

Wicked Smart Golf
Michael Leonard
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 3,500,000 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.
Check out the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon and Audible for even more helpful strategies to play your best golf ever.
Michael is a full-time golf writer who has written over 3,500,000 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.
Check out the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon and Audible for even more helpful strategies to play your best golf ever.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 24min
416: Avoid These 10 Driving Range Mistakes ASAP
Discover the top mistakes golfers make at the driving range and how to avoid them. Learn why treating practice like structured gym training can supercharge your improvement. Uncover essential strategies for warming up and focusing on fundamentals, plus tips on using alignment aids and swing recordings. Find out how launch monitors can enhance your feedback, and hear the importance of maintaining a consistent pre-shot routine while enjoying your practice. Get ready to elevate your game!

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 7min
415: Patrick Sebastien - From MMA to Elite Mental Game Coaching
>>Get Voice Caddie Launch Monitors 15% off w/code WICKEDSMART. SC200: The easiest to use launch monitor, no app needed. SC300i: An upgrade with access to more data using the Voice Caddie app. SC4: Even more data and simulation to help you practice like a pro. >>Get the top 10 podcast episodes now (FREE guide). Today's guest is Patrick Sebastien—a high-performance coach with one of the most unique backgrounds in the world of golf. For over 15 years, he coached elite-level fighters in Muay Thai and MMA, specializing in the mental and physical demands of combat sports. His time living and training in Costa Rica, paired with a deep exploration of meditation and mindfulness, reshaped his understanding of peak performance and mental discipline. He's partnered with top Canadian instructor Steve Foisy, coached elite players (including ones on the Korn Ferry Tour) and brought his martial arts mindset into the world of golf. In this episode, we cover: The right way to start meditating. What he learned working with the pros. Why stress isn't bad if you can control it. How the role of fitness leads to better golf. Why breath training can help you lean into peak performance. An easy way to get out of off course stress when it comes up on the golf course. Make sure to follow Patrick on Instagram and check his website to learn more. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code “WICKEDSMART” to save 15%). HackMotion: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Wicked Smart Golf Academy: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf. Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 75+ Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf on Amazon or Audible (ideal for beginner to intermediate golfers who want 111 ways to play better without swing changes. Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf II on Amazon or Audible (perfect for golfers looking to break 80 consistently). Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf III on Amazon or Audible (best for players wanting to dominate competitive events).

10 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 18min
414: How to Become Your Own Putting Coach
Dive into the world of self-coaching for putting! Discover the mindset of elite putters and why self-awareness is crucial. Learn about the one essential tool to analyze your stroke and how asking the right questions can elevate your game. Embrace a consistent pre-shot process to boost your confidence on the green. Plus, explore effective tips to make your practice enjoyable while sharpening your short game skills. Get ready to take control of your putting performance!

Jul 24, 2025 • 42min
413: Grace Charis - From #1 Golf Content Creator to Competitor
Ready to play in tournament? These resources can help: >>Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf III on Amazon or Audible (best for players wanting to dominate competitive events). >>Get my FREE Tournament Golf Checklist >>JOIN DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Today's guest is Grace Charis... in just a few years, she has built an enormous global audience of more than 6,000,000 followers. Now, she's switched directions from influencer to tournament golfer, even competing in a LET professional event. In this episode, We talk about her journey into golf since 2021. Easy tips to help you play better in tournaments. What it's like to play tournament golf with the pros. How she became a scratch golfer in a few short years. How she handles the pressure and criticism that comes with the spotlight, and her big goals for the future. Make sure to follow Grace on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to follow her journey. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code “WICKEDSMART” to save 15%). HackMotion: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Wicked Smart Golf Academy: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf. Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 75+ Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf on Amazon or Audible (ideal for beginner to intermediate golfers who want 111 ways to play better without swing changes. Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf II on Amazon or Audible (perfect for golfers looking to break 80 consistently).

