Wicked Smart Golf

>>Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) >>Apply for a "Wicked Smart Game Plan" episode >>Learn more about PrimePutt mats (and watch my YouTube review) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Today, Michael Leonard connects with a guest named Blake, who managed to drop his golf handicap to an impressive 2.9 in just a few years. Together, they walk through a "Wicked Smart Game Plan" specifically tailored to analyze Blake's performance stats, uncover mental barriers, and establish actionable strategies to help him transition to a scratch or plus handicap. We'll cover: The Importance of the Short Game: Learn why prioritizing low-point consistency and developing go-to shots around the chipping green is vital for tournament recovery. Leveraging Data for Lower Scores: Discover how implementing a statistical tracking system like Decade Golf helped Blake shave four strokes off his scoring average. Managing Course Aggression: Insights on breaking the habit of attacking red pins and properly executing knockdown wedge shots to avoid costly short-sided misses. Tapping into a Game Mentality: Strategies on how to safely harness competitive intensity and focus without letting anger sabotage your emotional control. Conquering the "Tale of Two Nines": Mental hacks and grounding techniques to stop guarding your score, stay anchored in the present moment, and successfully close out a strong round. Handling Late-Round Short Game Pressure: How to stick to a consistent chipping routine, manage expectations, and trust your instincts even if you haven't hit a chip shot in several hours. And more tips to play better without swing changes. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>>Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Today I share the wild story of going to Q-school in 2019 as an amateur golfer (despite not knowing much in the "wicked smart" world). I'll share more about registering for the event, how I prepared for it, and my scores/stories from a once-in-a-lifetime event. WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>>Join the Short Game Secrets Wedge Challenge (21 days to master your short game and save shots around the green) >>Get my FREE short game routine checklist Michael Leonard joins Tori again to talk about one of the most important—and overlooked—parts of shooting lower scores: wedges and short game. Michael also shares his quest to go from a +2 to +5 handicap, what the data says he needs to improve, and why golfers should spend less time obsessing over their swings and more time developing the skills that actually lower scores. In this episode, you'll learn: How Michael is working toward a +5 handicap. Why your wedge game matters so much. How to build a simple wedge distance matrix. Why most amateurs need more forgiving wedges. How to make short-game practice more realistic. Why committing to one driver shot shape simplifies golf. How better practice and course management can lower scores without swing changes. And more tips to better golf without mechanical swing changes. WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>>Get the Wicked Smart Car Caddy Series (audio tracks to help you pre- and post-round to build confidence with every car ride) >>Get my FREE pre-shot routine cheatsheet On today's episode of Wicked Smart Golf, host Michael Leonard welcomes back mental performance coach Karl Morris for part two of their conversation. Carl is an elite coach, author, and creator of the Mind Caddy app and podcast, dedicating his career to simplifying golf's mental game and helping players unlock their best performance without touching their swing. In this episode, you will learn: The Two-Step Framework for Growth: Discover the critical distinction between building golf skills and actually being able to access them when under pressure on the course. Rewiring Threat Perception: Learn why your brain inherently views the golf course as a hostile environment and how to shift your mindset to see it as a place of opportunity. Pre-Programming On-Course Behavior: Find out how a simple, 3-month journaling experiment before your rounds can fundamentally change how you handle the game's ups and downs. The Blueprint of the "Big Three": Get an inside look at Carl's mental foundations—Intention, Attention, and Attitude—and how they can simplify the most complex in-game moments. Shifting From Opinions to Facts: Explore a post-shot routine that prevents downward emotional spirals and stops bad shots from contaminating the rest of your round. Shattering the Course Illusion: Learn a unique strategic exercise famously utilized by Jack Nicklaus that visually reduces the difficulty and perceived threat of any golf hole. The Holy Grail That Doesn't Exist: Understand why golfers need to stop chasing consistency and instead start focusing on the true power of adaptability Make sure to follow Karl on Instagram and read his new book (available on Amazon/Audible). WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>> Join DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Scott Fawcett returns to the show for his fourth (and best) appearance yet—and this one is packed with insights that can transform your game immediately. Known as the "Moneyball of Golf," Scott is the creator of the DECADE Golf system, a data-driven approach to course management that's helped everyone from junior golfers to major champions like Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris. I recommend DECADE Golf to all of my mental golf coaching students—and for good reason. It simplifies decision-making, builds confidence, and helps you play smarter under pressure. In this episode, you will learn: The power of short game and putting routines. Why meditation matters—on and off the course A PGA Tour proven putting strategy to drain more putts every round. How to build a consistent chipping system that eliminates doubt Scott's plan to chase the Champions Tour And a wild Masters breakdown from 2025 (including how Rory could've won by 10) WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf. Practice Like a Pro With Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 100 Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro. Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>>Get the Wicked Smart Car Caddy Audio Training (coaching from Michael to build confidence to and from the course) >>Download my FREE distance guide to add 10+ yards in 60 days July was one of my favorite months of the year. Between the San Diego City Championship at Torrey Pines, AZ Match Play, and a Men's Club event, I got to test my game on some incredible courses and learn a few lessons that every golfer can apply. In this episode, I'm breaking down my tournament stats, what went well, what didn't, and the biggest improvements I'm making as I continue my quest to become a +5 handicap. Why avoiding short-sided misses is the key to surviving difficult golf courses How adding distance continues to pay huge dividends (and why speed training is worth it) The mental game lesson I'm working on after struggling with anger on the course A simple mindset shift to bounce back faster after a rough front nine Why hydration can dramatically impact your focus, energy, and performance The putting setup changes that instantly improved my start line and confidence Why even your best rounds will include bad shots—and how accepting that leads to lower scores Whether you're preparing for your next tournament or just trying to shoot lower scores during your weekend rounds, these lessons can help you play smarter, stay calmer, and score better. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and check out the Wicked Smart Golf Academy for more mental game, practice, and course management training. WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>>Join the 7-Day Pre-Shot Like a Pro Challenge Ever stripe it on the driving range only to wonder where that swing went on the first tee? You're not alone. In this episode, I'll share five simple strategies to help your practice finally transfer to the golf course. Learn how to practice with more pressure, build routines you can trust, create game-like situations, and prepare your body and mind to perform when it matters most. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why most golfers practice their swing instead of practicing golf. How to turn every range session into a realistic on-course simulation. The best ways to add pressure so tournament golf feels easier. Why slowing down between shots can dramatically improve performance. How to use a pre-shot routine to bridge the gap between the range and the course. Smarter short game and putting practice that mimics real rounds. Why cardio, hydration, and nutrition are essential for better late-round performance. A simple challenge to make your very next practice session more effective. If you've ever wondered why your range game disappears once you tee it up, this episode will help you practice with more purpose and finally take your best swing to the golf course. WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube

>> Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) >>Get my FREE pre-shot routine cheatsheet This Wicked Smart Game Plan strategy session welcomes Joe, a 6.4 handicap golfer and "fellow Arizonan," to discuss techniques for improving performance without making mechanical swing changes. In this episode, we'll cover: The Power of Video Feedback: Joe discusses how utilizing a golf simulator at work and videotaping his swing helped him align "feel versus real," leading to a significant drop in his handicap over two years. Managing First-Tee Jitters: The pair explore Joe's recent struggle with topping tee shots on the first hole and discuss mental strategies, such as "no expectations" and utilizing a "performance bubble," to bridge the gap between the range and the course. Wedge Distance Mapping: Michael recommends Joe move beyond a purely "feel-based" approach by mapping out three specific distances for each wedge to improve consistency inside 100 yards. Mastering the Short Game in Arizona: Discussion centers on the challenges of tight lies and bunkers, with recommendations for seeking specialized in-person instruction to build confidence in difficult greenside situations. The Path to Improvement: Michael shares his personal decade-long journey to a lower handicap, emphasizing the importance of fitness, speed training, and diligent stat-tracking to identify and address weaknesses. And more tips to play better without swing changes. WICKED SMART GOLF Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%). Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible. Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible. Follow Wicked Smart Golf Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube