The Sweet Spot - Golf Podcast Gene Parente Busts Myths With His Golf Robot
Nov 24, 2025
Gene Parente, owner of Golf Laboratories and a pioneer in robotics-driven golf testing, joins the hosts to dispel myths about driver performance. He shares eye-opening insights on wet vs dry conditions, revealing how rain can increase spin and dispersion. The discussion emphasizes optimizing swing parameters over sheer speed, illustrating how a 95 mph swing can outperform a 105 mph swing with proper technique. Gene also explores the forgiving nature of mini-drivers compared to three-woods, and the fascinating dynamics of gear effects on shot accuracy.
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Regulators Plan For The Long Game
- Gene Parente argues governing bodies look 10–20 years ahead and prioritize preserving the game's long-term integrity over short-term changes.
- He believes bifurcation and strict rollback rules unfairly penalize most golfers in favor of the extreme few.
Change Strategy When It’s Wet
- Play conservatively in wet conditions and avoid hero shots because moisture increases randomness in spin and dispersion.
- Hit it low, prioritize keeping the ball in play, and don't pin-hunt when it's raining.
Moisture Amplifies Randomness
- Wet impact nearly doubles dispersion range and raised driver spin by roughly 500 RPM in tests.
- Wet shots become less predictable, so trends matter more than single-shot data.