Golf Smarter

970:  Summary This week we meet Joel Suggs, PGA Master Professional, who explains the role of master professionals, the intricacies of golf instruction, focusing on his concept of the "Scoring PGA" personal bell curve that every golfer experiences. We also explore how understanding one's average performance can shift the mental approach to the game, emphasizing the importance of enjoying good misses and maintaining a positive mindset. Joel's family has a fascinating and historic place in golf history. The discussion also highlights practical strategies for improving performance, such as driving in play and recognizing the solutions already present in a golfer's game.TakeawaysMaster professionals have a higher level of education and certification.The classification system for PGA members has evolved over timeThere are now 24 different types of PGA members.Master professionals often teach aspiring PGA members.Everyone has a personal bell curve in golf.60% of rounds are average for all players.Mental game signif

GS#358fMO November 20, 2012 GSfMO#358 Terry "The Wedge Guy" Koehler, CEO of SCOR Golf joins us for 40 minutes to answer more questions submitted to SCOR Zone Short Game Academy. We've received so many great questions about improving our short game that we decided to answer 4 more questions in a full episode.   This was originally a Members Only episode that lived behind our paywall, so this is the first time it's ever been shared publically. Questions:Matthew Etter of Durham, NC: What is the recommended approach for handling "flier" lies around the green? In my area we have a lot of bermuda grasses, and when cut high there can be a lot of space between the ball and the ground. Should you still try to hit down on the ball to impart spin? It seems to me that there's no way you're going to compress the ball when it's sitting up so much, but trying to scoop the ball with an ascending blow doesn't seem like the right approach either. Any alternatives?Matt McElroy of Brentwood, NH: How do we know which scoring club

969: Summary  Jayne Storey returns to discuss her latest book, 'The Athlete's Ascent', which explores the relationship between deep practice and high performance across various sports. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, the impact of technology on attention, and the necessity of stillness in achieving optimal performance. Jayne also addresses the challenges of ego in professional athletes and advocates for a daily performance practice that incorporates mindfulness and meditation to enhance athletic performance and overall well-being.TakeawaysThe journey of self-awareness is crucial for athletes.Technology can distract from self-awareness and performance.Stillness is essential for effective movement and performance.Daily performance practice can enhance athletic skills.Ego can hinder growth and learning in professional athletes.Mindfulness and meditation can improve focus and relaxation.The flow state is achieved when the mind is quiet.Intention in movement is more important than overthinking tec

GS#357 November 13, 2012Jaacob Bowden came in 5th at the 2012 Speed Golf World Championships. He joins Fred to discuss Speed Golf, how to train, and how playing at this pace can impact your mental game.         Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).    Receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter on your favorite podcast app. Listen for details. This episode is brought to you by the PXG. Upgrade your bag with PXG clubs and take your game to a whole new level. For a limited time, you can save $10 per club. Head over to PXG.com/SMARTER and use code SMARTER to save $10 per club on your order.  This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Please visit indeed.com/GOLFSMARTER and get a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT. Terms and conditions apply.This episode is also brought to you by Waitlist from Wine Access. Visit wine

#968 Summary Golf Instructor Gareth Winslow joins us from New Zealand to discuss his teaching philosophies that lead to writing the book 'Playing the Lie: A Hard-Hitting Look at the Ridiculous Theories Ruining Your Golf Game', which challenges common misconceptions in golf instruction. He emphasizes the importance of fundamentals, proper warm-up techniques, and the significance of grip and setup in achieving a consistent golf swing. Winslow also critiques the overwhelming amount of information available to golfers today, advocating for a return to basic principles that truly impact performance.TakeawaysGolfers often receive misguided advice from well-meaning friends.Fundamentals are crucial for improving golf performance.Many golfers practice ineffectively, focusing on the wrong aspects.A proper warm-up is essential to prevent injuries.The order of learning in golf should start with putting and short game.Grip position significantly affects swing mechanics.Simplicity in technique leads to better consistency.M

