T-Time with Tori Totlis

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3. 7 Habits I Guarantee Will Make You a Better Golfer with Jon Sherman Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Tori sits down with Angela Hurt, as well as Jon Sherman, owner of Practical Golf and author of Amazon bestseller The Four Foundations of Golf.

Angela and John fill us in on their golf game and goals for 2023 before breaking down the seven habits guaranteed to make you a better golfer!

Key Takeaways

(16:45) Habit #7: Practicing with intent. Many golfers go through what John calls “zombie range sessions” on the regular, thinking that the sheer repetition of mindlessly hitting balls hundreds of times will translate to better performance. But golf is about putting thought before, during, and after the shot. Practicing with intent involves considering your target, taking the shot, then assessing and adjusting. Rinse and repeat.
(24:40) Habit #2: Choosing smaller targets. Most golfers are too conservative off the tee and too aggressive with their approach shots. A better strategy is to get the ball as far as possible off the tee. From there, aim at the center of the green and club towards the back yardage.
(27:57) Habit #3: Growing your grit. Golf is a difficult game and it’s easy to lose your cool if the game isn’t going your way. Angela Duckworth defines grit as “perseverance and passion for long term goals”. For golfers, this means embracing a positive, solution-oriented, and long-term mindset for the game.
(32:17) Habit #4: Reviewing your rounds. Make it a point to take five-to-ten minutes after every round going over as many shots as you can. Look for patterns—strategic mistakes, mental mistakes, ball striking, etc.—and figure out how to iron out those kinks for next time.
(36:39) Habit #5: Gratitude. In John’s experience, unlike with most other sports, it’s easy to equate being a bad golfer with being a bad person. The best way to combat those feelings? With a healthy, regular dose of gratitude for all the good things that have come into your life through the game of golf.
(42:14) Habit #6: Managing your expectations. Without managing our expectations properly, it’s easy to beat ourselves up over every mistake or setback, no matter how small. Golf can bring out the worst of that behavior. Growth and happiness take place when your expectations match your ability.
(49:04) Habit #7: Having a process. Have a routine before every shot and use that routine on the practice range as well. Unlike most other sports, golf is a proactive rather than a reactive game. That is, you have around a minute to assess and decide your next move. With a process, you won’t get stuck on the ball during that minute of silence.

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For more information on the Breaking Bogeys Coaching Membership, visit: BreakingBogeys.com.

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Connect with Our Guests:

Angela Hurt: Twitter

Jon Sherman: Instagram | Twitter | Practical Golf

Subscribe to our FREE Female Golfer Facebook Group: First T Crew [Behind the Scenes of Women’s Golf]

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Instagram: @tori_totlis

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Website: www.CompeteConfidenceGolf.com

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2. What is a Handicap Index and Why Do I Need It? Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Tori sits down with her sister Alix, the Arizona Golf Association’s Executive Director Joe Foley, and USGA’s Assistant Director of Handicapping Education and Outreach Lee Rainwater.

Our guests discuss all things Handicap Index—what it is, how it’s calculated, why all golfers need one, and how to establish your own.

Key Takeaways

(18:53) A handicap index is a number that represents your potential or demonstrated ability. It’s tremendously beneficial for golfers at any level to have one, whether for competition purposes or simply to ensure fairness on the course when playing with family or peers. Your index measures what you’re capable of shooting, and not necessarily what you end up shooting. It’s a “portable” number which you can take with you course to course, tee to tee.
(26:39) Establishing your handicap index is a simple process. Simply walk into a pro shop and ask for a handicap index to get entered into their system. Download your Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) ID along with the GHIN app, input your number, and you can start posting scores right away.
(36:43) You can get a handicap index after as few as three 18-hole scores. Ultimately though, a golfer should achieve 20 18-hole scores and, from there, look at the eight best performances. Your handicap index is based on the average of those eight best performances.
(38:02) If you don’t want to get your handicap from a pro shop, there is another easy option available. If you prefer not to be affiliated with a specific facility, you can go to a state golf association’s website or to the USGA and get a handicap directly online. You will have access to a handicap while not necessarily being affiliated with a particular club.

(45:36) Getting your handicap index through the USGA can make your journey to improving your golf game so much more efficient, not to mention more fun. The USGA index is the gold standard that most golfers subscribe to. With the Arizona Golf Association specifically, the cost to maintain your index ranges from $45-$55 a year—and this small investment includes all of the association’s other membership benefits.

Get a USGA Handicap

Visit the Arizona Golf Association

For more details on the Short Game 100 Program, visit ShortGame100.com.
To register for the BFore Golf FREE mini-course, visit BForeGolf.com.

Connect with Our Guests:
Alix Chesno: Instagram | Alixandra Collections
Joe Foley: LinkedIn | Arizona Golf Association

Lee Rainwater: LinkedIn | USGA

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1. 5 Things a Beginner Golfer (and Every Golfer) Needs to Know Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

For more info on our Breaking Bogeys Coaching Membership, visit: BreakingBogeys.com

Today I sit down with Justin Klemballa, Director of Instruction at Paradise Valley Country Club and Forest Highlands Golf Club; Tameka Fox Hartman, Past Board Member at the Arizona Women's Golf Association; and Alex Andersen, Founder of Babes Golf.

Tameka and Alex kick off the conversation catching us up on their golf game—along with Justin giving us a few priceless tips—before doing a deep dive into their five best tips that every beginner golfer needs to know!

Key Takeaways

(19:00) It’s all about the short game. It’s true: Nobody started playing golf because they like to putt and chip. But working on your short game builds a strong foundation, over time, for your full swing.
(25:57) Most people aren’t that good. As with starting anything new, it’s easy to be intimidated by those who have more experience than you. At the beginning, everyone looks like a PGA Tour player. On the other hand, in Tori’s words, “I can verify that balls are not going far and they’re going cock-eyed. You’re not the only one!” Justin concurs, saying, “No matter what level you are, there is some really bad golf to be played out there, even on the highest level.”
(30:57) When in doubt, ask. No question is stupid in this game. Ask about the rules. Ask about etiquette. Ask about the dress code on certain courses. Ask where the range balls are. Ask where the first tee is. These are all normal questions, and everyone from your foursome to the pro shop staff to the bag room staff will be more than happy to answer any of them.
(38:02) Nobody cares about your game. Rather, pace of play is number one. This is easier said than done, of course. But simply being aware about pace of play will help speed up your game. Avoid getting lost in conversation and focus on keeping up with the group in front of you.
(44:41) Just pick it up. Nobody has been banned from the game for making a single mistake. Failing to adhere to the dress code the first time around is a lesson to keep in mind for next time. Be open to learning and making mistakes, and you will improve as a golfer.

Your FREE quick start guide to golf, visit BForeGolf.com.

Connect with Our Guests:

Justin Klemballa: Instagram | Paradise Valley Country Club | Forest Highlands Golf Club

Alex Andersen: Instagram | Babes Golf

Tameka Fox Hartman: Twitter | Arizona Women's Golf Association

Connect with us on your favorite social platform:

Subscribe to our FREE Female Golfer Facebook Group: First T Crew [Behind the Scenes of Women’s Golf]

Instagram: @tori_totlis

TikTok: @tori_totlis

YouTube: @tori_totlis

Website: www.CompeteConfidenceGolf.com

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