SMS - Tour Pros, Short Chips from Rough, Different Greens

SMS - Tour Pros, Short Chips from Rough, Different Greens

Author: Golf Swing Productions by Mark Crossfield Greg Chalmers and Lou Stagner May 30, 2026 Duration: 16:47
By this point, we know that we want to avoid short-siding ourselves. But should we think about uphill vs downhill chips? In this episode, Lou offers Mark and Greg a handful of scenarios with Tour players around the green. They have different amounts of green to work with, but some chips are uphill and others are downhill. What effect does that have on scoring? And stay turned for Lou's bonus question: it adds an unexpected wrinkle to the data.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/ Use code MARK15 for 15% off!If you have a question you want covered on the pod, please submit here: https://www.hackitoutgolf.com/contact/Listeners can also leave us a voicemail! https://www.hackitoutgolf.com/voicemail/Where to find us:Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribeMark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonlineMark Crossfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/4golfonlineLou Stagner's weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.loustagnergolf.com/subscribeLou Stagner on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouStagnerGreg 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: 50

Hack It Out Golf
Podcast Episodes
SMS - Scratch, 125 in FW, Four or More Shots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:30
How often does disaster strike? In this episode, it's another (Gregless) Mark win in the Stat, but Lou's question is worth the attention. From 125 in the fairway, a scratch golfer is thinking birdie. How often will this…
Take Swing Lessons or Work on Skills? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:39
In recent years, a number of golf coaches have made the case that golf improvement doesn't always mean an intent to change your swing. In this episode, Mark and Lou tackle a listener question about balance: when should I…
Mark's and Greg's Favorite Courses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:54
Over their careers, Greg and Mark have seen and played a lot of golf courses. In this episode, they recall some of their favorites. Which Open rota courses would Greg want to play for a tournament—and which for fun? And…
SMS - 5 Index, Par 5, 2nd Shot 250 in FW, Bogey or Worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:53
The green is reachable. In this episode, missing Greg, Mark takes on Lou's newsletter audience. On a par 5, a solid 5-index golfer is sitting 250 yards out in the fairway. How often will he make bogey or worse from there…
Lou at the US Amateur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
The US Amateur is one of the iconic events of golf calendar. In this episode, Lou and Mark talk through Lou's recent opportunity to caddie at the US Am. They discuss Merion, the setup (and whether a classic course like t…
Greg's 2026 Season So Far [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:13
The Champions Tour season is entering its final stretch, and Greg needs to make a push to make the final 36. In this episode, Greg and Mark talk through Greg's 2026 season to this point. With a handful of events to go, G…
SMS - 15 Yard Chips Finishing > 18 Feet, Scratch, 10, and 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:49
In today's episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg about greenside short game. How often will a chip from the rough finish outside 6 paces for scratch, 10, and 20 index golfers? After Greg incinerates the 20s again, the guys tal…
Is It Harder to Go from 3 to Scratch than from 15 to 5? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:21
A couple of golf improvement listener questions for Mark, Lou, and Greg in today's podcast. The first: is it easier to get from a 15-index down to 5 than to get from 3 down to scratch? The guys bring their own experience…
Charley's Joke and Rory's Schedule [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
Mark, Lou, and Greg talk about some of the recent—ahem—"news" in the world of golf. Are we running out of actual golf stories when we focus on a joke between a player and her caddie? And is Rory getting special treatment…
SMS - 10 Index, Good Rounds vs Bad Rounds, FW Hit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:06
What is a fairway worth? In this episode, Lou asks Mark and Greg to compare the good and bad rounds of a 10-index golfer. We'd expect that when an amateur of this level scores well, he's probably hitting more fairways th…