Jul 22, 2025 • 34min
412: Three Tournaments - The Good, Bad, and Ugly (Golf is Hard)
Get RYPSTICK: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Tournament golf is a battle and in today's episode I share the good, bad, and ugly from my three recent events. This includes a one-day pro golf qualifier, a 3-day event at Torrey Pines, and the Stroke Play Championship in Arizona. In this episode, you'll learn: Why it's so important to add distance. The mindset you need for competitive golf. How to use the 3P approach after you hit a bad shot. The importance of targets when hitting putts inside 10 feet. And a lot more. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code “WICKEDSMART” to save 15%). HackMotion: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Wicked Smart Golf Academy: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf. Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 75+ Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf on Amazon or Audible (ideal for beginner to intermediate golfers who want 111 ways to play better without swing changes. Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf II on Amazon or Audible (perfect for golfers looking to break 80 consistently). Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf III on Amazon or Audible (best for players wanting to dominate competitive events).

5 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 11min
411: Ben Kolde - Journey to Scratch Golf & Confidence in Competition
Ben Kolde, a golf content creator and scratch golfer, shares his journey toward mastering tournament play. He dives into the mental strategies essential for confidence and performance, emphasizing the importance of pre-shot routines and post-round recaps. Kolde discusses how a mini driver can enhance tee box strategies and the power of visualization techniques. He also reflects on breaking the 70 barrier in golf, offering valuable insights on club selection and mental resilience that can turn a good game into a great one.

8 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 23min
410: The Mental Hack Elite Putters Use (That You Can Too)
Discover how a consistent putting routine can transform your game. Learn the mental strategies elite putters use to enhance confidence and minimize mistakes. Explore the importance of self-talk and positive affirmations to improve your mindset. Find out why spending less time over the ball can lead to better results. Plus, uncover techniques for resetting after a missed putt to maintain focus throughout your round. Whether you're aiming to break 80 or stop three-putting, this guide will help you sink more putts under pressure.

Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 13min
409: Trevor Jones: Exposing and Overcoming the YIPS
>>Master Swing Changes With HackMotion >>Read the HackMotion review >>Get my FREE Putting Routine Checklist Today, I’m excited to welcome Trevor Jones — a golf performance coach and ACT specialist who’s helping players master the mental game. Trevor works with golfers of all levels to help them play with more confidence, stay present, and unlock their potential through Acceptance & Commitment Therapy — a proven psychological approach that teaches athletes how to manage thoughts, emotions, and focus under pressure. In this episode, we dive into The TRUTH about the yips What ACT is and how it applies to golf Why mastering your mental game is just as important as your mechanics. Trevor shares stories from working with competitive players, practical exercises you can use right away, and how to approach the game with more clarity and composure. If you’re serious about playing your best golf — especially when it matters most — you’re going to love this conversation. Check out his website here. WICKED SMART GOLF Recommended Products DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%) Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code “WICKEDSMART” to save 15%). HackMotion: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment). Wicked Smart Golf Academy: The FASTEST way to play consistent golf. Wicked Smart Golf Practice Formula: 75+ Practice plans and a 90-minute masterclass to practice like a pro. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf on Amazon or Audible (ideal for beginner to intermediate golfers who want 111 ways to play better without swing changes. Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf II on Amazon or Audible (perfect for golfers looking to break 80 consistently). Read or listen to Wicked Smart Golf III on Amazon or Audible (best for players wanting to dominate competitive events).

15 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 37min
408: The Wicked Smart Mailbag - 15 Questions From You
Listeners dive into the journey of overcoming a driver slump and mastering the short game. Expect mental tips for better performance, the importance of proper equipment, and insights into effective warm-up routines. Discover how to increase club head speed for added distance and learn about a new training aid that can cement swing changes. The hosts share personal anecdotes and emphasize a structured weekly plan to achieve golf goals, making this a treasure trove for both novice and seasoned players.

14 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 29min
407: Want Lower Scores FAST? These 10 Lessons Will Help
Discover the secrets to playing better golf without changing your swing! Learn essential pre-round warm-up techniques and mental strategies to tackle negative thoughts. Understand the importance of setting realistic expectations and how visualization can enhance your game. Additionally, find out how to establish a solid home practice routine and the benefits of working with a coach tailored to your needs. Plus, explore tips for maintaining wellness while traveling and navigating digital distractions.