The Spin Axis - Golf Podcast

They break down five common swing faults that make the backswing too long: excessive trail elbow bend, over-rotating the pelvis, rolling the club inside and lifting late, a wide takeaway with delayed wrist hinge, and swaying with reverse tilt. Short, practical fixes and feel adjustments for timing, body rotation, and arm structure are discussed to regain control without losing power.

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 pressure, decision-making, and strategy. The conversation highlights the importance of not skipping steps, embracing the early struggles of change, and ultimately learning to perform when it counts. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins Sponsor: TRUE Linkswear (https://truelinkswear.com/) — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

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 swing thoughts” is even realistic. The result is a nuanced look at how players can balance structure and sensation to improve without getting lost in either. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

Practical strategies for safely increasing golf swing speed through intentional training. Discussion of overspeed and underspeed drills, when to train (fresh, not fatigued), and using foam balls and progressive driver overloads. Talks about preserving swing geometry, face control and videoing max-intent swings. Covers mobility, strength, grip, equipment choices, and using a backup driver for heavy sessions.

This episode features Nick Arther of Callaway Golf, joining Erik and Jayson to discuss what really matters in a modern putter fitting. The conversation explores how head shape, alignment lines, weight distribution, and grip design can all influence aim, feel, and distance control on the greens. Nick talks about the differential between face and path and how “sticky” that often is for a given player, as well as the major knob(s) you look to dial in for any putter fitting. Nick also explains why golfers are often surprised by what a proper fitting reveals, and how fitting tools and processes help uncover tendencies players didn’t realize they had. Whether you’re buying off the rack or going through a full fitting, the group breaks down the key factors that can help golfers roll the ball more consistently. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson talk with Mike Carroll (aka Irish Mike of “Fit for Golf”) to challenge the oversimplified “random practice is better” narrative that surfaces frequently on social media. They discuss how many blocked vs. random studies are short-term, poorly structured, and rarely reflect how serious golfers actually practice. Mike explains why high-quality “blocked” practice can be incredibly intentional and reflective, why higher handicap golfers may struggle with overly randomized sessions, and how long-term improvement requires something beyond chasing short-term transfer gains. The conversation also dives into technique vs. skill work, internal vs. external focus, and why raising your ceiling over years demands both science and real-world coaching context. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, golf biomechanist and creator of The Stack System, shares data-driven takes on putting speed control. He explains why speed matters more than face angle, how heads-up putting trains better distance feel, and practical drills like ghost holes and centering dispersion. Short, science-backed tips on choosing speed first and categorizing reads vs execution for smarter practice.

Inspired by the Dave Matthews Band song “The Space Between,” this episode features performance psychologist Dr. Jason Novetsky, founder of Champion Mindset, whose work centers on helping athletes train their minds as deliberately as their bodies. Erik, Jayson, and Tyson explore what happens in the minutes between shots. How do golfers process mistakes, reset emotionally, and prepare for what’s next? They discuss efficient post-shot routines, the difference between recognizing and reacting, and why staying “locked in” for 18 holes is often a misunderstanding of focus. The conversation also covers pre-round expectations, staying on time and on task, and knowing when to stop overthinking the mental game and simply play. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

Erik, Jayson, and Tyson explore the different types of golfers they see in lessons. These are not “good” or “bad” students, but players with different levels of play and practice, or players with different approaches to or ideas about improvement. From the golfer who arrives convinced they know the fix, to the player looking for a quick tune-up before a big trip, to the well-meaning but time-limited golfer (the most common!), each type brings unique strengths and blind spots to the improvement process. The conversation centers on how practice habits, expectations, and mindset shape progress far more than talent alone. Whether you see yourself as the prepared planner, the recreational lesson-taker, or somewhere in between, this episode helps you understand how to get more out of your time and effort. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins --- If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

How much can you really trust what you see on a swing video? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down the biggest limitations of 2D video and why it often misleads golfers and instructors alike. They explain how fixed cameras can distort key elements like trail elbow bend, knee flex, pelvis rotation, and the difference between shoulder turn and chest rotation. The crew discusses why camera angle and height matter so much, how poor visuals create faulty concepts, and why 3D systems offer clarity by measuring what the eye can’t see. The takeaway: 2D video can be useful, but only when you understand its blind spots and how to translate what you see into real 3D movement. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins --- If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.