Dealing With the Elements

What really separates great putters from everyone else?In this episode of Golf Beneath the Surface, Chase and Raymond sit down with world-renowned putting coach Stephen Sweeney to talk about what goes into becoming a great putter beyond just having good mechanics.Stephen shares his journey from growing up in Ireland to working with some of the best players in the world, and how his approach to coaching has evolved over the years. We get into the importance of understanding how players see and process information, why focusing too much on technique can actually hurt performance, and how the best players prepare their putting for tournament play.We also dive into the mental side of putting, the difference between hitting a good putt and making a putt, and some interesting conversations around putter design, alignment, and zero-torque putters.A great conversation about simplifying putting, practicing with purpose, and learning to trust what you're doing on the greens.

When does playing smart golf turn into playing scared?In Part 2 of our conversation with Lou Stagner, Chase and Raymond get into the balance between course strategy, managing risk, and still being able to play freely. Lou shares how he uses stats with his players at Princeton, why avoiding big numbers can make such a difference, and how the statistically correct decision isn't always the best decision for the player.We also get into the importance of working the ball both ways, some interesting stats about how golfers perform throughout a round, and how to get more out of your practice when you don't have much time.It's a great conversation about using the numbers to make better decisions without letting them get in the way of actually playing golf.

How well do you really know your own golf game?In Part 1, Chase and Raymond sit down with Lou Stagner to talk about how stats have changed golf and what the numbers can actually tell us about our games. From strokes gained and the importance of distance to figuring out where we're really losing shots, we get into how stats can help players and coaches make better decisions.We also talk about why golfers aren't always great at judging their own strengths and weaknesses, which stats are worth tracking, and where the numbers don't tell the whole story. And maybe most importantly, why stats are great for figuring out how to get better, but probably aren't something you should be thinking about while you're trying to play golf.

How do you know if your practice is actually making you better?In Part 2 of our Q&A, Chase and Raymond dig into practice, pressure, and performance. They discuss how we should measure improvement, why success in practice doesn’t always transfer to the golf course, and how different types of practice can help players build skills that actually hold up when it matters.They also dive into when a golf swing needs to be changed versus left alone, short-term fixes for anxiety and the yips, and why constantly trying to protect yourself from bad outcomes can eventually get in the way of playing your best.At the center of the conversation is a simple question: are you playing to see how good you can be, or playing to make sure you don’t fail?

In part one of our Q&A, we dig into what it actually means to play freely when things aren’t going exactly how you want.We talk about how much a player should adjust during a round, the difference between calibrating and tinkering, and why better players need to be able to make small adjustments without turning everything into a mechanical change.We also get into acceptance—what it actually means, why it doesn’t mean being passive, and how it can give you a better starting point to make changes. Then we finish with discomfort, uncertainty, and whether those are things golfers can actually train through practice. A good conversation about playing free, making better adjustments, and learning how to handle the uncomfortable parts of performance.

Ryan Hager is back for part two of our conversation where we dig into the relationship between technology, coaching, and what actually helps golfers improve.We talk about how social media has changed golf instruction, the benefits and dangers of learning from online tips, and why understanding your own swing matters more than chasing the next fix.We also get into skill versus mechanics, why good technique doesn't always produce good contact, and how golfers can learn to control the clubface and low point without constantly rebuilding their swings.Ryan shares his coaching preferences, how he approaches grip and wrist angles, and why struggling through a change is often necessary for improvement.We finish with a conversation about AI, the future of golf instruction, and why technology can be incredibly useful without replacing the value of a good coach.A great conversation about understanding your game, developing real skills, and learning how to get better.

Ryan Hager joins us for part one of a two-part conversation about coaching, practice, and what actually helps golfers improve.We talk about Ryan’s path as a coach, the mentors who shaped the way he teaches, and what he’s learned from working with golfers of every level.A big part of the conversation turns to a simple question: why do so many golfers work on their games without actually getting better?We get into the things golfers tend to prioritize versus what might actually help them improve, why understanding ball flight and shotmaking matters, and why practice often gravitates toward what feels comfortable instead of what we actually need. Ryan also shares how he’s watched players improve their technique without seeing their handicaps move. We also talk about mentorship, learning environments, block practice, course strategy, and matching instruction to what a golfer actually wants from the game.This is part one of our conversation with Ryan. Part two picks up with more on coaching, social media, and how golfers should think about the information they consume.

What actually makes practice work?We’re joined by Rob Failes and Garrett Chaussard from Codebreakers to talk about how coaching, practice, skill development and adaptability all fit together.We get into block practice, why looking good on the range doesn’t always mean you’re learning, the difference between swing and skill, how great players calibrate on the fly, and why adaptability might matter more than repeatability.We also dive into putting, habits, confidence, freedom and some of the ideas behind this year’s Codebreakers Retreat at Skokie Country Club.A really good conversation for coaches, players, or anyone interested in what actually helps golf transfer from practice to the course.Codebreakers is made up of Rob Failes, Garrett Chaussard, Mark Grace and Sean Kennedy. The group started through years of sharing ideas, reviewing each other’s coaching and challenging each other’s beliefs around player development. That eventually grew into small, hands-on coaching retreats built around open discussion, research and learning directly from experts in different areas of performance.The 2026 Codebreakers Retreat is October 26–27 at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois. Raymond will be joining the group as a featured presenter, covering the neuroscience and psychology of habits, along with block and random practice.More info at codebreakersgolf.com.

What if you give something everything you have and find out you still aren’t good enough?In this episode, we discuss why avoiding that question creates more anxiety, hesitation and regret. We break down the role of radical acceptance, radical honesty and radical ownership in pursuing difficult goals and performing freely without any guarantee it will work out.We also talk about risk, luck, failure and why being good enough means very little if you never give yourself the chance to perform well enough.A deep conversation about facing the truth, going for what you want and choosing the type of regret you’re willing to live with.

In this episode, Chase and Raymond discuss one of golf’s greatest challenges: dealing with the elements. Using The Open Championship as a backdrop, they explore why difficult conditions expose both your psychology and your skill set. From handling uncertainty and staying composed to controlling trajectory, shaping shots, and managing the wind, they share practical strategies to help you perform your best when conditions are at their worst.