Take a Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher Jeff Smith and pair him with an outstanding radio personality and you have the formula for one helluva show.
Host John Ashton has enjoyed success as a morning personality on radio stations from Bangor, Maine to Dallas, Texas. He’s also embarrassed himself on many golf courses in the same locations. John is a hacker, struggling to break 80 (OK, 90) but has a passion and enjoyment of the game, a skewed sense of humor and a great outlook.
Jeff Smith, PGA, enjoys the innate ability to create word pictures so, even on the radio, his tips and techniques to improve your game are clear, easy to follow and help listeners cut strokes on their very next round.
Coming soon! Two new products to make you a better golfer
02-01-2026
Jeff Smith returns from the PGA Merchandise Show with two new tools that can immediately help your putting. He reviews the “Genius Ball,” a smart golf ball with an internal chip that delivers detailed putting data, and an innovative octagonal‑sided grip designed to make finding the correct hand position easier and more consistent.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Find Your Perfect Grip
01-25-2026
(00:01) Golf Instruction and Filtering Information
This chapter features a discussion on the overwhelming amount of information available online, particularly in the realm of golf. I, John Ashton, am joined by Jeff Smith, a top 100 golf teacher, as we explore the challenges faced by golfers in navigating the plethora of advice and tips available. We emphasize the importance of filtering this information effectively, suggesting that if advice doesn't consider fundamental aspects like grip, stance, or posture, it might not be useful. We also highlight the need for personalized guidance rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, cautioning against following advice that doesn't align with your unique setup and swing mechanics.
(12:16) Customizing Golf Grips for Success
This chapter explores the simplicity and effectiveness of customizing a golf grip based on an individual's natural arm hang. By instructing players to let their arms hang naturally and marking where their knuckles align on an imaginary club, I demonstrate how to establish a grip that feels comfortable and intuitive. The method is straightforward: aligning the mark with the top of the shaft, positioning the thumb correctly, and ensuring the club face remains square during the swing. This personalized approach allows golfers to find their unique grip without overcomplicating the process, leading to more accurate shots and faster improvement. The chapter emphasizes the importance of letting the body's natural mechanics guide the grip to enhance performance and enjoyment of the game.
(18:51) Simplifying Golf Swing Mechanics
This chapter explores the simplicity and natural feel of hitting a golf ball effectively. We discuss how many recreational golfers tend to overcomplicate their swing, making the process seem more difficult than it needs to be. By emphasizing the importance of a natural arm hang and grip, we reveal that the key to a successful swing is minimizing manipulation. This realization often surprises golfers, as they find that an uncomplicated approach leads to straighter and higher shots with greater ease. The conversation highlights the mental shift needed to achieve this, noting how overthinking can disrupt a golfer's natural ability. We also humorously acknowledge how golfers, despite being generally intelligent, can forget basic principles when they step onto the course. The goal is to help golfers understand that achieving a smooth, fluid swing is about maintaining simplicity and letting the body work naturally.
(23:16) Grip Variation in Golf Swing
This chapter tackles the complexities of golf grip techniques and emphasizes the importance of finding a grip that works for each individual golfer rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. We discuss the misconception that all professional golfers use the same grip, sharing insights from a study of 25 pros, which revealed significant variations in their grip styles. The conversation underscores that a grip suitable for one pro might not work for another due to differences in their physical attributes and swing objectives. We also highlight the risks of relying too heavily on generalized advice from books or online sources without considering personal suitability. Through a recent golf school experience, I stress the importance of understanding one's unique swing mechanics and maintaining focus on consistent practices that yield positive results, rather than constantly seeking new information. The goal is to encourage golfers to recognize what works for them and caution against the confusion that can arise from information overload.
(34:33) Optimizing Stance and Balance for Speed
This chapter focuses on the often overlooked fundamentals of improving a golf swing, emphasizing balance and setup over the swing mechanics themselves. We explore how starting positions, stance width, and foot flare can significantly enhance a golfer's ability to swing faster and maintain balance. By allowing golfers to find their personal "red line" or speed limit through experimentation, they can unleash their full potential without sacrificing stability. The conversation also draws parallels to baseball pitching, highlighting the importance of proper foot placement and pressure for generating power. Ultimately, we underscore that mastering these basics can make the game simpler and improve scoring, especially when dealing with uneven lies on the golf course.
(42:28) Mastering Timing and Performance in Golf
This chapter focuses on the importance of timing and confidence in golf, especially when making contact with the ball. We explore how nerves can lead to poor contact and how missed opportunities to communicate or act can affect performance. I share a story about a nervous new golfer who missed a swing, and demonstrate how to maintain composure and "sell" a miss as a practice swing. By keeping a calm demeanor and not letting mistakes affect you, you can regain your confidence and improve your game. The key takeaway is learning how to control your reaction and approach, ensuring better results in future golf outings.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Senior Golfers: Listen To This To Get Better At Golf
01-18-2026
(00:01) Aging Golfers and Hybrids
This chapter explores the unique challenges and adjustments that come with playing golf as we age. We highlight the irony that as we have more time to enjoy golf, our physical capabilities often diminish, leading to the need for different strategies and equipment choices. The discussion includes adapting to the realities of aging, such as reduced clubhead speed and the benefits of incorporating more hybrids into our golf bags. We also share anecdotes and insights on how many golfers overestimate their current abilities based on past performances, which can lead to on-course frustration. The goal is to embrace these changes and continue to enjoy the game, potentially even striving to shoot our age in the future.
(12:28) Techniques for Penetrating Bunker Shots
This chapter explores the transformative journey of four elderly women learning to play golf more effectively. Initially, they struggled with common techniques that weren't suitable for their physical abilities, resulting in a lack of control and unsuccessful shots. We discuss how adjusting their grip and stance, specifically by hinging their wrists and standing the club vertically, helped them gain better control and achieve greater clubhead speed. By positioning the ball at the bottom of their divot and making a regular swing, they could easily navigate the sand and clear obstacles, ultimately improving their game. This approach underscores the importance of adapting techniques to individual needs, especially when physical strength is a limiting factor.
(21:17) Improving Golf Swing for Seniors
This chapter explores the nuances of grip pressure and balance in golf, especially for older players seeking to maintain or increase their swing speed. We discuss the common misconception that slowing down can lead to better control, emphasizing instead the importance of maintaining balance and grip control to generate more efficient power. Highlighting the challenges of translating force into relatable terms, we examine how changes in stance, grip, and posture can aid in achieving a faster and more balanced swing. The focus is on finding the right grip pressure that allows for control without sacrificing mobility, enabling seniors to optimize their swing for better distance and ball speed.
(34:20) Improving Golf Swing Without Tech
This chapter explores adjustments to make in your golf game as you age, focusing primarily on increasing swing speed without relying on high-tech equipment. We discuss using an alignment stick to identify the loudest point in your swing, indicating where the club is moving fastest, and how shifting that point can lead to speed gains. Techniques like turning your chest toward the target and enhancing wrist action are highlighted. While we recognize the value of launch monitors, we also acknowledge that not all instructors use them due to their cost. We suggest a simple, cost-effective training tool involving a rope and a Nerf ball to help improve swing speed, emphasizing that these low-tech solutions can be surprisingly effective in enhancing your game.
(44:04) Golf Course Length Strategy for Seniors
This chapter explores how to determine the appropriate course length by multiplying the distance you hit with a five iron by 36, offering a practical approach to tailor your game. We also share our excitement for the upcoming 52 weeks of shows, encouraging listeners to tune in regularly or catch up on past episodes at thoseweekendgolfguys.com. Reflecting on our journey over the past 11 years, we express gratitude for the audience's support and provide a reminder to follow Jeff's advice for improving your golf experience, particularly as you age.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Advice To Break 80 From Two TOP 100 Teachers
01-04-2026
John's New Years resolution is to break 80 on a consistent basis in 2026. In this episode, presented by Fanduel, America's number one sports book, 2 of Golf Magazine's Top100 Teachers give tips and techniques on how to easily accomplish that. Both Jeff Smith and Scott Monroe join the podcast for some in depth advice on how to break 80.
Jeff and Scott both talk about the importance of getting the basics right: i.e. primarily your grip. The wrong grip for your swing and body type can cause hooks and slices,
Ball position is another basic that must be right in order to shoot a lower score consistently.
And then there is the basic ability to aim your body correctly to the target. Jeff talks about the importance of getting the aim right BEFORE worrying about the ball position.
And finally, a tool you can use to make sure you know when the club face is exactly perpendicular to the target.
Share the expertise of 2 of America's best golf instructors this week on Those Weekend Golf Guys
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Mastering Golf: Break Your Number with Expert Tips from Top Instructors
12-28-2025
00:00 Introduction and Show Opening
00:18 FanDuel and Betting on Golf
00:59 Improving Your Golf Game in the New Year
02:47 Debate on Golf Equipment and USGA Rules
12:14 Upside App Advertisement
13:07 Introduction of Guest James Hong
13:57 Practical Golf Tips and Strategies
14:34 Breaking 90: Tips and Advice
23:18 Understanding Reasonable Expectations in Golf
24:32 Indoor Practice Techniques for Winter
27:14 Effective Drills for Indoor Golf Improvement
31:37 The Benefits of Using Ping Pong Balls for Practice
36:34 Phil Mickelson's New Coffee Supplement
42:10 Putting Drills to Improve Your Game
45:13 Final Tips for Breaking Your Golf Number
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
