On the Mark Golf Podcast

Carl Reader has a BSc (Med)(Hon) Biokinetics (Exercise Therapy) Degree from the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.  Based in Cape Town, South Africa he has over 20 years of experience and expertise in helping golfers of all levels optimize their functional movement patterns to move and play better.

Carl makes a second appearance on our podcast to discuss his theory on "Right Side Posture Bias" and how that can adversely affect a golf-swing.

As he elaborates on the concept he illustrates the issues it creates:

• Improper posture, aim and alignment
• An inability to get to the lead or front side in the down-and-through swing, and
• An inability to properly and powerfully clear the hips through impact

As he addresses those maladies he talks about the mindset of golfers who suffer from Right Side Posture biases.  He also illustrates how this syndrome is oftentimes the cause of lower back pain.

He also shares moves, drills and remedies for this posture bias:

• Techniques for muscle release and stretches to alleviate tightness and pain, and
• Releasing muscles by way of strength training as opposed to stretching, and
• Overall body awareness

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Dr. Raymond Prior is a Performance Psychologist and is widely regarded by the world's best performers as one of the best minds in the field. His clients include Major Champions, World Champions, Olympic Gold Medalists, Award-winning Coaches and numerous NCAA Champions and All-Americans. He also consults to  Grammy Award winners, Oscar winners, Tony and Emmy Award winners.

Dr. Prior joins Mark Immelman to discuss his book - "Golf Beneath the Surface" and to illustrate how the brain works and how you can train your mindset to re-wire your brain.

As Dr. Prior takes you on a whistle-stop tour through the contents of the book, and his area of expertise, he elaborates on the following topics that will help you stack the proverbial mental odds in your favor:

• The Old Brain vs The New Brain
• Composure Under Pressure
• Resilience to Adversity
• High Performance Habits
• Performance Disruptors, and 
• Changing the Brain by Training the Mind

He also talks about the Mindset for Success and Impulse Control, Understanding Risk and dealing with Anxiety, and Dopamine and its influence on behavior.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Eric Cole is the 2023 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. He has also won over 56 Mini Tour Professional Tournaments and is the ultimate story of resilience and dogged perseverance.  

Eric joins Mark Immelman to talk about his career in golf, his journey to the PGA TOUR, and the 2013 Rookie of the Year title.

Cole shares stories from his childhood.  He talks about getting to know and play golf with Sam Saunders and Arnold Palmer, as well as growing up with a famous golfing father (Bobby Cole) and an equally famous golfing mother, 1973 LPGA Rookie of the Year, Laura Baugh.

Eric shares intimate stories like his battle with Type 1 Diabetes and Addison's Disease.  He talks about NCAA college golf, Mini Tour battles and his ascent to the Korn Ferry Tour and ultimately The PGA TOUR.  He shares how he broke through barriers at each level with a mindset shift and a change in how he views challenges.

Growing up in Florida Eric speaks of his affinity to Florida tournaments and shares inside-the-ropes takes of his final round battle with Chris Kirk in the 2023 Honda (now Cognizant) Classic.

A master around the greens, Eric talks about the short game and how he pitches and chips off Bermuda grass.  He also talks about putting and shares the drill he does to manage the quality of his putting stroke.  He also shares insights on how to make pressure putts as he elaborates on the importance of beings true to yourself and your technique - a lesson he learned from his dad.  

Eric has made a a success of himself in life and in golf by way of a positive mindset and positive thinking - he talks about this trait, something taught to him by his mom.

This podcast is als available on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Matt McKay (BS Kinesiology - Purdue University) is a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Golf Fitness Professional and CHEK Institute Golf Performance Specialist based at The PGA TOUR Golf Academy at The World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL.  

He joins #OntheMark to help you to better physical shape for better golf-swings and improved performance.

