Your swing isn’t just a set of mechanical moves — it’s the output of your entire system: your mindset, preparation, fitness, skill, and recovery. In this episode, Dan Houle explains why traditional “fix the flaw” approaches often fail, and how FUNCTIONAL.GOLF uses the Four Domains of Performance — Fitness & Movement, Skill Development, Performance & Mental Models, and Recovery & Longevity — to uncover root causes.

You’ll hear how a 9-handicap player’s slump wasn’t a swing problem at all, but a mental pattern that eroded his commitment. With a systems audit, you can spot breakdowns before they derail performance.

The companion worksheet, “The Swing Is the Output: Rebuilding My System,” helps you assess each domain, identify hidden drivers of inconsistency, and commit to one small, high-impact change. When you train your system — not just your swing — you build lasting, reliable performance.

Begin the shift from fixing swings to understanding patterns.

Feeling stuck chasing swing tips that never quite translate to the course? In this kickoff episode, we invite you to shift your focus from flaws to function — from chasing perfect mechanics to understanding the real patterns behind your swing.

You’ll learn why most “fixes” miss the bigger picture and how to begin asking better questions about your setup, posture, and motion. This episode introduces the FUNCTIONAL.GOLF approach to enjoying the game more — by thinking differently, not just swinging differently.

We also introduce “The 3 Questions to Ask Before Trying to Fix Anything,” and walk you through a self-reflection exercise in the worksheet titled “What’s My Real Golf Story?”

If you’ve been living and dying with every swing, this is your fresh start.