The Spin Axis - Golf Podcast

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

With winter golf trips on the calendar for many northern players, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson tackle how to approach these getaways without letting expectations ruin the experience. They discuss why most golfers aren’t “peaking” during winter trips, how to prepare your body, swing, and mindset ahead of time, and why simplifying to one swing thought can go a long way. The crew also explores how these trips can be used as a testing ground for winter work, what to prioritize when practice time is limited, and why short game and walking fitness often get overlooked. Most importantly, they remind listeners how to enjoy golf again: playing for the experience, not just the score.

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

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