The Tournament Code

In this episode, we are joined by Brian Craig. Brian (@briancraiggolf) is the founder of Brian Craig Golf, where helps golfers perform at the highest level. Prior to starting Brian Craig Golf, Coach Craig was the Head Coach of UK Men’s Golf, where he coached multiple players who have gone on to play at the next level, including J.B. Holmes. Brian played golf at the University of Florida, where he was a member of 2 SEC Championship teams and 3 NCAA Championship teams that finished in the Top 7. You can find more about his new endeavor at https://www.briancraiggolf.com/.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(02:26) - hitting the skids in golf

(04:39) - going through a slump

(08:48) - transitioning from professional golf

(12:02) - competitive nature of college golf

(14:05) - working with Chip McDaniel

(17:09) - dream guys and character

(21:34) - changing culture for Olympic sports

(25:33) - J.B. Holmes's desire for anonymity

(29:37) - college golf recruiting strategies

(31:41) - building team chemistry

(34:02) - time management for student athletes

(39:54) - enhancing the golfing experience

(40:59) - developing junior golf players

(45:14) - coaching parents in youth golf

(47:45) - focusing on the wrong practice

(51:41) - best memories in college

(55:57) - the importance of ball striking

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Luke Benoit. Luke (@dr.luke.benoit.golf) is a PGA golf coach with a diverse background of experience and skills. He has worked as a college coach, university professor and researcher, professional golfer, and Director of Instruction. In 2015, Luke began work as the Director of Instruction at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, MN (one of the top-ranked courses in Minnesota). In his position, Luke oversees instructional programs and teaches members. Through the success of Luke's players, Luke has been recognized as one of the region's top golf coaches and instructors. He also started a company called Ryp Golf that offers technology and training to help golfers hit the ball farther and straighter. In a very short period of time, Ryp Golf has evolved into one of the biggest swing speed companies on the planet, which has led golfers from all around the planet to travel to work with Luke.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(00:00) - training speed and mechanics

(04:02) - motor learning and golf instruction

(07:04) - helping students reach their goals

(11:48) - backswings are a waste

(14:54) - backswing and its significance

(16:26) - the RypStick invention

(19:20) - training speed and mechanics

(24:02) - pushing lead leg for speed

(27:44) - training ground forces

(29:29) - analyzing swing speed and force

(36:22) - foam golf balls and swing changes

(36:58) - middle strike illusion in golf

(40:33) - internal and external cues

(43:16) - putting techniques and natural talent

(47:49) - block practice and its limitations

(50:47) - variety in golf practice

(54:02) - choosing swing thoughts for tournaments

(56:19) - finding a good coach

In this episode, we are joined by Tony Ruggiero. Tony (@dewsweepergolf) is a golf instructor (Golf Digest Top 50) and host of the “Tour Coach” podcast. Current and past students include Andy Ogletree, Ben Carr, Lucas Glover, and Smylie Kaufman among other players from the PGA Tour and below. Tony attributes his students’ successes to the development of a team approach with mental coaches, fitness and performance trainers, biomechanic experts, and other coaches.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(02:37) - becoming a golf coach

(04:26) - influential golf professionals

(08:30) - coaching and developing young golfers

(10:18) - getting fired in the business

(15:12) - evolution of swing coaching

(19:26) - ball position and balance

(21:06) - monitoring details for improvement

(25:59) - coaching at the highest level

(29:29) - watching players grow and develop

(32:32) - special relationships with golfers

(34:55) - playing in golf tournaments

(38:58) - using Bushnell to improve

(42:14) - managing expectations

(44:55) - mental health in young athletes

(49:45) - balancing personal and professional life

(52:38) - success and finding your place

In this episode, we are joined by Cameron Percy. Cam (@cameronpercy1) is a golfer on the PGA Tour. Cam did not get into golf until his teenage years, but really enjoyed it once he got going. He continued to work at golf through his late teenage years and eventually saw enough success to turn pro. From there, he got on to the Nationwide Tour, and played there and on mini-tours before making it onto the PGA Tour in 2010. Since then, he has played on both the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(01:46) - starting competitive golf journey

