Golf IQ

LKD and Sam Weinman dive into what makes a high, low and mid handicapper and how one can move up (or down) a level.

Could a good lie around the green actually be dangerous? On the final episode of Lie Detector, Drew Powell and LKD identify when the ball sitting up in the rough could actually be a bad thing.

We hear it on TV every week: the dreaded flier lie. But what exactly is it? And how can you identify it and plan for it? On this episode of Lie Detector, Drew Powell and LKD explain just that.

Golf Galaxy Director of Golf Experience and master fitter Chris Marchini returns to the pod to field listeners' questions on all things golf clubs, with Uncle Gene's help, of course.

Bad lies around the green are magnified because they often feel more consequential than bad lies just off the fairway. But the fact is, they count the same and the way to identify them and get your ball out of them is largely the same as well. LKD and Drew Powell are here to help.

We all end up in bad lies. Getting out of them without making it worse is key to lowering your scores. In this mini series, LKD and Drew Powell discuss different types of bad lies, how to identify them and how to best get out of them.

Oakmont's rough will be tenacious, its fairways tight and its greens fast and furious. The winner will need his A Game to win the U.S. Open, even if it's at a score viewers aren't used to seeing. And this club, which we don't see often, might be the difference maker.

Is slicing an issue? Golf Digest Best In State instructor Liam Mucklow suggests you check your grip pressure, particularly with your right hand. LKD explains why on this episode of Golf IQ, using a Viktor Hovland-approved drill as an example.

The former World No. 1 is one of the best wedge players of his generation and yet, the practice game he plays to dial in his wedges is something so simple, pretty much anyone can do it.

Golf Galaxy Director of Golf Experience and master fitter Chris Marchini returns to the pod to discuss irons fitting and a data point he swears by. Plus, JWall and Uncle Gene dish on the latest in the non-conforming drivers discussion.

LKD and Sam Weinman discuss a quote from Dr. Bhrett McCabe, a clinical and sports psychologist, on how to identify and deal with pressure on the golf course.

We've all been there. Should you give that three footer? Should you not? Should your opponent really be making you putt this? On this episode of Golf IQ, LKD and Sam Weinman explore the ins and outs of giving putts.

After breaking the news that his driver was deemed non-conforming before his PGA Championship win at Quail Hollow, Scottie Scheffler credited TaylorMade tour rep Adrian Rietveld with having a suitable replacement at the ready. Rietveld has been working with Scheffler since 2020 and knows the ins and outs of his bag better than just about anyone else on the planet.

We just watched Scottie Scheffler win (again) without his A-game. But even though he wasn't in full control, he still knew the shape his stock shots would have, a factor Top 50 teacher John Dunigan says is vital to playing better golf.

Golf Galaxy Director of Golf Experience and master fitter Chris Marchini joins the pod to discuss industry trends, products and misconceptions. Plus, JWall and Uncle Gene make PGA Championship picks and note a new entry to the zero-torque putter space.

The secret to getting off the tee more like the pros is not "swing hard" or "swing soft," but actually to swing with the same effort all the time. LKD dives into the one small change to make that will improve distance control and accuracy and help you keep your ball in play more often.

JWall and Uncle Gene recount memorable robot aces note some irons that impressed them in robot testing. Plus, a hint on which stats you should be prioritizing when it comes to new irons.

How the pros practice for the Masters, and how that can help your game.

Chunks. Blades. Chili dips. Outright sh*nks. Chipping can be difficult. But a study by Dr. Andy Hoffer found that 35 of 40 golfers got the ball closer to the hole using this chipping method. Chances are it will help you too.

Paul Vizanko, Director of Player Fitting and Development at Scotty Cameron, has been working with the most recognizable name in putters for a quarter century. Over the years, he's worked closely with tour pros and developed a keen eye for diagnosing putter fit and setup issues. It's that skill that allowed him to get Justin Thomas a new Scotty Cameron Phantom putter that helped him win the 2025 RBC Heritage.

The annual Golf Digest Company Match Play is BACK. LKD and Sam Weinman give an inside look at how even a company solely focused on golf can still have issues setting up matches. Most of our problems, however, are easily solved by using USGA handicaps. Now if we could only do something about scheduling ...

A study by Dr. Andy Hoffer shows armlock putting is a great method to try if you're a golfer who has the yips, especially one with an overactive trail hand.

Uncle Gene takes us on a journey through the Coachella Music Festival before we dig into our new video series, robot data on mini drivers, a new shoe from Nike and more.

Our own Drew Powell was lucky enough to win the Masters media lottery and played Augusta National with Sunday pins the day after Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam. This is his full story of how the day went and what he learned.

Our own Drew Powell was lucky enough to win the Masters media lottery and played Augusta National with Sunday pins the day after Rory McIlroy completed the career grand slam. This is his full story of how the day went.