Matt addresses his 5 tenets for improving physical condition and well-being:

• Gaining Self Awareness & Education 
• Improving Posture & Pelvis Positions
• Improving Pelvis Control & Core Stability
• Improving Footwork and Balance, and
• Improving Athleticism by Moving - Walking, Throwing, Jumping, etc 

He also illustrates and describes (videos on YouTube) 3 Exercises that will lead to fulfillment of his 5 beliefs: 

1. Glute Activation and the Bridge pose
2. Knee to Full Plank exercise, and
3. Single Leg Balancing 

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Director of the Center on Stress and Health, and Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine.  He has more than 40 years of clinical and research experience studying psycho-oncology, stress and health, pain control, psychoneuroendocrinology, sleep and hypnosis. He has published 13 books, 404 scientific journal articles, and 170 book chapters on hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. 

Dr. David Spiegel is an Psychiatrist and the Wilson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he is known for his research into psycho-oncology; the neurobiology of therapeutic hypnosis and the role of the mind-brain-body connection in cancer outcomes and management among other topics.  He directs the Stanford Center on Stress and Health and is a recognized authority on hypnosis's clinical utility and neuroscience.

A true expert and trendsetter in the field of hypnosis Dr. Spiegel has appeared on the Andrew Huberman podcast, and he joins #OntheMark to dive into the topic of hypnotherapy and hypnosis for health, well-being, and for increased and improved focus and performance on the golf course.

Dr. Spiegel answers the following questions:

• What is Hypnosis and how does it work?
• What does Hypnosis do the the Brain?
• What is is like to be hypnotized?

He explains the different parts of the human brain and how they work, and perhaps don't work, together, and he elaborates on the three things that happen to the brain while in a state of hypnosis.  By way of explanation he also talks about brain activity in stages of stress and relaxation, in panic and in calm.

Dr. Spiegel then talks about his work with competitive athletes and illustrates how hypnosis has allowed them to perform at the best in high pressure situations.  He and Mark Immelman also discuss the mental state Tiger Woods gets into during competition.  To that Dr. Spiegel illustrates how athletes and people can perform self-hypnosis, through the Reveri App for peak mental and physical performance.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

There is also a discount code for listeners for the Reveri App. 

Go to https://reverihealth.app.link/onthemark for a free 14 Day Trial.

Kevin Redfern is an award-winning clubmaker and the founder and owner of Custom Golf Stix.  He has crafted, made and repaired golf clubs for over 25 years has been a trusted advisor to amateur and professional golfers alike.  He has helped some of the game's best including Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Matt Wallace and Suzann Pettersen to dial in their equipment for peak performance.

Kevin is also a respected golf instructor and he joins #OntheMark to talk about the value of club-fitting for better scores.  As an added bonus he demonstrates his training aid, The Wedge Trainer, and illustrates how it can help iron the kinks out in your chipping and pitching swings.

With regard to club-fitting for success Kevin addresses:

• The importance of properly fitted golf clubs, and 
• The biggest errors he sees in clubfitting, incl. shaft length, grip size, shaft weight and swing-weight, shaft kick-points for trajectory control, and the sole of the club incl. Bounce.

He also talks about the Wedge Trainer training aid and shares the inspiration for the design.  He illustrates how to use the Wedge Trainer and what it is used for, incl. eliminating flipping and excess wristiness, inproving incorrect angles of attack and inconsistent landing points, and enhancing poor swing rhythm and tempo.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman. 

NOTE: Kevin has also offered a discount code of 10% off your purchase of a Wedge Trainer.  Use code: OntheMark

Ian Peek is a Performance and Transition Coach with over 35 years of ‘hands-on’ coaching experience.  Ian has a Master’s Degree and a PhD in Sports Coaching.  He understands every client’s needs are unique and his coaching style and training methods are holistic and all-encompassing. 

Ian joins us to share insights from his doctoral thesis and information on how the elite players improve their performance by focussing on more than their golf game, i.e., also on certain mental, emotional and behavioral concepts.

