462: Jim McLean - Inside the Mind of a Hall of Fame Coach

41 snips

Jan 22, 2026

Jim McLean, Hall of Fame instructor and founder of Jim McLean Golf Schools, shares stories from his long teaching career and Total Game philosophy. He covers setup tension, low-point control for cleaner iron contact, why juniors improve faster, the power of a simple routine, and how short game and course management trump pure swing mechanics.

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ADVICE

Progress Teaching By Player Level

Begin beginners with narrow stance, steady head, and small swings to learn hitting down on the ball.
Progress to transfer of energy and inside-to-out path work for average players, and reduce hand action for advanced players.

ADVICE

Loosen Up And Let The Body Lead

Avoid excess tension: relax grip, wrists, arms and shoulders and start the swing with slight lower-body movement.
Feel the lower body lead so the club can drop inside instead of coming over the top.

INSIGHT

Low Point Is Where Your Weight Goes

Low-point control requires moving your center of mass forward into the lead leg at impact.
Aim for 80–90% weight on the lead leg and a forward handle to compress the ball.

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>>Join the Ultimate Offseason

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In this episode, I'm joined by Jim McLean, one of the most respected coaches in golf history and a Hall of Fame instructor whose work has influenced players and coaches around the world.

Jim shares stories from the start of his coaching career, lessons learned playing college golf at the University of Houston, and his philosophy on teaching the entire game—not just the swing. We also dive into common mistakes amateurs make, how to think about contact and low point, and why the mental game and commitment matter more than most golfers realize.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why great golf requires mastering the Total Game—long game, short game, mental game, and course management
The most common setup mistake amateurs make (and how tension kills good swings)
Why hitting down on the ball starts with proper weight and low-point control
How a simple routine, commitment, and decisiveness can unlock better golf

This episode is packed with timeless lessons from one of the game's great teachers—and applies whether you're working on your swing, mindset, or overall improvement plan.

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