The Spin Axis Podcast

Erik J. Barzeski, Tyson Deskins, Jayson Nickol
  • 4.7 (40)
  • Golf
  • Weekly

The Spin Axis is a conversation among golf coaches and instructors. We invite you to listen in as we discuss the latest in teaching methods and techniques, equipment, training aids, and technology. We keep episodes to about 20 minutes so you can listen to an entire episode on your way to work, the course, or while running errands.

  1. 4d ago

    088: Why Golfers Make Bad Self-Instructors

    With so much golf instruction information available online, why can’t golfers simply teach themselves? Erik, Jayson, and Tyson discuss the challenges of objectively analyzing your own swing, prioritizing what actually needs attention, and avoiding the rabbit holes that come from chasing individual tips or treating symptoms instead of root causes. Even golfers with a strong understanding of swing mechanics can struggle to recognize their own tendencies and overcome personal biases. They also discuss why instructors need instructors themselves, how a good coach can push a player beyond what they’d attempt on their own, and why even the world’s best players continue to work with coaches. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with figuring things out independently if that’s what you enjoy or golf is simply about having fun with friends. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    088: Why Golfers Make Bad Self-Instructors

  2. Nov 3

    087: Braking Forces — What’s Really Happening in the Golf Swing?

    “Braking forces” are often discussed in golf instruction as if great players intentionally slow down one body segment to accelerate another, but Erik, Jayson, and Tyson challenge that explanation and the physics behind it. They discuss how muscles generate forces between body segments, why the body isn’t a closed system relying on conservation of angular momentum, and why “force precedes motion” is frequently misunderstood. Proper sequencing and timely pressure shifts matter, but the guys argue that many golfers apply forces too late rather than needing to consciously stop or slow down their bodies. The discussion also examines recentering, pushing off the lead foot, and why what a golfer feels they’re doing may differ from what’s actually happening. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins Sponsor: BirTee Golf (https://birteegolfusa.com) – Golf tees that sit on top of any surface. Eight exact heights for simulators, ranges and the course. — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    087: Braking Forces — What’s Really Happening in the Golf Swing?

  3. Oct 27

    086: The Trail Arm — Up, Not Around

    The trail arm does more lifting and less wrapping around the body than many golfers realize. Erik, Jayson, and Tyson break down what happens at the shoulder and elbow during the backswing and downswing, including how much abduction and rotation typically occur, why the elbow generally bends to around 90 degrees or less, and how the arm’s position changes in transition. Jayson emphasizes that the arm works more up and away than around, while Tyson warns that retracting it too early in the takeaway can be a damaging move. In the downswing, the elbow drops toward the side and widens, with considerably less rolling than many golfers imagine. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    086: The Trail Arm — Up, Not Around

  4. Oct 20

    085: Snake Draft — Six Things Junior Golfers Need to Learn

    What do junior golfers really need to learn to develop their games? In this snake draft, Erik, Jayson, and Tyson (and then Tyson, Jayson, and Erik ) pick six priorities, from understanding why a junior wants to play golf and having realistic expectations about the time and commitment improvement requires, to building a solid setup and avoiding excessive turn in the swing. They also discuss controlling speed, developing short-game skills before frustration sets in, and using programs like Operation 36 to help beginners get on the course and experience scoring sooner. The central theme is that junior development isn’t just about hitting the ball well or generating power—it’s about motivation, fundamentals, short-game skills, and understanding that getting better takes time. Junior Learning Snake Draft: Why? (Erik) Too Much Turn (Jayson) A Good Setup (Tyson) Controlling Speed (Tyson) Operation 36 (Jayson) Time Commitment (Erik) Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    085: Snake Draft — Six Things Junior Golfers Need to Learn

  5. Oct 13

    084: Mailbag #4 — Shorter Drivers, Favorite Drills, and External Focus

    The guys tackle five listener questions covering a range of golf instruction and equipment topics. They discuss whether shortening a driver to 45 or even 44 inches can improve driving accuracy, the one drill they would keep if they could use only one for the rest of their careers, and the potential downsides of external-focus swing instruction. They also consider what their students who make the biggest improvements tend to have in common and whether golfers with strong grips should weaken them to produce higher-launching shots with more spin. Questions: Thoughts on Cutting Down a Driver? One Drill to Use Forever? Downsides to External Attention? What do Biggest Improvers Have in Common? Strong Grip Worth Weakening? Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    084: Mailbag #4 — Shorter Drivers, Favorite Drills, and External Focus

  6. Oct 6

    083: Backswing Pelvis Thrust

    Pelvis thrust toward the ball during the backswing is an extremely common swing fault, and the guys break down how to recognize it, what causes it, and what problems it can create. Thrust often starts at setup with the golfer’s pressure too far toward the heels, then shows up as the pelvis moves toward the ball, the trail knee extends, and pressure shifts toward the trail toes rather than allowing the torso to turn the pelvis. The resulting reduction in pelvis turn can lead to compensations such as early extension, rolling the club inside, heel strikes, and shanks, with internal hip mobility and the golfer’s attempt to “turn” from the lead side sometimes contributing to the problem. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    083: Backswing Pelvis Thrust

  7. Sep 29

    082: The Flat Left Wrist

    The “flat left wrist” (or lead wrist) has been a staple of golf instruction for decades, but what does “flat” actually mean, and is it even a useful goal? The guys discuss why grip type changes the appearance of the lead wrist, why a flat-looking wrist at the top can encourage a laid-off or “off-plane club,” and why many Tour players actually have some extension in the lead wrist at the top. They also get into the more important distinction between the wrist’s appearance and its function, including moving toward flexion during the downswing and achieving an inline impact position rather than trying to force a particular wrist shape. Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    082: The Flat Left Wrist

  8. Sep 22

    081: Using a Launch Monitor for Practice

    A launch monitor can be useful for far more than simply checking how far you hit a club. In this episode, the guys break practice into four broad phases — initial diagnosis, swing-change practice, ongoing maintenance, and skills practice. Erik, Jayson, and Tyson discuss how the information you need from a launch monitor changes with each phase. Early on, you may want to examine everything from speed, low point, path and face-to-path relationships to swing plane and ball flight. Once you’re working on a specific movement, however, narrowing your attention to one or two meaningful parameters can make the feedback much more useful. The conversation also gets into the danger of chasing numbers without understanding what creates them. A launch monitor can tell you what happened, but good coaching and practice still require understanding why it happened. As a swing change becomes established, the monitor can shift into a maintenance role, where a handful of key parameters (and particularly their consistency) can help ensure the player’s movement hasn’t drifted. And when the goal becomes skill development, the numbers become targets: can you curve the ball, hit a particular trajectory, carry a specific distance, or repeatedly produce a desired shot? Hosts: Erik J. Barzeski, Jayson Nickol, Tyson Deskins — If you enjoyed this episode, please share that with us and your friends on Instagram @thespinaxis or Twitter/X @thespinaxis. You can also share or visit our site at https://thespinaxis.com/.

    081: Using a Launch Monitor for Practice
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4.7
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

The Spin Axis is a conversation among golf coaches and instructors. We invite you to listen in as we discuss the latest in teaching methods and techniques, equipment, training aids, and technology. We keep episodes to about 20 minutes so you can listen to an entire episode on your way to work, the course, or while running errands.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik J. Barzeski, Tyson Deskins, Jayson Nickol
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025-2026 The Spin Axis Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Spin Axis Podcast

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