The Play Smart Podcast: Recent Episodes
GOLF.com
Become a smarter, better golfer — faster The Play Smart podcast is a short-form, twice-weekly podcast aimed at delivering golfers bite-sized doses of insight and analysis that will help them become smarter, better golfers.
Hosted by GOLF.com’s Game Improvement Editor, Luke Kerr-Dineen and Reed Howard.
Rarely does one play a perfect round when everything goes according to plan. But limiting mistakes and getting back on track as quickly as possible is as much mental as it is physical. In this episode LKD and Sam Weinman frame how to think about turbulent times in your round and how to handle them.
LDK and Drew Powell discuss uses of artificial intelligence in golf instruction. Through the use of a new app, Mustard, you can diagnose flaws in your swing and get tips from the best instructors in the game.
We've all been there. The pros experienced it a few weeks ago at Royal Troon. The wind is whipping and it feels nearly impossible to keep your ball on the planet. It's easy for your swing to get all out of whack trying to fight the wind, but LKD and Drew Powell explain how to combat the winds and safely make your way around the course.
Not all bunkers are created equal. But there are some fundamentals that should (almost) never change when trying to extract your ball from the sand. On this episode, Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell explain how hinging your wrists can help with a number of shots out of the bunker.
Breaking 80 isn't easy, especially for two middle handicappers, but physical ability isn't always the defining factor. Sometimes, or even often, mental mistakes or intrusive thoughts can be the difference between glory and disappointment. This is how two regular players deal with those thoughts with glory on the line.
Sam Weinman and Shane Ryan, two aspirational 80-breakers, try to hone in on what's working for them when their games are at their best. Shane, who has a few sub-80 rounds under his belt, details his tee-to-green prowess, while Sam, who's still on the hunt grapples with why he can't clear the final hurdle.
Pros talk about it all the time—when they’re not playing well, they have a go-to shot to fall back on. In this episode, we explain how you can find your go-to shots to salvage the rounds when you’re not feeling your best.
It's not easy to flip the switch between playing a regular round and one that matters. In this episode, two former college players detail how they prepare and strategize for competitive rounds and how to avoid mistakes that may derail them.
One of the most common swing problems in golf is early extension. But what exactly does that mean? How do you fix it? On this episode of Golf IQ, Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell discuss this swing-killing move, drills to avoid it and what Ludvig Aberg does so well to make his swing so aesthetically pleasing.
Hitting the ball farther is all the rage, but what about hitting it straighter? In this episode, LKD and Drew Powell share their favorite tips, including some from pros, on how to improve accuracy.
Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell highlight the importance of ball position and illustrate how recognizing typical or atypical ball flights can help identify when a change in your setup is needed, even in the middle of a round. Also, a simple driving range tip so you can master ball position before you get to the course.
Sam Weinman revisits a round Golf Digest contributor Shane Ryan played with PGA Tour caddie Paul Tesori on the bag. Ryan recounts the stark differences between playing the course one day on his own and the next day—with the goal of breaking 90—with the assistance of a caddie who has been on the bag for some of the best men in the game.
Sean Zak returns do preview a fan-favorite chapter in his book Searching in St. Andrews, in which he caddies for Joel Dahmen in the Scottish Open and the lessons he learned in the process, including why you sometimes have to account for bunkers 400 yards from the tee and to always check which tee box you're playing from.
Golf writer Sean Zak joins LKD to preview his book 'Searching in St. Andrews,' detailing his summer abroad in Scotland. It was a bizarre summer for the world of golf, but personally, Zak relearned the importance of hitting knockdown shots, removing spin on full shots and playing the ball on the ground. Important discoveries about the game of golf followed.
It's the U.S. Open. Many greens will be missed. But on a typical U.S. Open venue, players would reach for a lofted wedge and play aerially toward the hole. This week, viewers will see pros grab their putter from off the green. Here's why and how they'll do it. Plus, a bonus tip on how to play a greenside recovery shot from the kind of thick rough we normally see at a U.S. Open.
LKD and Drew Powell preview the 2024 Men's U.S. Open at Pinehurst, focussing on No. 2's famous Donald Ross turtleback greens. The team explores "effective green size" and how pros will—or at least should—go about their approach shots to put themselves in contention this week. Presented by the USGA.
Sam Weinman revisits a round Golf Digest contributor Shane Ryan played with PGA Tour caddie Paul Tesori on the bag. Ryan recounts the stark differences between playing the course one day on his own and the next day with the assistance of a caddie who has been on the bag for some of the best men in the game.
Sam Weinman and LKD explore the world of USGA Handicap Indexes. The team dives into misconceptions about handicaps, how handicaps can help you become a better players and what excites them about their upcoming, summer-long quest to improve their indexes. Presented by the USGA.
2022 U.S. Open champion Matthew Fitzpatrick walks LKD through the final three holes at Muirfield Village, one of the toughest closing stretches on the PGA Tour. With water, bunkers and heavy rough lurking to derail players' rounds, Fitzpatrick details how he uses statistics and analytics to avoid the trouble. Presented by Workday.
