297 episodes

Welcome to Wicked Smart Golf - hosted by Michael Leonard. This golf podcast will help you shoot lower scores and play your best WITHOUT changing your swing.

Michael is a full-time golf writer who has written over 2,000,000 words about the sport since 2017 and been playing golf for more than 20 years. In high school, he dropped 50 shots in four years (124-74), played college golf in Southern California, and now plays competitively in Arizona through the USGA, Arizona Golf Association, and Outlaw Tour. He even went to Q-school in 2019 as an amateur golfer.

His goal is simple - help golfers shoot lower scores and drop their handicap without all the technical swing changes. Because let's face it, no matter how good you get, your swing will never be perfect and a work in progress. The good news is that you don't need a "perfect" swing to break 80 or become a scratch golfer.

In this podcast, he will teach you how to play more consistent golf by mastering your mindset, playing wicked smart golf on the course, learn to practice like a pro, and simplify the short game for lower scores. Enjoy weekly solo episodes and plenty of interviews with golf coaches, elite players, best-selling authors, and other inspiring golf stories.

Wicked Smart Golf Michael Leonard

    • Sports
    • 5.0 • 72 Ratings

Welcome to Wicked Smart Golf - hosted by Michael Leonard. This golf podcast will help you shoot lower scores and play your best WITHOUT changing your swing.

Michael is a full-time golf writer who has written over 2,000,000 words about the sport since 2017 and been playing golf for more than 20 years. In high school, he dropped 50 shots in four years (124-74), played college golf in Southern California, and now plays competitively in Arizona through the USGA, Arizona Golf Association, and Outlaw Tour. He even went to Q-school in 2019 as an amateur golfer.

His goal is simple - help golfers shoot lower scores and drop their handicap without all the technical swing changes. Because let's face it, no matter how good you get, your swing will never be perfect and a work in progress. The good news is that you don't need a "perfect" swing to break 80 or become a scratch golfer.

In this podcast, he will teach you how to play more consistent golf by mastering your mindset, playing wicked smart golf on the course, learn to practice like a pro, and simplify the short game for lower scores. Enjoy weekly solo episodes and plenty of interviews with golf coaches, elite players, best-selling authors, and other inspiring golf stories.

    263: 7 Proven Ways to Hit More Greens in Regulation

    263: 7 Proven Ways to Hit More Greens in Regulation

    Don't forget to register for the FREE mental golf training on 5/21 at 4pm PST. It's called "3 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes Costing You 3+ Shots" and it's 100% free. 
    >>Register now to get the Zoom link.
    Now, let's get into today's topic - how to hit more greens in regulation. Having more birdie putts is directly correlated with lower handicaps... hit more greens and you're a lot more likely to shoot lower scores.
    Today I'll dive into each of these seven tips so you can hit more greens every single round. When you listen, you will learn: 
    Why you need to dial in your distances. The importance of clubbing up to avoid trouble.  How many greens you should hit based on handicap. Why you should stop trying to hit different shot shapes.  How the right clubs can help you have more looks at birdie. Resources mentioned in this podcast - Tour Tempo app, Rypstick Speed Trainer, and Decade Golf. 
    CONNECT WITH WICKED SMART GOLF  
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 20 min
    262: Use the 3P Strategy from GRYA Golf to Stay Optimistic

    262: Use the 3P Strategy from GRYA Golf to Stay Optimistic

    Use the 3P approach from GYRA Golf now (and buy his book as it's one of the BEST investments you can make in your golf game). 
    Also, don't forget to register for the FREE mental golf training on 5/14 at 4pm PST. It's called "3 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes Costing You 3+ Shots" and it's 100% free. 
    >>Register now to get the Zoom link.
    CONNECT WITH WICKED SMART GOLF  
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 4 min
    261: Tyler Munds - Getting Comfortable in Competition (Mental Golf Coaching)

    261: Tyler Munds - Getting Comfortable in Competition (Mental Golf Coaching)