He discusses the his idea of "Adaptation to Exceed the Demands of the Field" and breaks them into four buckets - Biological, Physical, Psychological and Social.  He also illustrates how you can see the "Big Picture" to improvement and elaborates on a few of those concepts:

• The coach/player and player/caddy dynamics
• A player's game-face and their media/personal game face
• Mental health challenges to players and competitors
• Gratitude as a superpower, and
• How to find a way, your individual way, to success.

Dr. Peek uses PGA TOUR and DP World Tour examples in Sir Nick Faldo and Rory McIlroy to personalize some of his lessons. This podcast is also available as a Vodcast on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Jordan Spieth is one of the great American golfers of all time.  His resume is extensive; he is: A 2-time US Junior Amateur Champion, a NCAA National Champion, a 3-time Major Champion (The Masters, The US Open and The Open), a former PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year (2013), the PGA TOUR and PGA Player of the Year (2015), the FedEx Cup Champion (2015), a Vardon Trophy winner (2015, 2017) and he has been ranked #1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Spieth has 13 PGA TOUR victories (and counting) and his career has seen the highest of highs and also some heartbreaking lows.  Jordan joins Mark Immelman to talk about his career in the game, highs, lows, tournament victories and defeats, and his approach to the golfswing, the short-game and scoring.

He addresses his appearances as an amateur in the Byron Nelson tournament, his first PGA TOUR win at The John Deere Classic, his career at The Masters including the 2015 win and the 2016 defeat.  Jordan also revisits the victory at the 2017 Open Championship and his mindset to chase down Matt Kuchar.

Spieth also talks about his slump in form, injury, and how he managed the journey back to the winner's circle at the 2021 Valero Texas Open.

With regard to technique and playing, he talks about:

• The Mindset of being "Mastery Driven vs. Ego Driven"
• Being Aggressive on and around the Greens
• Golf-swing "Feels"
• Beliefs for Playing your Best
• Wedge Play, Chipping and Pitching
• Holing Short Putts, and
• How he Manages Emotions and Expectations.

This podcast is also available as a Vodcast on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Seth Pepper is a former World Champion and #1 Ranked Swimmer in the World.  He has also been a multiple National Champion and All-American at the University of Arizona. 

Seth is now an elite High-Performance Mental Coach and helps athletes of differing sporting codes, including PGA TOUR and LPGA golfers, perform fearlessly and achieve their best under pressure.

Seth joins #OntheMark to share his incredible story.  A story of a young man who had a dream to become a champion and an Olympian.  A young man who was obsessed with discovering the secrets to success and unlocking the path to greatness.  A young man who worked hard, competed without concern, and rose to the top of his game and became a champion.

As Seth tells his story he weaves (1) Life Lessons, (2) Insights on How to Make Winning a Lifestyle, and (3) Llessons on How to Practice and Compete with No Limits or Fear.

Concepts discussed include:

• The Blueprint of Greatness
• Building a Lifestyle of Winning
• Learning from Failures
• Personalities that are likely to become Champions
• Sacrifice and Intrinsic Motivations
• Strategy and not Story as a Mindset
• Stoicism and realizing Resistance is the Way
• Repeat Exposure to Train the Mind, and
• The "Performance Battlefield" and (1) Relationships to Success, Failure and Pressure, and (2) Reframing Uncomfortable.

This podcast is also available as a Vodcast.  Search and Subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Terry Hashimoto is the founder of Jazz Golf in Canada, a co-developer of the BodiTrak Golf Pressure Mapt, and inventor of the world's first inertial measuring unit for golf and other major golf products.  He is a PGA Professional and one of the foremost experts in the field of Pressure Mapping and Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) and he joins #OntheMark to teach you the mechanics of building a good golf-swing from the ground up.

