#410 - Kenny Giannini has created putters for Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Mark O’Meara and “pretty much everyone”. He also was the first putter designer for the Ben Hogan Co., and the first to design milled faced putters for Cleveland Golf. Now he’s creating some of the best putters on the market for us at KennyGianniniPutters.com. In the first of 2 conversations, we discuss his history, philosophy, and why spending most of your club budget on Drivers is a big mistake.

http://KennyGianniniPutters.com

In part 2 of the conversation for Members Only, Kenny and host Fred Greene discuss the various elements involved in building a putter and what the golf consumer should be aware of in making a purchase. We also discuss the value of a putter fitting with a skilled fitter.

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

#409 for Members Only - Topping the ball? Did someone say you lifted your head? Tony Manzoni gets pretty fired up about these misconceptions that many golfers have about those consistently frustrating errors like throwing the hands away from the body, bringing the club straight back, or rotating the body too quickly. In this Members Only episode, Tony explains why they occur and what to look for in a teacher who understands the mechanics of a swing.

Both Tony's book and DVD; "The Lost Fundamental - One Simple Move, Better Golf Forever" are ONLY available in our Golfers'Mart at GolfSmarter.com

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

#408 - Tony Manzoni is 77 years old and is still shooting par. Lucky for us, he’s also an amazing teacher who has been a listener favorite on GolfSmarter for a long time. Outside of teaching, his instructional book, and DVD, he’s coached the College of the Desert Golf team to 27 Conference championships. His book and DVD “The Lost Fundamental - One Simple Move, Better Golf Forever” are only available at GolfSmarter (app & .com) as individual items or as a combo. Each have received rave reviews. This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation with Tony. We get into more detail on swing mechanics in part 2.

Buy the DVD here - http://smarterpodcasts.com/golfsmarter/products/the-lost-fundamental-dvd/

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

For Members Only #407 - Columnist Shane Ryan of Grantland.com continues with host Fred Greene on his “10 Sensible Rules for Golfing With Others”. Starting at #3, there are some points that are make sense, but then it seems to host Fred Greene that there are some points that just constitute whining about his pet peeves.

http://Grantland.com

Your comments and feedback on this conversation are welcomed at the Facebook GOLF SMARTER group page.

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

For Members Only #406- Shane Ryan writes columns and features on golf and other sports for Grantland.com. This summer he wrote an entertaining piece called "10 Sensible Rules for Golfing with Others" but reading it through felt like he was complaining about his pet peeves that can be either annoying or embarrassing during a round. The post states “In a sport so polluted by etiquette and decorum, the possibilities seemed endless”... then observes “the absurd amount of practice you need to put in just to be below average.” You get where he’s going, right? In this episode, we discuss our personal relationships (sic: frustrations) with golf. Some of his points are obvious and I agree, but there are other where I put him to task. Points include “Keep Your Swearing to a Reasonable Level”, “Never Throw or Slam Your Club in Anger”, and "When Your Playing Partner is Struggling, Just Shut Up!". A link to his article is live in the blog at GolfSmarter.com.

Next for Members Only Shane returns to finish his list and spar with host Fred Greene about the pros and cons of each point.

This episode is sponsored by Audible.com. For a free audiobook of your choice, sign up now at AudiblePodcast.com/GolfSmarter.

The GolfSmarter app is free and now available for both iOS and Android at GolfSmarter.com

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

For Members Only #405 - Despite strict USGA guidelines, not all golf clubs perform the same. Golf Professionals play with sticks that are meticulously tailored to their swing. Amateur golfers make purchases based on what the Pros play. No matter their skill level, few golfers take advantage of being fitted for clubs that compliment their swing style. GolfSmarter Podcast host Fred Greene is in the market for a new Driver, fairway driver, and hybrids and was amazed to learn how different each club performs for his swing. During the 90 minute session, join Fred to learn why club head speed, launch angle, spin rate, dispersion are important, and that some older models suit him better than “the newest and the greatest”. **Note: The beep is when Nick mentioned a price that may not be available everywhere.

For this Members Only episode, Fred set up his video gear to record his fitting session with custom club fitter Nick Manzano of The Golf Mart in San Rafael, CA (also featured in episodes #394 & 395). The video, now available in our YouTube/GolfSmarterTV channel, is only a portion of the session, but the podcast episode is the entire fitting.

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

#404 For Members Only: Jeff Ritter may be one of the most insightful and approachable teachers ever on Golf Smarter. That's why we continue to ask him back on a regular basis. In this episode, host Fred Greene and Jeff cover nuanced information like something as simple, but easy to forget, as feet position at address. Mostly we discuss an email from a listener who's common frustrations are due to the lack of improvement in his game, or lowering of his scores. He notes how he experiences short bursts of progress and just falls back into the same old groove "No Matter What".

