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
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Latest episodes

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02 January 2026

F-O-R-E Minute Friday - The Best $20 Investment You Can Make for Your Game (It’s Not a Club)

It’s that time of year. The clubs are in the garage, the weather is turning, and the "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" is kicking in. You’re scrolling through reviews, convinced that a new $600 driver is the secret to breaking 90.

But what if the secret to better golf this year wasn't in your bag, but on your nightstand?

In this edition of FORE Minute Friday, host Daniel Guest makes the case for upgrading your "software" instead of your hardware. We’re talking about the power of reading a golf book.

In this 4-minute episode, you’ll hear:

  • The ROI of Reading: Why a $20 paperback offers better value than a new hybrid.
  • Mental Reps: How to improve your course management without leaving the couch.
  • The Challenge: Daniel’s specific call to action for the weekend.
  • Top Recommendations: Why Dr. Bob Rotella and Harvey Penick should be your new swing coaches.

Stop looking for a swing fix in a credit card transaction. Grab a book, change your perspective, and get your mind right for the season ahead.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

  • Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella
  • Harvey Penick's Little Red Book
  • A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein

Connect with Imagen Golf:

  • Website: www.imagengolf.com
  • Follow us on Instagram: @ImagenGolf
  • Email: Daniel@imagengolf.com

The "Holy Trinity" of Instruction

1. Harvey Penick's Little Red Book by Harvey Penick & Bud Shrake

  • The Vibe: Wisdom passed down from a grandfather.
  • Why Read It: It is the best-selling golf book of all time for a reason. Penick condenses a lifetime of teaching pros like Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw into simple, digestible anecdotes. It’s not about complex mechanics; it’s about "taking dead aim."
  • Best For: Any golfer who wants to lower their score without getting a headache.

2. Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf by Ben Hogan

  • The Vibe: The technical bible.
  • Why Read It: If you want to understand the mechanics of the swing, this is the source code. Hogan’s illustrations (by Anthony Ravielli) are iconic. It breaks the swing down into four parts: The Grip, Stance/Posture, The First Part of the Swing, and The Downswing.
  • Best For: The player who wants to build a fundamentally sound swing from the ground up.

3. Golf My Way by Jack Nicklaus

  • The Vibe: The masterclass.
  • Why Read It: It is the definitive instructional text from the greatest major champion in history. It covers everything from strategy and ball flight to the mental approach. It is comprehensive and timeless.
  • Best For: Golfers who want to understand how a champion thinks and executes.

The Mental Game

4. Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella

  • The Vibe: A therapy session for your golf game.
  • Why Read It: Rotella is the godfather of golf psychology. He teaches that confidence is crucial and that you must accept bad shots to play good golf. This book will save you more strokes than a new driver ever could.
  • Best For: The player who hits it great on the range but falls apart on the first tee.

5. Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game by Dr. Joseph Parent

  • The Vibe: Mindfulness meets the fairway.
  • Why Read It: While Rotella focuses on attitude, Parent focuses on specific mental techniques (breathing, visualization, routine) to clear the clutter from your mind. It offers practical drills to stay in the present moment.
  • Best For: The anxious golfer who has too many swing thoughts.

Narrative & History (The "Why We Play" Books)

6. The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever by Mark Frost

  • The Vibe: A cinematic thriller.
  • Why Read It: It tells the true story of a private, high-stakes match in 1956 at Cypress Point: Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson vs. amateurs Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward. It is widely considered one of the most gripping sports books ever written.
  • Best For: Anyone who loves a good story. You won’t be able to put it down.

7. A Good Walk Spoiled: Days and Nights on the PGA Tour by John Feinstein

  • The Vibe: Behind the velvet ropes.
  • Why Read It: Feinstein spent a year embedded on the PGA Tour in the 90s. It captures the grind, the pressure, and the razor-thin margin between glory and failure. It humanizes the pros in a way no other book has since.
  • Best For: Fans of professional golf who want to know what life is really like inside the ropes.

8. The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost

  • The Vibe: The origin story of American golf.
  • Why Read It: It details the 1913 U.S. Open where a working-class amateur, Francis Ouimet, took on the British titans, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. It reads like a novel but is historically accurate.
  • Best For: History buffs and anyone who loves an underdog story.

The Soul of the Game

9. Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy

  • The Vibe: Mystical and philosophical.
  • Why Read It: Part fiction, part philosophy, this 1972 classic introduces the character of Shivas Irons, a Scottish golf pro who teaches the metaphysical side of the game. It’s a cult classic that explores the spiritual connection between the player and the game.
  • Best For: The dreamer and the philosopher.

