SMS - Short Par 5, Scratch and 10, Birdie or Better

SMS - Short Par 5, Scratch and 10, Birdie or Better

Author: Golf Swing Productions by Mark Crossfield Greg Chalmers and Lou Stagner April 4, 2026 Duration: 12:08

Ah, the short par 5: might as well call them gimme birdies, right? Ahem. In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg how often solid amateur golfers of two different standards will break par on a short par 5. After the answers are sorted, they offer advice for dealing with expectations for scoring on each of the standard par holes—advice that might make you appreciate your birdies even more.


Each of these will be a mini-episode (10-15 minutes long) about an interesting golf stat. We will discuss what you can learn, and most importantly, how you can apply this on the golf course to lower your scores and lower your handicap. Listen on your drive to the golf course or over your Saturday morning coffee!


Data is sourced from Arccos Golf. They have over 1 BILLION shots in their database. Check them out at: https://www.arccosgolf.com/ 


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If you have a question you want covered on the pod, please submit here: https://www.hackitoutgolf.com/contact/

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Where to find us:


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Lou Stagner on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouStagner


Greg Chalmers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregChalmersPGA

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


For golfers looking to move beyond quick tips and understand the real mechanics and mental game behind improvement, Hack It Out Golf offers a unique blend of expertise and camaraderie. This podcast brings together the distinct perspectives of renowned coach Mark Crossfield, data and statistics expert Lou Stagner, and PGA Tour professional Greg Chalmers. Their conversations dig into the nuances of the golf swing, course strategy, and the latest in golf technology, all filtered through their combined decades of experience. Listeners get more than just instruction; they are privy to the lively, unfiltered banter between three friends who are deeply passionate about the sport. Each episode feels like a candid locker room discussion where insights on lowering scores are delivered with authenticity and humor. You will find yourself reconsidering your approach to practice, equipment, and on-course decisions. The podcast consistently balances technical depth with entertainment, making complex topics accessible and engaging. Whether dissecting a professional tournament, reviewing a new club, or debating a common golf myth, the show maintains a focus on practical takeaways that players of all levels can apply. Tune in for a genuinely informative and often hilarious deep dive into the game, where the goal is always to help you play better and enjoy the journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 641

Hack It Out Golf
Podcast Episodes
SMS - Tee Shot, 10 Handicap, Driving for 0 SG [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:44
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What used to be the exclusive property of fitting studios, high-end coaches, and touring professionals is now accessible for the amateur golfer. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk home launch monitors. What kinds…
SMS - Upper Percentile Driving Distances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. How long is 267 yards? Not in distance, of course: but where would a male golfer whose median drive is 267 rank among his peers? Today, Lou p…
Practice Swings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
Practice swings: useful? Necessary? Time-waster? What are your practice swings for? What about practice swings when you're practicing? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about practice. Should you take a practice…
Team Golf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
Today's topic: team golf. This discussion is wide-ranging. Mark, Lou, and Greg discuss their own experiences playing team golf, and how it differs for them from playing individually. But then the discussion shifts to tea…
SMS - Special PGA Championship Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:47
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. On this major weekend, we have a special episode: this week, Mark asks the questions! Mark has some trivia—even Greggie-related trivia—from t…
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Duration: 21:41
It's one of the basics of golf etiquette: repair your pitch marks. And yet, almost universally, golfers complain that the other guys don't do it. In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg tackle the topic of pitch marks. They…
Pre-round Warm-up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
How do you get ready for a round? Is your warm-up the sprint from the car to the first tee? Or do you have a scripted-to-the-minute routine, complete with a full physio, range session, short game practice, and a putting…
SMS - 100-109 yards, Up and Down, Scratch vs 15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
Welcome to the "Saturday Morning Golf Stat" from the Hack it Out Golf Podcast. In today's episode, the shot under consideration is the obvious green light: the chance to get up and down from about 100 yards away. How oft…