Golf Science Lab

I talked with Jake from Fully Equipped Golf at Golf.com and we went over all things PGA Show 2026. We talk through everything we liked and would potentially use in our own golf game and training.

Watch the video that started the conversation → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkl5agGLkck‪@kraftygolf_‬ broke down the modern pattern he teaches: shallow arm mechanics + steep body mechanics. Controlling the clubface, shallowing the club in transition, and staying in posture while you rotate through the ball. This sparked a lot of discussion around these mechanics and who can use them in their own game. We took the time to go through some of the most engaging comments from the video to explain or give insight to how people can utilize aspects of this type of swing when they practice and play.

If you’ve ever wondered why armlock putting didn’t completely take over the game, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for. I sat down with Sam Bettinardi to unpack the real story behind the first mass-market armlock putter, how Matt Kuchar helped shape its design, and what Bettinardi learned after more than a decade of building these putters.We dig into the prototypes, the early challenges, the seven-degree loft decision, the offset, and why this thing almost looks like a chipper. More importantly, Sam explains why armlock saw a surge of early hype in 2013 but never became the dominant putting style many expected.⛳ In This Episode:• How the armlock idea started with Matt Kuchar• Why Bettinardi built 25+ prototypes before finding the right design• The reason early armlocks looked like wedges• The secret behind the “ski-pole” shaft• Why armlock exploded after the USGA anchoring ban• Who should (and shouldn’t) use armlock today• Inside Kuchar’s reverse armlock setup• Why long/broomstick putters are risi

Have you ever wondered if a broomstick or armlock putter could actually make putting easier?

The long putter is back... and Lucas Glover is a big reason why. After years of battling the yips, Glover found a new weapon that completely transformed his game.We break down the rise of the long putter, how it helped Glover win back-to-back tournaments, and what makes this putting style so effective. If you’ve ever wondered why more pros are switching to broomsticks, this is the story behind the trend.⛳️ What You’ll Learn:-Why Lucas decided to switch to the long putter-How he built his new setup and technique-The mental side of rebuilding confidence on the greens-What this shift means for the future of putting

Is the future of putting already here?LAB Golf CEO Sam Hahn joins us to break down the rise of broomstick and sweeper putters — from Adam Scott’s early switch to Lucas Glover’s breakout wins. We dive into the tech behind LAB’s designs, why graphite shafts changed everything, and Sam’s controversial take on armlock putting. If you’ve ever wondered why more pros (and amateurs) are going long, this episode is for you.⛳ Topics covered:-How LAB Golf first built sweeper putters-Tour moments that sparked the revolution-Why shaft tech matters for consistency-Heavy vs. light head weight philosophy-The future of sweepers vs. armlockGet the best golf content every week, right in your inbox!

Thinking about switching to an armlock putter? In this episode, we dive deep into all things armlock putting with Marty Jertson, VP of Fitting & Performance at Ping. We cover everything you need to know:-Why armlock works and who it helps most-The big drawback that golfers overlook-Best specs (length, loft, head weight) for armlock putters-How it stacks up against broomstick/long putters-Training drills to dial in start-line and lag putting-Insights from Ping on their latest armlock designsWhether you’re fighting the yips, chasing more stability on short putts, or just curious about alternative putting styles, this conversation gives you the full picture, straight from one of golf’s leading experts.

Want to lower your golf scores without rebuilding your swing? Coach Will explains the Scoring Method-how smarter decisions, better course management, and simple drills can help golfers of all levels break 80, avoid big numbers, and finally play consistent golf.From breaking 80 without obsessing over swing changes to avoiding costly triple bogeys with smarter course management, this episode dives into the real purpose behind the system.We tackle the biggest criticisms head-on:-Is the Scoring Method only for beginners or high handicaps?-How can you “keep it in play” if you slice everything?-What’s more important: swing mechanics or scoring IQ?-Why bogey avoidance matters more than birdie hunting.-Practical drills: wedges at 25/50/75/100 yards, go-to clubs, and dispersion mapping.Whether you’re a 25-handicap or a single-digit player, you’ll learn how better decisions—not just better swings-can transform your game.

How tight should you hold the golf club? Is it really a “3 out of 10” like you’ve always heard… or is there more to the story?In this episode, we break down brand-new research on grip pressure with insights from Liam Mucklow, who has studied golfers of every skill level using pressure-sensor grips. From Tour pros to slicers and high-handicappers, we’ll show you what really happens with the hands at setup, transition, and impact - and why most golfers get it wrong.You’ll see why:-Tour pros grip firmer than you think (and why their “3/10” isn’t yours)-High-handicappers often grip too lightly and lose control of the club-Hooks and slices both come from hand pressure patterns gone wrong-Grip strength and even grip size can change your swing speed and contactThis is practical, research-backed info you can use the next time you tee it up.

Ever wonder why your perfect range swing falls apart the second you tee off in a tournament?

It’s Open Championship week — and we’re talking all things prep, practice, and the gear moves players make when it matters most.Nico Darras is back for a wide-ranging conversation on how pros get ready for majors, the difference between sticking with your stock shot or adapting to links golf, why some players tinker with gear (and why most of us shouldn’t), and the weird things wind does to your short game in Scotland.We also dive into amateur golf trip prep — how to actually practice before your buddies' trip, why “golf shape” is real, and the unspoken rules around bags, headcovers, merch, and yes… staff bags.If you’re into golf, gear, tour talk, or just love a good rant about golf trip etiquette — this one’s for you.