10. A Course Called Ireland by Tom Coyne

  • The Vibe: The ultimate golf adventure.
  • Why Read It: Tom Coyne walked (yes, walked) the entire coastline of Ireland, playing every links course along the way. It is a hilarious, grueling, and heartwarming love letter to the game and the people who play it.
  • Best For: Anyone dreaming of a golf trip across the pond.

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30 December 2025

The Magic Behind The Orange Whip - With Founder Jim Hackenberg

Is your garage a "gadget graveyard" filled with training aids that promised the world but delivered nothing?

In this episode of the Imagen Golf Podcast, host Daniel Guest sits down with Jim Hackenberg, the PGA Professional and inventor behind one of the most iconic and effective training aids in golf history: The Orange Whip.

Jim takes us on a journey from inside the ropes of the PGA Tour—where he caddied for legends and observed the effortless rhythm of the world's best ball strikers—to his garage, where he developed a tool to teach that same feeling to amateurs. Daniel and Jim discuss why hundreds of Tour Pros carry the Orange Whip (without being paid to do so) and how you can use it to instantly verify your swing path, fix your tempo, and eliminate the dreaded "chicken wing."

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • The "Gadget Graveyard": Why most training aids fail and why the Orange Whip has stayed relevant for over a decade.
  • Rhythm vs. Mechanics: How to stop "hitting at" the ball and start swinging through it like an athlete.
  • The Design Logic: Why the Orange Whip has no clubface (and how that turns off your analytical brain).
  • The Ultimate Warm-Up: How to get loose, engage your core, and sync your tempo in under 5 minutes before your tee time.
  • Practical Drills: Jim walks us through the "Torso Twist" and "Hover Drill" to get you swinging on plane immediately.

Whether you are a scratch golfer or a high handicapper, this conversation will help you stop guessing and start feeling the correct motion.

Connect with Jim Hackenberg:

Connect with Daniel Guest:

  • Website: ImagenGolf.com
  • Book a Lesson: Start playing golf as you’ve always imagined!
  • Social: Follow us for daily tips and drills.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review and share it with a golf buddy who needs to find their rhythm!

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27 December 2025

F-O-R-E Minute Friday -The Great Post-Holiday Exchange: Why You Need to Return That Gag Gift

Welcome back to another edition of FORE Minute Fridays here on the Imagen Golf Podcast! I’m your host, Daniel Guest, and I hope you all had a fantastic holiday season with your friends and family.

But listen, we need to have a serious talk.

Now that the wrapping paper has been thrown away and the turkey leftovers are gone, you are likely staring at a pile of golf gifts. Maybe it’s a box of balls that feel like rocks, a gadget that promises to add 50 yards to your drive, or... heaven forbid... the "Potty Putter."

Here is my advice for this Friday: Be grateful, say thank you, and then return it.

I want you to take that store credit, pool your gift cards, and invest in the things that actually lower your score. Today, we are talking about the Big 5—the only things you should be spending that holiday cash on.

1. The Putter: The Money Maker

Let’s start with the most important club in the bag. If you are using a hand-me-down or something you bought off a rack ten years ago, use your return money here.

You use this club on (almost) every single hole. A putter is deeply personal. It’s about the look, the weight, and the balance. Your Aunt Karen doesn't know if you have an arc in your stroke or if you’re straight-back-straight-through. Go get fitted, or at least go roll some putts and buy the one that gives you confidence.

2. The Driver: Technology Wins

If you got a novelty headcover or a generic training aid, swap it for speed. Driver technology has moved massive amounts of weight in the last three years to make clubs more forgiving.

If you are playing a driver that is more than 5 years old, you are leaving yards and accuracy on the table. You don't even need the brand-new 2025 model; even a model from two years ago is better than that novelty gift set.

3. Irons: The Engine Room

This is the big ticket item. If you got a lot of "stuff" you don't need, liquidate it all for a down payment on new irons.

Why? Because consistency is king. Modern irons—especially the hollow-body distance irons—are designed to help you launch the ball higher and land it softer. If you’re playing blades you aren’t good enough for, or cavity backs from the 90s, this is the year to upgrade.

4. Decent Golf Shoes: The Foundation

This one is overlooked constantly. People will spend $500 on a driver but walk 5 miles in $40 shoes that hurt their feet.

Golf is a sport played from the ground up. If your feet slip, your swing slips. If your feet hurt on the 14th hole, you lose focus. Return the sweater that doesn't fit and buy a pair of premium, waterproof, stable golf shoes. Your back and your scorecard will thank you.

5. The Rangefinder or GPS

Finally, stop guessing. If you are still stepping off yardage from a sprinkler head, you are playing a harder game than everyone else.

Knowing the pin is 148 yards, not "about 150," is the difference between a birdie putt and a bunker shot. Whether it’s a laser or a GPS watch, distance control is the fastest way to drop your handicap.