He talks about GRF at length and illustrates important charts and data that pertain to the "Flow of Energy" with specific regard to:  

• Efficient and Inefficient Pressure Traces,
• The Center of Pressure and what it represents,
• Velocity Charts and how Peak Velocity is created, and
• Vertical Forces, what they are, how they are exploited and when they are exploited in the swing.

He also shows the differences between Professionals and Amateurs, Long Drivers and Short Drivers.  He shows what Long Hitters do in the swing for power and he describes and illustrates Power Address and Impact positions.  

He talks about Rotary, Lateral and Vertical Forces in the swing and when and how they should be used, and he shows how Pressure Mapping and the correct use of the ground can mitigate injuries.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Andy Johnson is the founder of The Fried Egg newsletter, golf blog and podcast.  He has quickly become one of the more respected voices in golf and he joins #OntheMark to talk about Golf Course Design, his philosophy on Design, and Course Management for better golf.

Andy shares his favorite courses, both on a budget and not on a budget, to play.  He talks about his likes and dislikes in Course Design and setup.

With regard to better Course Management, Mindset and Decision-making Andy addresses and elaborates on the following:

1. The Mindset of Playing Par 5's as Par 4's and vice versa,
2. Understanding the Design of the Hole and Playing with the Correct Mentality,
3. Making Golf Fun,
4. Turning Disadvantages into Advantages,
5. Playing Outside of the "Book",
6. Conservative Approaches, and
7. Understanding the "Pulse" on Your Game.

This podcast is also available on YouTube.  Search and Subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Michael Kim is a former All-America at The University of California, Berkeley and the 2013 winner of The Jack Nicklaus Award as the National Collegiate Player of the Year.  He was also the  2013 winner of The Haskins Award for the Outstanding College Player of the Year. 

Michael is now a winner on the PGA TOUR and he joins #OntheMark to discuss his career in golf, winning at the highest level, golf instruction, and navigating slumps and dips in form.

Michael shares lessons learned in Junior and Collegiate Golf, including insights on acclimatizing to different golf courses and conditions.

He talks about his ascent to the PGA TOUR and his 2018 win in The John Deere Classic.

He addresses work on his technique and his golf-swing and he shares his mindset to navigating tough times.

Michael then shares advice on Method and Technique and other elements key to good golf including:

The Golf-swing Pivot and Rotation, and the influence as either a Clubface "Opener" or "Closer," using Viktor Hovland as an example.

Putting Consistency with a reference to Strokes Gained Putting.

The Mental Game and Thought-life for Success, including insights on dealing with Nerves and Anxiety.

Making Changes for Improvement and how to do so successfully, and

Long and Short Golf-swings and how to make a longer, more powerful swing properly.

This podcast is also available on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Andy Matthews is a former Professional Golfer and a winner on the Mackenzie (Canadian) Tour.  He is now a Pilot, and the Director of Golf Performance for Neuropeak Pro and he joins us to talk about the importance of good breathing and its influence on overall health, well-being, stress reduction and golf performance.

Andy delves into Precision (Diaphragmatic) Breathing and how it can can help you (1) Relax,  (2) Improve Muscle Function and prevent strain during exercise, (3) Increase Blood Oxygen levels, (4) Make it easier for your Body to Release Gas Waste from your Lungs, (5) Reduce Blood Pressure and (6) Lower Heart Rate.  As part of the Precision Breathing discussion Andy also contrasts Nasal and Mouth Breathing and their commensurate effects on the Nervous System.

He also talks about how proper breathing can improve Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which is a function of a balanced Autonomic Nervous System.  A higher HRV can lead to better Sleep, Enhanced Cognitive Performance, Increased Adaptability and Resiliency and a Better Stress Response.

All of these factors lead to better performance on and off the golf course and Andy talks about how Intentional Breathing can lead to an improved Physiological state and the ability to prepare for both powerful Drives and deft touch Greenside shots.

