The IMAGEN Golf Podcast

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Podcast by Daniel Guest

The IMAGEN Golf Podcast

Golf Doesn't have to be so hard! Top 100 Coach & PXG Staff Pro and World Long Drive coach Daniel Guest shares his direct and straight forward approach on golf instruction, amateur golfers, the state of this great game today and everything in between. Hear Daniel breakdown and analyze the golf swing, the golf game and some of the biggest names in the sport. Hear how his award winning 7-7-7 Drill Protocol and Golf Better Guarantee have changed the lives of thousands of golfers worldwide. Learn from his insights after giving 36K+ golf lessons to everyone from blind golfers to professionals. For more information or to book lessons with Daniel visit our website @ http://www.ImagenGolf.com or email Daniel directly @ Daniel@ImagenGolf.com. This is Golf as You've Always Imagined! For free golf tips and more follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imagengolf/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/imagengolf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imagengolf TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@golfbetterguaranteed?lang=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IMAGENGolf

Latest episodes

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20 November 2024

Why You Can't Get Better With YouTube/Social Media Golf Videos

Sometimes well intended projects have ill effects. I'd put Youtube Golf Videos into this category.

I honestly believe that people go onto YouTube with the intention of helping golfers get better. In reality, I don't think there is a coach in any sport with the intention of making any one worse at a sport, most coaches have a genuine desire to help people.

However, I think that in general the Youtube format is not well suited to help people improve.

I'll give you a quick 5 reasons why I am making this bold claim:

  1. Your Grip and Hands do EVERYTHING in the golf swing
  2. The Golf swing works in 3D, which means if you change one thing, you have to change 2 other corresponding things for it to work and keep working
  3. The Golf swing is subject to the direction of momentum, and often times you cannot see on video how this momentum is affecting your swing
  4. Feel is Never real
  5. Small things make big differences in Golf

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28:50

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15 November 2024

F-O-R-E Minute Friday - Does Getting Fit For Clubs Really Matter, Um HELL YEAH!

There isn't a week that goes by where I don't get this question and my answer is always the same, hell yes it does.

I like the term “optimized” rather than getting “fit” because with today’s data that’s ultimately what we’re doing. Optimizing the clubhead, shaft, grip, kick point, balance point, lie angle and shaft weight to help the golfer be the most efficient they can be. The exact same approach we have for every students golf swing.

Read the entire story here.

https://patch.com/pennsylvania/doylestown/does-getting-fit-clubs-really-matter-um-hell-yeah

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08:23

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28 October 2024

Grip It and Rip It: Why You Should (Almost) Always Hit Driver

Golf is a game of strategy, and nowhere is that more evident than on the tee box. While conventional wisdom might suggest playing it safe with irons or fairway woods, there's a growing argument for unleashing the big dog on every hole. Here's why you should seriously consider gripping it and ripping it with your driver more often:

1. Maximize Distance, Minimize Strokes:

The driver is the longest club in your bag for a reason. By maximizing distance off the tee, you shorten your approach shots, increasing your chances of hitting greens in regulation and ultimately lowering your scores. 

2. Modern Drivers are More Forgiving:

Today's drivers are designed for forgiveness, with larger sweet spots and technology that minimizes the penalty for off-center hits. Even if you don't always find the center of the face, you're likely to achieve better results than you might expect.

3. Fairway Isn't Always the Goal:

While accuracy is important, hitting the fairway isn't the be-all and end-all. Modern courses often offer generous landing areas, and even a slightly missed drive can leave you with a manageable approach shot. Don't be afraid to take an aggressive line with your driver.

4. Mental Advantage:

There's nothing quite like the feeling of crushing a drive down the fairway. Starting the hole with an aggressive, confident swing can set a positive tone for your round and boost your mental game.

5. It's More Fun!

Let's be honest, hitting driver is just plain fun. It's exhilarating to unleash your power and watch the ball soar down the fairway. Embrace the thrill of the game and enjoy the satisfaction of a well-struck drive.

When to Dial it Back:

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Here are a few situations where you might consider clubbing down:

    • Tight Fairways: On extremely narrow holes, the risk of missing the fairway might outweigh the reward of extra distance.
    • Forced Carries: If there's a hazard you can't carry with your driver, choose a club that guarantees a safe landing.
    • Trouble Lurking: If the rough or hazards are particularly penal, playing it safe with a shorter club might be the smarter play.

The Bottom Line:

In most situations, the benefits of hitting driver outweigh the risks. By embracing an aggressive mindset and trusting your equipment, you can unlock greater distance, improve your scoring opportunities, and add an element of excitement to your game. So, step up to the tee box with confidence, grip it and rip it, and watch your scores plummet.

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20:33

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25 October 2024

F-O-R-E Minute Friday – How To Sink More Putts Immediately!

In this episode, we'll delve into the concept of Zen putting, a practice that emphasizes the mental aspects of the game to achieve greater focus, calmness, and consistency on the greens.

Dr. Joe Parent, a renowned sports psychologist and author of the bestselling book "Zen Putting: Mastering the Mental Game on the Greens." Dr. Parent will share his insights on how to cultivate a Zen-like state of mind on the golf course, overcome common putting anxieties, and develop a putting routine that promotes peak performance.