The Takeaway

Don't feel guilty. The person who gave you the gift wants you to enjoy your hobby. The best way to enjoy golf is to play better golf.

So, pack up the gag gifts, gather the receipts, and go get the gear that actually matters.

That’s it for this week’s FORE Minute Friday. Get to the pro shop, make those exchanges, and get your game ready for the new year.

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19 December 2025

F-O-R-E Minute Friday - Are You Fixing the Symptom or the Disease?

It is FORE Friday, folks! The weekend is on the tee, the fairways are calling, and we are here to get your mind right before you take that first swing on Saturday morning.

I’m your host, Daniel Guest, and today we are talking about a tragedy I see on the driving range every single week. It’s the tragedy of hard work... applied to the wrong problem.

If you’ve ever practiced for three hours, hit 200 balls, and walked away hitting it worse than when you started... this episode is for you. Let’s tee it up."

The Trap: The Whac-A-Mole Game

Host: "So, here is the scenario. You played last weekend, and you were slicing the ball off the planet. You go home, you open up YouTube, and you search 'How to stop a slice.'

You find a great tip. The pro says, 'You’re coming over the top, so you need to drop your hands inside.' You go to the range, you grind on dropping your hands inside, and suddenly... you start hooking it into the parking lot. Or worse, you start shanking it.

Why? Because you were trying to fix a symptom, not the cause."

Host: "In golf instruction, many call this 'Whac-A-Mole.'

  • You see the club face is open? You try to flip your hands to close it.
  • You see a 'chicken wing' left arm? You try to glue your elbow to your ribs.

But here is the hard truth: 90% of what you feel and see in your swing is a reaction, not an action."

Key Takeaway: Your body is smart. It is constantly compensating. If you try to fix the compensation (the symptom) without fixing the root cause, your body will just invent a new compensation that is usually worse.

The Concept: The Big Domino

Host: "So, how do we stop wasting time? We have to find the Big Domino.

I want you to imagine a row of dominos.

  • Domino 1 is your Grip.
  • Domino 2 is your Setup.
  • Domino 3 is your Takeaway.
  • Domino 10 is that ugly Chicken Wing at impact.

If you spend all your time trying to fix Domino 10 (the chicken wing), you are fighting a losing battle, because Dominos 1 through 9 have already fallen over and pushed it there.

You have to work on the earliest fault in the chain."

Host: "Let me give you a real-world example. I had a student recently who was desperate to fix his 'over-the-top' move. He had been trying to swing out to the right for months.

I looked at his swing. His grip was incredibly weak (turned too far left). Because his grip was weak, the clubface was open. Because the face was open, his brain knew that if he swung from the inside, he’d hit it 50 yards right. So, his brain forced him to come over the top just to pull the ball back into the fairway.

The 'over-the-top' move wasn't the fault. It was the only thing saving him!

We fixed the grip (The Big Domino). Suddenly, the face was square. His brain said, 'Okay, I don't need to pull this anymore,' and his swing path straightened out naturally. We fixed the grip, and the swing path fixed itself."

The Action Plan for the Weekend

Host: "So, for this FORE Friday, here is my challenge to you. I want you to stop guessing.

If you are heading to the range this weekend, do not just start trying random tips you saw on Instagram. 1. Record your swing. You cannot fix what you cannot see. 2. Look at the setup first. Grip, Alignment, Stance, Posture. This is usually where the 'Big Domino' lives. 3. Verify, don't guess. If you think your problem is your downswing, prove it. But I’d bet you a sleeve of Pro V1s that the problem actually started in your takeaway."

Host: "And if you can't find the fault? Ask for help. That is what we are here for at Imagen Golf. Stop being the hero who tries to perform surgery on themselves. Let a doctor look at the MRI."

Host: "Golf is hard enough without working on the wrong things. Be efficient with your practice. Find the root cause, knock down that first domino, and watch the rest of your swing fall into place.

Have a fantastic weekend, hit 'em straight, and as always... here's to playing the game you've always imagined.

See you next week!"

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17 December 2025

The 2026 Gear Drop & The "Silly Season" Truth

"Welcome back to the IMAGEN Golf Podcast. I’m your host, Daniel Guest. As always, we are here with one simple mission: to help you play the best golf of your life, simplify this crazy game, and get you having more fun on the fairway.

Look, it’s December 17th. The holidays are hitting, the eggnog is flowing, and if you’re like most of the 36,000 students I’ve taught, you’re currently doing one of two things: you’re either shivering on a heated range trying to find your swing, or you’re doom-scrolling through equipment leaks.

