300 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

    • Sport

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.

    REPLAY: Dr. Izzy Justice - Learn GYRA Golf to Hack Your Mental Game

    REPLAY: Dr. Izzy Justice - Learn GYRA Golf to Hack Your Mental Game

    GRYA Golf will change your game forever.
    I'd argue it's one of the best golf books ever and I've read hundreds! I've seen first hand how it can help your mental game and had some of my best tournament rounds ever once applying these principles. 
    The author is Dr. Izzy Justice and I'm lucky to talk with today on the show. 
    As noted on his website, "Dr. Izzy Justice is a sports neuroscientist and inventor of the ground-breaking technology The Brain Trackman™ who has authored 8 books over the course of 30 years on the topic of Emotional Intelligence."
    He's also trained and certified more than 300 coaches in EQ in golf, basketball, football, triathlons, and more. Speaking of triathlons he's done more than 40 including 8 half iron mans and 5 full iron mans. 
    In our interview we cover:
    Why golf is 93% mental
    The five doors to the brain
    How to bounce back after bad shots.
    How a yellow card can get you out of stress quickly 
    Why you should treat a round of golf like a “spa day” (this was an a-ha moment)
    Make sure to buy GYRA Golf on Amazon now (it's one of the BEST investments you can make in your golf game). 
    Connect with Dr. Justice on Twitter/X, Instagram and his website for more tips.  
    WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products
     
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)
    Mental Golf Type - The Best Mental Game Training (use code WICKEDSMART to save 25%) 
    Rypstick - The #1 Speed Trainer to Hit Bombs (use code WICKEDSMART to save 10%) 
    Mental Golf Coaching - Get 1:1 support to lower your handicap, master your mental game, and have more fun. 
    Wicked Smart Golf Academy - The Fastest Way to Play Consistent Golf 
    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”)

    • 1 hr 2 min
    272: Billy Mayfair Recap - 7 Easy Lessons For Lower Scores

    272: Billy Mayfair Recap - 7 Easy Lessons For Lower Scores

    You won't want to miss this Billy Mayfair recap as I'm sharing the seven biggest points from our 2-part interview. Plus, I share how I've applied these lessons in my game so you can play better without swing changes. 
    When you listen, you will learn: 
    Why short game is everything. How a golf journal can change your game.  The importance of food/water on the back 9.  Why you can't help your putter at the driving range.  How a mental golf coach can help you get out of a slump, have more fun, and create a game plan to improve.  And a lot more. 
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%).
    Make sure to watch Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube for new videos every week. 
    Learn more about mental golf coaching by emailing me - michael@wickedsmartgolf.com.
    Also, don’t forget to connect on social media:
    Follow on TikTok
    Follow on Instagram  
    Buy my golf book on Amazon or Audible (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)

    • 20 min
    271: Stop Making This Mid-Round Mistake to Finish Strong

    271: Stop Making This Mid-Round Mistake to Finish Strong

    Tired on the back 9? Does your performance suffer?
    Make sure to eat and stay hydrated throughout the round.
    According to Sponer, “Dehydration can not only impact your performance physically but it can also negatively impact your mental game.

    Your cognitive performance is just as important as your physical performance. Dehydration can lead to slower reaction times, increased fatigue, and poor concentration.”
    Watch this Instagram Reel of my go-to snacks/meals on the golf course. 
    WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products
     
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)
     
    Mental Golf Type - The Best Mental Game Training (use code WICKEDSMART to save 25%) 
     
    Rypstick - The #1 Speed Trainer to Hit Bombs (use code WICKEDSMART to save 10%) 
     
    Mental Golf Coaching - Get 1:1 support to lower your handicap, master your mental game, and have more fun. 
     
    Wicked Smart Golf Academy - The Fastest Way to Play Consistent Golf 
    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”)

    • 4 min
    270: Billy Mayfair - How to Master Competitive Golf & His Autism Diagnosis

    270: Billy Mayfair - How to Master Competitive Golf & His Autism Diagnosis

    Make sure to listen to pt 1 - episode 269 - to enjoy this interview to the fullest.
    Billy Mayfair is a professional golfer who's won more than $20,000,000 in his impressive career. Billy was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ before attending Arizona State University.  
    In his amateur career he won tons of events including the 1986 US Amateur Public Links and the 1987 US Amateur before winning the Haskins Award for the nation's top college golfer. 
    He turned professional in 1988 and went on to win five PGA Tour events before competing in 761 starts! In 2016, Billy joined the PGA Tour Champions. 
    When you listen to this interview, you will learn:
    What it's like winning on the PGA Tour. What life is like now on the PGA Tour Champions.  His biggest tournament tips from playing in 761 events.  The importance of nutrition to play better on the back nine. What it was like working with Dr. Bob Rotella to improve his mental game.  About his Autism diagnosis and how he's raising awareness to help others.  The importance of a good short game to play your best golf (inside 125 yards).  What to do after a lesson or tournament to speed up success and make lasting change. Click here to learn more about Billy Mayfair's foundation now.
    WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)
    Mental Golf Type - The Best Mental Game Training (use code WICKEDSMART to save 25%) 
    Rypstick - The #1 Speed Trainer to Hit Bombs (use code WICKEDSMART to save 10%) 
    Mental Golf Coaching - Get 1:1 Coaching from a +2 "Player-Coach" to Master Your Mental Game 
    Wicked Smart Golf Academy - The Fastest Way to Play Consistent Golf 
    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”)

    • 33 min
    269: Billy Mayfair - Beating Tiger Woods and Winning $20M on Tour

    269: Billy Mayfair - Beating Tiger Woods and Winning $20M on Tour

    Billy Mayfair is a professional golfer who's won more than $20,000,000 in his impressive career. Billy was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ before attending Arizona State University.  
    In his amateur career he won tons of events including the 1986 US Amateur Public Links and the 1987 US Amateur before winning the Haskins Award for the nation's top college golfer. 
    He turned professional in 1988 and went on to win five PGA Tour events before competing in 761 starts! In 2016, Billy joined the PGA Tour Champions. 
    When you listen to this interview, you will learn:
    The mental grind of tournament golf. How Billy got his start as an amateur golfer.  His few regrets from playing professional golf.  How to mentally bounce back from a tough start.  What it was like going to Q-school out of college.  The importance of short game to shoot lower scores fast.  His incredible experiences playing with legends of the game like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.  The incredible story of how he is the ONLY player to beat Tiger Woods in a playoff.  Click here to learn more about Billy Mayfair's foundation now.
    WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)
    Mental Golf Type - The Best Mental Game Training (use code WICKEDSMART to save 25%) 
    Rypstick - The #1 Speed Trainer to Hit Bombs (use code WICKEDSMART to save 10%) 
    Mental Golf Coaching - Get 1:1 Coaching from a +2 "Player-Coach" to Master Your Mental Game 
    Wicked Smart Golf Academy - The Fastest Way to Play Consistent Golf 
    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”)

    • 43 min
    268: Why You Need a Consistent Putting Routine

    268: Why You Need a Consistent Putting Routine

    Want to stop 3-putting and have more confidence on the greens? Then you'll love this episode where I break down how a putting routine can transform your short game. 
    WICKED SMART GOLF PUTTING RESOURCES
    Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 
    10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method. 
    Get my FREE Putting Routine Checklist. 
    Decade Golf - The #1 Course Management System (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%).
    Mental Golf Type - The Best Mental Game Training (use code WICKEDSMART to save 25%).
    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

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