Golf Smarter

For Members Only #399 - Ted Joyce doesn’t fit the mental image of a Champions Tour caddie. A young man with a tattered baseball cap that only blocks the top of his bright red hair which completely frames his face, including a large bushy beard that small birds could settle in and raise a family. At first glance, his look and his chosen profession brings about expectations of a deep, unintelligible Scottish brogue. But what you get is a fun, articulate, extremely capable caddie who intimately knows the 4 courses he loops at Bandon Dunes, and understands how to play the game. Ted has been carrying the bag of Champions Tour player Brian Henninger during the 2013 season and shares some stories from inside the ropes of what it’s like to hang out on the practice putting green the week of a tournament.

If you have Bandon Dunes on your target list of places you have to play…and you must at least once…make sure you look up Ted and let him know GOLF SMARTER sent you!

http://BandonDunesGolf.com

Up next, Jim Waldron of Balance Point Golf Schools joins us for two dinner conversations to celebrate episode #400!

For Members Only #398 - “TRYING to get a hole-in-one is the important part...and sometimes the golf gods reward you.” Grant Rogers, Director of Instruction at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon sits down with host Fred Greene for breakfast to recap Fred’s 36 holes at Old MacDonald and Bandon Dunes courses the previous day. Grant provides tips and insights specifically for playing Bandon’s courses, but shots and swings that you’ll need when you play Links golf. Bandon Dunes is marketed as “Golf As It Was Meant To Be” as these four courses could be the closest thing to Scottish golf that you’ll find in the US. To many, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is golf mecca. Even if you’ve played in Scotland, Bandon Dunes should be on your golf bucket list of places to play, but it’s not for beginners, or non-walkers. There’s no golf carts or cart paths, so be prepared for long and challenging walks. Not like there’s a lot of elevation change, but battling the elements could make you miserable. As Grant offers, “Someone in your group is going to have the most fun, it might as well be you!”

Beyond the four 18 hole courses; Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Bandon Trails, and Old MacDonald, there's a 13 hole Par 3 course called Bandon Preserve, which provides all net proceeds to the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance. Despite it being a par 3 track, it could be the most fun golf course I’ve ever played.

http://BandonDunesGolf.com

Please check out my photo journal from our Bandon Dunes adventure, including my near hole-in-one on #5, in the blog at GolfSmarter.com.....

Next up For Members Only, we’ll stay at Bandon Dunes and meet Ted Joyce, our caddie, who also caddies on the Champions Tour. He tells stories from inside the ropes and tips from the Bandon Dunes trenches.

This episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/golfsmarter.

Golf Smarter for Members Only #397– “With swimming as in golf, there are a lot of little moving parts that require your attention..” Head position, for instance, dictates balance. In both sports, you need to keep you head as still as possible for improved efficiency and results. Our guest for this Members Only episode is World Famous Triathlon Swim Coach Kevin Koskella. Because swimming is the opening event, efficiency and energy conservation is critical to get you to the more arduous and demanding running and cycling legs of a triathlon. Similar to what golf coaches say, practicing with a purpose will bring on positive results, where clubbing ball after ball from a bucket won’t show noticeable improvement. Kevin also advocates Yoga to make you a better, more flexible athlete, which we've discussed many times.

Kevin also hosts the TriSwimCoach podcast and regularly emails tips on efficiency from http://triswimcoach.com

The next four episodes are from my recent trip to Oregon. While at Bandon Dunes, I sat down for interviews with the Director of Instruction providing insights on playing links courses, and my caddie, who also carries a bag on the Champions Tour, sharing stories from inside the ropes. Then episodes #400 and #401 for Members Only, I head to Portland for dinner with one of our favorite teachers, Jim Waldron of Balance Point Golf Schools.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please click on the Hey Fred button at Golf Smarter.com

GOLF SMARTER #396 - “Golf Channel does a great job, but we want to give our audience more what of what they want in programming and lifestyle”. Jamie Bosworth is a former teaching pro who recognized a void in Golf TV programming. Along with a savvy group of investors he has built an entirely new network of content delivered via online and cable that recognizes we want more than competition and lessons. Women golfers especially appreciate this unique approach. Is the Golf Channel good or bad for Back9Network? Listen to Jamie and host Fred Greene discuss why, in the long run, you’ll end up spending more time watching Back9Network.

Next up For Members Only, Triathlon Swim Coach Kevin Koskella will share how swimming can improve your golf game!

This episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/golfsmarter.

Golf Smarter For Members Only #395 - Drivers sell. The new adjustable Drivers sell REALLY well. But will they make a difference in your game? Club Fitter Nick Manzano for The Golf Mart and host Fred Greene walk down a wall of drivers in the San Rafael, CA store to discuss what is unique about each of the different 2013 Drivers. We also discuss purchasing used clubs, last year’s models, or getting your clubs repaired.

The Golf Mart is part of the World Wide Golf Shops group that includes The Golf Mart, Roger Dunn Golf Shops, Van's Golf Shops, and Golfers' Warehouse with stores across the USA and online shopping at WorldWideGolfShops.com.