Today, we’re diving into the biggest topic in the world of golf right now: The 2026 Gear Explosion. We’ve got the new TaylorMade Qi4D, the PING G440 K, and Callaway’s 'Quantum' series all hitting the USGA conforming lists. But before you drop two grand on a new bag, we need to talk about what actually matters for your game, not Rory’s. We’re also going to touch on the 'Silly Season'—Scottie Scheffler just locked up his fourth straight Player of the Year, and Rory is out here breaking news about TGL teams.

Is the professional game finally getting its act together, or is it just more noise? Let’s get into it."

The 2026 Equipment Leaks: Tech or Hype?

"Alright, let’s talk shop. The USGA Conforming List just blew up.

First up, TaylorMade. They’re moving from the Qi35 to the Qi4D. Now, I’ve seen the photos—Scottie’s got a dark blue face on his, Rory’s got a light grey one. They’re calling it '4D.' Does that mean it hits the ball into the fourth dimension? No. It means they’ve found a new way to market 'forgiveness.'

Here’s the Daniel Guest reality check: TaylorMade is leaning hard into the 'Max' models again. The Qi4D Max is rumored to push that MOI (Moment of Inertia) even further. But remember what I always tell you: The golf ball does not know what your swing looks like, and it doesn't care how much you paid for the driver.

If you’re still swinging your Stealth 2 or your old Ping G425 and you’re hitting the center of the face, you’re fine. But, if you’re a high-handicapper struggling with off-center hits, this '4D' tech and the new PING G440 K—which looks like a beast for stability—might actually help you stay in the short grass.

The IMAGEN Take: Don't buy the '10 extra yards' story. Buy the 'tighter dispersion' story. If the new Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond helps you keep it on the planet, then we can talk. But if you haven't mastered Pillar 1: Proper Setup, a $700 driver is just a very expensive way to miss the fairway."

The State of the Game: Scheffler’s Dominance & The TGL

"While we're looking at 2026 gear, we have to look at the guy who could win with a broomstick right now: Scottie Scheffler.

Four straight Player of the Year awards. He’s joining Tiger Woods territory. He won six times in 2025, including two majors. And he did it while the rest of the professional world was arguing about mergers and LIV contracts.

Speaking of noise, Rory McIlroy was just on The Shotgun Start announcing Michael Thorbjornsen is joining his TGL team, Boston Common Golf. The TGL launches in January. It’s tech-infused, indoor, high-stakes... and I’ll be honest, I’m skeptical. Is this what fans want? Or do they just want to see the best players on the best courses?

We’re seeing Laurie Canter jump back to LIV, giving up a PGA Tour card. We’re seeing Kim Si-woo quelling rumors. The 'Silly Season' used to be about fun exhibitions; now it’s about where the money is moving.

My advice to you: Ignore the drama. Whether it’s the PGA Tour, LIV, or TGL, it doesn't change the fact that you have a 10:00 AM tee time on Saturday. Don't let the 'professional' chaos distract you from your own progress."

The 7-7-7 Drill & Final Thoughts

Daniel Guest: "Before we wrap, I want to give you something you can actually use. Since it's 'New Club Season,' everyone thinks a new putter is the answer.

It’s not. Start Line Control is the answer.

I want you to use my 7-7-7 Drill Protocol for your putting this week.

Set up 7 feet from the hole.

Place two coins just wider than a ball about 1 foot in front of you.

Roll 7 balls through that gate.

If you can't hit a target one foot in front of you, you'll never hit a target seven feet away. It’s that simple.

Look, 2026 is going to be a massive year for golf. New tech, new leagues, and hopefully, a new version of your game. But remember: Golf doesn't have to be so hard. Get your setup right, load the catapult in the backswing, and make solid contact. Everything else is just marketing.

I’m Daniel Guest, and this is IMAGEN Golf. For more drills, head over to ImagenGolf.com and grab my free E-book on how to hit your driver. Let’s make 2026 the year you finally stop worrying and start playing.

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13 December 2025

F-O-R-E Minute Friday - "The 'Living Room' Putt That Saves You 5 Strokes"

Think the off-season is just for resting? Not if you want to lower your handicap.

It’s December, it’s cold, and the clubs are likely in the garage—but that doesn’t mean your game has to hibernate. In this edition of F-O-R-E Minute Friday, Daniel Guest breaks down the single most important metric in putting: Start Line Control.

Most amateurs think they are missing putts because of a bad read. The data says otherwise. You are missing because you aren't starting the ball on your intended line.

In this quick episode, you will learn:

  • Why "Green Reading" is rarely the actual problem.
  • The "Coin Gate" drill you can do on your carpet right now.
  • How to build a repeatable impact position without a simulator.
  • The simple homework assignment to own the greens in 2026.

Stop guessing and start measuring. Grab your putter, grab two coins, and let's get to work.

Golf Better. Guaranteed.

Connect with Imagen Golf:

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