

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

Sep 1, 2022 • 50min
REPLAY: Cameron Strachan - The Secrets to Better Putting (Automatic Golf Method)
Cameron Strachan used to work with Aaron Baddeley and helped him become a top putter on the PGA Tour. In this epic interview, he shares the secrets to putting using natural learning and tapping into your subconscious mind. As he said, "If you can throw a baseball, you can become a great putter." But if you're like most golfers, you know that putting can feel difficult... until today. When you listen to this epic golf podcast, I am confident you will have the tools to become a better overnight. I used his Look and Shoot Putting method in 2021 and dropped more than three shots per round! I've never felt more confident with my putter and have Cameron to thank for it. In this interview, we go into: The look and shoot method Why you should practice putting LESS Why most everyday golfers struggle with putting Understanding the conscious vs. subconscious mind How to use "natural learning" to become a great putter overnight To learn more about his incredible putting method, make sure to visit https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ to learn more now.

Aug 30, 2022 • 9min
37: Why You Need to Create a Memory Bank of Good Shots
Did you know your mind is hardwired for negativity? Think about it, when most people talk about their round or their game it's almost always a negative comment first. "I didn't make any putts" "My driver is just terrible" "I had an 8 on the 15th hole" While some of that negativity is choice, a lot of it is programmed into humans thanks to what's known as "negativity bias." Here's a formal explanation from Very Well Mind: "Our tendency to pay more attention to bad things and overlook good things is likely a result of evolution. Earlier in human history, paying attention to bad, dangerous, and negative threats in the world was literally a matter of life and death. Those who were more attuned to danger and who paid more attention to the bad things around them were more likely to survive." But golf is not life or death. You no longer need to pay attention to danger to survive, especially if you're playing golf! You need to train your memory to forget bad shots quickly and remember positive shots as much as possible. This is easier said than done because the mind is wired for negativity, but it is possible. In today's quick hit podcast episode, you will learn how to create a memory bank of great shots to become a more positive, optimistic golfer.

Aug 23, 2022 • 9min
36: Simplify Your Shots to Play 10X More Consistently
Stop trying to shape shots! Did you know that most guys on the PGA Tour have one stock shot and play it 90% of the time, regardless of the hole location or if the fairway doglegs left or right. While they can hit all the shots on the driving range, they usually play one stock shot on the golf course (aside from maybe Tiger Woods). Dustin Johnson loves his cut shot, while Rory McIlroy loves his power draw. You should do the same and only play one shot almost every single swing. Unless you have a tree or some other obstacle in your way, try to play the same shot every single time (regardless of if the hole or pins calls for a specific type of shot). If the best players in the world struggle in competition to hit it both ways, you probably will too. Plus, when you try to work the golf ball both ways, you invite the dreaded double cross which can lead to some big misses. On the range, develop your shot - whatever that might look like for you. When the pressure is on during the round, having a go-to shot will make it easier to pick your target and commit to the shot. Play your shot more often than not (even if the fairway or pin position calls for the opposite type of shot) to score your best. I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7 ^^^Click the link to buy my new book, "Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing" on Amazon now.

Aug 18, 2022 • 38min
35: Steve Woods on Beating the Yips + Playing Better Under Pressure
Today I got to interview Steve Woods, a golf hypnotherapist who breaks down how to master your mental game for lower scores. I've used hypnotherapy for years in my own life (for business & golf) and can say it's one of the most extraordinary tools to help you gain confidence. Don't forget, Tiger Woods learned powerful meditation and hypnosis techniques early in his life to help him become the GOAT. While his swing has always been great, don't forget that his mental game is second to none. In this interview, you will learn: How it can help you beat the yips How to get in the "zone" on the golf course The role of the conscious vs. subconscious mind in golf How hypnotherapy can help you play your best (even under pressure) And so much more... so you can finally play better under pressure. Don't let your mind hold you back from reaching your true potential in golf. Visit his website to set up a FREE consultation and learn more about how hypnotherapy can help you play better golf: https://hypnosisforegolf.com/

Aug 16, 2022 • 6min
34: The Easiest Way to Make More Putts
This putting tip will help you make more putts WITHOUT making changes to your stroke. This tip will help you stand over every putt with confidence and believe in yourself. Remember, it's the little things that make the biggest difference in the crazy game of golf. What is it? Line up your putts with a line, logo, or part of the golf ball. So many golfers skip this step, then have no clue where they were supposed to aim when they're standing over the ball. This is too simple to not do every single time and one of the common things that nearly every professional golfer does on every putt. Once your ball is aimed at the start line, use the alignment aid on your putter to match the line on your golf ball. This should lead you to feeling very confident over any putt on the green and help the ball start on line properly. Remember, putting is more about confidence than anything else! I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7 ^^^Click the link to buy my new book, "Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing" on Amazon now.

