The Spin Axis - Golf Podcast

What actually causes an overswing, and why do so many golfers struggle to control it? Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down the most common contributors, including excessive trail elbow bend, over-rotating the pelvis, rolling the club inside, delaying wrist hinge, and swaying while tilting. They also discuss how factors like poor awareness, weak trail arm structure, or combinations of things can compound the issue. The conversation emphasizes that an overswing isn’t just “too long,” but often the result of sequencing and loading problems earlier in the motion. Understanding the root cause is key to shortening the swing without sacrificing speed or power. Original Twitter thread here.

• Cause #1: Trail Elbow Bend (Over-Bend!)
• Cause #2: Overturning the Pelvis
• Cause #3: Rolling the Club Inside and Lifting Late
• Cause #4: Wide Takeaway (Late Wrist Hinge)
• Cause #5: Sway and Tilt

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

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/)

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 want more distance, you have to train for speed on purpose! In this discussion, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down practical ways golfers can safely and effectively build swing speed. The guys discuss the importance of intent, overspeed and underspeed training, and why speed work should be done when you’re fresh, not fatigued (duh). The crew also covers common mistakes like trying to add speed on top of “crap” mechanics, along with the roles of strength, mobility, grip strength, and equipment. The takeaway: with the right approach, golfers can train speed just like any other athletic quality and transfer those gains to the course.

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

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

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

This episode features Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, noted golf biomechanist, consultant to PING, and creator of The Stack System, joining Erik, Jayson, and Tyson for a deep dive into putting speed control. The conversation explores research showing which stroke variables matter less than golfers think, and why speed in particular drives putting success. Sasho explains how golfers develop better speed awareness, why heads-up putting can be an effective training tool (or method!), and what actually changes when players try it. Hey, maybe you’re in the 80% of golfers who saw over a quarter stroke gained per round putting heads up?

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

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

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

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