Welcome to Episode 226 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques.  CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Welcome back - for the 10th time! - David Orr - Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, and creator of the Flatstick Academy in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

• David talks about what motivated him to want to share his thoughts on how to best fit junior golfers for putters - and some of the mistakes that junior golfers can make with the putters they start with.
• He discusses the absolute #1 starting elements for a good putter fitting - Length, Lie, Putter Weight.  He shares his three-part process for doing getting putter length right for a junior golfer (actually, for any golfer!).
• David talks about how junior golfers often want the putters they see the Tour Players playing - and why these might not be best for them - at least when they are learning to putt.
• He talks about how Putter Weight can vary for the type of putters - Blades or Mallets - he also talks about the industry trend to heavier and heavier putters.  
• David notes that Feeling Rotation in a putting stroke is not a bad thing - and that very often Big Putter Grips are not a great option for Junior Golfers.
• He talks about his excitement about the putter designs that he is creating with David Frisch and Goodwood Golf.
• Finally - more than once in the interview - David talks about how getting a junior golfers into well-fit putters can help then learn Coordination in their Putting Strokes.

      GREAT INFORMATION FOR JUNIOR GOLFERS AND ALL GOLFERS - THANKS DAVID!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Useful Web Link!

Watch this amazing interview that Flatstick Podcast Interview that David Orr did with Stan Utley and Brad Faxon - posted on Vimeo - CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH!!

Shout Out!

As I noted in Episode 225, listenters have the opportunity to use the Equa Health meditation app for free for 3 months - the Equa Health developers will obtain some useful beta-testing data for the biosignal respiration model they are working to add to the app.

You can load Equa Health on your smart phone, and use this code - GLF4LF - "golf for life!" - to obtain free full premium access to Equa Health for three months.

NOTE:  You wlll have to complete what they call Elite User Terms - to allow the Equa Health team to anonomously use your respiration data to improve the Equa Health breathing modeling.

AND to my golf friend Doug Goeringer - he recent shot 72, the first time he has shot his age (he's 73 years old - WAY TO GO DOUG!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

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CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 225 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques.  CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Interview with Dr. David Creswell - The William S Dietrich II Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.  David is the Chief Scientist of Equa Health - a mindfulness coaching app.

• David shares what initially drew him to be interested in the Science of Mindfulness.  He also talks about his own love of golf and other competitive sports - and some of the ways he applies his knowledge about Mindfulness to help him compete at a high level.
• He shares his personal definition of Mindfulness, and also of Equanimity - and how these can be valuable to athletes and everyone who wants to develop more Resilience in their lives.
• David, Julianna Raye, and Mathew Polowitz a few years ago realized that a true mindfulness coaching app did not exist.  David discusses the initial efforts to start to create the Equa Health mindfulness app.
• "See Hear Feel" - "Concentration Clarity Equanimity" - "Microhits" - David discusses the role that these all play in helping people to effectively use the Equa Health app.
• Equa Health was first released in 2022.  It has come a LONG way since then. David talks about the role of AI, and also a new addition being tested - measuring respiration rates during a session using your smart phone - in the continued development of Equa Health.
• He shares some Final Words about how listeners can dive into using Equa Health - and how listeners can in general apply Mindfulness to improve their Resilience and Performance.

      David And Your Team - Keep Doing Great Things - THANKS!!

Useful Web Links:

To learn more about Equa Health - CLICK HERE!!

To learn more about David's Health and Human Performance Lab - CLICK HERE!!

To purchase "Handbook of Mindfulness: Theory, Research, and Practice" - CLICK HERE!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

After we completed doing this podcast, the Equa Team created this amazing Win - Win opportunity for listeners who want to test the biosignal respiration version of Equa Health app for themselves!

Load Equa Health on your smart phone - log into it using this code GLF4LF (golf for life!)

You will have full premium access to use the biosignal respiration beta of Equa Health that is being tested - for 3 months!

To use this, you will need to put a belt around your chest and put your phone under it (instructions provided in the app).  Or you can lie down on the ground and put your phone on your chest when you do a meditation session.

(NOTE - You will have to agree to the Elite user terms to allow Equa Health to anonymously use your data to improve their breath models).

