Flag Hunters Golf Podcast

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Alex Smith joins the Flag Hunters Golf Podcast for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, adversity, identity, and what it means to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go according to plan.

From the instability of his early years with the San Francisco 49ers, to losing his starting position while playing some of the best football of his career, to the devastating leg injury that threatened far more than his ability to play football, Alex’s journey is an extraordinary study in perseverance.

But this conversation goes beyond football.

We explore how Alex handled uncertainty, remained a teammate through disappointment, rebuilt trust in himself and his body, and discovered what adversity can teach us about character.

And through the lens of golf, we examine something every athlete—and every human being—eventually confronts: How do we respond when the outcome is no longer ours to control?

This is a conversation about competing, suffering, perspective, gratitude, and taking the next step—even when you can’t see where the road leads.

One play at a time. One shot at a time. One day at a time.

— Jesse Perryman
The Flag Hunters Golf Podcast

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To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We sit down with Greg McHatton and John Erickson to trace how The Golfing Machine shaped their teaching and why Ben Hogan’s motion still sets the bar for golf swing physics. We get specific about impact, shaft flex, grip pressure, hip traces, and equipment choices that can make ball striking more repeatable and less dependent on timing. 
• how John’s development shifts from Ben Doyle’s theory to Greg’s competitive clarity 
• what Homer Kelly’s Chapter Two reveals about impact and real answers 
• why ball striking is trained into the body more than explained 
• trajectory-first shot selection and keeping the ball out of the wind 
• holding shaft flex through impact and using pressure in the hands 
• turning putting into a golf shot with more mass and feedback 
• Greg’s 3D Hogan research using high-frame-rate footage and traces 
• Hogan’s key swing elements including 4:30 line geometry and late rotation 
• grip pressure point Number Three with firm fingers and oily wrists 
• where Mac O’Grady’s model shines and where misses can show up 
• why heavier clubs can improve control and may reduce stress on the body 
Go on to advanceballstriking.com 
Check out blobmanai.com 
Greg is available for lessons at Vista Valencia in Valencia 

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We sit down with Hall of Fame coach Mike Bender to talk about building an efficient golf swing that holds up under pressure, not just a swing that looks good in slow motion. We dig into how great players practice, how motor learning actually works, and why commitment to one clear plan beats chasing the newest tip. 
• Mike’s origin story and how early obsession shaped his path 
• Why organized instruction and clear models matter more than random tips 
• The difference between building a foundation and stacking band-aids 
• Imperatives vs essentials and what Bender prioritizes in transition 
• How “arms feel” can produce better sequencing than you expect 
• Zach Johnson’s development, tendencies, and the value of maintenance mode 
• A scoring-first blueprint for shorter hitters: drive it well, wedge it tight, putt great 
• Wedge play principles: lower launch, higher spin, better distance control 
• Motor programs, myelin, exaggeration, and why feedback speeds change 
• Why you should not try to rebuild your swing during a round 
• How to choose a coach, what to ask, and why buy-in is everything 
• Technology as an analysis tool, not the teacher, and why numbers can block progress 
• The speed myth Bender would banish and what he teaches.

You can find Mike at, www.mikebender.com. Also, you can find Mike under his name on all social media platforms. 

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We talk with Mark Immelman about why the best golfers separate themselves without needing a perfect swing. We dig into identity, self-belief, coaching communication, and how to use stats and tech without losing the plot on the scorecard. 
• player identity as the real separator when talent is close 
• self-belief that holds up without arrogance 
• why mental toughness shows up when winning stops 
• making a bad day decent as a scoring superpower 
• the myth that a better swing guarantees lower scores 
• the “golf lifestyle” of practice choices, rest, and pressure reps 
• why players and coaches quit one process too early 
• teaching as listening and speaking the student’s language 
• “your message is only as good as what is understood” 
• three swing grades: solid strike, leveraged speed, repeatable under pressure 
• keeping the game simple and trusting what you know 
• the limits of strokes gained for decision-making and winning 
• stats as context, not a substitute for golf IQ 
• launch monitors as tools, not the whole lesson 
• Mark’s “top 12” coaching influences and old-school principles 
• how swing fads follow whoever is playing well 
• the Jim Furyk lesson: results under pressure matter more than looks 
• how Lessons from the Best was built from podcast gold 
• a Masters-week putting reset that focused on start line 
Search and subscribe to that. 
You can find everythingon Mark’swebsite, which is markimmelman.com. 

