germany every summer, the days are very long. The sun rises around 4:00 am and sets around 10:30 pm. Golf courses over there have come up with a very creative (and simple) solution for bringing in revenue during those odd hours of the day when nobody is working.
How to Break Those Mental (and Scoring) Barriers in Golf (Ep.38)
Many of the so-called barriers that we try to reach in golf are simply arbitrary numbers. I get that it sounds cool to say that you shot 69 instead of 70, but at the end of the day, it's just 1 shot.
Stymies – The Best Competitive Putting Game Known to Man (Ep.37)
Stymies is a vicious competitive putting game that is best played with as many people as you can wrangle up. Find 10 people and you'll have a blast.
Gambling on the Golf Course – What’s Your Take? (Ep.36)
I'm down for a friendly wager playing golf with some friends, but is there a point where it goes too far? The USGA rules on amateur status say there is.
Winning vs. The Yips – Tactics for Gaining Putting Confidence (Ep.35)
In this episode, my good friend Robert and I share our feelings and the challenges that we've both faced. I give him some tips and exercises to build his confidence back up so that he can hit the spring golf season running.
Keynote: Golf Course Marketing for Club Owners – or Seemingly Lack Thereof (Ep.34)
Based on the fact that the economy has been great over the past 9 years, AND we've got a huge wave of Baby Boomers playing more golf than ever, golf should be thriving.
Latest Driver Lessons
Easy Tips for Longer DrivesSeptember 6, 2020 - 4:06 pm
Tee Your Driver This HighSeptember 6, 2020 - 4:02 pm
Drive the Ball 60 Yards LongerSeptember 5, 2020 - 7:02 pm
Adjust Grip to Hit it StraightSeptember 23, 2016 - 9:05 pm- Driver Science Distance into the WindSeptember 23, 2016 - 8:57 pm
- The One-Finger Grip TestSeptember 23, 2016 - 8:56 pm