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 224 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

I share some personal memories about the Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, PA - site of this year's U.S. Open during Father's Day weekend.  My FAVORITE Golf Course - thanks to good friend Larry Young for the times I got to play there with him.

I also share below some links to interesting articles related to this year's U.S. Open - information about the amazing final round 63 that Johnny Miller shot at Oakmont in 1973 - and about the "undercover" tree restoration project that was done at Oakmont to remove 3,500 trees from the course!

• A Recent WPGA Article - "Oakmont's Power To Challenge The Game's Best"
• The book written about Johnny Miller's Final Round 63 at Oakmont in 1973 - "Chasing Greatness ..."
• Article link - "Fact, Fancy, and Johnny Miller's 63 in the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont."
• Golf Digest Article about Oakmont Restoration - "The Undercover War That Swept The Game"

Dustin Johnson won the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont with a 4 under par score for 72 holes.  My take - NO ONE will break par for four rounds at the U.S. Open at Oakmont this year, and NO ONE will match or beat Johnny Miller's 63 from 1973!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

In search of shooting my age this year - I will be 76 years old in August - I have been working hard to improve my pitching performance and sand game.  THANKS to the wonderful "Short Game Chef" on line instruction materials created by PGA Tour Winner and Short Game Coach Parker McLachlin, I have never been more confident about creating a great pitching and sand short game THAT I CAN TRUST - Thanks Parker! 

Click THIS LINK Parker's Short Game Chef web site. 

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 223 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

 Show Notes:

Welcome back - for the 9th time! - David Orr - Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, and creator of the Flatstick Academy in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

• David starts this episode by noting that there are many different ways to create Zero Torque Putters.
• He discusses some of the most obvious types of putting strokes that can benefit from Zero Torque Putters.
• David shares the fascinating mods he made to a L.A.B. Link.1 putter to make that putter feel and perform close to the same of his present go-to putter.  The most important were modifying the balance point of the Link.1 putter (lighter grip) and using a Link.1 putter that had a stainless steel face.  He was able to accomplish this!
• Some of the most important conclusions that David talked about in this episode were: a) these putters will definitely be for some golfers, b) being fit correctly for length, loft, lie and putter head weight and balance is critical to making these putters perform well for golfers, c) Zero Torque Putters - and any putters! - will not fix poor stroke mechanics, d) golfers create forces in their putting strokes, they will also create torques in their putting strokes, e) the face onset in many Zero Torque Putter designs may be having a big influence on how they perform, and f) Zero Torque Putters are here to stay, and will continue to  improve and provide an option for golfers who want to improve their putting performance.

      ANOTHER GREAT AND VALUABLE INTERVIEW DAVID - THANKS!!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Useful Web Links:

Again - The Flatstick Academy Web Site - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

To another putter creator, putting guru, AGCP member, and good friend Bob Uebelhor with Uebelhor Golf in Indianapolis, Indiana.  At the AGCP Roundtable 7 in Columbus, Georgia in 2012, Bob did a 2-hour presentation on Toe Up Putters, toe hang, how to bend putter hosels to create different toe hangs, and much more.  2012!!  Bob has created putter designs - including Toe Up Putter designs - successfully used by many, many golfers.  If you want to learn more from him, you can contact him at 317-881-4109 or by email at [email protected].  

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 222 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Interview with Peter Sanders - creator of the Strokes Gained Analysis Methodology in 1989.  Peter is presently the Chief Data Officer for the SwingU golf improvement app - this app now includes his strokes gained methodology.

• Peter has created the "SwingU Clubhouse" blog page that is available through the SwingU web site.  This blog page includes interesting insights related to Tour and Average Golf implications based on Strokes Gained Analysis.  Peter shared a few of the nuggets from this blog page - and the insight "We Are All Snowflakes" in terms of our golf games.
• Peter shares how - initially based on his desire to improve his personal golf game - he developed the concept of Strokes Gained in 1989.  He talks about how Strokes Gained is defined for a golf shot.  He also shares how many traditional golf statistics - including number of  putts in a round - do not truly help golfers know where they need to improve their performance.
• As a way to take a first step to embracing Strokes Gained, Peter shares a Very Simple Methodology that any golfer can use to indentify the areas in their golf games where they need the most improvement!
• He talks about how his Strokes Gained Analysis methodology became adopted both in the ARRCOS golf sensor system, and in the SwingU app.  This methodology is based on what was originally in his standalone ShotByShot app.