JWall and Uncle Gene return from their Masters week break that had nothing to do with the Masters to break down Rory McIlroy's historic win, the clubs he used to do it, the clubs he didn't use to do it and more.

We all make lazy swings now and again. But there are physical and mental things you can do to prevent them, especially later in rounds. Here are some of our favorites.

We all have that one hole we hate. Or maybe there are a few. Or a lot. But the reality is, conquering that hole is easier than you think ... and it's not all about the score you put on the card.

Can the Masters elevate its coverage with unlimited launch monitor data? Digging into Max Homa's driver numbers, and Titleist finally gives golfers what they've been asking for.

LKD and Sam Weinman dive into how to find your practice "sweet spot." Your drills shouldn't be so easy that you fall into boredom, but they also shouldn't be so hard that you don't succeed about two thirds of the time.

What was the point of Bryson DeChambeau's club experiment? Plus, other equipment news.

Gene, in his first solo hosting effort, recaps the trip back to Golf Digest for filming, dives deep into his golf origin story and makes predictions for the future of golf equipment.

Blueprint Golf co-founder Dr. Nico Darras joins LKD to help you upgrade your practice so it actually works.

Golf Digest Best in State teacher Joe Plecker joins LKD to explain how a good weight shift looks in your golf swing, from start to finish.

Naming conventions may have changed, but JWall and Uncle Gene have uncovered some trends in the last few years of Srixon drivers. Plus, more golf ball rollback talk and a conundrum on tour.

Golf Digest No.1-ranked teacher in America Mark Blackburn sits down with LKD to talk about hip thrust, and when it can be used for good–or bad.

Golf Digest No.1-ranked teacher in America Mark Blackburn sits down with LKD to talk about moment of truth, and how to fix the common mistake golfers make during it.

Manufacturers promise a new and improved driver seemingly every year. Do Cobra's last three drivers live up to that promise? We put them to the test.

In this two-part series, Sam Weinman joins LKD to talk about the different between ‘getting ready’ practice and ‘getting better’ practice—and how to get good at both

In this two-part series, Sam Weinman joins LKD to talk about the different between ‘getting ready’ practice and ‘getting better’ practice—and how to get good at both

The latest episode delivers a deep dive into the robot data behind the last three years of Callaway drivers. Which model excelled in a big way? And is it really worth upgrading to a 2025 model? Co-hosts Jonathan Wall and Gene Parente offer the highlights from recent testing.

On this episode of the Golf IQ Gear Podcast with Jonathan Wall and "Uncle" Gene Parente, the duo dives into the last three iterations of Ping's G-Series drivers. How much distance gains model-to-model are there really? Do they spin more or less? They've got those answers and more.

In the latest episode of the Golf IQ podcast, we're breaking down the backswing move that caused Daniel Berger—and other golfers—a lot of back pain.

Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland dive into an array of gear topics with Jonathan Wall, ranging from 3D printing at the tour level, Woodland's secret club guru, Fowler's Mount Rushmore of Cobra clubs, mini drivers, ball changes and much more.

In the latest episode of the Golf IQ podcast, we're looking back on the swing drill Rory McIlroy spent all offseason doing, and what you can learn from it, too.

In the latest episode of the Golf IQ podcast, we're talking to John Novesel Jr. about the piece of advice that helps golfers boost distance with a smoother golfer swing.

PGA Show takes and talking Tiger

Brooks Koepka breaks down one of his favorite drills.

An inside look at Cobra's 3D printed club craze and what's next in golf equipment

Fowler is making headlines after changing a key piece of gear and re-upping with Cobra Puma. And what's up with the launch monitors at TGL?

In the latest episode of the Golf IQ podcast, we're talking about the benefits of strength training, and why golfers should care.

Discussing a notable industry trend, a defunct brand holding on by a thread and a tribute to a gear industry legend. Plus, more on Max Homa's move to Cobra.

Our learning from pros series concludes with a lesson from rising Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard on staying in the moment. It's easy to lose focus on the course, especially during long rounds, but slowing your brain down is key to staying on track.

Why Max Homa made such a big equipment switch after 10 years

We've all gone through swing changes. On this this episode of our learning from pros series, Ludvig Aberg explains why a swing change doesn't have to mean a complete tear down and rebuild, it can even be something you work on while playing competitive rounds.

In the next episode in our learning from pros series, we dive into the importance of runout numbers. One of the great numbers guys in our game, Bryson DeChambeau, shares his wisdom from U.S. Open week, when Pinehurst No. 2 was playing firm and fast.

In the next episode of our learning from pros series, Justin Thomas touches on something you've probably heard about if you've ever listened to a pro give an interview: Group momentum. Ever notice how some groups all play well or all play poorly? That "group mo" is real, JT says.

