The Tournament Code

In this episode, we are joined by James Sieckmann (@jamessieckmann). James currently operates the Shadow Ridge Golf Academy in Omaha, NE and instructs eighteen PGA Tour, Web.com and LPGA Tour Players who have combined to over twenty tour events. James has been recognized by Golf Magazine as a Top 100 Teacher in America and Golf Digest Top 50, and is a nine time PGA Section Teacher of the Year. James has authored 3 books: Your Short Game Solution; Your Putting Solution; and Cool Under Pressure.

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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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(02:44) - access to unique opportunities as a kid

(05:03) - commonalities in chipping techniques

(07:23) - creating a new teaching philosophy

(10:09) - effective bounce and loft

(14:39) - quantifying golf shot variables

(17:30) - standard chip shot

(23:31) - adapting as a coach

(25:36) - scar tissue and performance improvement

(29:41) - reverting back to old patterns under stress

(32:54) - charting wind and pin positions

(35:25) - short game strategy improvement

(38:01) - cleaning up around the hole

(43:39) - perception and visual acuity

(46:41) - dealing with performance anxiety

(50:23) - practicing efficiently for maximum results

(52:07) - blocked practice and focus

In this episode, we are joined by Rick Fehr (@fehrgolf). As a junior golfer, Fehr won the Washington State Junior and PGA Junior Championship. He attended Brigham Young University and was a two-time All-American. He also won numerous tournaments as an amateur, including the 1982 Western Amateur. He was the low amateur at both the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open in 1984. Rick turned professional in 1984 and joined the PGA Tour in 1985. Fehr won two PGA Tour events: the 1986 B.C. Open and the 1994 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. He finished runner-up in a PGA Tour event (2nd or T-2) nine times and had 41 top-10 finishes. His best finish in a major championship was a T-9 at the 1985 U.S. Open. Fehr now is a golf coach at The Golf Club at Newcastle near Bellevue, Washington.

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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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(01:23) - rapid improvement in golf

(06:34) - adaptability and improvisation

(09:17) - using PGA Tour experience

(11:02) - college to early pro career progression

(15:31) - playing at the Masters

(19:13) - strategy in final round

(23:48) - changing golf swing technique

(26:25) - making changes in golf

(29:30) - structuring lessons for maximum value

(34:42) - developing yourself as a player

(37:05) - players improving and self-regulation

(42:48) - simple approach to golf

(46:57) - knowing how far you hit it

(48:09) - distance control on the range

(51:02) - junior golfers and long-term vision

In this episode, we are joined by Greg Chalmers (@GregChalmersPGA). Greg was introduced to golf at a young age by his dad and he quickly became hooked. Greg's dedication to the sport led his father to support his passion, giving him five years to pursue golf before returning to college if things didn't work out. That was never necessary, as Greg eventually got status on the European Tour, then the PGA Tour, and has spent most of his career on Korn Ferry/Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour.

Greg’s Skillest: https://skillest.com/app/profile/greg-chalmers

MAXimum Chances: www.maximumchances.org

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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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(02:44) - how good do you want to be at golf?

(04:29) - junior golf tournaments

(08:23) - transition from amateur to professional

(09:28) - early success and hard work

(13:06) - options outside of America

(17:46) - the changing landscape of golf

(20:10) - changes in golf fitness

(22:23) - preparation for tournaments

(26:36) - adversity and career setbacks

(29:06) - finally breaking through

(31:18) - playing better under pressure

(34:59) - putting prowess and technique

(40:30) - putting techniques and learning

(40:55) - trusting instincts in golf

(44:08) - doubling down on mistakes

(49:09) - decision making and stress

(51:56) - chasing goals on the Champions Tour

(55:11) - more confidence and self-understanding

(57:23) - MAXimum Chances charity

In this episode, we are joined by Damon Burrow (@DamonBurrow) of Golf EQ A.I. (@GolfEQ_AI). Coming from a background in baseball and basketball, Damon didn't start playing golf seriously until college. Damon is currently at Duke in a Ph.D. program and has used his engineering background to co-found Golf EQ A.I., which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze golf swings and create personalized profiles to improve the golf club fitting process.

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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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(03:54) - helping people find the best products for their game

(07:11) - in-person club fitting challenges

(10:00) - club fitting and caddying

(13:22) - fitting clubs based on club titles

(15:38) - wedge fitting and brand agnosticism

(21:39) - long irons misfit

(22:11) - most overlooked club in golf

(27:10) - wedge spot and gap wedges

(28:09) - wedge fitting and turf interaction

(32:36) - peak height in golf

(34:58) - decreasing loft and center of gravity

(38:42) - one length irons and club fitting challenges

(41:02) - solid wedge fitting challenges and opportunities

(44:22) - golf ball fitting importance

(48:15) - mobile app club fitting

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Vrska (@vgolfman). Michael is the Director of Custom Fitting and Player Performance at Callaway. Michael played college baseball and used his degree to get a job at Wilson Golf. From there, he developed his skills and then worked at Adams Golf for 9 years, before returning back to Wilson. He has been with Callaway for the past 4 years.

