Golf Beneath The Surface

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.