Discussing Bryson DeChambeau’s latest driver project, big-time holiday gear giveaways and a driver that impressed in a big way during robotic testing.

Changing your swing doesn't have to be scary. In fact, according to Viktor Hovland, it doesn't even take that long. On the next episode in our learning from pros series, LKD dives into how to change your swing quickly without ruining the rest of your game.

In part four of our nine-part learning from pros series, LKD explains how Xander Schauffele and his coach Chris Como mastered the art of trickling in his golf swing changes. Good advice for the rest of us, too.

What you need to know about TaylorMade's newest driver

In part three of our nine-part learning from pros series, LKD explains how Scottie Scheffler decided to stop using a method that tends to help lots of golfers, but what we can learn from it.

In part two of our nine-part learning from pros series, LKD breaks down an interesting answer from Max Homa about how he uses different golf swing feels—and a grip change gone wrong.

Only one company can legally describe a putter as a 'broomstick.' Here’s why.

An inside look at Rory McIlroy's swing problem and how he fixed it

Stop going for the hero shot. Please.

Maybe stop trying to make putts and then make some more putts.

How do you make aggressive swings that find your target?

Is this new putter trend the future of golf?

Two first-timers stop by the Hot List and have plenty of thoughts.

Sorry, but it might be time to finally overhaul that swing.

What you need to know about the impending ball rollback.

It may sound harsh, but this can really help your game.

How does one become a five-tool golfer?

An inside look at the clubs that stand out and what's next in robotic testing.

Why this trendy move might end up ruining your game...

The final part of our scoring series: What you need to know when it comes to making your putts and controlling speed.

Jonathan Wall and Gene Parente break down the biggest PGA Tour equipment trends and the best new drivers.

As our series nears an end, Drew Powell and LKD explain "sway gap" and how much of a killer a small gap can be. On the bright side, the crew gives a few tips for how to increase the all-important side bend.

Should you have a neutral grip? A strong grip? Weak? The answer, shockingly, may be more nuanced than you might think.

You know about the "5-second rule" as it relates to eating food off the floor, but these two "5-second rules" are much healthier for you, and certainly better for your golf game.

In this excerpt from a recent Golf Digest+ Happy Hour, Drew Powell and Dr. Sasho MacKenzie discuss the science of swing speed and some common speed killers.

In the next episode of our series on better scoring, LKD and Drew Powell discuss tee height and how it affects driving distance and accuracy.

In the next episode in our Rules for Better Scoring series, LKD and Drew Powell detail the "80-20 Rule" and how it can help amateurs stop bleeding shots around the green.

How do you figure out what tees to play in a way that will still be fun, help you play faster and, crucially, in a way that mirrors what it feels like to be a PGA Tour player? The answer may be surprising.

In the third part of our series on better scoring, LKD and Drew Powell explain the five percent rule (which may be closer to 10 percent for some players) and how a quick bit of pre-shot math can go a long way to avoiding hazards and big numbers.

In the second part of our series, LKD and Drew Powell explore Dr. Bhrett McCabe's '78-22' mindset and how it can helps elite players score when they're having similar issues to weekend warriors.

The 20/20/20 drill can feel like a bit of a chore, but it's one of the best things you can do for your swing technique and ingraining the proper feels and positions. LKD and Drew Powell explain how it can be an effective use of limited range time.

You need to play with what you've got on any given day. Sometimes that'll be your best, but more often than not, something will be off. But continuing to make mistakes trying to make something happen that just isn't happening is one of the fastest ways to blow up your scores.

LKD and Sam Weinman dive into an emerging trend among elite golfers and explain how it might help weekend warriors in similar ways.

Getting your mind right on the golf course is nearly as important as making good swings and handling rough stretches when they come is vital to scoring well.

Is Ai taking over the world? That's debatable. But while it's here, you might as well use it to help improve your golf game.

Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell discuss how playing in certain winds can affect your golf ball and what to do to keep your ball on line.

On this episode, Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell explain how hinging your wrists can help with a number of shots out of the bunker.

Sam Weinman and Shane Ryan, two aspirational 80-breakers discuss how they handle intrusive thoughts when glory is on the line.

Sam Weinman and Shane Ryan, two aspirational 80-breakers, try to hone in on what's working for them when their games are at their best. Shane, who has a few sub-80 rounds under his belt, details his tee-to-green prowess, while Sam, who's still on the hunt grapples with why he can't clear the final hurdle.

Pros talk about it all the time—when they’re not playing well, they have a go-to shot to fall back on. In this episode, we explain how you can find your go-to shots to salvage the rounds when you’re not feeling your best.

Playing in a competition round for the first time in a while? In this episode, we discuss common mistakes and how you can avoid them.

One of the most common swing problems in golf is early extension. But what exactly does that mean? How do you fix it? On this episode of Golf IQ, Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell discuss this swing-killing move and drills to avoid it.