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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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(00:46) - getting into the game

(03:30) - golf becoming a passion

(09:06) – Michael’s background in baseball

(10:48) - competitive outlet in golf

(13:53) - how he broke into the golf club industry

(17:18) - golf club industry evolution

(21:09) - turnaround of Adams

(23:40) - golf club technology

(27:22) - golf club fitting tips

(33:21) - applying driver technology to fairway woods

(36:35) - golf club engineering advancements

(39:51) - golf club selection strategy

(43:49) – insights as Callaway's Director of Custom Fitting

(47:53) - tour players and equipment

(49:16) - Paradym driver technology

(52:18) - sound in golf equipment

(55:24) - shafts matter in golf

(58:35) - advanced technology in putter design

(01:03:33) - junior golfers and specialization

(01:05:35) - making friends through golf

In this episode, we are joined by Will Dickson (@will_dicksongt). Will was a top junior golfer and committed to play at Georgia Tech. In his freshman year, he tore his ACL/MCL and had to sit out for 10 months. When he came back, he struggled significantly. During COVID, he went to Waynesboro, Georgia, where he played golf with the locals. There, he re-learned how to enjoy golf and shoot low scores again. He played well his senior year and turned pro.

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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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(00:31) - playing golf professionally

(04:17) - swimming for physical activity

(07:33) - traveling for golf competitions

(11:13) - junior golf and college struggles

(16:35) - rediscovering love for golf

(19:00) - turning pro and junior career

(23:45) - importance of playing golf

(26:31) - mindset in golf

(29:31) - long-term thinking in golf

(36:31) - the importance of mental strength

(37:56) - mental struggles in golf

(42:22) - importance of mental performance coaching

(47:34) - golf practice strategies

(49:53) - being patient in golf

In this episode, Josh Nichols (@joshlukenichols) of The Mental Golf Show talks about his journey in golf. Josh’s dad introduced him to golf at a young age and Josh eventually secured a spot at Appalachian State. After college, he stayed amateur but eventually wanted to become professional. Despite missing cuts and almost making it to the U.S. Open, Josh remained focused on the process and continued to work hard. He made it to the finals of the U.S. Mid-Am and finished runner-up. After some time, he decided to focus on helping other golfers with Foundations Mental Performance (https://www.foundationsmp.com/).

Mental Golf Show: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RyN6bw9ZqLHTKNBG3TIJ4

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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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(02:36) - struggles with early tournament play

(03:38) - lack of direction in golf

(07:11) - playing golf at competitive level

(12:19) - college golf struggles

(14:36) - golf plateau and progression

(18:21) - struggling after college golf

(23:58) - intense golf training regimen

(25:31) - practicing golf efficiently

(29:02) - quality over quantity in practice

(33:44) - focusing on the process

(36:55) - psycho-stats for golf

(40:08) - efficiently chopping down trees

(45:29) - fun mental fundamental skills

(48:39) - journaling for self-awareness

(50:58) - the power of the brain

In this episode, we are joined by Brock DuPree (@brockdupree3). Brock is currently a caddy on the Korn Ferry Tour for Jacob Solomon (Top 50 on the points list as of this episode). Previously, Brock caddied at Kiawah Island before realizing he wanted to reignite his competitive spirit and become a tour caddy.

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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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(00:45) - how Brock got into golf

(03:38) - becoming a tour caddy

(06:40) - skills needed to become a caddy

(13:32) - caddying for Alexander Rocha

(19:20) - practice round strategy

(27:50) - Q-School vs Tour Event

(32:26) - player/caddy relationship

(39:15) - getting advice from veterans

(45:20) - what Brock would tell a rookie caddy

In this episode, we are joined by Corey Maggard (@Corey_Maggard). Currently, Corey is a Next Gen Club Fitting Analyst at Titleist, but he has held many positions in the golf world throughout his career. Corey played college golf at Transylvania in Lexington, Kentucky where he became an assistant coach right out of college. Shortly after this, Corey took the head coaching position at Guilford College and worked there for four years before being offered a position at Auburn University. He was at Auburn for seven years and became associate head coach there before taking his current position at Titleist.

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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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(00:55) - how Corey got into golf

(06:15) - getting started in golf coaching

(09:26) - becoming a college golf coach

(15:44) - preparation for college events

(18:50) - the culture at Auburn

(24:18) - what coaches look for in recruiting

(28:38) - preparing for tournaments as a team

(31:25) - qualifying for a college team

(38:20) - evolution of yardage books

(44:16) - working for Titleist

(58:04) - what Corey would tell himself as a junior golfer

In this episode, we are joined by Jamie Arnold (https://jamiearnold.golf/). Jamie grew up in New South Wales, Australia and learned the game at a young age from his father who was a golf professional. During his teen years, Jamie traveled to the United States as a member of the Australia National Team and competed in many of the top Amateur tournaments. Over the course of his professional career, Jamie has competed on multiple tours including the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour China, and the Australasia Tour. Currently, Jamie lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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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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(00:49) - how Jamie got into golf

(04:18) - playing in the US for the first time

(07:30) - preparing for tournaments

(16:32) - beginning of pro career

(20:17) - playing on PGA Tour China

(22:32) - getting through Q-School

(26:33) - playing full time on the Korn Ferry Tour

(31:48) - standard off week routine

(42:05) - working with Colin Swatton

(51:17) - life after competitive golf

(55:33) - what Jamie would tell himself as a junior golfer