We’re diving deep into golf speed training with Dr. Alex Ehlert, a sports scientist who works with players of all levels at PGA Frisco. In this episode, we break down the mechanics of speed, how to structure a smart training session, and the real-world journey of adding 10+ mph to your swing. Whether you're trying to break through a plateau or just figuring out how to swing faster without losing control, this conversation is packed with insights. Dr. Alex shares the most effective physical predictors of speed (spoiler: vertical jump impulse), how to train your body to move faster, and why speed sticks can be more than just a “go fast” tool. This one is for the golfers who want to better understand their body, biomechanics, and how to actually train for lasting speed. Watch or listen to the truth about plateaus in swing speed, what your jump says about your golf potential, how to build your engine and express it on the course, a science-backed breakdown of grip strength, mobility, and rotational force, and

Ever wondered why tour pros rarely hit 60-yard wedge shots? Or why amateurs obsess over yardages that the best in the world actively avoid? In this episode of the Golf Well Podcast, host Cordie Walker sits down with Dr. Nico Darras of Golf Blueprint to unpack the real data, strategies, and myths behind distance wedge play. From launch angles and spin control to wind math and why setup is everything, this conversation dives deep into what the pros actually practice and how you can apply those insights to your game. They also explore how to think like a pro when it comes to decision-making, shot shaping, and course management. Plus, Nico shares behind-the-scenes stories from working with elite players and how Golf Blueprint is helping everyday golfers build smarter training plans. Whether you're working on your 60-yard shot or trying to understand how wind really impacts your ball, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fun stories from the tour. Subscribe for weekly golf performance content an

What if the 3-wood is the most overrated club in your bag?In this episode of the Golf Well podcast, I sit down with Marty Jertson, VP of Fitting & Performance at Ping, to talk about the rise of the Thriver—a shorter, higher-lofted second driver that's replacing fairway woods for tour players like Neil Shipley and Preston Summerhays.We break down:– Why the 3-wood is becoming obsolete for high-speed players– How a Thriver setup can drastically improve accuracy off the tee– Fitting insights using Ping’s in-house strokes gained calculator– Why your course strategy might need a total re-think– How to build one yourself (or get it built the right way)This might be the most under-the-radar gear trend in golf right now—and after hearing this, you might want to build one yourself.

Get ready for a deep dive into the science of golf with Dr. Sasho MacKenzie. In this episode, we cover it all, from the surprising impact of iron size on shot shaping to advanced concepts in swing mechanics. Here’s what you’ll learn as we recap the World Scientific Congress of Golf: - Why smaller irons might not always be better for shaping shots - The surprising truths about club kinetics and how they influence your swing - The science behind face-to-path variability and what it means for your game - How ground interaction affects your wedge play more than you think - A fascinating analogy involving car doors and swing speed (yes, really!) - Tips for testing different swing thoughts and stance setups for maximum speed - The unexpected ways putter weighting can affect your stroke consistency - What Dr. MacKenzie is researching next, including groundbreaking studies on ground reaction forces

In this episode, Dr. Paul Wood, Vice President of Engineering at Ping and President of the Golf Science Organization, discuss insights from the recent World Scientific Congress of Golf. They delve into various research topics, including the physics of putting on sloping surfaces, technological advancements in measuring putting dynamics and the latest buzz in the research community.

After Tony Ruggiero and Smylie Kaufman reflect on their years working together – Smylie was one of the best students Tony ever had. Smylie shares the secret to his success it was his understanding of his swing and keeping his focus simple, by having three to four things he’d monitor. They dive into specific techniques and approaches, as well as the best advice he’s ever received, what the best players can do and how his greatest strengths as a player have helped him in broadcasting.

Ralph Bauer and Tony talk all things putting. He explains where he starts when work with tour players, it’s changing their perspective to understanding how they missed is due to misreading instead of pushing or pulling. He talks about his new app, and how it solves the missing part to putting better is reading the greens better. The technology accelerates what would take years into weeks. They also discuss which grip is best for your putting, and the data he found from testing twelve tour players on left to righters and right to lefters. This episode is full of ways to improve your putting, and stories from Ralph and Tony on how they’ve helped players improve over the years.

Tony has Tour Player, Akshay Bhatia, on the show this week. Tony shares what really stood out to him about Akshay. They talk about his journey and choices with turning Pro at 17 years old. The uncharted challenges he struggled with and how he’s worked through them the past two years. He talks about the amazing coaches that have helped on the journey, and what he’s learned from playing with some of the greatest in the game: Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Bill Haas, Bryson DeChambeau and many more.

Michael Jacobs - 50 Best Teacher in America by Golf Digest, and top 100 Teacher in America by Golf Magazine; shares his journey, with Tony Ruggiero to creating his own research software and what the Jacobs 3D team is working on now. Teaching for 22 years, Michael explains how his focus changed and the 2 steps to becoming a great coach if you’re just starting out. Tony and Michael also discuss the culture of golf instruction and the great modern debate of pushing vs. pulling on the back of the shaft and so much more.