The Spin Axis - Golf Podcast

Erik J. Barzeski, Tyson Deskins, Jayson Nickol

The Spin Axis is a conversation among golf coaches and instructors. We discuss the latest in teaching methods and techniques, equipment, training aids, and technology. Episodes are 20 minutes or shorter so you can listen to an entire episode on your way to work (or the course).

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20 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Tuesday · 25 min
073: Our Biggest Instructional Pet Peeves (with Mike Granato)
Mike Granato returns to join the guys for a candid discussion about some of their biggest pet peeves in golf instruction. They tackle common myths and bad ideas, including the idea of the “effortless” golf swing, instructors relying on their own feels instead of measurable reality, demonstrations that don’t actually help students, and the growing or ongoing misuse of ground reaction forces and 2D video analysis. Along the way, they explain why good coaching should be grounded in objective data,
July 21 · 32 min
072: Mike Granato on Stack & Tilt, Measurements, and Missing the Windows
Mike Granato from Athletic Motion Golf (AMG) joins the podcast to examine something that’s a hot topic amongst a certain small group of instructors on social media: Stack & Tilt and its claims about what the best players actually do in their golf swings. Using 3D motion capture data from GEARS and force plate data, the discussion looks at where some commonly cited S&T measurements fail to match the actual movement patterns of elite golfers. The group breaks down four major areas: 1) lateral pelv
July 14 · 25 min
071: Quick Hits — Equipment Topics on Our Minds
In this rapid-fire equipment episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson each bring a different gear topic to the table and dive into the details behind what’s on their minds these days. They discuss the rise of mini drivers and why some players may not need a traditional 3-wood anymore, and how equipment choices should reflect modern strategy and player ability. The conversation also covers wedge fitting, including lie angle and bounce considerations, before wrapping up with the ongoing debate around putt
July 7 · 22 min
070: Snake Draft — Why Golfers Don’t Get Better
Why do so many golfers plateau despite taking lessons and practicing regularly? In this fun, snake-draft-style episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson each select what they believe are the biggest reasons players fail to improve. The picks include a lack of commitment, focusing on outcomes instead of the process, making changes that are too small to create real movement, practicing without objective feedback, chasing symptoms instead of root causes, and trying to fix too many things at once. Along the
June 30 · 17 min
069: Should You Copy Your Favorite Tour Player’s Swing?
Is copying your favorite Tour player the fastest path to better golf or a recipe for frustration? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson discuss why elite players developed their swings over decades, often beginning in childhood, and why trying to duplicate the finished product rarely works. They explain how mobility, athleticism, and individual tendencies shape every great swing, making direct comparisons misleading even among players with similar body types. Instead, they suggest borrowing p
June 23 · 25 min
068: Building a Home Golf Simulator at Any Budget
Thinking about building a home golf simulator but not sure where to start? In this episode, Mike from Carl’s Place joins the show to break down realistic simulator setups at four popular budget levels: roughly $2,000, $5,000, $12,500, and $25,000. The conversation covers where serious golfers should spend money first, when upgrades begin to provide meaningful value, and how launch monitors, projectors, computers, mats, and enclosures fit into the equation. We cater this discussion toward the mor
June 16 · 21 min
067: Preparing for a Member-Member, Member-Guest, or Club Tournament
Whether it’s a member-member, member-guest, club championship, or another big event on your calendar, preparation can make the difference between feeling ready and feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, the guys discuss how to structure your practice leading into a tournament, why over-training in the final days often backfires, and the importance of arriving with a clear strategy rather than searching for your swing. They cover sharpening your short game, managing your energy and recovery, and d
June 9 · 18 min
066: How to Practice Golf on Vacation (Without a Club)
Just because you’re away from the course doesn’t mean your golf improvement has to stop. In this episode, our coaches discuss practical ways to work on your game while traveling, even if you don’t have access to a range, a golf course, or even a club! From grip rehearsals and mirror work to balance drills, mobility training, and course-management or statistical studies, they share simple ways to stay connected to your goals without turning your vacation into a training camp. The crew also explai
June 2 · 19 min
065: The Top Causes of a Shank
Few shots in golf are as feared as the shank, but the causes are often more predictable than golfers realize. In this episode, we seek to demystify the shank by talking about the most common reasons players hit the hosel. Is it pelvis thrust, extreme club paths, poor sequencing, an open clubfaces, or setup issues? Which is your primary cause? Erik, Jayson, and Tyson explain how different swing flaws can all lead to the same ugly result, why many golfers diagnose the problem incorrectly, and how
May 26 · 25 min
064: Morsels of MORAD and Mac O'Grady
In this episode, Nick Arther returns to discuss MORAD, the influential but often misunderstood instructional system created by Mac O’Grady. Erik, Jayson, Tyson, and Nick explore MORAD’s origins, the philosophy behind its highly structured “machine-like” view of the golf swing, and why it captivated so many instructors from the 1980s through the early 2000s. The conversation also examines where some of those ideas still hold value, where modern technology has challenged or disproven certain conce
