450: Mark Immelman - Gratitude, Practice, & Finding the Right Coach

December 4, 2025·55 min·5 clips

Mark Immelman says you should never get worse before you get better in a golf lesson—here's how to know if it's working.

This episode features host Michael Leonard interviewing renowned golf coach and broadcaster Mark Immelman on the 450th episode of the Wicked Smart Golf podcast. Leonard expresses gratitude for the show's growth, while Immelman brings expertise from coaching professionals like his brother Trevor and hosting his own popular podcast. They discuss the importance of cultivating gratitude, with Immelman citing Gary Player's philosophy of focusing only on positive outcomes. A key topic is effective off-season practice, where Immelman emphasizes having a defined goal for every session and avoiding mindless ball-striking. He recommends specific indoor drills using a wall to improve swing plane and spatial awareness. Immelman argues that a good coach should make your ball flight improve immediately during a lesson, not promise you'll get worse before getting better. For putting, he advocates for training aids like the Putting Arc to develop a consistent, slightly arcing stroke. He states professional golfers often spend more time practicing putting than full swings, which is a major separator from amateurs. A surprising claim is that Immelman believes the putter is more important than the driver for scoring, despite acknowledging the criticism this view receives. He shares a simple drill for lag putting that involves putting to a raised cup to make the hole appear larger and rebuild confidence. Regarding tournament pressure, he advises players to accept they will likely perform worse and focus on avoiding big numbers rather than forcing birdies. The conversation is educational and conversational, blending practical tips with broader philosophical advice on mindset. Golfers seeking to refine their practice routines, improve their putting, or manage tournament nerves will find direct value. Listeners purely interested in swing mechanics or equipment reviews might find less relevance, as the focus is on mental approach and practice strategy.

As heard by us

A milestone episode with practical putting advice that stays focused on scoring, not swing reinvention.

Episode 450 pairs a milestone with gratitude and a useful putting lesson. Michael Leonard brings back Mark Immelman for a conversation focused on helping golfers play better without changing their swing.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

For golfers who want offseason putting practice that can help on the scorecard.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Wicked Smart Golf