

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

Oct 6, 2023 • 3min
175: Can't Figure Out the Break? DO THIS
Learn the best strategy to keep in mind the next time you can't figure out how a putt breaks. WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 10X your confidence putting with the Look and Shoot Method. Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro. Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Oct 5, 2023 • 18min
174: 12 Essential Ryder Cup Lessons for Everyday Golfers (2/2)
The 2023 Ryder Cup is over but there is SO MUCH to learn from the pros to make your game wicked smart. In part 2 of this Ryder Cup series I'll help you: Play your game for more confidence. Make putting more natural and less technical. Learn to stay in the hole, even after a bad shot. Understand the real reason short-siding yourself is killing your game. And a lot more Ryder Cup lessons. Remember, anytime you're watching the best players in the world there is SO much to learn. Check out part 1 first - episode 173. WICKED SMART GOLF PRACTICE RESOURCES 10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method. Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro. Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Dominate your practice and fitness with the Under Par Golf App. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Oct 3, 2023 • 18min
173: 12 Essential Ryder Cup Lessons for Everyday Golfers (1/2)
The 2023 Ryder Cup is over but there is SO MUCH to learn from the pros to make your game wicked smart. In part 1 of this Ryder Cup series I'll help you: Why you should go for short par 4s. How to cultivate belief in your game. Understand how to play better in match play. Why a faster putting routine can help your confidence on the greens. Remember, anytime you're watching the best players in the world there is SO much to learn. Check out part 2 on Thursday - episode 174. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 29, 2023 • 4min
172: The #1 Thing to Notice at the Ryder Cup
In this five-minute Friday episode learn why you shouldn't do triathlons hungover (you'll get the joke) and what to watch for during the Ryder Cup this weekend. GO USA! WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 28, 2023 • 17min
171: Q&A - How Do I Get in the Zone?
Tim - a Wicked Smart listener recently emailed me asking, "How do I get in the zone (and stay there more often)?" Which is one of the best mental golf questions... ever! The zone is a mythical thing for so many golfers but chances are you've been in the zone before. The zone or flow state is where great golf happens. The first step to getting in the zone is understanding it. Wikipedia did a great job summing up what is the zone, "The mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting transformation in one's sense of time. Flow is the melting together of action and consciousness; the state of finding a balance between a skill and how challenging that task is. It requires a high level of concentration; however, it should be effortless." To get in the zone more often you need a good routine, to learn your Mental Golf Type, and use tips mentioned in GYRA Golf. I go deep on this episode to share my best tips to get in the zone and play your best golf. Make sure to check out episode 155, 158, 159, 160 for more recent mental golf based episodes. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 26, 2023 • 23min
170: 5 Mental Golf Lessons That Helped Me Shoot 66
Golf is more mental than you can imagine. I recently shot my best tournament round ever - 66 (-5) with a rather lackluster front nine even par. But the putter got hot on the back nine for a clutch 31 in a 4-ball tournament. After the round I documented as much as I could remember to help you grab some mental tips to apply to your game. I'm confident that when you apply some (or all) of these tips, you'll play wicked smart and go low! Don't forget, there is SO MUCH more than just working on your mechanics... change your mindset, change your game! WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 22, 2023 • 4min
169: Slow Start? How to Bounce Back and Go Low
A bad start (or slow start) does NOT mean you're in for a bad round. Learn how to bounce back quickly in this five-minute Friday episode. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 21, 2023 • 52min
168: Josh Nichols - How Mental Range Balls Lead to Lower Scores
Today's guest is Josh Nichols - the host of The Mental Golf Show podcast and mental golf coach. After years of not playing up to his potential he took the mental game seriously and dove into the world of sports psychology. He's competed at the highest levels of amateur golf which included a runner-up finish at the 2017 U.S. Mid-Am Championship. That year he was also the 2nd ranked player in the WAGR mid-amateur rankings. Today we do a deep dive on all things mental game including: The importance of pre-shot routines. How to 10x your golf mindset off the course. How a mantra can help you stay present and focused. The biggest mental golf issues holding most players back. Why you need to set intentions every time you play or practice. Connect with our guest: Host of The Mental Golf Show Owner of Foundations Mental Performance Twitter: @joshlukenichols Instagram: joshlukenichols WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

Sep 19, 2023 • 10min
167: #1 Tip to Practice With Purpose (Wicked Smart Hack)
The camera on your phone can help you improve and shoot lower scores as much as any new golf club. Taking regular swing videos is one of the best practice tools and great for a few reasons which we'll cover today. While it's important to record in practice, don't forget to film on the golf course too. Recording my rounds has helped me fix major issues that only happened on the course, not the range. Remember, progress is sometimes slow in golf and it’s easy to feel like you aren’t making changes. But when you have an archive of videos to document your swing evolution, it’s easy to see your progress. WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 10X your confidence putting with the Look and Shoot Method. Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro. Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer. Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”)

Sep 15, 2023 • 4min
166: Fast Start in Golf - How to Keep Going Low
In this episode of five-minute Friday learn what to do when you get off to a hot start... and how to keep going low! WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don’t forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon (“Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing”) Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.