    Make sure to register for the FREE mental golf training on 5/14 at 4pm PST. It's called "3 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes Costing You 3+ Shots" and it's 100% free. 
    >>Register now to get the Zoom link.
    Take your FREE Mental Golf Type assessment to learn your personality type. 
    Tyler Munds (fadeandfairway on Instagram) is the co-host of Mid-Am Podcast (@midampodcast on IG) and is getting started with tournament golf.
    After a difficult qualifier, I connected with Tyler to see if I could help with some mental golf coaching. This is a different podcast style than normal and more of a live coaching session that I know will help you add more mental tools to your arsenal. 
    When you listen to this interview, you will learn:
    Why you should start playing in tournaments. How to learn from every round of golf (even the bad ones). How to play golf like your personality type to stay out of stress and shoot lower scores. Why tournament golf is SO different from casual rounds and how to prepare for them.  The #1 thing you should do after a tournament to stay motivated and keep chasing your goals.  And a lot more. 
    Use Decade Golf to take your game to the next level - use code "WICKEDSMART" to get 20% off 
    WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 59 min
    260: Recap from Interviewing Collin Morikawa's Mental Coach (7 Lessons)

    260: Recap from Interviewing Collin Morikawa's Mental Coach (7 Lessons)

    Make sure to register for the FREE mental golf training on 5/14 at 4pm PST. It's called "3 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes Costing You 3+ Shots" and it's 100% free. 
    Register now to get the Zoom link.
    Want to play like Collin Morikawa (or at least think like him and be "wicked smart" on the course)? If so, you'll love this recap of my episode with Dr. Rick Sessinghaus who was on the show last week (episode 258). 
    When you listen to this interview, you will learn:
    Why it's vital to learn from bad shots. The importance of "negative" visualization. The art of a good pre and post-shot routine. The power of intention before you hit any shot.  How to use off-course training to improve your mindset. How the mental game is the key to shooting lower scores every round.  And a lot more. 
    WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type
    Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 13 min
    259: The Biggest Sign of a Wicked Smart Golfer

    259: The Biggest Sign of a Wicked Smart Golfer

    Learn the most important skill to becoming a wicked smart golfer so you can lower your handicap and play more consistent golf (without swing changes). 
    WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type
    Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 5 min
    258: Dr. Rick Sessinghaus - The Secrets of Getting Into Flow States

    258: Dr. Rick Sessinghaus - The Secrets of Getting Into Flow States

    Dr. Rick Sessinghaus is a former professional golfer, director of FlowCode Golf Academy and mental golf coach who's worked with top players including Collin Morikawa. Other achievements and accolades include member of the PGA, a Certified Master Trainer of NLP, and was named Golf Tips Magazine's top 25 instructors in America. 
    When you listen to this episode, you will learn:
    What is a "flow state." Why flow follows focus.  The true goal of the mental game. How to identify mental vs. mechanical issues.  What to do between shots to reduce blowup holes.  How to get out of fear and into a flow state for more consistent golf.   Learn more about FlowCode Academy, follow Rick on Instagram or TikTok, and follow FlowCode on Instagram. 
    WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE)
    Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Subscribe on YouTube
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)
    Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes. 

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
72 Ratings

72 Ratings

bsc008 ,

Awesome Pod!

One of my go to listens, perfect way to learn how to think your way around the course to improve scores!

dswg ,

Wicked Good!

I’ve been going down the golf mental side wormhole for a few years now. It all started with Imagine Golf, then Above Par then Tori and that led me to WSG!

They are all great and I have learned something from them all. WS and Michael go one level deeper and bring in some of the best guests I’ve heard with real, tangible actions to take to improve my game. Not just in my brain and emotions but my swing as well. I also love love the recaps! Prob my favorites especially on Tour Tempo and 5 Fundamentals. I’ve listened to those over and over again.

I was a 16 HC when I started and now just hit 7.4!

So if you need an edge get Wicked Smart about your golf and listen in! This is definitely an ace!
Ty Michael! 🏌🏼‍♂️

Snacks and Naps ,

Tons of great tips

I love the different topics & guests — so much great content that helped my game

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