

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

Feb 3, 2023 • 3min
80: Ditch 3-Wood off the Deck to Save Shots
This simple golf tip will help you save shots and build confidence on the golf course. Aside from the driver, a 3 wood is the hardest club to hit from the turf. It's a long club, there isn't much loft, and even good players still hit some bad shots with it. Yet, so many golfers try to hit 3 wood all the time because they think it will get them closer to the green. Sure, if you hit it well, it will get closer to the green than any other club in the bag. But the odds of the average golfer hitting it well isn't high. Plus, your misses are substantially bigger and can bring double bogeys or worse into play. That's why I suggest hitting a 5 wood, 7-wood, or even subbing out your 3-wood for a 4 wood instead. A 4-7W all have much more loft and are 10X easier to hit from the deck. Unless you practice hitting 3W from the deck on the driving range consistently, don't do it. It's not a high percentage cost and usually requires a nearly perfect strike to make it worth it. Take a club with more loft so you can hit it well, give yourself a better next shot, and keep your confidence going. There's nothing worse than topping a 3W and losing all your momentum in the round. Unless the lie is absolutely perfect, there isn't a ton of trouble, and you practice the shot consistently, skip it. Here's how Wicked Smart Golf can help you: Learn how to practice like a Pro (FREE Video Series): https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/practice Ready to master the mental game? Learn more about Mental Golf Type (MGT): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Want to have Tiger like confidence with your putter? Use the "Look and Shoot Putting System": https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ Buy Wicked Smart Golf Book (111 Ways to Play Better Without Swing Changes) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39zNch7 Need a custom practice plan? Then you need the Under Par Golf App (enter WICKESMART10) for 10% off: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf Need to add distance to your game? Start speed training with SuperSpeed Golf: https://amzn.to/3gfqj61 Want a more consistent swing? Buy the Lag Shot training aid (voted best training aid in 2022 by Golf Digest):https://lagshotgolf.com/u/wicked-smart-golf ______________________________________________________ Connect With Wicked Smart on Social Media Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/

Feb 2, 2023 • 1h 6min
Replay: Scott Fawcett - DECADE Golf 101 & Going to Q-School at 49 Years Young
>>Click here to join DECADE Golf with a 20% discount from Wicked Smart Golf. Today on Wicked Smart Golf I'm joined by Scott Fawcett, the creator of DECADE Golf. Scott is known as the "moneyball of golf" and uses data to help make decisions easier as his revolutionary course management system is changing the way golf is played. DECADE is used by top players like Bryson DeChambeau, Will Zalatoris, and countless other professional golfers. Not to mention collegiate players and elite amateurs (I've used this system for most of 2022 and it's helped me have my best year ever in tournament golf). If you're not familiar with this course management system, DECADE stands for: D: Distance E: Expectation C: Correct Target A: Analyze D: Discipline E: Execute This system makes it easy to pick your targets, play the percentages, and ultimately, shoot lower scores by avoiding big numbers. In this episode, you will learn: How to make your misses "better" Why you only need one shot off the tee How to pick targets and make better decisions The five most important stats to measure (known as the Tiger 5) Why you need to master self-awareness to not let your emotions get the best of you Plus, hear about his crazy experience going to the first stage of Q-school as a 49-year-old amateur. Listen to the full episode to get your PhD in course management and become wicked smart! >>Click here to join DECADE Golf with a 20% discount from Wicked Smart Golf. Read my full review about DECADE Elite and Foundations here. >>How to Start Playing Wicked Smart Golf Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 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.

Jan 31, 2023 • 15min
79: 5 Biggest Takeaways from the PGA Show to Help Your Game
Last week I got lucky enough to attend my first PGA show thanks to my golf writing business. I got to meet some awesome golf coaches, inventors, and golfers from around the world. There were nearly 30,000 people, 800 vendors, and a 1,000,000 square foot convention center in Orlando, Florida. I learned a lot and wanted to share some resources with you today. When you listen to this episode you will learn: Two great new training aids Why you need a mental game strategy How a set of custom fit clubs can transform your game Why more information might be hurting your golf game Products Mentioned in this episode: Mental Golf Type (use code WICKEDSMART for 25% off all MGT products): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Swing Works Alignment: https://www.swingworksgolf.com/ Tour Aim: https://amzn.to/3jffP8N

Jan 27, 2023 • 3min
78: Use This Trick to Make More Short Putts Immediately
Start making more putts every single round using this super simple (but highly effective) putting tip in this episode of 5-minutes Friday. Here's how Wicked Smart Golf can help you: Want to have Tiger like confidence with your putter? Use the "Look and Shoot Putting System": https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ Learn how to practice like a Pro (FREE Video Series): https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/practice Ready to master the mental game? Learn more about Mental Golf Type (MGT): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Buy Wicked Smart Golf Book (111 Ways to Play Better Without Swing Changes) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39zNch7 Need a custom practice plan? Then you need the Under Par Golf App (enter WICKESMART10) for 10% off: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf Need to add distance to your game? Start speed training with SuperSpeed Golf: https://amzn.to/3gfqj61 Want a more consistent swing? Buy the Lag Shot training aid (voted best training aid in 2022 by Golf Digest):https://lagshotgolf.com/u/wicked-smart-golf

Jan 26, 2023 • 44min
77: Shaun Diackhoff on The Best Golf Fitness Routines in 2023
Ready to get in shape, hit it longer, and play better golf? Then this episode with Shaun Diackhoff is just what you need. Shaun is a strength and conditioning coach and fellow golf addict. He's been a personal trainer since 2009 and left his career in 2014 in Aviation Matineance in the Australian Military to pursue his passion for fitness. He's been helping people change their bodies ever since and got into online training in 2021 with a focus on helping golfers. Now, he has the popular training platform Fairway Performance App and a huge following on Instagram. In this episode, we'll cover: How to make a custom workout plan Strength vs. mobility in the golf swing Why you need more muscle to hit bombs Why you shouldn't follow PGA Tour/LIV Golf guys workouts And we'll settle the debate on if cardio can actually help your game. Learn more about Fairway Performance App here: https://www.fairwayperformance.com/the-app Make sure to follow Shaun on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/shaun.diachkoff/ Make sure to share with a friend who needs help reaching their golf and fitness goals in 2023.

