

Son of a Butch with Claude Harmon
The 8 Side
Claude Harmon is back and breaking down all things golf – a simple game that tends to confuse smart people. On Son of a Butch, Claude shares world-class swing instruction to help improve your scores while hosting conversations about what the best players, personalities and fanatics love about the game.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2025 • 53min
Ways to Improve by Watching Professional Golf
Claude and Ryan Crysler explore surprising ways you can sharpen your golf game just by paying closer attention to the pros. ______ This podcast is presented to you by PLATFORM Golf. PLATFORM Golf is on a mission to transform golf by closing the experience gap between off-course and on-course play – allowing players to make real putts on a tilting green and hit approach shots from uneven lies. As a coach, one of the biggest challenges has always been the disconnect between practice and on-course performance. Teaching on a flat surface limits the ability to simulate real-world conditions. PLATFORM Golf’s moving platforms bridge that gap in both putting and full-swing training—giving players the opportunity to train the way they play enabling me to coach with greater precision in a truly realistic environment. Learn more at platformgolf.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 3, 2025 • 37min
Platform Golf
Co-Founders Thomas Hackett and Rory Flanagan join Claude to discuss how PLATFORM Golf is reshaping the training and performance landscape by addressing the experience gap in simulator golf. In partnership with many OEMs, University programs, and PGA Pros, their technology is delivering an off-course solution that allows golfers to take full swing shots and sink real putts directly into a simulator experience. ______ This podcast is brought to you by PLATFORM Golf — the first-of-its-kind technology transforming off-course golf. Ever feel like practicing indoors never truly prepares you for real course conditions? PLATFORM Golf solves that. Their TrueSlope platform brings uneven lies and breaking putts indoors, fully integrated with most golf simulators. It’s not just realistic — it’s immersive. From sidehill lies to sloping greens, PLATFORM creates an experience that feels like you’re actually on the course. Whether you’re a weekend player or a tour-level pro, this is the future of off-course golf. Learn more at platformgolf.com and discover why I, along with many of the world’s top PGA teaching professionals, trust PLATFORM Golf to elevate teaching, training, and performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 8min
Butch Harmon
Legendary instructor Butch Harmon joins the pod to break down Tommy Fleetwood’s thrilling victory at the Tour Championship. Butch shares exclusive insights into Fleetwood’s preparation, mindset, and the key moments that led to his long-awaited PGA Tour win. He and Claude also dive into this year’s Ryder Cup picks, offering their takes on the selections and what to expect. Lastly, as Butch celebrates his 82nd birthday this week, the duo reflects on his remarkable career and lasting impact on the game. ____ This podcast is presented to you by PLATFORM Golf. PLATFORM Golf is on a mission to transform golf by closing the experience gap between off-course and on-course play – allowing players to make real putts on a tilting green and hit approach shots from uneven lies. As a coach, one of the biggest challenges has always been the disconnect between practice and on-course performance. Teaching on a flat surface limits the ability to simulate real-world conditions. PLATFORM Golf’s moving platforms bridge that gap in both putting and full-swing training—giving players the opportunity to train the way they play enabling me to coach with greater precision in a truly realistic environment. Learn more at platformgolf.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 20, 2025 • 27min
Putting Speed
Claude dives into the importance of speed when putting and lays out a drill he does with DJ to ensure you're working on that element of your game. ______ This podcast is brought to you by PLATFORM Golf — the first-of-its-kind technology transforming off-course golf. Ever feel like practicing indoors never truly prepares you for real course conditions? PLATFORM Golf solves that. Their TrueSlope platform brings uneven lies and breaking putts indoors, fully integrated with most golf simulators. It’s not just realistic — it’s immersive. From sidehill lies to sloping greens, PLATFORM creates an experience that feels like you’re actually on the course. Whether you’re a weekend player or a tour-level pro, this is the future of off-course golf. Learn more at platformgolf.com and discover why I, along with many of the world’s top PGA teaching professionals, trust PLATFORM Golf to elevate teaching, training, and performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 6, 2025 • 29min
Skill Acquisition
Claude shares how a lesson from The Open Championship with Dustin Johnson transformed his approach to practice. He contrasts traditional block practice with more effective random practice, emphasizing the importance of real problem-solving. Personal anecdotes illustrate how using different clubs enhances skills and adaptability on the course. The discussion highlights creativity in practice—essential for improving the short game and achieving consistent performance.

Jul 24, 2025 • 53min
Auto-Pars and Game Planning with Ryan Crysler
Claude welcomes back Senior Instructor and Coach Ryan Crysler for a deep dive into how everyday golfers can stay competitive, even when their swing isn’t cooperating. They explore practical strategies like having game plans A, B, and C, using tactical pauses, and relying on “auto-pars” to keep scores on track when technique falters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 9, 2025 • 31min
Ryan Crysler & Bunkers
Claude welcomes Senior Instructor and Coach Ryan Crysler to the podcast to dive into bunker shots, what golfers are doing wrong, and what they can do to improve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 54min
Justin Parsons and Aldrich Potgieter
Justin Parsons, a renowned golf instructor, joins to share insights about his client, the promising Aldrich Potgieter, who recently made waves on the PGA Tour. They discuss the crucial balance between speed and precision in golf, exploring techniques that can help everyday golfers. Highlights include the significance of swing mechanics, the impact of athleticism, and personalized coaching strategies. Parsons also emphasizes the importance of a mentoring mindset, helping young golfers embrace their unique talents to thrive in competitive settings.

Jun 26, 2025 • 57min
Gary Koch
Claude welcomes 6x PGA Tour winner and longtime sportscaster Gary Koch to the pod to discuss the U.S. Open at Oakmont, the difference between the players on Tour today versus those when Gary was playing, and the prestigious Payne Stewart Award that he received in 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 12, 2025 • 24min
Oakmont Preview
Claude breaks down the challenges U.S. Open contenders face at Oakmont, hole by hole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.