The Spin Axis Podcast

This episode features John Graham, a PGA Tour and LPGA Tour putting instructor known for his practical, results-driven approach to putting performance. John joins Erik and Tyson to break down what effective putting training should actually look like and discusses why golfers often make putting far more complicated than it needs to be. They chat about how Tour players practice speed, line, and green reading differently than amateurs, how those habits have evolved over time, and which skills move the needle most for everyday golfers. John also shares simple, game-based drills—like ladder-style challenges that players can immediately take to the practice green to improve aim, speed control, and confidence.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Tyson Deskins

In this wide-ranging conversation, Erik and Tyson are joined by Monte Scheinblum, longtime golf instructor, long-drive world champion, and one of the most outspoken voices in modern instruction. Monte shares his unfiltered thoughts on the state of golf instruction on social media, why popularity often outpaces real teaching experience, and how conflicting messages have confused golfers for decades. The discussion centers on the growing importance of objective data, which parameters actually matter when helping players improve, and why feel-based teaching still needs a reality check. The episode wraps with a look at Monte’s well-known 30 Days to 300 speed program and how average golfers can pursue distance gains without wrecking their swings.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

How much should you really care about “average” Tour numbers? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson explain why averages only tell part of the story, and why great golf lives inside windows and ranges, not exact positions. They discuss common benchmarks like pelvis rotation and angle of attack, then show how wide the playable ranges actually are, especially when club speed, ball flight goals, and individual matchups are considered. The conversation highlights why movement patterns (upright vs. flat, more shift vs. more turn) matter just as much as raw numbers, and why chasing a single “ideal” position often leads golfers astray.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

In this reflective episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson each share a teaching concept they’ve moved away from, as well as why their thinking changed. Erik explains how extending the trail knee, once a common cue, doesn’t actually show up in great swings and how 2D video can be misleading. Jayson discusses why teaching golfers to “sweep” chip shots often leads to worse contact by introducing too much debris between the ball and face. Tyson breaks down why drills like the Punisher Drill don’t reflect real swing mechanics, and why modern tools and root-cause analysis have reshaped how he coaches.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Before worrying about small(er) technical details, golfers need to understand the big pieces that make the swing work. In this episode, Erik introduces what he calls the “three main moves” of the golf swing: 1) lateral motion, 2) rotation, and 3) vertical arm movement. The guys discuss why mastering these movements is essential before chasing finer mechanics. The crew breaks down how pressure shift and lateral motion set everything in motion, how proper chest and pelvis rotation differ from simple shoulder turn, and how the arms move up and down to create speed and shaft lean. They tie it all together with a discussion on sequencing: how energy is gathered, redirected, and delivered, and expand on why most swing problems trace back to getting these fundamentals out of order.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

This episode features Shaun Webb, co-founder of Athletic Motion Golf (AMG), known for their data-driven instruction and extensive 3D research on how the best golfers move. Shaun joins Erik, Jayson, and Tyson to discuss the Swing Coach App, a training tool built from AMG’s motion-capture database that gives golfers real-time, objective feedback on key swing positions. They cover how the app works, what golfers should focus on when practicing with it, and why narrowing your attention to one or two priorities leads to faster improvement. Shaun also shares insights on the upcoming face-on release, how the app helps players understand components like hand depth and shallowing, and how close golfers should try to get to the “ideal” numbers.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Sponsor: Swing Coach App (https://inf.getswingcoach.com/AMG300) – Click this link to get two weeks FREE!

In this episode, Jayson leads a discussion on why the short game and long game often demand opposite movement patterns and why trying to use one swing for both can hold golfers back. The crew breaks down how power swings benefit from shallower, speed-producing patterns, while finesse shots thrive on steeper angles, slower ball speeds, and more precise control. They explore how setup adjustments change from long clubs to wedges, why grip variations can help around the green, and how to identify whether your motion needs more “shallow” or “steep” built in. The conversation highlights the essential skill of shifting between kinematic power and finesse, and why mastering both is key to becoming a complete player.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Sponsor: Swing Coach App (https://inf.getswingcoach.com/AMG300) – Click this link to get two weeks FREE!

How important is aim in putting… really? In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson dig into the myths and realities of putter alignment, starting with a surprising truth: great putters like Tiger Woods and Loren Roberts don’t always aim perfectly straight (and they don’t need to). The crew explains why many golfers unknowingly build compensations into their strokes to correct poor aim, how grip and eye dominance influence perception, and why learning to see straight is often harder than learning to putt straight. They discuss calibration tools like chalk lines and strings, the debate between learning to aim versus fitting to aim, and why “fixing aim” doesn’t automatically mean more made putts.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Sponsor: Swing Coach App (https://inf.getswingcoach.com/AMG300) – Click this link to get two weeks FREE!

In this episode, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson sit down with Dr. Raymond Prior, a highly respected performance psychologist and author whose work helps elite athletes (and weekend golfers) understand their mental game. Dr. Prior runs BTS Mindset and works with top-tier performers across sports and the arts. He’s also the author of Golf Beneath the Surface, a book that debunks common pop-psychology myths in golf and offers neuroscience-based frameworks for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and true, stable confidence. Throughout the conversation, they explore how golfers often get practice wrong: relying too much on mechanical repetition, mismanaging self-talk, and missing the deeper mindset work that supports meaningful change. They also discuss how amateurs can navigate mental pitfalls, how to practice deliberately during the off-season, and the mindset mistakes that junior golfers and their parents tend to make.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Sponsor: Golf Beneath the Surface (https://www.btsmindset.com) – Order Dr. Prior’s book here!

This week, the crew welcomes world-renowned putting coach David Orr, founder of Flatstick Academy and putting instructor at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Pinehurst, NC. With decades of experience coaching Tour players and everyday golfers alike, David joins Erik, Jayson, and Tyson to unpack the biggest misconceptions amateurs have about putting. We talk about everything from distance control to stroke mechanics to poor practice habits. They dive into the difference between putting indoors and building mechanics versus putting outdoors to build skill. They talk about mallets versus blades (briefly!), and why what you see Tour players doing on the practice green isn’t always a great representation of what you should be doing. David also shares his insights on productive winter practice routines and offers perspective on why short putts make even skilled players sweat.

Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins

Sponsor: Fit for Golf (https://fitforgolf.app/) – Use the code “SPINAXIS” to save 20%!