Jan 24, 2023 • 15min
76: 5 EASY Golf Tips for Lower Scores Without Swing Changes
Join Decade Golf (20% off using the code "wickedsmart"). Playing better and shooting lower isn't always about making swing changes! In fact, it is rarely that... if you can hit it consistently on the range but not the course, it's usually a mental game or course management issue. In this episode, learn some easy tips to start shaving shots off your round every single time you tee it up. Don't forget to use "WICKEDSMART" for 25% off all Mental Golf Type Products. Take your FREE self-assessment to master your mental golf type: https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Related Episodes: John Weir: https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/blog/episode-62 Scott Fawcett: https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/blog/episode-46 Connect With Wicked Smart on Social Media Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/

Jan 20, 2023 • 3min
75: The One Tool to Get More Spin & Distance on Every Shot
In this five-minute Friday learn the #1 tool to help you hit it straighter, longer, and with proper spin - the Groove It Brush: https://amzn.to/3Hckql2 Here's how Wicked Smart Golf can help you: Learn how to practice like a Pro (FREE Video Series): https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/practice Ready to master the mental game? Learn more about Mental Golf Type (MGT): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Want to have Tiger like confidence with your putter? Use the "Look and Shoot Putting System": https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ Buy Wicked Smart Golf Book (111 Ways to Play Better Without Swing Changes) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39zNch7 Need a custom practice plan? Then you need the Under Par Golf App (enter WICKESMART10) for 10% off: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf Need to add distance to your game? Start speed training with SuperSpeed Golf: https://amzn.to/3gfqj61 Want a more consistent swing? Buy the Lag Shot training aid (voted best training aid in 2022 by Golf Digest):https://lagshotgolf.com/u/wicked-smart-golf ______________________________________________________ Connect With Wicked Smart on Social Media Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/

Jan 19, 2023 • 37min
REPLAY: Scott Deakins on Practicing With Purpose & Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Click here to learn more now: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf (Use WICKEDSMART10 FOR 10% OFF). Learn how to practice with purpose and make the most out of each session in this interview with Scott Deakins. Scott is the founder of Under Par Performance Golf and despite a busy schedule, maintains a scratch handicap thanks to wicked smart practice! Under Par Golf App is an awesome app that gives you custom plans to reach your golf goals. Whether you want to break 100, 90, 80, or scratch, there is a plan for you. In our interview, you will learn: Why you need to mix up your sessions How to make the most out of each practice session Some of the biggest practice mistakes most golfers make And so much more. Don't let a busy life get in the way of your golf game. Learn how to practice with purpose for your best golf yet. Click here to learn more now: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf (Use WICKEDSMART10 FOR 10% OFF).

Jan 17, 2023 • 16min
74: The BEST Practice Plan for 2023 (Under Par Golf App)
Click here to learn more now: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf (Use WICKEDSMART10 FOR 10% OFF). Practice makes perfect… Right? Wrong. There is no such thing as perfect in sports, especially for playing golf. The problem is that most golfers chase the perfect swing, thinking it will somehow lead to lower scores. Trust me, it doesn't guarantee low scores every round. The perfect swing does NOT exist. Most golfers practice by going to the driving range, hitting tons of golf balls, and hope they walk away better. Sometimes they do, but a week, month, or year later, there's always something new to improve in your swing. Other times, they leave the golf course wondering why they even bothered with practice. I've been there myself countless times. There is nothing more frustrating than spending time and money on the range only to walk away feeling worse about your game. In 2023, let's fix your practice issues with a PROVEN practice plan from Under Par Golf App. Whether your goal is to break 100, 90, 80, or scratch, there is a plan for you. Plus, they offer golf fitness routines, short game practice, mindset tips, and more. Click here to learn more now: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf (Use WICKEDSMART10 FOR 10% OFF). Connect With Wicked Smart on Social Media Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/

Jan 13, 2023 • 4min
73: Back Pin Strategy - Give Yourself More Birdie Looks
Learn how to attack a back pin so you don't short side yourself and have more looks at birdie. Here's how Wicked Smart Golf can help you: Learn how to practice like a Pro (FREE Video Series): https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/practice Ready to master the mental game? Learn more about Mental Golf Type (MGT): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF Want to have Tiger like confidence with your putter? Use the "Look and Shoot Putting System": https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ Buy Wicked Smart Golf Book (111 Ways to Play Better Without Swing Changes) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39zNch7 Need a custom practice plan? Then you need the Under Par Golf App (enter WICKESMART10) for 10% off: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf Need to add distance to your game? Start speed training with SuperSpeed Golf: https://amzn.to/3gfqj61 Want a more consistent swing? Buy the Lag Shot training aid (voted best training aid in 2022 by Golf Digest):https://lagshotgolf.com/u/wicked-smart-golf ______________________________________________________ Connect With Wicked Smart on Social Media Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/