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We talk with coach Greg Jones about building a golf game that holds up under pressure, where the swing supports scoring instead of chasing perfect positions. We dig into old school coaching principles, modern verification tools, and why wedges and decisions decide who actually wins. 
• Greg’s path from junior golf to D1 coaching to returning as a private coach 
• Lessons from tour school and why “good” is rarely enough to qualify 
• Floyd Horgan’s influence on pivot, finish, and athletic motion 
• Using launch monitors as verification while trusting ball flight and contact 
• “The swing is a tool” for predictability and decision making 
• Reframing strategy as turning holes into par threes after transport shots 
• Matchups, grip changes, and the goal of low clubface closure rate 
• Rejecting social media perfection and keeping a player’s natural shape 
• Why wedge performance correlates with winning and lower scores 
• Wedge matrix basics with clock swings, stock yardages, and variations 
• Short game Project 25 reps for tournament-ready scoring 

You can find Greg Instagram, it's Greg JonesGolf Official, and on YouTube it's Finish First with Coach Greg Jones. Greg is the director of instruction at Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Alabama. Greg is available for in person lessons. You can also send an email to Greg at gregjonesgolf.com. Greg uses the Coach Now app and it's pretty easy to navigate.

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We sit down with Alex Rose to talk about why golf exposes our inner world so quickly and why that can actually be healing. We dig into identity, the inner critic, and how self-talk shapes our nervous system and our ability to play free under pressure.
• the difference between a golf player and a golf lover
• why the course reveals patterns that everyday life can hide
• separating identity from performance and the scorecard
• reframing the inner critic as useful feedback instead of truth
• using awareness, gratitude, and inner dialogue to reset fast
• why words hit the nervous system and change your physiology
• simple on-course experiments to shift mindset and build belief
• expectations versus possibilities and what alignment feels like
• keeping perspective so you can work hard and still have fun
Alex has graciously given the green light to put his information on, and he's available to be worked with one-on-one. http://www.alexrose.life/ [email protected]

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

Send us Fan Mail

We sit down with Karl Morris to dig into The Mind Caddy and the Mind Factor certification, then we challenge the myth that great golf requires perfect thoughts or a perfect state. We break down how attention, acceptance, and adaptable tasks help us access the skills we already have when pressure shows up. 
• Karl’s motivation for writing an accessible mental game book built around 46 real coaching lessons 
• why “being in the zone” is not the goal and how top players perform with uncomfortable thoughts 
• attention as the currency of performance and the skill of becoming an “attention detective” 
• separating from thoughts by changing our relationship to them rather than trying to control them 
• managing the in-between time on the course using senses, awareness, and simple resets 
• stable confidence through accepting the reality of ones, twos, and threes in every round 
• using pre-round journaling and “if then” planning to avoid default reactions under stress 
• adaptability over consistency and letting the shot create the swing on the course 
• shrinking the task when the world feels too big and noticing the stories we tell ourselves 
The book, The Mind Caddy, it’s available across the world on Amazon. The Mind Factor course, if you go to the website, themindfactor.com or dot net. Just email info at themfactor.com. 

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

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We sit down with Dr. Callan Lichtenhauer to connect the nervous system, subconscious patterns, and performance psychology to what actually happens when pressure hits on the golf course. We share practical ways to rewire negative self-talk, make mistakes feel safe, and swing with less tension and more freedom. 
• Callan’s path from chiropractic to sport performance psychology and why the nervous system matters in golf 
• How subconscious beliefs from childhood show up as tension, chaos, and fear during competition 
• Rewiring neural pathways by practicing “safe to make mistakes” in everyday moments 
• Simple on-course resets like intention setting, breath with steps, glove reset, and 3-3-3 sensory grounding 
• Sitting with hard feelings off the course through journaling, meditation, and talking it through 
• Why negative self-talk steals bandwidth and makes your body play defensive 
• Using awareness and inventory to catch spirals before they take over 
• Learning from pros and caddies about acceptance, detachment, and staying task-focused 
• Reframing stress as excitement and using visualization to make pressure feel familiar 
• Separating identity from outcome and building a life outside golf to support performance 
You can find Dr. Lichtenauer on Instagram @mentalmovement.co and her website, www.mentalmovement.co

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf

Send us Fan Mail

We talk with Singapore golf coach Marc Kawasoe about how a player’s journey through tougher competition, real-world constraints, and hard lessons shapes a coaching philosophy built on function and scoring. We break down how to practice so changes stick, why short game creativity matters, and how to train for pressure without fooling yourself.
• Marc’s path from junior golf in Singapore to high school and AJGA golf in Los Angeles
• The jump in competition level and what team culture teaches about earning your place
• The cost of chasing pro golf and the practical reasons many players move into coaching
• Learning from great coaches while building a non-method, systematic approach
• Teaching a functional swing that matches the player rather than forcing positions
• Why students must own practice time to convert short-term cues into long-term skill
• Myelination, spaced repetition, and why 10 minutes daily can beat weekend marathons
• Short game first coaching, creativity through constraints, and practicing with “wrong” clubs
• Pressure drills, commitment, and making practice resemble on-course demands
• Smart targets, center-of-green strategy, and training without always chasing flags
• Singapore course access realities and how academies create pathways for juniors

Support the show

To find Justin best, please find him on Instagram @elitegolfswing or email him, [email protected]

To find Jesse best, also find him on Instagram @flaghuntersgolfpod or TEXT him, (831)275-8804.

Flag Hunters is supported by JumboMax Grips and Mizuno Golf