The Golf Practice Podcast

In this episode Andy Hayes is joined by Steve Schreck as they delve into the intricacies of golf coaching, discussing their experiences, insights, and evolving techniques. They explore the importance of building awareness in players, addressing misconceptions about learning the golf swing, and the significance of creating a supportive learning environment. The conversation highlights the balance between technical adjustments and individual swing styles, emphasizing the mental aspects of golf, including fears that can increase tension and impact performance.

Jantzen joins Andy for a wide ranging discussion on coaching, learning, and the new strategies they are using to help people get better at golf.

Andy is joined by Peter and Pete L. following the Vikings latest loss. He asks them the question, what should you do if you never reach your goals?

Peter joins Andy to share some stories about some new students he inherited from Andy, as well as the philosophies and methods he's using with them. They also explore various aspects of golf coaching, focusing on the importance of personalized instruction, the challenges of teaching different students, and the significance of experimentation in learning. They discuss the complexities of golf, the lurking fear of the shank, and the necessity of adapting techniques to fit individual needs. The dialogue emphasizes the value of variety in practice, the distinction between learning and performing, and the role of marketing in golf instruction.   03:40Teaching Golf: Lessons and Experiences 07:32Addressing the Shank: A Student's Journey 17:20Innovative Teaching Methods and Learning Process 24:55The Power of Collaboration 26:37Complexity of Problem Solving 34:31The Fallacy of Cause and Effect in Learning 36:13Subtle Changes Leading to Major Improvements 38:25Redefining the Role of a Teacher 41:58Empowering Students Through Intrigue

In this episode Pete L, Dasa, and Andy play the role of cultural commentators to discuss what's In and Out for Golf Culture in 2025.

In this episode of the Golf Practice Podcast, hosts Andy Hayes, Pete Leinenweber, and Dasa Urbankova explore the intersection of mindfulness, sports, and personal growth. They discuss how applying mindfulness techniques can enhance performance in sports like bowling and golf, the nature of happiness, and the importance of living in the moment. The conversation also touches on the perception of time and how adults often rush through life, missing opportunities for joy in everyday experiences. In this conversation, the speakers explore the stress associated with timeliness in the workplace, the impact of sports on personal identity and outlook on life, and how past experiences with sports teams can shape one's perspective on success and failure. They discuss the triviality of being late to work, the emotional weight of sports memories, particularly in relation to the Minnesota Vikings, and how these experiences can influence personal growth and resilience.   01:08 Pete's Bowling Mindset 06:24 The Pursuit of Happiness  11:40 The Perception of Time and Living in the Moment 17:23 Finding Joy in Everyday Challenges 22:14 Traffic 30:08 The 98 Vikings

Pete L, Peter Donahue and Andy sit down and react to the Chicago Bears latest firing of their coach. They then discuss how the brain likes to make simple explanations for what may be complex, random events, and share how this applies to learning golf and why the wrong mindset can lead to a lack of growth and imnprovement.

In this episode of the Golf Practice Podcast, Andy Hayes and Peter Donahue share their experience with golf coach Michael Hebron, who spent two days at The Golf Practice last week. They talk about how golf coaching has evolved, the importance of understanding learning and memory, and how engagement impacts the process. They also touch on using improv techniques in coaching, the difference between immediate and mediated learning experiences, and the role of body movement and emotional awareness in golf. The discussion highlights how teaching methods shape a student’s understanding and enjoyment of the game.   02:32 The Impact of Michael Hebron on Golf Coaching 07:20 Understanding Learning and Memory in Golf Instruction 18:05 Improv Techniques in Coaching 20:29 Exploring Communication and Learning in Golf 24:50 Immediate vs. Mediated Experience in Golf Training 32:57 The Importance of Emotional State in Learning 47:48Mastery and the Joy of Learning Golf

Peter Donahue joins Andy to discuss student observations over the past few months. Peter talks about the difference of "golf swing golf" and "shot making golf," and the two discuss why one is better than the other, and how you would learn to play one vs. the other.

Pete L. and Jantzen join Andy for their annual Half Baked Golf Ideas discussion. They share some fun ideas that would benefit the game of golf. They discuss a "Bunker Buy Back Program," "Pinch Golfers," "Advanced Club Cleaner," and much more!   00:00 Welcome Back and Introduction 01:54 Half-Baked Golf Ideas Explained 08:14 The Bunker Buyback Program 12:32 Club Cleaning Sanitizer: A New Solution 20:31 Pinch Golfers: A New Competitive Concept 31:45 Reverse Housing Development Golf 45:10 Golf Citizenship: A New Rating System

In this episode of the Golf Practice Podcast, Andy Hayes, Pete Leinenweber, and Dasha Urbankova explore various themes surrounding golf, competition, and personal growth. They discuss the excitement of recording their first video podcast, reflect on experiences in competitive golf, and delve into the importance of questioning beliefs and understanding the connection between happiness and performance. The conversation also touches on the nature of awareness, the experience of nervousness in golf, and how to apply these insights to improve performance and well-being. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Tournament Highlights 03:16 Questioning Beliefs and Personal Growth 06:04 Exploring Happiness and Awareness 09:17 The Connection Between Scores and Self-Identity 12:21 Finding Peace Beyond Performance 15:05 The Role of the Mind in Golf and Life 21:27 Understanding the Mind's Mechanisms 22:20 Navigating Nerves in Golf 24:53 The Role of Expectations in Performance 30:07 Awareness and Self-Perception 36:33 Embracing Emotions and Natural Reactions

Peter Donahue joins Andy to share stories of success and mastery in their year of golf.

Pete L and Dasa join Andy as they dive deeper into Byron Katie's work on questioning their beliefs. They identify their one main belief, and discuss how it could be holding back their experience and performance in golf.

Pete L and Dasa join Andy to do "the work," a practice developed by author Byron Katie. This practice invites people to question their thoughts, and through this process, their thoughts lose their power. Pete, Dasa, and Andy apply this practice to different areas of their golf game, and find some surprising results!

Dasa and Pete L. join Andy as he shares about the best stretch of golf he's ever had. They discuss what leads to good play, what tends to get in the way, and much more!

In a special episode live from the patio at Canal Shores, Peter Donahue and Dasa join Andy to have a fun conversation about past mistakes they've made when learning the game of golf. Peter also shares some great stories about his experience this year coaching JV golf, and the crew is joined by Evanston Township High School golf coach Jed Curtis for a 5 minute check in on the hottest golf team in Illinois.

Pete L. and Dasa join Andy to share a few highlights from their trip to Sand Valley. They discuss a thrilling final match, bonus golf, and a 1 club challenge. Andy also shares thoughts on the Bluey episode, "The Sign" and how it relates to his current relationship with golf.

Peter Donahue joins Andy to recap their trip to Sand Valley and the best rounds of golf Peter has played in years. They cover his process and practice of experimentation and self discovery that allowed him to play with trust and freedom. At the end he shares brief highlights of a tour of The Lido.

Dasa Urbankova, The Golf Practices's newest coach, joins Andy to discuss mental performance in golf. Andy recaps his swing journey over the past year, and they discuss how Dasa has helped him with the mental side of the game. Andy also talks about the magic he has found in golf  since getting his mind on the right things.

Danny Fisher joins the podcast for the fifth time, this time to discuss his recent experience playing in the NV5 Invitational at The Glen Club.