The Most Unexpected Things That Happen Under Pressure (and how to deal with it)
The Sweet Spot - Golf PodcastShow Notes
In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, starting with a debate about whether shaping the golf ball actually gives you a larger margin for error. Jon takes us inside his dramatic club championship victory, sharing the unexpected challenges and mental strategies that helped him come out on top. We also discuss how slow play can negatively affect your decision-making in tournaments and why unconventional strategies, like hitting a controlled driver instead of a fairway wood, might be worth experimenting with. Finally, we put AI golf swing analysis to the test, with some surprisingly accurate predictions and some major misses. Throughout the episode, we explore the importance of challenging conventional wisdom, testing what works for your own game, and learning to handle the unexpected.
Thanks to our show sponsors: The Indoor Golf Shop, Avro, Housecall Pro, and Benchmade Knives
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Avro is a refreshing functional beverage powder you can add to your water, built around naturally fermented PharmaGABA, which has been studied in humans for its relaxation-related response to stress. Avro can’t fix your swing, but it can support the calm headspace you need to commit to your shots and play your best. Visit https://avrogolf.com and use code SWEETSPOT20 for 20% off your order
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Housecall Pro helps home-service professionals, including plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and contractors, run their businesses more efficiently by managing scheduling, customer communication, estimates, invoices, and payments all in one place. On average, Pros using Housecall Pro save more than 8 hours per week. Ready to save time and win more jobs? For a limited time only, our listeners get 50% OFF base plans for their first 3 months at housecallpro.com/SWEETSPOT
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More from The Sweet Spot - Golf Podcast
In this episode, Jon and Adam are joined by elite mid-amateur Matt Lowe to break down one of the most unconventional games they’ve seen at a high level. Matt explains why he plays extremely fast, shapes the ball both ways under pressure, rarely hits full iron shots, and relies heavily on instinct, feel, and a lifetime of experimentation rather than launch-monitor data or rigid routines. They also discuss the work it took to build his ball striking, why he now practices far less and leans on “go-to” shots when his game isn’t cooperating. Matt also opens up about his long-running struggles with putting and the mental side of the game, despite having one of the best competitive seasons of his career. And you'll also hear about his social media "explosion" at the U.S. Amateur. The conversation is ultimately a fascinating look at how an elite player can break many conventional rules of modern golf and still perform at an exceptionally high level.
Everyone talks about swing tempo very generically. Terms like “swing smooth” have been thrown around for decades, but in this episode, we talk with an expert on swing tempo: Jon Novosel Jr. from Tour Tempo. Find out why it has been one of Jon's favorite practice methods for years, and learn why training for tempo the right way can benefit your swing.
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Karl Morris rejoins the show to discuss his new book, The Mind Caddie, and practical ways golfers can simplify the mental game and access more of the skill they already have. Karl explains why attention is such a powerful performance tool, how the time between shots can shape an entire round, and why golfers often make things worse by resisting bad shots, slow play, nerves, and other parts of the game they can’t fully control. They also explore Karl’s “ones, twos, and threes” framework for accepting the full range of shots you’ll hit, along with simple ways to use your senses, perspective, and humor to reduce the feeling of threat on the course.
In this episode, Jon and Adam are joined by golf coach and researcher Luke Benoit to explore how motor learning research can change the way golfers practice, build their swings, and ultimately perform on the course. Luke explains his framework of separating construction, calibration, transfer, and performance, arguing that golfers often get stuck in a “messy middle” where they’re trying to change mechanics and hit good shots at the same time.