GS#985 Summary Course Architect, Augie Pizá returns to discuss the innovative golf league TGL, focusing on its unique format, the excitement surrounding its events, and the collaborative design process behind the golf holes. They explore the creative challenges faced by the designers. The conversation highlights the evolution of golf entertainment and the importance of engaging audiences in new ways. Fred and Augie also discuss the innovative design process behind TGL, a new golf experience that combines technology and architecture. Pizá shares insights on designing golf holes on a blank canvas, the excitement of seeing the SoFi Arena come to life, and the importance of defining project briefs to create unique golfing experiences. This project for Augie highlights the blend of cultural heritage, technology, and creativity in modern golf course design.
Takeaways

• TGL is designed to bring a fun and competitive atmosphere to golf.
• The league aims to showcase the human side of golfers, making them relatable.
• The design process involved collaboration among top golf architects without prior communication.
• Unique holes were created specifically for TGL, breaking away from traditional courses.
• The excitement of TGL is building gradually as more people discover it.
• The league's format allows for shorter, more engaging golf events.
• Surprises and new designs are still to come in future TGL events.
• The experience of working with admired colleagues was a highlight for Pizá. Designing on a blank canvas allows for creative freedom.
• The experience of seeing a project come to life is unparalleled.
• Technology is integral to the future of golf.
• Cultural heritage can enhance golf course design.
• Risk-taking is essential in innovative design.
• Golf architecture can draw inspiration from various movements.
• The integration of technology and golf is a growing trend.

Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video!
Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback.   

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 sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GS#380 April 16, 2013 William Carey, President of Dixon Golf, maker of the ONLY eco-friendly ball, passionately shares the need for eco-friendly balls and how they compete in a lopsided market. Actor Don Cheadle (9hcp) has donated an ad for Dixon. Learn more about their complete lineup of eco-friendly, tour quality balls at dixongolf.com

Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video!
Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback. 

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 sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GS#984 Summary: Sam Hahn, CEO of L.A.B. Golf returns to share an exciting announcement about their new putter, the Oz1 and Oz1i, developed in collaboration with PGA Tour veteran, Adam Scott. We also discuss the unique culture of the company, the competitive landscape of the golf equipment industry, and the innovative spirit that drives their product development. Sam shares insights into the challenges and surprises he has encountered since entering the industry, including the dynamics of research and development, the importance of location, and the company's impressive growth trajectory. Sam also highlights the importance of customer feedback in shaping product development and the challenges faced in achieving the desired performance and aesthetics. We are also impressed and amazed on the growing acceptance of L.A.B. Golf in the golfing community, the competitive landscape, and the unique features of the Oz1 putter compared to previous models. Ultimately, Hahn emphasizes the commitment to innovation while maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction. Takeaways

• L.A.B. Golf prioritizes golf and has a strong team culture.
• The golf equipment industry is highly competitive and focused on market share.
• Innovation in the industry is often overshadowed by marketing demands.
• L.A.B. Golf's location in Oregon offers unique advantages for practice and development.
• L.A.B. Golf is the largest standalone putter company in history.
• Legal challenges, such as trademark issues, can impact branding.
• Collaboration with professional golfers can lead to exciting new products.
• The Oz1 putter was developed through a unique partnership with PGA Tour veteran Adam Scott.
• The culture at L.A.B. Golf fosters creativity and innovation. The creative process of putter design involves collaboration and prototyping.
• Engineering challenges include achieving balance and precision in putter design.
• Customer feedback is crucial in refining product features and aesthetics.
• The Oz1 putter addresses previous complaints about sound and feel.
• Zero shaft lean allows for more grip options for users.
• Growth in the company is attributed to word-of-mouth and customer evangelism.
• Competition in the market validates L.A.B. Golf's technology and approach.
• The Oz1 putter offers different options compared to the DF3 model.
• The fitting process for putters has become more accessible and user-friendly.
• L.A.B. Golf's success is driven by a strong community of users and supporters.

Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video!
Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback. 
 
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 sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GSfMO #379 April 9, 2013 Jim Waldron of Balance Point Golf Schools returns for this Members Only Part 2 of our conversation on his "Power of Six" practice strategies. This time we get into more depth on 1-4 and he introduces #5 - The Short Game & #6 - Approach Shots.