You have heard countless PGA TOUR professionals and coaches talk about breathing properly under pressure.  Thanks to Andy Matthews, and the Neuropeak Pro NTel Belt, you can know how to do so, practice properly and chart your improvement.

Also, take advantage of a special promo code to get a 1-Year Free Membership to the Neuropeak Training module with the purchase of the NTel Belt.  Code - OntheMark

This podcast is also available on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.  

Russell Henley, born in Macon Georgia, was a standout Junior Golfer, an All-American and Haskins Award winner at the University of Georgia, a 3x Korn Ferry Tour winner (with one victory as an Amateur), and now a multiple winner on The PGA TOUR.

He joins Mark Immelman to discuss his career in golf and share lessons and insights on how he gets the most out of his game to compete at the very highest level.

Russell elaborates on his game which is built on precision and accuracy, and how he approaches his craft in the era of power off the tee.  

Henley discusses and shares:

Lessons for parents of junior golfers

Developing a competitive mindset and attitude

Playing without fear

Handling nerves under pressure

Productive and purposeful practice

Accuracy off the Tee

Hitting more Greens in Regulation and how to shape shots

Playing with success in the Wind, and

Putting, doing the mundane things, and how to manage time appropriately.

This podcast is presented by Synovus and is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Hans Larsson is a former Professional golfer and now a Golf Instructor at the prestigious Filbornaskolan School in Sweden.  He plays a major role in the development of a number of elite young Swedish golfers including Ludvig Åberg and Madelene Sagström (LPGA).

Hans joins #OntheMark to discuss Ludvig's progression from Soccer to Junior Golf to Collegiate Golf at Texas Tech to winning on the PGA TOUR and the Ryder Cup.

Hans shares his 4 Pillars to Better Golf Performance:

1. Focus on the Performance rather than the Golf-swing
2. Work Backwards from the Golf Ball
3. Develop a Golf-swing Emergency Checklist, and
4. Protect agains Injuries.

As Hans elaborates on each topic he addresses elements such as:

• Ball Flight Laws and the Value of Understanding them
• The "9 Ball-Flight Drill" to remedy a faulty Golf-swing
• Situational Analysis of rounds and shots
• Flexibilty, Mobility and Golfer Workouts
• Mind-control and Proper Decision-making.

This podcast is also available as a Vodcast on YouTube. Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Camilo Villegas (Colombia) is a 5-Time winner on the PGA TOUR and the 2008 TOUR Champion.  

He has been ranked as high as 7th in the Official World Golf Ranking and is one of the most successful golfers from South America.

Camilo joins #OntheMark to share stories from his career in golf - from his time in Junior golf in Medellin, Columbia to his All-American career as a University of Florida Gator, Camilo talks about competition, wellness and discipline.

He then delves into his career on the PGA TOUR and lessons he learned in his ascent up the world rankings.  Camilo then shares the heart-breaking story of losing his baby daughter, Mia, and the life skills he and his wife learned from that life-altering event.

Villegas talks about how he endured and passed through a significant slump in form, thanks to discipline, attitude, overcoming fear and doubt, and a change in golf-swing theory.  He caps the story by revisiting his victory in the 2023 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.  

Thoughout the conversation Camilo weaves in lessons and insights to help golfers improve their health and their golf.  He shares his daily routine in terms of nutrition, hydration and practice.  He also talks about managing stress, the psychology of sports and golf, fitness and resistance training for the golf swing, and beating the "demons of bad play" by taking consistent small, incremental steps towards your goal.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subrscribe to Mark Immelman

Virgil Herring is an acclaimed Golf Instructor, Author and Speaker.  He was named the 2015 Tennessee PGA Section Teacher of the Year and has won countless Tennessee PGA Section awards.  He is also a "U.S. Kids Golf" Top 50 Instructor (source) and has guided many junior golfers to successful NCAA collegiate careers. 

Herring has also worked with a number of PGA TOUR players, most notably former FedEx Cup Champion, bBrandt Snedeker. 

