golf SMARTER

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.comIf 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 golfsmarterpodcast@gmail.com 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 golfsmarterpodcast@gmail.com 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 golfsmarterpodcast@gmail.com 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/213028982094Our 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_Tk72hAhYIf 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 golfsmarterpodcast@gmail.com or click on the Hey Fred button, at golfsmarter.com