Next up for Members Only, Fred records his custom fitting with Nick Manzano (episodes #394 + #395) and amazingly discovers the results of just how different each club manufacturer can be. There will also be a video of the fitting as well.

The 9th annual People’s Choice Podcast awards are open for nominations till 11:59pm, Oct 15, 2013 at PodcastAwards.com. You can nominate us "ONE" time only! If you try to do it multiple times, it’ll cancel your other nominations. Please go to PodcastAwards.com, nominate Golf Smarter in both the Sports and Best Produced categories, (our URL is GolfSmarter.com).

As always, thanks for your continued support.

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

For Members Only #403 The recent USGA "While We're Young" ad campaign is based on a snarky line from the classic golf film “Caddyshack” delivered by comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The irony of the USGA's focus is that Dangerfield's character is everything they seem to be against to protect the "integrity of the game". Our guest is Kiel Christianson of TravelGolf.com who's recent article "While We're Young -- The Curse of Slow Play" and subsequent online feedback brings the USGA to the mat. In the article and on this episode we focus on his 13 points on how to pick up the pace of play.

http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/kiel.christianson/2013/06/19/while-we-re-young-the

Please provide your suggestions to pick up the pace of play on our GolfSmarter Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GOLF-SMARTER/213028982094

Our newly redesigned website features our latest video that we invite you to share with all your golf friends. Especially those with young kids or grandchildren. This video "My Best Round Ever (A Bedtime Fable)" is silly & fun, but focuses on so many of the lessons we've learned from the podcast.

http://GolfSmarter.com or http://youtu.be/gk_Tk72hAhY

If you have a question about whether or not Fred is using any of the methods, equipment or apps we’ve discussed, or if you’d like to share a comment about what you’ve heard in this or any other episode, please write because Fred will get back to you. Either write to [email protected] or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com

For Members Only #402 Fred Shoemaker of Extraordinary Golf returns to introduce us to his new DVD “The Secret to Transforming Your Game” which compliments both books “Extraordinary Golf” and “Extraordinary Putting”. If you’re not familiar with Fred’s methods, be prepared to have your normal perceptions of improvement challenged, “You’ll become a ‘golfer’ when learning becomes more important than the outcome of your shot.” Fred and the teachers from his Top 25 School (Golf Magazine) explore the content of golf, such as swing plane, solid contact, etc., but not in the way you might imagine. The Extraordinary Golf Schools foster a golfers’ ability to self-coach, to integrate deeper and broader aspects of learning, including how to work with information and how to develop a mastery practice. Most golfers are far more able than they believe, but they haven’t learned to develop--or access-- what they have. Extraordinary Golf is a game-changer.

Purchase the Extraordinary Golf DVD “The Secret To Transforming Your Game” right now with your Members Only discount in our Golfers’Mart for $39.95 +s/h. Due to restrictions in our agreement, this price is not public and cannot be shared publicly. Both books are also available in our Golfers’Mart at GolfSmarter.com.

You can also see the trailer to the DVD in our blog post from today’s show.

Please visit the all new GolfSmarter.com, I'd love your feedback!

Just about a year ago, my wife was a pedestrian in a hit and run accident. We are incredibly grateful that she survived and are inviting friends and family to celebrate her recovery by participating in the 2013 Breast Cancer Awareness Peak Hike. Our team “The Gratitude Express”will do a 7 mile hike on Oct 6, and we'd appreciate if you could help support our cause. Any tax deductible amount is appreciated to reach my goal of $2500. Please click on the Peak Hike banner at GolfSmarter.com or on the GolfSmarter Facebook page.

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For Members Only #401 - Jim Waldron of Balance Point Golf Schools continues his conversation with host Fred Greene because they still have to eat dessert! In part 2 of our conversation, Jim and Fred follow up on the depth of the Yips, understanding your own consistency, how much improvement can be had with the right teacher, the acceptance of “the possibility of failure”, the art of shot making, and how critically important it is to stay in the moment. The score is the outcome and shouldn’t be important until the round is completely over. Jim quotes Ben Hogan as saying ”The downswing is a terrible time to take a golf lesson”.

http://BalancePointGolf.com

Just about a year ago, my wife was a pedestrian in a hit and run accident. We are incredibly grateful that she survived and are inviting friends and family to celebrate her recovery by participating in the 2013 Breast Cancer Awareness Peak Hike. Our team “The Gratitude Express”will do a 7 mile hike on Oct 6, and we'd appreciate if you could help support our cause. Any tax deductible amount is appreciated to reach my modest goal of $250. Please click on the Peak Hike banner at GolfSmarter.com or on the GolfSmarter Facebook page.

Next up Fred Shoemaker of Extraordinary Golf talks about his new DVD “The Secret to Transforming Your Game”.