GSfMO #356 November 6, 2012. In this introduction to Jeff Ritter’s 52 week "Make The Turn" Challenge, he shares a plan to offer challenges each Friday on the Jeff Ritter Golf Facebook page that rotate around Performance, Mindset, Fitness, and Nutrition. In this preview you’ll hear an awesome Short Game Drill that falls in as a Performance challenge. that will be launched after the beginning of 2013. This was originally a Members Only episode and has never been shared publically before. Along with the Golf Performance drill Jeff provides here, he wants you to check out this link to his fitness challenge. https://youtu.be/nG38sH8fwSM?si=wc3mnNFFZHQ-79L2 http://JeffRitterGolf.com   Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).        This episode is brought to you by the PXG Irons Challenge. Take the PXG Irons Challenge. It’s a ton of fun

#967 Summary Jeehae Lee, co-founder of Sportsbox AI, joins us to discuss the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence on golf training and coaching. As a former LPGA Tour player, Jeehae utilized her MBA and golf history to develop Sportsbox AI, an app that allows golfers to measure their swings using just their mobile phones, bridging the communication gap between coaches and players. Jeehae explains the importance of measurement in improving golf performance and shares insights on how the app can help golfers set personalized goals. The conversation also highlights real-world applications of Sportsbox AI, including its use by professional golfers and coaches, and its potential to transform the way golf is taught and learned. TakeawaysSportsbox AI allows golfers to measure their swings using mobile phones.Measurement is crucial for improvement in golf, just like in fitness.The app bridges the communication gap between coaches and golfers.Sportsbox AI provides universal terminology for better understand

GS#355 October 31, 2012 Jeff Ritter, a longtime favorite golf coach on GOLF SMARTER, returns for Part 1 of 2 to talk about his integrated approach to coaching golf, his 52 week Make The Turn Challenge, and how his passion for the game he loves translates to making every one of his students much better.        In our SCORZone Short Game Academy, Terry Koehler addresses a question and talks in detail about "The Release"of the swing.Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).        This episode is brought to you by the PXG Irons Challenge. Take the PXG Irons Challenge. It’s a ton of fun and if PXG’s new Black Ops Irons don't outperform your current irons by delivering either more distance or tighter dispersion (that means better accuracy) during your fitting, you’ll get a $100 Mastercard Rewards Card. Hurry - this offer ends October 7t

#966 Summary The conversation with Billy Holbrook of MGI Golf revolves around the benefits of walking a golf course versus using a golf cart. We discuss how walking allows for a better memory of the course, a more enjoyable experience, increased opportunity for social interaction, the health benefits of walking, and the misconception that carts are faster. Billy talks about the increasing popularity of walking in golf and the innovations in electric caddies that make walking easier. They discuss the technology and features of electric caddies, including GPS and Bluetooth integration. The conversation concludes with a discussion on battery life and the potential for electric caddies to be used as fleet vehicles at golf courses.TakeawaysWalking a golf course allows for a better memory of the course and a more enjoyable experience.Walking provides health benefits and a more rhythmic way to play golf.Electric caddies make walking easier and offer features like GPS and Bluetooth integration.Battery life is an impo

GSfMO #354 October 23, 2012 Author Neil Sagebiel returns for Pt2 on Ben Hogan losing the 1955 US Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. In this episode we run through the 4 rounds, learn who Neil spoke to while doing his research, and what the TV and media coverage was like for the PGA Tour in 1955. "The Longest Shot - Jack Fleck, Ben Hogan, and Pro Golf's Greatest Upset at the 1955 U.S. Open" is available for Kindle or hard copy. Neil talks about his ongoing golfblog. Here’s the latest update posted 2023 https://www.facebook.com/armchairgolfer/Originally, this was a Members Only episode and has never been shared publically.Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).       This episode is brought to you by the PXG Irons Challenge. Take the PXG Irons Challenge. It’s a ton of fun and if PXG’s new Black Ops Irons don't outperform yo