He joins Mark Immelman to share his "4 Most Important Talents required to Compete Successfully." 

He discusses and elaborates on:

1. Driving Efficiency
2. Carry Yardages
3. Efficiency from within 40 yard of the Target, and
4. Lag Putting and 3-Putt Avoidance.

As he delves into each topic and shares ideas and tips on how to improve, Virgil addresses important elements and mindsets such as the Psychology of Expectation, Predictable Shot-shapes, the Perception of what it takes to be a Great Player, and Patience and Preparedness.

He uses examples from PGA TOUR players such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Boo Weekley and LIV players such as Greg Norman and Bryson DeChambeau.

This podcast is also available on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.

Scott Fawcett is a competitive professional golfer, a Performance Coach and Analyst and the Founder of DECADE, a Tour proven Course Management System to shoot lower scores.

He joins #OntheMark and Mark Immelman to discuss ways, including Better Decision-making and Course Management, to lower your golf score.

Scott dives into all manner of game improvement concepts:

• Discipline of doing the 'mundane' in practice
• Commitment to your job and to purpose-driven work 
• Ways to calm the nerves and the mind - Meditation and Box Breathing
• Keeping a Mental Scorecard for success, and
• The value of a 'Stock Shot'

Scott also elaborates on his "Tiger 5." Five simple Course Management focusses for success.

• Bogey Avoidance on Par 5's
• Blown Easy Saves
• Big Number Avoidance
• Eliminating 3-Putts, and
• Avoiding Bogeys with Scoring Clubs on Approach Shots.

This podcast is also available as a Vodcast.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman on YouTube.

Kip Puterbaugh is one of the all-time instructors in golf.  He was worked with Major Champions and PGA TOUR and LPGA players alike and has coached winners like Scott Simpson, Larry Mize, Loren Roberts and Dennis Paulson.

Kip was schooled at the University of Houston under legendary coach, Dave Williams, and then played as a professional under the guidance of PGA TOUR legend, Gene Littler.  After a brief competitive stint he turned his attention to golf instruction and quickly became one of the most sought-after minds in the game.

A published author, Kip joins #OntheMark to discuss golf and his book "What You Know (about Golf) Can Hurt You."

Kip highlights and elaborates on his Top 10 Golf Instruction Myths, including "Swinging to Fast" and "Coming Over the Top."

He then dives into the concept of Hand-Path and how the Handle of the Club moves in the downswing and through impact.  As he does so he also details concepts like: Shaft Lean, Casting and Club-lag, Proper Wrist Alignments, Arm Action and Movement and Grip Pressure.

He then shares a cool story about Lee Trevino and how Ben Hogan described the "Flat Spot" of the golf-swing.  He also shows his "Whirlybird" practice drill to help golfers find the proper wrist alignments in the downswing and at impact. 

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subrscribe to Mark Immelman.

Phil Shomo has over 35 years experience coaching people. in a variety of arenas such as Business and Ministry, to navigate challenges more effectively.  He is now leading a thriving Sports Psychology endeavor that focusses on helping golfers to "fuel their mental tank" while "controlling controllables."

Phil has a Masters Degree in Transformation with a specialization in Personal Character Development.  He works with golfers of all skill levels including elite NCAA competitors from teams like Mississippi State University and Augusta University.  He joins #OntheMark to help you to improve your concentration and focus in practice and on the golf course.

Shomo exhibits his "Circles of Focus" as he talks about:

• How to make sense of Mental Performance.
• How to improve your relationship with yourself.
• How much control you really have in every situation.
• How Focus is mental energy and mental energy is a limited commodity.
• How paying attention is transactional.

He then explains each Circle of Focus and how to use your mental energy effectively:

1. Circle of Concern - where a person has no control,
2. Circle of Influence - where a person has some control, and
3. Circle of Control - where a person has a lot of control.

This podcast is also available as a vodcast on YouTube.  Search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.