Next on the Tee: Where Golf Legends Live & Your Game Gets Better

S12, Ep 43 Part 1: Lower Scores, Smarter Swings, Fixing the FedEx Cup, & a Ryder Cup Preview with John Hughes & Rob Strano

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips
PGA Master Professional John Hughes reveals his six-pillar system for instant golf improvement without changing your swing.
["The episode is part one of a two-part show, hosted by Chris Mascaro on the golf podcast Next on the Tee.", "Mascaro introduces the episode's guests: PGA Master Professional John Hughes and instructor Rob Strano, with a preview of part two featuring sports talk host Zig Fracassi.", "John Hughes, a top 1.5% PGA professional, discusses his new book 'Instant Golf Improvement: The Six Pillars to Golf Success', set for release around September 30th.", "Hughes explains the book is for golfers who don't practice much, focusing on six pillars: aim, yardages, putting, chipping, avoiding stupid mistakes, and having a plan.", "He details 'target acquisition', advising golfers to pick a small bullseye like a tree limb or window pane to improve aim and clear the mind.", "Hughes reveals his manuscript was originally one book but his publisher identified it as three, with the second book on practice and the third on course application.", "He answers questions on driver stance width, suggesting a test where the right knee should touch the left knee for right-handers, and adjustments for ball-above-feet lies.", "Hughes also discusses grip importance, putting distance control to avoid three-putts, and his monthly newsletter run by his bonus daughter Lauren Griffin.", "Rob Strano then joins, making his 24th appearance, and proposes a fix for the FedEx Cup: cut to 20 players on Friday, 10 on Saturday, and a 36-hole final Sunday for 10 players.", "Strano argues this would test mental and physical toughness, though Mascaro questions if it undermines a season-long points chase.", "They debate whether the PGA Tour needs a playoff system, with Strano supporting it but suggesting it move to October and Mascaro noting some fans feel the season ends with The Open.", "Strano previews the Ryder Cup, emphasizing that putting and chipping, not length, determine wins, and criticizes overemphasis on experience in captain's picks.", "He mentions his new indoor golf academy in Destin, Florida, highlighting technology like Motion to Coach for precise swing analysis.", "Strano promotes his social media under 'The Golf Kingdom', where past TV episodes are available, and his academy's controlled environment for faster improvement.", "The episode includes ads for sponsors like Sunday Swagger apparel, The Keep golf course, TaylorMade QI35 driver, On Point Golf ball markers, Sqairz golf shoes, and Pittsburgh Brewing Company.", "Mascaro concludes by teasing part two with Zig Fracassi and thanking listeners."]

As heard by us

A practical putting lesson on distance control, grip stability, and the strokes three-putts quietly add.

Lower scores are treated as a question of control, with John Hughes connecting grip position and grip strength to holding the club through the swing.

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Why you'd press play

You want lower scores? Start with the first putt: Hughes says three-putts usually come from distance control, not a left-right miss.

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