Peter THANKS FOR ANOTHER GREAT AND VALUABLE INTERVIEW FOR GOLFERS!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Useful Web Links:

To read Peter's Blog Posts On His SwingU Clubhouse Page - CLICK HERE!!

To learn more about the SwingU Golf Improvement App - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

I recently started reading a WONDERFUL new book - "What You're Made For" - by legendary basketball coach George Raveling and best-selling author Ryan Holiday.  For me, this book was Worth The Wait!!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 221 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Interview with Dr. John Paul Guidry with Guidry Golf and Sports in Mandiville, Louisiana.  John Paul has a Dr. in Physical Therapy and is a Titleist Performance Institute certified fitness professional.  He has help hundreds of golfers, and has published an excellent book "Becoming A Lifelong Golfer."

• John Paul talks about who he chose to get a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and also how he came to love the game of golf.
• He shares the concepts he has used, over the past 17 years, to help golfers improve their games and fitness. He also discusses why he has emphasized that golfers do Strength Training 2 to 3 times a week to make these improvements.
• John Paul also discusses the roles of training for power and mobility and eating enough protein to improve fitness and performance.  He also shares some of his favorite "good news" stories about older golfers (one who is 88 years old!) who he worked with to change their golf and their lives.
• Finally, he shares a little about the different programs he offers, and about his excellent book "Becoming A Lifelong Golfer"

THANKS JOHN PAUL

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

Useful Web Links:

To Learn More about Guidry Golf and Sports - CLICK HERE!!

To Purchase "Becoming A Lifelong Golfer" - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

Many Thanks to Alpha Golf - one of my all-time favorite custom golf equipment suppliers.  I recently built a 31-degree Alpha Rx Low Pro 11 wood to put in my golf bag - and it is an AWESOME golf club!  Keep Doing Great Things!  CLICK THIS LINK  to learn more about great Alpha Golf offerings.

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 220 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques.  CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Interview with Dr. Gordon Morrison - Gordon is an Irish PGA Professional and head coach at the Vestford Golf Club in Norway.  AND Gordon recently completed a Ph.D in Psychology / Motor Control with a focus on Investigating the Chipping Yips!

• The title Gordon's Ph.D thesis is "The Golfing Yips: Developing understanding and demonstrating effectiveness of a coaching intervention for a distressing and disabling fine motor control skill dysfunction."
• Gordon shares why he focused on the chipping yips for his dissertation.
• The first two phases of his research included an extensive literature review, and conducting some interview with golfers related to the chipping yips.  He discusses some of the interesting findings from this effort.
• Gordon next did  some 3-D investigations of the movement characteristics of golfers who have the chipping yips.  
• Based on all of his findings, he then created some "interventions" that he was able to successfully used to help golfers be able to chip with more confidence!  He finally discusses some of his thoughts on how to do some continued investigations related to the chipping (and other types of) yips!
• THANKS GORDON For Sharing Your Amazing Findings!

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

DAVID ORR And The FLATSTICK ACADEMY!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

To Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!!

USEFUL WEB LINKS...

Gordon will happily share some of his findings directly with any interested in more details.

His email address is [email protected], and his Twitter / X handle is @golfgordon.

Shout Out!!

VERTEX GOLF I have been using the Vertex Golf Putting Motion Sensor for about 6 months now.  It is an amazing putting measurement tool available for a very resonable price.  I have used it personally at home, on my home putting mat, and with the Roane State golf team members.  Definitely an up and coming putting improvement tool!

My ZOOM PODTRAK P4!  I have mentioned this in the past - but it is SO easy to use, and the quality of the audio recording using it is first class.  

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 219 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques.  CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Tony shares a surgery / golf / life update since my last podcast post in July 2024...