GS#966 Recently, while in Seattle, my travel buddies and I had the opportunity to play Chambers Bay, a walking only, public, links style course on the shore of Puget Sound. You may remember Chambers Bay from when it hosted the 2015 US Open won by Jordan Spieth who stayed one stroke ahead of runners-up Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen for his first US Open victory.  Spieth, at age 21 became the youngest U.S. Open champion in 92 years, since Bobby Jones in 1923. The reigning Masters champion, Spieth became the youngest to win the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year, passing Tiger Woods.  This episode features my conversation with caddy, Sam Pintar, from holes 15-18.Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).     This episode is brought to you by the PXG Irons Challenge. Take the PXG Irons Challenge. It’s a ton of fun and if PXG’s

GS#353 October 16, 2012 You've heard of Ben Hogan, but have you ever of Jack Fleck? In 1955, at the peak of his career, Hogan was the favorite to win his 5th US Open crown at San Francisco's Olympic Club, home of his first US Open title. Author Neil Sagebiel joins us for 2 episodes to share the story that has finally been released of the memorable tale of the unlikeliest of long shots - Jack Fleck's incredible come from behind win over his idol. In this segment of our ScorZone Short Game Academy, Terry Koehler addresses Joe Dolan of Ohio's question about being at a distance that's in between clubs. Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).     This episode is brought to you by the PXG Irons Challenge. If PXG’s new Black Ops Irons don't outperform your current irons by delivering either more distance or tighter dispersion during you

GS#964: SummaryJustin Camarena and Bricks, members of a punk band that loves golf, MAJORS discuss their unique combination of music and golf. They share how their love for punk music and their addiction to golf led them to create a band that writes songs about golf. They talk about their yearly golf trips and the challenges of playing 36 holes a day. They also discuss their influences in punk music and how it has shaped their music. The conversation touches on their personal golf histories and the differences in playing golf in Canada and South Carolina. The band members, Justin and Bricks, discuss how they collaborate on songwriting, with Justin providing the lyrics and vocals while Bricks handles the arrangements and instrumentation. They emphasize the iterative nature of their process, with constant back-and-forth and refinement of ideas. The conversation also touches on the inspiration behind their songs, the challenges of balancing music with day jobs, and the possibility of turning their music into a st

GSfMO #352 October 9, 2012 Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf, starts part 2 talking about his book “The WOW Factor” based on how he became a successful entrepreneur. For him, every business is a service business. Then he slides into the mission of Adams Golf when he was in charge. We get into a heated conversation on golf equipment and the state of the industry. Golf club makers have 2 concerns; “A&F; Air-born and Forward”. His primary reason for coming onto our podcast was to discuss the Tee It Forward Program that he originated before presenting it to the PGA and USGA. Fred hates the name and lets him know, so we brainstorm new ideas. https://pdf.pgalinks.com/p-g-a/Tee_It_Forward_Guidelines.pdfFollow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).    This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Please visit indeed.com/GOLFSMARTER and get a $75

GS963: Summary    Matt Davis, the creator of Puttercup is this week's guest. Putter Cup is an innovative golf hole insert that offers two products: the Speed Bump and the Center Cup. The Speed Bump is a 360-degree raised incline around the golf hole that forces golfers to hit the ball with enough speed and helps correct offline putts. The Center Cup is a hole reducer that shrinks the size of the hole by an inch. Davis emphasizes that putting should be simple and that training aids should focus on concentration rather than mechanics. He also discusses his partnership with the First Tee organization and his plans for future product expansion. There's even more on this episode! A couple weeks ago PXG renewed their sponsorship of Golf Smarter, and once again, PXG invited Fred out for a fitting. The PXG fitting process was so interesting that we wanted to share it with you. Next week the PXG campaign will begin, and even though this could be interpreted as an informercial for PXG, rest assured that we received no