Tiger Woods has an interesting reason for why he was so good at the top of his game. LKD and Drew Powell dive into the intricacies of lag putting and why speed is more important than line.
LKD and Drew Powell explain the benefits of a smooth putting stroke and why smooth doesn't necessarily mean slow.
LKD and Drew Powell talk about why speed is so important and how close players should reasonably expect to hit their putts from various distances using the pros' eight percent rule.
"The Pride of Augusta" Sam explains how Augusta National is actually quite playable and does, in fact, have some slow putts.
Hitting quality golf shots under pressure doesn't have to amount to luck. Sam Weinman joins LKD to share some tips on how to think about approaching an important shot.
Host Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg discuss the state of their golf games at the beginning of the season and detail how they will go about improving as the year goes on.
LKD is joined by Golf Digest staffer Will Irwin and Titleist Performance Institute Fitting Analyst Chris Baingo to discuss how to get the right combination of clubs in the bag. Chris explains how he worked with Will to optimize performance with every club and the key metrics that go into determining which clubs were right for him.
Here's how to shake off the rust in a way that will leave you feeling good—and confident.
Golf Digest’s Sam Weinman joins the Golf IQ podcast to talk about expectation management, and the best way to shake the rust off your game.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about some green-reading advice that helped Drew on the greens.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks with Sam Weinman about the dreaded 'over the top' move in golf and how to prevent it.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks with Sam Weinman about how to make your range time work better for you.
In this final Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about the two things they really want you to know about equipment.
In this Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about some of the biggest equipment trends in 2024.
In this Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about how to spot some equipment-related problems in your ball flight.
In this Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about why you should give your clubs specific jobs.
In this Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to Equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about managing the gaps between your clubs in the bag.
In this Hot List-themed episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks to Equipment experts Mike Stachura and Mike Johnson about the science behind loft-jacking, and what it means for your game.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Sam Weinman talk about what you can learn from playing with better players.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Sam Weinman talk about Sam's speed training journey, and the things he's learned so far.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Sam Weinman talk about the art of setting golf goals for your game—and the mistakes to avoid.
How slowing things down can help you diagnose faults and ingrain fixes into your full swing.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the takeaway; how to check it, and the mistake Drew's been making on his own.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about posture. Yes, it's boring, but it's also really important.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the potential value in switching between two different putting styles on the course.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the different things we learned watching golf legends compete at the PNC Championship last week.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Maddi MacClurg and Drew Powell talk about how relaxed or intense you should be on the course.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the new rope training drill that Luke has been obsessed with over the offseason.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the chipping tip Drew learned playing with PGA Tour winner and top coach Stan Utley.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about how to trick your opponents into giving you more short putts, so you don’t have to sweat over them.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about spin loft, why so many golfers are talking about it, and how it can help you stop chunking chips.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about how to avoid screwing up a simple layup shot, and why those mistakes happen in the first place.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about how slow starts can ruin your round before it even begins, and share some tips on how to avoid them.
In part 2 of our special two-part episode about artificial intelligence and golf, GOLF IQ Host Luke Kerr-Dineen is joined by Sportsbox AI CEO Jeehae Lee to dive into the breakthrough technology's role in building golf clubs, and finding the best ones for your game.
In part 1 of our special two-part episode about artificial intelligence and golf, GOLF IQ Host Luke Kerr-Dineen is joined by Sportsbox AI CEO Jeehae Lee to dive into the breakthrough technology's role in the golf swing.
There's nothing worse than making a bogey after a birdie. In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell share their advice on how to avoid that.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the magic of warming up on the chipping green, why it helps, and how to do it well.
Sliding your hips is a golf swing power killer. In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell share the tip that helped Luke stop doing that.
Struggling to release the club? In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the tip that helped Drew do exactly that.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about re-centering in the golf swing, and how it's the key move that makes everything else work.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg share their advice about what college golfers do once they start school — and what parents should know, too.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg talk about the basics of playing college golf — essential listening for parents and students.
In the final part of this special mini-series of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks with fellow Golf Digest writer Shane Ryan, who explains how he pieced everything together to accomplish his goal—and how you can, too.
In this special mini-series of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks with fellow Golf Digest writer Shane Ryan, who shares the putting tweak that helped him break 80 for the very first time
In this special mini-series of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Luke Kerr-Dineen talks with fellow Golf Digest writer Shane Ryan, who shares his lesson after breaking 80 for the first time.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell discuss how taking practice swings could be hurting your game—and the situations when they are most helpful.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about how you can manage your bad shots by deciding which shot shape you dislike the most.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about a simple checklist of basics they use before their iron shots, which help them hit more greens in regulation—and shoot lower scores.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the controversial topic of Aim Point, and the variation Luke has been using that has really helped him.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about their experiences arm lock putting, and whether it may help you.
In this Episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Drew Powell talk about the key difference between swing thoughts, swing feels, and whether it's actually good to think about nothing at all during your swing.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg discuss some overlooked basic strategies of winning matchplay matches that every golfer can use.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg discuss the crucial iron range around 150 yards, and how golfers can strategize around it.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg discuss some basic advice about getting your ball in play off the tee, easily and simply.