May 19 · 20 min
063: Low Point or Face Control — Which Matters More?
063: Low Point or Face Control — Which Matters More? What’s more important in golf: controlling the clubface or controlling low point? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson debate one of the game’s most important ball-striking questions, after Jayson’s “discussion” on Instagram. They discuss why elite golfers can sometimes survive imperfect low point with enough speed and face control, how launch monitor numbers can mislead golfers about contact quality, and why “no divot” doesn’t necessarily
May 12 · 24 min
062: Michael Neff on the GEARS “Nipper Curve” and Lie Angle
This episode features Michael Neff, founder of GEARS Golf, to explain the “GEARS (né Nipper) Curve” and how dynamic lie angle changes as a result of droop, and how that affects ball flight. The discussion centers on why traditional lie angles may not work for your game, and shares with listeners a simple test to explain how you can find your optimal lie angle — for ALL of your irons — in a few minutes. If you pull your wedges and push your longer irons, this episode is for you. Michael shares in
May 5 · 26 min
061: Mailbag #3 — AI, Zero-Torque Putters, Lead Foot Action, and How Good is Instruction Today?
In this mailbag episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson tackle a wide range of listener questions, starting with how AI tools are beginning to influence golf instruction and where they help or fall short. They discuss how instructors decide how much information to give students to provide clarity without overload. The crew also shares thoughts on the growing interest in zero-torque putters and breaks down the eye-catching lead foot action seen in some elite players, explaining whether it’s a cause of s
April 28 · 20 min
060: Transitioning from Indoor Golf to the Course
How do you take your indoor swing to the golf course without losing performance? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson answer a listener question about balancing swing changes with scoring once the season moves outside. They discuss why contact and low-point control are often the first challenges for golfers used to hitting off mats, how to recalibrate distance wedges and green speeds, and why short game preparation is critical early in the season. The crew also tackles the common dilemma: fi
April 21 · 19 min
059: Distance Wedges — Controlling Your Scoring Shots
If you want to score, you have to own your wedge distances. In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down how to build a reliable system for partial wedge shots. Whether that’s through specific swing speeds, a clock system, or calibrated feels, they discuss the importance of consistent strike, why small adjustments like grip, ball position, and swing length matter, and how different trajectories can produce overlapping yardages with different outcomes. The conversation also emphasizes feed
April 14 · 20 min
058: How Forces Influence Shot Shape
Can ground forces really change your shot shape? Or is their role overstated? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson explore how forces/pressure shifts, the generated torque, and the point of application can influence ball flight, while debating just how much they actually matter. They discuss the small margins between fades and draws, why many golfers chasing a new shape may be applying the wrong magnitude or direction of force, and how other factors (like clubface and path) still dominate. T
April 7 · 20 min
057: Five Main Causes of an Overswing (And How to Fix Them)
What actually causes an overswing, and why do so many golfers struggle to control it? Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down the most common contributors, including excessive trail elbow bend, over-rotating the pelvis, rolling the club inside, delaying wrist hinge, and swaying while tilting. They also discuss how factors like poor awareness, weak trail arm structure, or combinations of things can compound the issue. The conversation emphasizes that an overswing isn’t just “too long,” but often the r
March 31 · 19 min
056: The Three Phases of Golf Improvement (Swing/Stroke, Skill, Scoring)
Improving at golf isn’t one process — it’s three. In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down the progression from building solid technique to developing skills to taking the techniques and skills to the course where score is the ultimate factor. They explain why technical work often feels uncomfortable and requires objective feedback, how skill development bridges the gap by applying mechanics to real (or extreme!) shot demands, and why scoring is a separate skill that introduces pressu
March 24 · 21 min
055: Feels vs. Mechanics in the Golf Swing
While every golfer may be a “feel” player, instructors often debate whether they should prescribe feels or teach the technique of the golf swing. In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson dig into the age-old discussion. They explore the idea that mechanics define the movement, while feels are the player’s way of accessing and repeating it. They talk about how those feels can drift, change, and even mislead over time. The conversation also touches on internal vs. external cues and whether “no swi
March 17 · 18 min
054: Tips to Build Swing Speed
If you want more distance, you have to train for speed on purpose! In this discussion, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down practical ways golfers can safely and effectively build swing speed. The guys discuss the importance of intent, overspeed and underspeed training, and why speed work should be done when you’re fresh, not fatigued (duh). The crew also covers common mistakes like trying to add speed on top of “crap” mechanics, along with the roles of strength, mobility, grip strength, and equip