In this episode of Don't Get Me Started, host Christopher Smith sits down with Dr. Mark Guadagnoli—neuroscience professor, performance coach, and expert in the psychology of elite performance.

Listeners can expect a deep dive into the mental side of golf and performance, as Dr. Guadagnoli shares insights from his work with world-class athletes, surgeons, and business leaders. The conversation explores how pressure affects performance, practical strategies to overcome mental barriers, and science-backed methods to accelerate learning.

Christopher and Dr. Guadagnoli also discuss optimizing practice, building confidence under pressure, and the importance of mindset in achieving peak performance. Whether you're a golfer, coach, or simply interested in performance psychology, this episode offers valuable takeaways on mastering the mental game.

In this episode of *Don’t Get Me Started*, host Christopher Smith, a master golf instructor and Guinness World Record holder in speed golf, sits down with John Novosel Jr., co-founder of Tour Tempo and a renowned speed coach. The conversation dives deep into the science of golf swing tempo, speed training, and debunking common misconceptions in the golf world.

Novosel emphasizes the importance of tempo as a foundational element of the golf swing, explaining how elite players like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau use faster tempos to maximize power and consistency. He contrasts tempo (elapsed time) with rhythm (pattern of motion), revealing that while tour pros share similar tempos, their rhythms vary. The discussion highlights how slower backswings often lead to poor sequencing and reduced distance, advocating for an "optimum tempo" tailored to each golfer’s mechanics and athleticism.

The episode also explores speed training pitfalls, stressing the need for transferable gains to the course. Novosel warns against over-reliance on air swings or heavy clubs, which can cause injury, and instead recommends resistance-based tools like his Dragonfly training aid to promote implicit learning. He outlines a hierarchy for speed development: tempo first, followed by mechanics, physical conditioning, and finally, speed training.

Listeners gain insights into longevity in golf, with Novosel sharing how he achieved peak speed in his 50s through targeted training. The conversation touches on motor learning, the illusion of control in slow swings, and the balance between distance and accuracy for amateur golfers. Practical takeaways include the value of curiosity in practice, the dangers of over-coaching, and the role of sensory cues (like auditory tempo tones) in performance.

This episode is a must-listen for golfers seeking to unlock more distance, improve swing efficiency, and understand the interplay between tempo, speed, and mechanics. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a competitive player, Novosel’s expertise offers actionable strategies to elevate your game.

In this episode of Don't Get Me Started, host Christopher Smith interviews Nathalie Sheehan, known as Nattiegolf on social media, who serves as the Director of Women’s Golf at Pelican Golf Club and is recognized as a Golf Digest best young teacher. The discussion explores the intersection of golf instruction and content creation, addressing the challenges posed by social media influencers, the role of technology in coaching, and effective teaching strategies for diverse audiences.

Nathalie expresses significant concern about the rise of online golf influencers, particularly female creators, who post instructional content without substantial teaching experience. She argues that such content, often designed to attract attention rather than educate, undermines the credibility of golf instruction. She emphasizes the importance of "street cred," gained through extensive time teaching on the lesson tee, and questions the legitimacy of influencers who lack this experience.

As Nattiegolf, Nathalie navigates the dual roles of content creator and coach. She views her online presence as a form of free advertising to attract students, particularly targeting the growing female golf audience post-COVID. Her content focuses on simple drills, fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle tips, but she ensures it is backed by genuine teaching expertise. This balance allows her to maintain credibility while leveraging social media’s reach.

Nathalie’s teaching philosophy prioritizes understanding the golf ball’s behavior and tailoring lessons to individual needs. She advocates for simpler communication, especially for women, who may prefer less technical detail and more focus on comfort and competence. For men, she provides more detailed explanations. She also stresses the importance of asking students about their goals and providing clear, actionable advice to address misconceptions often fueled by online content.

While acknowledging the utility of tools like Trackman, Swing Catalyst, and pressure plates, Nathalie cautions against over-reliance on technology. She finds pressure plates particularly useful for setup feedback but emphasizes that exceptional coaches rely on observation and communication. She draws inspiration from coaches like Brad Faxon, who use simple, effective methods, such as one-handed putting drills, to make students feel valued.

Nathalie sees personal branding as essential for golf coaches to stand out in a competitive industry. However, she encourages aspiring coaches to overcome the fear of criticism, embrace failure, and focus on helping students improve. Her own journey reflects this resilience, as she has built credibility through persistent effort and a commitment to authentic instruction.

The episode highlights the challenge of information overload from online sources, which can confuse students and lead to ineffective practices. Nathalie advocates for coaches to filter this information, focusing on what is relevant and empowering students to understand cause and effect in their game.

Nathalie notes distinct approaches to coaching men and women. Women often require a more empathetic approach to address nervousness and prefer simpler instructions, while men may seek technical data. This tailored approach ensures students feel supported and confident.