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 HIMS. Start your free online visit today at hims.com/golfsmarter. The products mentioned are chewable compounded products which are not approved by or verified for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. Prescriptions require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for details and important safety information. Subscription required. Price varies based on product and subscription plan.

GS#983 Summary Golf agent, Mac Barnhardt returns to provide his honest insights and latest developments in the golf industry, focusing on the TGL and LIV Golf. We explore the excitement surrounding team golf, the challenges faced by LIV Golf, and the evolution of professional golf, including the impact of Tiger Woods on the sport's growth and viewership. Mac and Fred also discuss the evolution of golf, particularly focusing on the PGA Tour's role as an entertainment product, and the need for innovation within the sport. We explore the pressures faced by golfers, the expectations placed on them, and the lessons learned from the 2024 season. Mac shares insights from his career in golf management 
Takeaways

• TGL is creating a new atmosphere in golf with team formats.
• The excitement of team golf can attract younger audiences.
• LIV Golf's TV deal with Fox is a significant step forward.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of golf events.
• Tiger Woods' influence on golf viewership is unparalleled.
• The PGA Tour needs to adapt to the changing landscape of golf.
• LIV Golf offers a different experience for fans and players alike.
• The importance of major tournaments in a golfer's legacy remains.
• The future of golf may involve more mixed and senior teams. Tiger Woods significantly influenced the growth of golf.
• The PGA Tour should focus on being an entertainment product.
• The PGA Tour needs to innovate to attract viewers.
• Expectations can ruin careers in professional golf.
• The 2024 season taught us about unity in the sport.
• Mac's role in golf management is about serving players.
• Golf professionals face the same life challenges as everyone else.

Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video! Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback. 

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 sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GS#378 April 2, 2013 Jim Waldron returns for the first of 2 episodes to discuss the six most important skills that you should be focus on to make you a better all around golfer. Our Scor Zone Short Game Academy talks about bounce and why the SCOR Golf V-Sole wedge is unique.

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 HIMS. Start your free online visit today at hims.com/golfsmarter. The products mentioned are chewable compounded products which are not approved by or verified for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. Prescriptions require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for details and important safety information. Subscription required. Price varies based on product and subscription plan.

GS#982 Summary In this episode Stephen Baker shares his journey into golf, discussing how he found the sport as a perfect escape from his career as a courtroom lawyer. He explores the integration of mental performance techniques into his golf game, emphasizing the importance of emotional control and the mental game in sports. Baker draws parallels between golf and poker, highlighting the psychological aspects of decision-making under pressure. The conversation delves into the concept of flow states, explaining how they can enhance performance in golf and other fields. Finally, Baker outlines the four stages of the flow cycle, providing insights into how to achieve and maintain a flow state for optimal performance. He also addresses the concept of emotional hijack and how it can impact performance, offering strategies to overcome self-sabotage. The discussion culminates in the understanding that recovery is essential for sustaining flow and improving overall performance. Learn more at sbaker.life 
Takeaways

• The four phases of flow state are struggle, release, flow, and recovery.
• Calmness in my game has improved my performance.
• Emotional control is crucial in golf and life.
• Poker and golf share psychological similarities.
• Flow states enhance performance in sports.
• Relaxation is key to achieving flow states.
• The brain needs breaks to integrate skills.
• Understanding the flow cycle can improve performance. Recovery is essential for high performance.
• Mental recovery is as important as physical recovery.
• Visualization can help achieve flow states.
• Flow states are personal experiences that vary by skill level.
• Emotional hijack can negatively impact performance.
• Self-sabotage can be overcome with mental training.

Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page. 
Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video! Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback. 
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 sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GSfMO#377 March 26, 2013.  Aimpoint putting continues to be our concentration in this Members Only episode with PGA and Aimpoint Certified Instructor John Graham. Here's a couple of his comments: "I never misread the direction of the break anymore",  "If it takes more than 20 seconds to read a straight forward putt, you're doing it wrong" and "...the hardest putts to read are the flat ones".
John can be found on Social Media @JohnGrahamGolf  and JohnGrahamGolf.com

Let's play golf together next Spring! Our next Golf Smarter Adventure will be on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Birmingham, AL on March 26-30, 2025.  Space is limited. Deadline to register is January 15, 2025! Learn more and reserve your spot now at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter    

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 HIMS. Start your free online visit today at hims.com/golfsmarter. The products mentioned are chewable compounded products which are not approved by or verified for safety or effectiveness by the FDA. Prescriptions require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for details and important safety information. Subscription required. Price varies based on product and subscription plan.