We'll also discuss:

The benefits of mindfulness and meditation for golfers

How to identify and manage negative thoughts on the putting green

Techniques for developing a pre-shot routine that promotes focus and confidence

Strategies for visualizing successful putts

Tips for handling pressure and staying calm in high-stakes situations

Whether you're a seasoned golfer looking to shave strokes off your game or a beginner seeking to improve your putting fundamentals, this episode has something for you. So, grab your putter, find a quiet spot, and let's begin our journey into the world of Zen putting.

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07:17

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22 October 2024

How Your Brain Learns Golf

Golf, a game of intricate movements and precise timing, might seem like a simple act of hitting a ball. But beneath the surface lies a complex interplay of brain activity, muscle memory, and sensory feedback. Understanding how the brain learns golf can unlock the secrets to faster improvement and more consistent performance. 

1. Building Neural Pathways:

Every swing you take carves a pathway in your brain. These pathways, formed by interconnected neurons, represent the specific sequence of muscle activations needed to execute the movement. The more you repeat a swing, the stronger these pathways become, leading to ingrained motor patterns. This is why consistent practice is key – it reinforces the desired movements and makes them feel more automatic. 

2. The Role of Myelin:

Think of myelin as insulation for your neural pathways. This fatty substance wraps around the neurons, speeding up the transmission of signals and making the movement more efficient. The more you practice a specific swing, the more myelin builds up, leading to faster and smoother execution. However, this also means that bad habits can become deeply ingrained, making them harder to break. 

3. Sensory Feedback Loop:

The brain constantly receives feedback from your senses during the swing. Your eyes track the club and ball, your muscles sense their position and tension, and your inner ear provides information about balance and movement. This feedback loop allows the brain to fine-tune the swing in real-time, making adjustments based on the current situation. 

4. The Power of Visualization:

Mental rehearsal plays a crucial role in learning golf. Visualizing the swing activates many of the same brain regions as actually performing it, strengthening neural pathways and improving motor skills. This is why top golfers often spend time visualizing their shots before stepping onto the course. 

5. Overcoming Old Habits:

Unlearning a bad habit is like carving a new path through a dense forest. It requires conscious effort and repetition to weaken the old neural pathways and strengthen the new ones. This is where focused practice and drills come in, helping to rewire the brain and create more efficient movement patterns. 

6. The Importance of Feedback:

External feedback, whether from a coach or technology, can accelerate the learning process. By providing information about your swing mechanics and ball flight, feedback helps the brain identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. 

7. Individualized Learning:

Every brain is unique, and learning styles vary. Some golfers learn best through visual demonstrations, while others prefer verbal instructions or kinesthetic feedback. Finding the teaching methods that resonate with your individual learning style can optimize the learning process. 

Unlocking Your Potential:

Understanding how the brain learns golf can empower you to take control of your game. By embracing deliberate practice, utilizing visualization, and seeking feedback, you can create efficient neural pathways and develop a swing that feels natural and produces consistent results. So, the next time you step onto the course, remember that you're not just playing golf – you're shaping your brain, one swing at a time.

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17:22

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27 September 2024

F-O-R-E Minute Friday – For God's Sake Tee Up Your Driver Correctly!

Tee It Up Right: The Importance of Proper Driver Setup

In the world of golf, where every inch counts, even the seemingly simple act of teeing up your driver can make a significant difference in your performance. While it might seem like a minor detail, the height and placement of your tee can significantly impact factors like launch angle, spin rate, and overall distance. 

Finding the Sweet Spot

The "sweet spot" for tee height will vary slightly depending on your swing and the driver you use. However, a general rule of thumb is to have the top half of the golf ball visible above the top line of the clubface when the driver is resting behind the ball.

Teeing the ball too low can lead to a decrease in launch angle and increased backspin, resulting in a lower trajectory and potentially less distance. On the other hand, teeing the ball too high can promote a higher launch angle and less backspin, potentially leading to more distance but also a greater risk of inconsistent strikes and loss of control. 

Other Considerations

While tee height is crucial, it's not the only factor to consider. The placement of the tee in relation to your stance can also influence your swing and ball flight.

  • If you tend to slice the ball (curve it to the right for right-handed players), teeing the ball slightly forward in your stance can help encourage a more in-to-out swing path, potentially reducing the slice.
  • If you tend to hook the ball (curve it to the left for right-handed players), teeing the ball slightly further back in your stance can promote a more out-to-in swing path, potentially mitigating the hook.

Experiment and Find What Works

Ultimately, the best way to determine the optimal tee height and placement for your swing is through experimentation. Use a launch monitor if available or simply observe your ball flight and make adjustments as needed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tee height significantly impacts launch angle, spin rate, and distance. 
  • A general guideline is to have the top half of the ball visible above the top line of the clubface. 
  • Experiment to find the ideal tee height and placement for your swing.
  • Proper teeing is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of maximizing your driver performance. 

By taking the time to tee your driver properly, you can unlock more distance and consistency off the tee, setting the stage for a successful round of golf.

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