GS#351 October 2, 2012 Chances are you’ve heard something about the USGA and PGA’s program to speed up the pace of play and make the game more fun for everyone called “Tee It Forward”. Chances are one of the thousands of courses that are participating in the program is near you. But what exactly is Tee It Forward? Well, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s not just about playing the front tees to embarrass yourself in front of your friends. Barney Adams, entrepreneur, club maker, and founder of Adams Golf came up with this idea and convinced the PGA and USGA of its merit. This is part 1 of 2 in which Barney explains that it’s a really good idea, despite it’s name. In part 2 for Members Only, Fred pushes Barney for more of an explanation and tries to come up with a better name. http://www.playgolfamerica.com/index.cfm?action=teeitforward Terry Koehler of SCOR Golf answers Steve Xintas request to explain bounce. Because we used his question, Steve received a free custom fit SCOR 4161 Money Club (wedge).Follow

GS962: SummaryGolf Live App is a comprehensive golf instruction app that offers live virtual golf lessons, asynchronous video lessons, payment processing, calendar integration, a marketplace, and live streaming. The app allows coaches to record students' swings in real-time during live lessons and provides side-by-side comparisons with previous swings. It serves the entire golf ecosystem, including coaches, golfers, and companies. Golf Live App has built a stable of 387 coaches in 12 countries and continues to expand. The app also allows golfers to record their rounds and review their performance with their coach. Pricing for golfers starts at $100 for individual lessons and can go up to $500 or more. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices.TakeawaysGolf Live App offers a comprehensive platform for golf instruction, including live virtual lessons, asynchronous video lessons, and a marketplace.The app allows coaches to record students' swings in real-time during live lessons and provides side-by-s

GS #350fMO September 25, 2012 Geoff Mangum explains what a Stimpmeter is, what it does, how it affects you, and more. Classic Geoff Mangum…opinionated, articulate, entertaining, and one of the best putting instructors in the world.Become a Golf Smarter Ambassador by introducing a new upcoming episode and receive a choice from these 3 great gifts, including:        • A private link to Tony Manzoni’s video “The Lost Fundamental”.        • *A pack of 8 Flightpath Golf Tees. A Tee Above All. Learn more at https://flightpathgolf.com.        • *A Glove + Glove Compartment from RedRoosterGolf.com where you can now choose from a  large variety of styles of gloves in 34 sizes! *US residents only. Request to introduce an episode to GolfSmarterPodcast@gmail.com.Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also post articles and video shorts on LinkedIn @FredGreene (from Novato, CA).   This episode is sponsored by Indeed. P

GS961: SummaryAfter too long of a break, Geoff Mangum, renowned putting instructor, returns to challenge what we know and then tell us that we're wrong! Always thought provoking and always controversial, Geoff discusses the changes in the putting world and the importance of skill development in putting. He also delves into the science behind putting, including brain science, perception, movement, and the physics of putting. Leave it to Geoff to challenge the marketing hype around putter equipment and emphasizes the importance of grip pressure and technique in improving putting performance. Mangum also shares his views on distance control and targeting in golf.TakeawaysThe putting world has changed, and skill development is crucial for improving putting performance.Understanding brain science, perception, movement, and physics is essential for improving putting technique.Marketing hype around putter equipment should be approached with cautionGrip pressure plays a significant role in putting performance. Critic

GS #349 September 19, 2012 PuttingZone.com guru Geoff Mangum goes into explicit detail on how to read the practice greens so that you can have a putting advantage on each round. Terry Koehler, The Wedge Guy, returns for our ScorZone Short Game Academy. He gives a clear explanation on "Bounce" as asked by GOLF SMARTER listener Randy Starbuck.Become a Golf Smarter Ambassador by introducing a new upcoming episode and receive a choice from these 3 great gifts, including:        • A private link to Tony Manzoni’s video “The Lost Fundamental”.        • *A pack of 8 Flightpath Golf Tees. A Tee Above All. Learn more at https://flightpathgolf.com.        • *A Glove + Glove Compartment from RedRoosterGolf.com where you can now choose from a  large variety of styles of gloves in 34 sizes! *US residents only. Request to introduce an episode to GolfSmarterPodcast@gmail.com.  Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube for daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. We also