• My August 1 left hip replacement surgery went well - total recovery after 6 weeks!
• THANKS to my good friend German PGA Professional Mike McFadden for guiding me to create a new golf swing in 2024.  It was interesting how much my bad left hip influenced my golf swing!
• Wow have I lost a LOT of distance in my golf shots in 2024 - more on my efforts to change that in future posts!

My Favorite Books And Podcast Interview From 2024!

Here is a short list of "My Favorites" from 2024...

• My #1 Favorite - "10 To 25" - The Science of Motivating Young People" - by Dr. David Yeager
• Four "Sports For The Soul" Books - Relentless Optimism, Think Big To Win Big, The Mental Game, and  Think Like A Warrior - by Darrin Donnelly
• "Golf For Enlightenment" - by Deepak Chopra
• A Great Reread! - "Burn Your Goals" - by Joshua Medcalf
• A Great Reread! - "Live The Best Story of Your Life" - by Bob Litwin
• A Great Reread! - "Atomic Habits" - by James Clear
• AND My Favorite 2024 Podcast Episode - Episode 217 - The Roane State "Fab Four!"

THE Golf Improvement Podcast In 2025 Is Sponsored By...

David Orr and the Flatstick Academy!

"Putting Instruction Without All Of The BULL!

Learn More About The Flatstick Academy - CLICK HERE!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 218 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Interview with Carnegie-Mellon University Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach Dan Rodgers.  The men's team won the NCAA DIII National Championship in 2023, and the women's team won the NCAA DIII National Championship in 2024!

• Dan shares the unique ways the men's and women's team have had to celebrate their national championship wins the past two years.
• He talks about how he became the head coach for the CMU men's and women's teams.  And a little CMU golf team history!
• Dan tells some of his most memorable stories related to the two national championship wins, and the finish of the 2024 men's championship tournament.
• He discusses the unique environment for playing college golf in the highly challenging academic environment at CMU.  And things that environment has that can be helpful to perform at a national championship level.
• He talks about some of the things he and his staff are working to do to promote and develop young golfers in the Western Pennsylvania area.
• Finally, Dan talks about the excitement about the golf team moving into the new CMU Highmark Center for Health, Wellness, and Athletics this fall - and how this will benefit future CMU golf teams.

   CMU GOLF IS THRIVING - Thanks for a great interview Dan!

Useful Web Links:

Learn More about the CMU Men's Golf Team - CLICK HERE!!

Learn More about the CMU Women's Golf Team - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

Many Thanks to St. John Fisher Golf Coach Bob Simms - who first connected me with Dan Rodgers, and who has been a great mentor for me and my efforts to help the Roane State Men's Golf Team.

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!

Welcome to Episode 217 of THE Golf Improvement Podcast!  Dedicated to sharing useful information on professional club fitting, putting and short game improvement, and effective practice techniques. CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES - ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

Show Notes:

Brief Interviews with the Roane State Men's Golf Team "Fab Four!" - Seth Robinette, Caleb Tipton, Kieran McCarthy, and Louie Stott - and with Roane State Men's Golf Team Coach Chris Griffin and Assistant Coach Charlie Isham.

CONTRATULATIONS ON TWO AMAZING YEARS AT ROANE STATE GUYS! Seth, Kieran, and Louie will now go on to play NCAA DI Golf at Radford University in Radford VA, and Caleb will play NCAA DII Golf at Lee University in Cleveland, TN.

USEFUL WEB LINKS:

The Roane State Men's Golf Team Web Site - CLICK HERE!!

Shout Out!

ALSO Congrats to Roane State alumnus Nick Daugherty, who was 2nd Team NJCAA DII All-American and who played in the NJCAA DII Nationals, and to freshman Eric Loftis, who finished 33rd at this year's 2024 NJCAA DII Nationals!  

THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

There is now a YouTube Channel that includes my most valuable Golf Improvement Podcasts.  Click The Link Below to go there - Subscribe to the Channel and Like your favorite episodes!

Link To THE Golf Improvement Podcast YouTube Channel!

CHANGING GOLFER'S LIVES

ONE GOLFER AT A TIME!

TONY - God Bless Ukraine, God Bless America!

CLICK To Subscribe To My Blog And Podcast!