#981 Summary In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Ellen Langer discusses the profound impact of mindfulness on golf and life. She emphasizes that mindfulness is not just about meditation but a way of being that enhances performance, reduces stress, and improves overall well-being. Through various studies, she illustrates how being mindful can lead to better health outcomes and a more enjoyable experience in sports and daily activities. The discussion also touches on the importance of intention, the mind-body connection, and how to embrace uncertainty in life.
Takeaways

• Mindfulness can be applied to all activities, including golf.
• Practicing mindfully leads to better performance and enjoyment.
• Mindfulness is about noticing and being present, not just meditation.
• Stress is often a result of mindless thinking and can be managed through mindfulness.
• Mindfulness enhances our ability to make choices and adapt to situations.
• Engaging in mindfulness can lead to improved health and longevity.
• The mind-body connection is crucial for overall well-being.
• Taking ourselves less seriously can enhance our enjoyment of activities.

FINAL CALL for us to play golf together this Spring! Our next Golf Smarter Adventure will be on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Birmingham, AL on March 26-30, 2025.  Space is limited to 3 foursomes. Deadline to register is January 15.  Learn more and reserve your spot now at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter  
 
Please check out our new and updated website at golfsmarter.com! While there, you'll receive three free gifts when you post an honest review about Golf Smarter the podcast. You can also get free gifts for recording a show opening by clicking on "Record Your Show Open Here!" tab on the right side of the page.  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey, which will also provide you with a link to Tony Manzoni's video! Follow @golfsmarter on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube. See our daily highlights and helpful insights from our interviews on the podcast. Thanks so much for checking it out and providing your feedback.

This episode is sponsored by HIMS. Start your free online visit today HIMS.com/golfsmarter and received personalized ED treatment options.

GSfMO#375 March 19, 2013 Aimpoint Putting returns with John Graham who teaches this method around the world. He loves this method because every putt can be proven. Our Short Game Academy answers a question about whether we should flatten the lie of our wedges like the Pros.

Let's play golf together next Spring! Our next Golf Smarter Adventure will be on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Birmingham, AL on March 26-30, 2025.  Space is limited. Learn more and reserve your spot now at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter    

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).    

#980 Summary In this episode Andrew Walters, a professional engineer & surveyer digs into the intricacies of putting and green reading. The discussion focuses on the importance of understanding the science behind putting, debunk common myths, and introduce the Expert Green Reading Operating System (EGOS). Walters shares his experiences working with professional golfers and explains the unique design of his putter, emphasizing how anyone can improve their putting skills through proper techniques and understanding of green reading. Andrew also shares his insights on the art of putting, focusing on the grip, stance, and the concept of angle gaps. He emphasizes the importance of proper alignment and understanding the slope of the green to improve putting accuracy. Learn more at expertgreenreading.com and check out Andy's books!
Takeaways

• The Expert Green Reading Operating System (EGOS) is based on pure math.
• Many common beliefs about green reading are myths.
• Optical illusions can lead to misreading greens.
• Speed and aim are crucial for successful putting.
• Professional golfers often have biases against new green reading methods.
• Anyone can learn to read greens effectively with the right techniques.
• Understanding the math behind putting can enhance performance. You need to take a wide stance for proper alignment.
• Standing where the ball will break is crucial.
• Avoid distractions from the surrounding topography.
• Double breakers require careful reading and adjustment.
• Proper grip and vertical alignment are essential for accuracy.
• The putter acts as a surveying instrument for alignment.

Let's play golf together this Spring! Our next Golf Smarter Adventure will be on the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Birmingham, AL on March 26-30, 2025.  Space is limited to 3 foursomes. Deadline to register is January 15.  Learn more and reserve your spot now at tmigolf.com/golfsmarter  

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 including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.