Wicked Smart Golf
Michael Leonard
Welcome to Wicked Smart Golf, the go-to podcast for golfers who want to shoot lower scores and play their best without changing their swing.
Hosted by Michael Leonard, a +2 handicap golfer, best-selling author, and founder of Wicked Smart Golf, this show has helped golfers around the world play smarter, more consistent golf with over 1 million downloads and counting.
Michael has written over 4 million words on golf, authored four books, and built one of the fastest-growing platforms in the game, all focused on one mission: help you lower your scores without obsessing over your swing.
Because the truth is, your swing will never be perfect. But you don't need a perfect swing to break 80, shoot in the 70s, or play the best golf of your life.
In this podcast, you'll learn how to master the mental game, play smarter on the course, practice with purpose, and simplify your short game and putting for lower scores. Each episode is designed to give you practical strategies you can actually use, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player trying to reach the next level.
You'll also hear from some of the best minds in golf, including top coaches, elite players, sports psychologists, and best-selling authors, sharing insights to help you improve faster and perform under pressure.
If you're serious about playing more consistent golf and finally reaching your potential, this podcast is for you.
For even more, check out the Wicked Smart Golf book series on Amazon and Audible, where you'll find step-by-step systems to improve every part of your game.
Hosted by Michael Leonard, a +2 handicap golfer, best-selling author, and founder of Wicked Smart Golf, this show has helped golfers around the world play smarter, more consistent golf with over 1 million downloads and counting.
Michael has written over 4 million words on golf, authored four books, and built one of the fastest-growing platforms in the game, all focused on one mission: help you lower your scores without obsessing over your swing.
Because the truth is, your swing will never be perfect. But you don't need a perfect swing to break 80, shoot in the 70s, or play the best golf of your life.
In this podcast, you'll learn how to master the mental game, play smarter on the course, practice with purpose, and simplify your short game and putting for lower scores. Each episode is designed to give you practical strategies you can actually use, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player trying to reach the next level.
You'll also hear from some of the best minds in golf, including top coaches, elite players, sports psychologists, and best-selling authors, sharing insights to help you improve faster and perform under pressure.
If you're serious about playing more consistent golf and finally reaching your potential, this podcast is for you.
For even more, check out the Wicked Smart Golf book series on Amazon and Audible, where you'll find step-by-step systems to improve every part of your game.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 4, 2022 • 22min
43: This Equipment Mistake Kills Distance and Accuracy
Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw Golf is hard enough - don't make it even harder by playing the wrong equipment. While most of us focus on the clubheads and finding the right grips, we settle on shafts. But here's the problem, most golfers try to swing a stiff or X-stiff flex shaft when they should play a regular or stiff shaft. When you swing a shaft that is too stiff you kill distance, make it easy to slice the ball, and your mishits are much worse. The experts at True Spec even said, "In equipment circles, there is a common cliché that the shaft is 'the engine' of the club." When you listen to this episode you will learn: Why shaft flex is so important The swing speed you need for each flex Why seniors shouldn't always play senior flex Why beginners might benefit from a stiff flex shaft And more. Remember, to become a wicked smart golfer you need to play the right equipment and set yourself up for success! Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw Check out this Golf.com article to find the right flex shaft for your swing: https://golf.com/instruction/shaft-flex-you-should-play-based-on-swing-speed/ Also mentioned in this episode: https://www.bombtechgolf.com/blogs/news/are-you-playing-the-wrong-shaft-flex
Sep 27, 2022 • 25min
42: Speed Training Makes Golf Easier - Follow These 2 Strategies
Speed is KING in golf. Don't get me wrong, short game (specifically putting) is imperative to great golf but you need distance too. For every extra MPH of swing speed you create with a driver equals 3 more yards of total distance. If you add 5-10 MPH to your driver swing in the offseason that 15 to 30 yards more distance. How much easier would every par 4 or 5 be if you were that much closer to the green? A longer drive means shorter approach shots and typically lower scores. Plus, who doesn't like to hit bombs! While working out can help your speed, I think speed training is much easier for the everyday golfer. In this episode, I'll take you through my off season speed training routine and the best ways for you to get started. Recommended: SuperSpeed Golf Sports Sensors Radar Voice Caddie SC 300 Launch Monitor The Stack System (recommended for more advanced golfers)
Sep 20, 2022 • 9min
41: Only Think About THIS While Playing Golf
If you're like most golfers, you fall victim to your mind during the round with: Worry about your score Fear, doubt, and nervous anxiety Thinking about mechanical swing thoughts All of which are holding you back from playing your best golf. Instead, you need to focus on one thing and one thing only to keep your mind busy. What is it? Target... it's the only thing that matters. You shouldn't be out there playing your golf swing but instead, focused on hitting shots at your target. In this quick hit episode we'll break down the two ways to identify targets and how this will help you stay present over every shot.
Sep 15, 2022 • 46min
40: David Mackenzie Teaches Mental Game Secrets of the Pros
Today's guest interview is with a top mental golf coach in the world - David MacKenzie. He is a mental coach and the founder of Golf State of Mind. He currently works with golfers on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry, DP World Tour, Challenge Tour, LPGA and LET, along with many elite juniors and amateur golfers of all levels. I've worked with David for my own mental game issues several years ago and still use his advice to this day. He makes it simple to understand how the mind dominates our performance on the golf course for lower scores. In today's interview you will learn: The art of setting golf goals The power of visualization in sports Why you need to stay present to succeed How tracking stats can help you lower your scores Why the mind can limit your potential on the golf course (and how to overcome negative thoughts) Start working with David now: https://golfstateofmind.com/best-mental-game-golf-books/ Read his 300+ mental game articles: https://golfstateofmind.com/blog/
Sep 13, 2022 • 9min
39: This Wedge Mistake is Costing You Strokes
Want to become a wicked smart golfer and shoot lower scores without changing your swing? Then make sure your equipment is setting you up for success. Listen to this quick hit episode to learn how to choose the loft of your wedges so you don't major distance gaps on the course. This will make it easier than ever to play better every time you tee it up.