Try our brand-new interactive here.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg talk about spot putting. What it is, and why it helps simplify your approach on the greens
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg talk about why par 3 holes are statistically the most difficult in golf, and some advice about how to make them a little easier
In this episode of the GOLF IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi Maclurg talk about their recent trips to windy golf courses, and what they learned along the way.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg discuss Brian Harman's incredible putting performance at the 2023 Open Championship, and what the rest of us can learn from it.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg talk about one stretch you can spot pros doing all the time on the range — and why you should, too.
Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg explain how better organizing your practice sessions can quickly upgrade your game.
With the U.S. Women's Open this week, Golf Digest editors Luke Kerr-Dineen and Maddi MacClurg explain the draw secrets of LPGA Tour players.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and cohost Reed Howard discuss warming up and break down why it's so critical to your golf game.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Digital Editor Sam Weinman explore more keys to being a golf parent.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest's Luke Kerr-Dineen and cohost Reed Howard talk about fades, how they work, and why they tend to do so well at the U.S. Open
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Digital Editor Sam Weinman discuss expectation management.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Digital Editor Sam Weinman discuss what to do when you have a bad warmup
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Digital Editor Sam Weinman discuss the best way to handle bad breaks.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Digital Editor Sam Weinman discuss what Sam learned playing golf with PGA Tour player Joel Dahmen.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg discuss a few of the ways they work on their game from the office
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg share their advice to parents of junior golfers — and the mistakes to avoid.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg discuss a fun experiment they tried to learn more about grip strength.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg share some advice on finding your perfect golf coach match.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg discuss heads-up putting and the idea behind it.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and Assistant Editor Maddi MacClurg use stats to dispel one of the dumbest arguments in golf.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard explain how to stop the blow up shots around the green that hurt your score.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard dive into the stats, and what they reveal about iron shots.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard break down some surprising stats about blow up holes, and the key mistakes that cause them.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard explain what a mental pre-shot routine is, why it helps, and how pros use them under pressure.
In this episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard tackle the boring — but important — topic of pre-shot routines.
In this special episode, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen interviews Rory McIlroy about the health metrics he tracks to stay healthy, the injury scare which started it all, and his advice for the rest of us
Read the full Q&A here.
In the latest episode of the Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard discuss swing speed, why it's so important, and the key ways you can train to get more of it without the risk of injuring yourself
Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard why making solid contact with your irons is such an important key to lowering your scores, discussing both the techniques and strategies, you can use to make purer contact.
Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard explain the strangely addicting method they use to whip their putting into shape, quickly.
In the latest episode of the GOLF IQ podcast, Golf Digest’s Play Editor Luke and co-host Reed Howard outline a chipping technique they use to get up-and-down more around the greens with less practice — and fewer blow-ups.
In their first episode of the relaunched Golf IQ podcast, Golf Digest Play Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard discuss some of the biggest unforced errors amateur golfers make that cause them to shoot higher scores — with some useful advice on how to fix them.
GOLF IQ is a game improvement podcast hosted by Golf Digest's Play Editor, Luke Kerr-Dineen. Each week we drop new, nuggets of information and make them easier to understand, to help us all become smarter, better golfers.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard talk tips for altering your swing when your drive is not finding the fairway.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard talk about pressure drills. What they are, how pros use them, and why you should try them.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break Luke's awful putting, and Reed's advice for how he (and you) can fix it, quickly, from home.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break down ball flight, the king of golf, and how to understand it so you can improve your score.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard talk about the basics of speed training, and how to avoid injury
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break down a swing tip we got from Bryson DeChambeau, and how it can help you add more power to your swing.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break down some interesting new findings about what happens to golfers' score when they gain — or lose — 10 yards off the tee.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break down Luke's one-week experiment that lead to a 7 mph jump in ball speed.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and TPI certified coach Reed Howard break down the most important golf muscles, how they act in your swing, and the best ways to train them.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen alongside co-host Reed Howard explain the importance of golf strategy, and the key concepts you need to know.
GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen alongside co-host Reed Howard run through a few of the most important shots that amateur golfers need to learn how to hit if they want to become single-digit handicaps — or better.
Aiming in golf is perhaps the most important thing golfers need to do on the course, yet so few do it well. GOLF's Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard explain something they've been trying, and how it's been working.
Bowing your left wrist is a trendy move, one you can see in the golf swings of Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, and Jon Rahm. GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard explain the good, and the bad, of this move.
GOLF’s game improvement editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard dive into Tiger Woods’ 2022 season, and analyze what clues it left about the state of his game.
Some of the best players in history have done it, and so are some of golf’s rising starts. In the Play Smart podcast, GOLF’s game improvement editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard discuss the pros and cons of an intentional pause at the top of the backswing.
In the second episode of the Play Smart podcast, GOLF’s Game Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard break down the interesting stats about putting vs. ball striking, and what it reveals about putting.
In our first episode of the Play Smart Podcast, GOLF’s game improvement editor Luke Kerr-Dineen and co-host Reed Howard break down what makes 2022 Open Champion Cam Smith one of the best putters in history — and what you can learn from it.