If you enjoy this 2 part conversation or are just a fan of golf equipment, check out the books by Tom Wishon that Nick refers to multiple times. The books are available in our Golfers’Mart at Golf Smarter.com

GOLF SMARTER #394- Getting fitted for clubs will improve your game, but many fear that custom fitting means added cost. Custom Club Fitter Nick Manzano has operated his own custom club making business and been involved with the manufacturing of knockoffs, but recently he's chosen the path of many club fitters by going to work for a golf specialty store, or what he calls a "big box golf store". GOLF SMARTER host Fred Greene met with Nick at The Golf Mart in San Rafael, CA, to discuss the advantages that he offers the average golfer of expertise, detailed fitting specs, and getting to choose from the top name brand clubs. Better than custom fitters working from their garage or even your courses' Pro Shop, The Golf Mart has relationships with ALL manufacturers so that you have the widest selection to choose from when you're in the market for new clubs.

The Golf Mart is part of the World Wide Golf Shops group that includes The Golf Mart, Roger Dunn Golf Shops, Van's Golf Shops, and Golfers' Warehouse with stores across the USA and online shopping at WorldWideGolfShops.com.

In part2 of our conversation For Members Only, Nick and Fred spend nearly an hour on the showroom floor discussing most of the Drivers that are available today and what makes each special.

This episode is brought to you by Audible. For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/golfsmarter.

#392 - Ken Doherty - Head Golf Professional at Marin Country Club returns to discuss how much your intent impacts the mechanics of hitting the ball. Whether you’re hitting irons, hybrids, woods, driver, or bunkers doesn’t matter. As long as you focus on a target and are clear about your intent, then you can stop thinking about mechanics which will free you to hit better shots.

Next episode is for Members Only episode with Ken returning to focus on the difference between hitting from fairway and greenside bunkers.

Check the blog at GolfSmarter.com to read about the legal settlement between Aimpoint Putting and Vector Putting as to who owns the intellectual property.

This episode is brought to you by Audible. Sign up for a new account and receive a free audiobook of your choice at AudiblePodcast.com/golfsmarter.

#391 for Members Only - NFL Quarterback Peyton Manning defied all the odds by having a successful season after recovering from neck surgery. Muscle Activation Technique (MAT) Therapy developed in Denver, CO by Greg Roskopf has been credited to his miraculous recovery. MAT Therapy has also been significant for other NFL stars like John Elway and Chris Simms. PGA Professionals and amateur golfers have also testified to being able to play more, better, and pain free even after their first session!

Laura Lohrmann is a golfer and a certified MAT Specialist who introduces us to the details of this method that “Bridges the Gap between Fitness and Rehabilitation”. She shares what it is, how it works, how it differs from Chiropractics (muscle vs skeletal), and how immediate the results can effect your body, and your game!

To find a MAT Specialist near you and more information go to http://MuscleActivation.com

If you’re based in the Chicago area, or would like to have Laura help you, her website is http://TheBodyTek.com

Golf Smarter#390 - Golf Coach Andy Walker has played competitively at the highest levels for 31 years which includes 28 professional victories.  From multiple amateur to professional Tours to an appearance on Big Break, he's learned that there isn’t one way to play good golf and win tournaments.  The single constant factor is that playing good golf takes Perfect Preparation.  Andy’s success as a coach includes Jason Gore. Andy and host Fred Greene speak in depth about the Pre & Post Shot routines and how to asses the success and/or failure of each shot. He also provides a walking tour of the brand new 7,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Legacy Performance Center. Once only accessible to Tour Players and Club Manufacturers, the public now has access to the best teaching and technology available, all in a stress-free environment. This facility is like nothing this country has ever seen.  The Legacy Performance Center features 5 indoor/outdoor hitting bays, high speed video, a full HD simulator room, indoor putting lab with the SAM Putting System, AMM 3D motion measurement, force plates, TrackMan and Flightscope launch monitors, expert club fitting, course management, short game, putting, mental, mentoring, ball-striking, a locker room with showers and changing bays, and a 1,200 sq. ft. fitness facility that offers fitness, sports nutrition, health care and well-being services. Raspberry Golf Academy also offers a free instructional app for both iPhone and Android called the Raspberry Golf Academy.

http://www.golflegacyresort.com/legacy-performance-center/

For Members Only #389 - John Grund, PGA says that you CAN become a better putter, it’s a learnable behavior! John sticks around for another hour of our conversation on Vector Putting. Of course you realize that every scorecard automatically gives you 2 putts for each hole. Even if you don’t drive the ball 300 yards, if you can read greens better and achieve multiple 1-putts per round, breaking 80 will regularly follow. John’s theory of STAG putting is covered in detail. S=speed T=Two feet & straight A=Aim G=Green Reading. This Members Only episode recaps and embellishes on “S”, then goes into depth with the final three elements. John closes with the 3 simple things that it takes to be a better golfer.