(04:05) - golf practice routine

(07:29) - playing competitive golf as a junior

(09:25) - funding golf career in Australia

(13:14) - dealing with performance nerves

(16:31) - PGA Tour atmosphere letdown

(19:10) - taking chances and going for it

(21:36) - practicing on the golf course

(24:59) - impact and club movement

(28:15) - putting competition and fairways

(32:52) - shot shaping and firm greens

(33:50) - the disappearance of shot shaping

(37:03) - looking at the leaderboard

(40:15) - speed training and hitting distance

(44:04) - family first in professional golf

(47:45) - college golf facilities

In this episode, we are joined by Marty Jertson. Marty (@jertybird) is the VP of Fitting and Performance at PING. Marty played golf at the Colorado School of Mines and developed into a solid player, but decided to pursue a job as an engineer at PING. At PING he worked on PING’s aerodynamic Turbulators (Jertson is named on 125+ patents), and was lead designer on the Ping G410 Plus driver which included movable weight technology without affecting MOI, and counter-balanced shafts were an idea they created. Marty is also a great player, and has played in 6 major championships. Marty has also co-founded the Stack System and Ballnamic.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(04:13) - how Marty leveled up his game

(08:38) - strategies for maximizing efficiency

(10:09) - fitness and productivity tips

(14:37) - aiming the putter properly

(16:39) - aim in golf putting

(20:51) - increasing driver moment of inertia

(24:48) - optimal launch conditions and distance

(26:36) - importance of driving the golf ball

(30:26) - importance of driving in majors

(34:19) - strategy and execution in golf

(37:35) - shaping irons for specific pins

(40:05) - the advantages of shaping the ball

(45:51) – JT’s ball curving abilities

(47:06) - wind and its importance

(52:32) - different golf balls and flyers

(53:09) - robotic moisture testing

(57:25) - gaining speed and distance

(01:00:42) - heavier vs. lighter driver weights

(01:04:21) - keep golf fun

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. J (@jsnovetskyphd), Grace Wang (@gracewang111), and Lorenzo Pinili (@lorenzo_pinili). Dr. J (Jason Novetsky) is a Sport and Performance Psychology Coach at Champion Mindset Group. Grace Wang is an incoming freshman to the University of Michigan Women’s Golf Team. Lorenzo Pinili is an incoming freshman to Michigan State University Men’s Golf Team. Lorenzo and Grace have been working with Dr. J for about 4 years and join us to tell us about their growth and Dr. J’s role.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(01:28) - having a productive mental coach

(03:45) - golf mentality and mindset

(08:11) - pursuing goals in high school

(11:12) - balancing academics and athletics

(16:28) - controlling emotions in golf

(18:22) - owning her own confidence

(21:30) - junior golf tournament levels

(26:25) - balancing expectations and pressure

(28:39) - preparing for pressure-packed situations

(33:06) - dealing with pressure

(37:14) - the importance of pre-shot routines

(40:09) - pre-tournament routine and preparation

(44:27) - eating for sustained energy

(47:19) - pre-round warmup routine

(51:23) - not worrying about performance

(55:15) - the mental side of golf

(57:29) - the importance of discipline

In this episode, we are joined by Ralph Bauer (@cdngolfcoach). Ralph is currently the Director of Instruction at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Canada. Before taking that role in 2020, Ralph traveled on the PGA Tour for 19 years working with PGA Tour players. Ralph still coaches Tour players, but has reduced the number and the travel so he can spend time with his family. Ralph also helped invent the Tour Read app, an app that helps you learn to intuit the break of the putt.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(02:57) - long-term sustainable advantage

(03:30) - shortcomings of previous coaches

(06:58) - working with friends on Tour

(11:25) - external vs. internal practice

(13:15) - coaching based on player tendencies

(16:29) - green reading training system

(19:33) - improving green reading skills

(24:01) - becoming a great green reader

(26:18) - controlling the golf swing

(29:48) - putting practice techniques

(33:20) - greens getting faster during the week

(37:19) - green reading books

(39:15) - green reading techniques

In this episode, we are joined by Stephen Behr, Jr. (@SBehrJr). Stephen currently works at SAP leading the Strategy & GTM for Business and Enterprise Architects. Stephen is a well-renowned mid-am golfer, having won many mid-am events including the Crump Cup (Pine Valley’s mid-am tournament) and having been named the 2020 AmateurGolf.Com Mid-Amateur Player of the Year. Prior to having a job, Stephen played at Clemson, where he won the 2016 Byron Nelson award.

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Follow us:

Twitter - @TournamentCode

Instagram - @thetournamentcode

YouTube - The Tournament Code

Hosted by: Cooper Collins (@coopercollins99) and Daniel Hamrin (@DanielHamrin)

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(00:28) - appreciating teammates’ impact on success

(05:26) – playing against Spieth

(09:42) - unexpected success in college golf

(12:29) - getting in your own way

(17:03) - college golf and team dynamics

(21:06) - redemption and teamwork

(22:21) - nutrition and physical transformation

(27:15) - practice/play routine and job

(31:30) - playing under elite competition

(36:09) - taking time off from golf

(37:54) - the evolution of golf

(41:16) - distance discrepancy and course familiarity