The Perfect Par

In this episode, I am joined by University of Dayton freshman Will Jackson. We discuss his journey into the game and how he optimizes his practice and preparation for enhanced tournament success. Additionally, we talk about his unique recruiting process and how it fits into the new recruiting landscape.

In this episode, I am joined by Austin Peay State University senior Reece Britt. Reece and I discuss his experiences in junior and collegiate golf, including recruiting, the transfer portal, improving your golf game, the differences between junior and collegiate golf, and so much more. If you want to play D1 golf, this episode is a great resource! Are you a junior or collegiate golfer interested i...

Are you a junior or collegiate golfer interested in joining me on an episode to discuss your golf adventures? Send me a message on Instagram @carter.stroup! In this episode, I am joined by David Jensen, a golfer from Southern Virginia University. David had recently completed his first year of college golf, and we talked about his experiences in the college environment. We also delved into his juni...

In this episode, I am joined by Asbury University golfer Grayson Head. We discuss his first experiences with college golf, his junior golf career, and important mental principles that will help you play your best golf in any situation.

In this episode, I am joined for the third time by Lucas Herring. Lucas recently committed to the best-ranked DIII program in the country, Methodist University. We talk about how he chose this program and what he did to get there.

Welcome to season five of The Perfect Par podcast! It is incredible to think that I have been doing this podcast for five years. Thank you to everyone who listens. This year, I will be focusing more on golfing stories from junior and collegiate players. I hope these stories, balanced with the knowledge-dense episodes from the past years, will help unlock our best golf yet.

In this episode, I finish my conversation with Scott Fawcett. We discuss how to optimize your practice rounds and the future of DECADE Golf. Scott’s Book Recommendation: The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin ( https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465 ) About DECADE Golf: DECADE Golf has solved golf strategy by combining s...

In this episode, I conclude my conversation with biomechanics expert Sasho MacKenzie. We discuss common swing misconceptions and the illusion of consistency. Sasho’s Published Studies: Read on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=MacKenzie+SJ&cauthor_id=22900397 About The Stack System: The Stack System provides dynamic programming directly from golf's leading biomechanist. Speed t...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Scott Fawcett, creator of DECADE Golf. We discuss stats and strokes gained including: What is strokes gained? How should you use it? Is it better than traditional stats? Scott’s Book Recommendation: The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin ( https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/07432...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with biomechanics expert Sasho MacKenzie. We discuss ways to optimize your swing for maximum speed including: How to increase speed through swing mechanics Swing mechanic speed limiters Sasho’s Published Studies: Read on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=MacKenzie+SJ&cauthor_id=22900397 About The Stack System: The Stack System provides dy...

In this episode, I am once again joined by Scott Fawcett, creator of DECADE Golf. We discuss LIV Golf including: Is LIV Golf good for the game? Will it survive? The problems and benefits LIV has created Scott’s Book Recommendation: The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin ( https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465 ) About DE...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with speed expert Sasho MacKenzie. We discuss ways to optimize speed training including: How to work past plateaus How to see results faster Setting reasonable goals Sasho’s Published Studies: Read on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=MacKenzie+SJ&cauthor_id=22900397 About The Stack System: The Stack System provides dynamic programming di...

In this episode, I am once again joined by Scott Fawcett, creator of DECADE Golf. We discuss the “problem” with distance including: Is distance actually a problem? The solutions The problem with bifurcation Scott’s Book Recommendation: The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin ( https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performance/dp/0743277465 ) Abou...

In this episode, I am joined by biomechanics and speed expert, Sasho MacKenzie. Sasho received his Ph. D. in kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan and is currently a professor at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada. Sasho is also the co-creator of the speed training system, The Stack. In this episode, we discuss overspeed training including: What it is How it works The Stack’s role S...

In this episode, I am joined by Scott Fawcett, creator of DECADE Golf. DECADE is a golf strategy system used by the best players in the world. In this episode, we discuss: Why a single shot shape is better Irons VS Driver Optimizing your shot pattern Scott’s Book Recommendation: The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin ( https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Jour...

In this episode, I conclude my conversation with physical trainer Ken MacDonald. In this episode, we discuss the science behind injury prevention and ways you can avoid injury including: Common injuries for golfers Injury signs to watch for The importance of TPI Ken’s Book Recommendations: Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller (https://www.amazon.com...

In this episode, I conclude my conversation with mental game expert, David MacKenzie. David has been in the golf psychology industry for over ten years and has helped numerous players at the highest level. Rather than discuss the pre-shot routine, we discuss the pre-round routine and why the mental game is important for prospective collegiate golfers including: Pre-round routine Putting better men...

In this episode, I am joined by Ken MacDonald. Ken is a TPI Level 3 certified physical trainer and a top 50 golf fitness professional by Golf Digest. He and I discuss ways to aid recovery after golf and the importance of mobility including: How to recover after a difficult round of golf Are ice baths helpful Is mobility important The science of stretching Ken’s Book Recommendations: Building a Sto...

In this episode, I conclude my conversation with nutrition expert Benn Fineman. We focus on how you can utilize nutrition to assist with sleep and recovery including: How food allows your body to recover How food can help you sleep better Why nutrition is important for recovery Benn’s Book Recommendations: The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss and Becoming Superhuman by Timothy Ferr...

In this episode, I am joined by mental game expert, David MacKenzie. David has been in the golf psychology industry for over ten years and has helped numerous players at the highest level. David and I discuss ways of dealing with pressure and expectations including: Expectation management The pressure to score Mental game practice David’s Book Recommendation: The Mindful Golfer: How to Lower Your...

In episode 16, I am joined by Ken MacDonald. Ken is a TPI Level 3 certified physical trainer and a top 50 golf fitness professional by Golf Digest. Ken currently coaches many elite players in South Florida with his gym, Lifetime Performance. Ken and I discuss ways to aid recovery after gym training including: How golf fitness has changed How to avoid soreness Forced Off-season Recovery technology...

In this episode, I am joined by the founder of 18strong and host of the 18Strong podcast, Jeff Pelizzaro. Jeff is a top 50 golf fitness professional by Golf Digest, TPI level 2, and licensed physical therapist. Jeff and I discuss balancing gym training with golf practice including: How to continue to train in tournament season How to optimize the results from your workouts How to recover after you...

In this episode, I continue my conversation with nutrition expert Benn Fineman. We move away from golf-specific nutrition and focus more on optimizing your gym performance. We discuss: How to structure your diet for muscle growth When to fuel your body around a workout How to reduce soreness after a workout with nutrition Benn’s Book Recommendations: The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat...

In this episode, I am joined by mental game expert, David MacKenzie. David has been in the golf psychology industry for over ten years and has helped numerous players at the highest level. David and I discuss what is required to improve your mental game along with ways of measuring it including: What others will think Dealing with pressure as you improve Personality type and the mental game Quanti...

In this episode, I am joined by the founder of 18strong and host of the 18Strong podcast, Jeff Pelizzaro. Jeff is a top 50 golf fitness professional by Golf Digest, TPI level 2, and licensced physical therapist. Jeff and I discuss speed and endurance training for golf including: How to convert your strength training into swing speed How to train specifically for speed Balancing strength and speed...