Aug 9, 2022 • 20min
REPLAY: DECADE Golf - 5 Course Management Tips Your Game Need
DECADE Golf is one of the most effective golf apps I've ever used. In this podcast episode, I'll take you through five course management tips I've learned from the program to help you play better every time you tee it up. We'll cover: Why you should only play one shot shape The impact of body language on your game How to get out of trouble and not waste shots Why firing at the pin is a bad idea (most of the time) If the key to lower scores is about making more birdies or avoiding bogeys And a lot more. Scott Fawcett, the creator of DECADE Golf, made a truly amazing program that I can't recommend enough. If you're serious about your golf game, this product can help you more than you thought possible. Resources Mentioned Join DECADE Golf (Get 20% off using the code "WICKEDSMART" at checkout). Every Shot Counts by Mark Broadie: https://amzn.to/3lBVGHx Wicked Smart Golf Book by Michael Leonard: https://amzn.to/3PwlDG6

Aug 4, 2022 • 50min
33: Kiel Alderink on the "Zone" and How Personality Affects Performance
If you're like most golfers, you want to know how to get in the zone more often? The "Zone" is when things feel easy on the golf course and you're in a flow state. Tiger Woods once talked about being in the zone and said he was so in it at times that he would not even remember hitting certain shots during the round. Chances are, you've been there too... even if it was only for a few shots or a few holes. This guest interview will change the way you play golf forever by helping you get in the zone. Let me introduce today's guest... Kiel Alderink is the Head Performance Coach of Mental Golf Type. He is the Director of Instruction at The Academy at Black Creek in Chattanooga, TN and also remains a co-owner of his junior academy Champion Ways in Lake Bluff, IL. Kiel is recognized as a Top Teacher Under 40 in America by Golf Digest. Kiel is also listed as Top Teacher in Illinois by Golf Digest, and Golf Academy of America Top 25 Teachers. He is also a Class A PGA Professional and works with juniors, amateurs, and professional golfers. When you listen to this interview, you will learn: The 4 facets of personality Common mental game mistakes Why acting like Tiger might be a BAD idea How your personality affects your golf game How to get in the ZONE so you play your best golf To learn more about Mental Golf Type, visit www.wickedsmartgolftype.com/mgt Or, take your own personality assessment here: https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF

Aug 2, 2022 • 23min
32: 5 Commandments to Play Your Best Golf
It's time to play your best golf this summer (or whenever you listen to this episode). It's time to quit all the technical swing changes and step into your best self. These 5 commandments will do just that! When you listen, you will learn: To love adversity Why you should stop trying to make putts How to score well without making more birdies How to love "ugly golf" and ultimately score better Why you should never go into a round or tournament with expectations or a certain score I'm confident that when you live by these five commandments, you will play your best golf ever. It's time to give up the negative mental talk and tap into your full potential. These 5 commandments of golf have worked wonders for me and some of the best golfers on the planet (including 2022 Open Champion Cam Smith). RECOMMENDED GOLF PRODUCTS --->Look and Shoot Putting Method: https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7

Jul 26, 2022 • 22min
31: Swing Your Swing - The Best Golf Tip Ever!
This might be the best golf tip ever - SWING YOUR SWING. After playing 150+ days of tournament golf in the past few years, I break down why it's so important to swing your swing. When you listen, you will learn: How a swing change can ruin your game How to fix your swing during the middle of the round Why it's not always a great idea to change your swing How swinging your swing will give you more confidence during the round + make it easier to pick targets And so much more. This golf tip can change your scores forever and this episode will convince you to practice differently and learn to love your swing. Your best golf awaits... RECOMMENDED GOLF PRODUCTS --->Look and Shoot Putting Method: https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/ I N S T A G R A M ✅ : https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/ W E B S I T E ✅ : https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/ Y O U T U B E ✅ : https://bit.ly/3vJTDpi B O O K ✅ : https://amzn.to/39zNch7

Jul 21, 2022 • 41min
30: Phil Cardwell on Why Grip & Rhythm Are the Keys to Better Golf
Learn from Phil Cardwell, a PGA Teaching Pro, on how to become a wicked smart golfer. In this golf podcast interview, we talk about: The LIV Golf debate Playing golf at elite levels with only one eye What it's like learning from Jim Flick and David Leadbetter And more mental game + course management tips to play your best golf. 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.


