Wicked Smart Golf

Let's continue on day 2 of the San Diego City Championship with this recap of the South Course at Torrey Pines. This was a true roller coaster ride that included a 66-yard hole out eagle, 3 birdies, some pars, too many bogeys, and a few doubles for an eventful 78.

While the score wasn't what I wanted it was a fun day on one of the toughest tests of golf. Learn 5 scoring strategies to take your game to the next level (and check out episode 148 for the North Course recap too).

WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method.

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

A few weeks ago I was in San Diego at the magical Torrey Pines for the SD City Championship. The 2-day tournament is hosted at Torrey Pines North and South Course.

I learned A LOT and wanted to share some of the biggest scoring takeaways with you and some mental golf tips to take your game to the next level. Today we'll recap day 1 at the North Course where I shot an even par 72.

WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method.

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

When you stop trying to make putts you'll make more putts...? Learn why you should focus on your process not the results in this five minute Friday episode.

WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE).

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Mastering the mental game is the key to shooting lower scores. In this episode I'm sharing a full podcast when I was a guest on the Fairway Performance Podcast with Shaun Diackhoff.

We cover:

• How to develop a routine
• My definition of the mental side to golf
• 3 mistakes amateurs make mentally and ways to address them

And a lot more mental game tips.

Want to learn more about Shaun? Email him at If you send them to [email protected] or direct message me on Instagram

If you're looking to improve your game by upgrading the way your body moves a reminder that Fairway Performance has it's own app! With programs to suit those just starting their golf fitness journeys up to those who have been training for years. Visit www.fairwayperformance.com/the-app to set up and account and claim a 7 day free trial today!

WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE).

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

With golf, it's important to celebrate your wins as much as it to assess your game after the tough rounds. A few months ago I recapped one of my worst rounds ever (episode #116) but this episode is celebrating a huge victory - I qualified for the 80th AZ Open.

This was my 4th time trying to qualify and finally got it done. Today I'll recap some of the best lessons I learned to help you play wicked smart under pressure.

WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE).

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Learn the only thing to think about when you're nervous and want to perform your best under pressure.

WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE).

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Your equipment can make golf a lot harder... or, a lot easier. It's such an important topic that I dedicated an entire chapter of my book to stress the importance of playing the right clubs. Your clubheads, shafts, and even grips play a big role in helping you shoot your lowest scores (without swing changes).

After getting fit for a new PXG hybrid I had to bring on my friend and fitter Camden Nierman. He fit me for a new 17* 2H PXG club and it's been one of my favorite clubs ever. Plus, a new set of PXG irons that have made my iron game much better.

In today's episode you will learn:

• His biggest findings after fitting 3,000+ golfers.
• Why you shouldn't neglect your wedges and putter.
• The biggest equipment mistakes that most golfers make.
• Why your shafts are more important than the clubheads.
• If you should get fit when you're going through swing changes.

And a lot more.

To become a wicked smart golfer and play your best, you NEED the right clubs and this episode will clarify all your top questions.

If you're in Scottsdale and need a PXG fitting make sure to reach out to Camden Nierman at the N. Scottsdale location.

WICKED SMART GOLF PRACTICE RESOURCES

10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method.

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Dominate your practice and fitness with the Under Par Golf App.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

To gain confidence with wedges you need a wedge distance chart.

With wedges, you want to have at least two "stock" distances.

Because a lot of shots you'll face on the golf course aren't a full number—even if you gap your wedges three to four degrees apart. Often, the distance is between a pitching and gap or gap wedge and sand wedge.

That's why you need to have multiple distances for each wedge. When you have two stock distances with each wedge, things get lost easier in the scoring zone.

One is your "full" number, while the other is your "knockdown" or 3/4 swing number.

The knockdown number requires little other than choking down about an inch to an inch and a half. By shortening the club, you will lose some distance and gain some control. Plus, you should improve the strike and reduce the spin.

Once you get excellent and become a single-digit handicap player, aim for three distances for each wedge—a full number, a knockdown, and a distance where you choke up almost to the shaft.

My go-to launch monitor to 10X my practice sessions is the VoiceCaddie SC300i.

WICKED SMART GOLF PRACTICE RESOURCES

10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method.

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Dominate your practice and fitness with the Under Par Golf App.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Learn how to "embrace the suck" during a round of golf to upgrade your mental game and play better than ever.

WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES

Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

If you haven't signed up for a golf tournament yet, I know this interview with Tori Totlis will inspire you to do so. Tori is a fellow amateur golfer in Arizona who was the AGA 2022 Player of the Year! She's also the host of T-Time with Tori and founder of Complete Confidence Golf.

In our episode today we talk about:

• Her inspiring golf journey.
• Why you need a practice plan.
• How to overcome "tournament trauma."
• How she's helping grow the game for women.
• The mindset needed to thrive in competitive events.

And a lot more.

To learn more about Tori make sure to listen to her podcast - T-Time with Tori. And follow her on Instagram or TikTok.

WICKED SMART GOLF PRACTICE RESOURCES

10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method.

Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro.

Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type

Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro.

Dominate your practice and fitness with the Under Par Golf App.

Also, don't forget to connect on social media:

Follow on TikTok

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing")

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.