Sep 6, 2022 • 9min
38: 3 Ways to Have More Birdie Putts Every Round
Do you want more looks at birdie every single round? If so, this episode will give you three simple strategies to hit more greens in regulation without swing changes. Whether you realize it or not, most trouble is short of the green. While some holes might have a bunker or water behind the green, most of the trouble is short. Why? Because greenskeepers know that most golfers end up short and thus put the trouble accordingly. In today's episode you will learn three easy strategies to hit more greens and have more looks at birdie! If you're between clubs, pick the longer one in general (unless there is trouble long). Try not to pull the club; you must hit perfectly to reach the green. After learning more course management inside the DECADE program, the numbers show that missing long is almost always better than short. This should cause more looks for birdies so you can score consistently better. RECOMMENDED GOLF PRODUCTS --->Look and Shoot Putting Method: https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7
Sep 1, 2022 • 50min
REPLAY: Cameron Strachan - The Secrets to Better Putting (Automatic Golf Method)
Cameron Strachan used to work with Aaron Baddeley and helped him become a top putter on the PGA Tour. In this epic interview, he shares the secrets to putting using natural learning and tapping into your subconscious mind. As he said, "If you can throw a baseball, you can become a great putter." But if you're like most golfers, you know that putting can feel difficult... until today. When you listen to this epic golf podcast, I am confident you will have the tools to become a better overnight. I used his Look and Shoot Putting method in 2021 and dropped more than three shots per round! I've never felt more confident with my putter and have Cameron to thank for it. In this interview, we go into: The look and shoot method Why you should practice putting LESS Why most everyday golfers struggle with putting Understanding the conscious vs. subconscious mind How to use "natural learning" to become a great putter overnight To learn more about his incredible putting method, make sure to visit https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ to learn more now.
Aug 30, 2022 • 9min
37: Why You Need to Create a Memory Bank of Good Shots
Did you know your mind is hardwired for negativity? Think about it, when most people talk about their round or their game it's almost always a negative comment first. "I didn't make any putts" "My driver is just terrible" "I had an 8 on the 15th hole" While some of that negativity is choice, a lot of it is programmed into humans thanks to what's known as "negativity bias." Here's a formal explanation from Very Well Mind: "Our tendency to pay more attention to bad things and overlook good things is likely a result of evolution. Earlier in human history, paying attention to bad, dangerous, and negative threats in the world was literally a matter of life and death. Those who were more attuned to danger and who paid more attention to the bad things around them were more likely to survive." But golf is not life or death. You no longer need to pay attention to danger to survive, especially if you're playing golf! You need to train your memory to forget bad shots quickly and remember positive shots as much as possible. This is easier said than done because the mind is wired for negativity, but it is possible. In today's quick hit podcast episode, you will learn how to create a memory bank of great shots to become a more positive, optimistic golfer.
Aug 23, 2022 • 9min
36: Simplify Your Shots to Play 10X More Consistently
Stop trying to shape shots! Did you know that most guys on the PGA Tour have one stock shot and play it 90% of the time, regardless of the hole location or if the fairway doglegs left or right. While they can hit all the shots on the driving range, they usually play one stock shot on the golf course (aside from maybe Tiger Woods). Dustin Johnson loves his cut shot, while Rory McIlroy loves his power draw. You should do the same and only play one shot almost every single swing. Unless you have a tree or some other obstacle in your way, try to play the same shot every single time (regardless of if the hole or pins calls for a specific type of shot). If the best players in the world struggle in competition to hit it both ways, you probably will too. Plus, when you try to work the golf ball both ways, you invite the dreaded double cross which can lead to some big misses. On the range, develop your shot - whatever that might look like for you. When the pressure is on during the round, having a go-to shot will make it easier to pick your target and commit to the shot. Play your shot more often than not (even if the fairway or pin position calls for the opposite type of shot) to score your best. I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7 ^^^Click the link to buy my new book, "Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing" on Amazon now.
Aug 18, 2022 • 38min
35: Steve Woods on Beating the Yips + Playing Better Under Pressure
Today I got to interview Steve Woods, a golf hypnotherapist who breaks down how to master your mental game for lower scores. I've used hypnotherapy for years in my own life (for business & golf) and can say it's one of the most extraordinary tools to help you gain confidence. Don't forget, Tiger Woods learned powerful meditation and hypnosis techniques early in his life to help him become the GOAT. While his swing has always been great, don't forget that his mental game is second to none. In this interview, you will learn: How it can help you beat the yips How to get in the "zone" on the golf course The role of the conscious vs. subconscious mind in golf How hypnotherapy can help you play your best (even under pressure) And so much more... so you can finally play better under pressure. Don't let your mind hold you back from reaching your true potential in golf. Visit his website to set up a FREE consultation and learn more about how hypnotherapy can help you play better golf: https://hypnosisforegolf.com/
