The Journey to St. Andrews

Episode 26 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Off to St. Andrews)

Hey, y'all. I'm Elliot Hall, and welcome to another episode of The Journey to St. Andrews. This episode marks a significant milestone as I record on the day we're flying out to St. Andrews. It's been over a year in the making, and this is our 26th episode. Despite some gaps, I'm proud of the progress we've made, averaging overall about two episodes a month.
Reflecting on my golf journey, my initial goal was to shoot an 85 in St. Andrews. While that is yet to be seen, my game has improved significantly. I've lowered my scores, played amazing courses across the country, and even got my first eagle! Plus, our "Beer of Golf", Calamity Jane, has expanded into three new states and just added the South Florida PGA to our partnership network. 
I played a couple of rounds recently, including a 46 at Bobby Jones and a 106 at Dunwoody Country Club. However, my putting needs some work, and I did get a minor sprain my ankle recently. But I'm optimistic and excited for the trip, aiming to soak in the experience and the legacy of golf at St. Andrews.
Thank you to everyone who's listened so far. I'll be sharing more about my St. Andrews experience and other exciting updates in future episodes. Don't forget to like, follow, or subscribe, and share with anyone who might enjoy this podcast. Follow me on social media at @elliottphall for updates. Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Episode 25 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Summer Catch Up and Ohoopee Course)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliot Hall, and welcome to another episode of the Journey to St. Andrews. It's been a while, so I'm just going to dive right in. I believe the last time I did a recording was mid-June, early June, and we are now into mid-August, and we are less than a week away from going to St. Andrews to play a bunch of rounds of golf and, of course, the old course. So very excited to share that experience with y'all when I get back.
This episode marks a significant milestone—our 25th episode! Reflecting on the journey, it's noteworthy that less than 2% of podcasts reach this point. Persistence is key, much like in golf. Life has been busy, and some episodes were missed, but we’re back and catching up.
I’ll recount recent golfing adventures, including playing at the Ohoopee Match Club in Vidalia, Georgia, and the Creek Club at Reynolds, where I shot the best round of my life and made my first eagle. Despite a few setbacks, these experiences have been incredible.
As we gear up for the big trip to St. Andrews, I’ll share more about my preparation and excitement. Join me as we celebrate milestones, reflect on memorable rounds, and look forward to new golfing adventures.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others, and don't forget to like, follow, or subscribe. You can also find me on social media @elliottphall. Until next time, I'm Elliott Hall.

Episode 24 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Mats vs Grass and Speed Training)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall. Welcome back to another episode of The Journey to St. Andrews. This week, I’m diving into my recent golf lesson at Bobby Jones' Grand Slam Golf Academy Center. I’ll talk about how taking notes and tracking your progress with scorecards and apps like Arcos can make a real difference.
I’ll also share my thoughts on practicing on grass versus mats and give you some tips to get the most out of your practice sessions. Plus, I’ve started trying out a new speed training technique to boost my swing speed and overall performance – I’ll let you know how that's going.
Finally, I’ll recount a nine-hole round at Bobby Jones' Magnolia course, sharing the challenges I faced and the lessons I learned. Join me for some practical advice and tips on course management to help elevate your golf game. Please like, follow, and subscribe. You can also follow me on socials @elliottphall 

Episode 23 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (New Driver & Bogey Golf Mindset)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliot Hall, and welcome to another episode of The Journey to St. Andrews. Fresh off our two-part series at Valhalla for the PGA Championship, I've been swamped with work and home life, leaving little time for golf. My only recent outing was a nine-hole round at Bobby Jones, where I shot a 50. Today, we're diving into the concept of bogey golf and how my mindset has evolved.
Despite limited playtime, I've been immersed in golf activities. I recently acquired a Ping G430 10K Max driver, hopefully enhancing forgiveness and control. My wedge game has also seen changes with a focus on a 50-degree gap wedge, a versatile 56, and a trusty 60 for greenside shots.
The main focus of this episode is on adopting a bogey golf mindset. By redefining each hole's par expectations, I've begun to play smarter and manage the course better. This approach allows me to look at the course much more strategically, play to my strengths, and avoid obstacles—or at least that's the plan (haha). 
Please like, follow, and subscribe. Or follow me on socials @elliottphall
 

Episode 22 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Valhalla PGA Championship Trip - 2 of 2)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall. Join me in another installment of "The Journey to St. Andrews." This episode is part two of our adventure to Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship. Be sure to catch the first part for the full story from the previous episode (#21) 
We pick back up by talking about our very challenging round at Hurstbourne Country Club, one of Kentucky’s premier courses. I’ll walk you through the tough roughs and plentiful bunkers that brought my score up to well above my normal range (that's golf sometimes). Despite the high score, it was a great learning experience and a reminder of the value in playing diverse courses.
Next, we dive into the Sunday afternoon climax of the PGA Championship. My friends and I were at the Troll Pub when we witnessed a thrilling face-off between Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, and Bryson DeChambeau. The tension was high as Bryson tied the championship record, but it was Xander who stole the show with a decisive birdie on the final hole.
On our drive back, my buddy Kevin and I made a spontaneous stop at Moccasin Bend Golf Course in Chattanooga, TN. The episode closes with my thoughts on the stark contrasts between a high-end course and a simple municipal course, each presenting its own set of challenges and delights.
And remember, if you're enjoying the show, hit like, follow, and subscribe for more from "The Journey to St. Andrews." You can also follow me on socials @elliottphall

Episode 21 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Valhalla PGA Championship Trip - 1 of 2)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall. In this episode of "The Journey to St. Andrews." We've got a special extended episode this time, coming to you from our golf-packed adventure at the PGA Championship in Valhalla, Louisville, Kentucky. Due to a family vacation coming up, I'm splitting this episode into two parts, so let’s dive into part one. The next episode will be released next week. 
Last week was jam-packed as I squeezed in lots of golf before heading off on my family vacation. I won’t be playing for the next two weeks, but there's plenty to share about my trip to Valhalla for the PGA Championship. From a new driver that sadly didn’t make its debut, to a fun distributor golf retreat where we played a tight four-ball tournament, ending just a point short at 208 to 209.
The retreat was topped off with a trip to Fairway Social in Alpharetta, Georgia, for some simulator fun. Then, my dad, a couple of buddies, and I hit up Louisville for the PGA Championship. We had a blast, especially thanks to the hospitality from the PGA crew.
Friday brought us to the greens of Valhalla. Despite a bit of rain, we saw golf greats like Rory and Tiger battle to make the cut, all amidst the fantastic course layout and vibrant atmosphere.
On Saturday, we took a detour along the Bourbon Trail, hitting up distilleries like Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace, and Bulleit. If you're ever in the area don't miss the Bourbon Trail tons of history and good drinks. 
That wraps up this episode, but stay tuned for the continuation of our adventures in part two. Please like follow and subscribe. You can also follow me on socials @elliottphall

Episode 20 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Ansley Course and Second Fitting)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall. In this episode, we're talking about the game-changing benefits of customized golf equipment and cutting-edge tech. I also got a second fitting done as well. 
I'm considering upgrading to Mizuno forged irons, and despite the cost, I'm excited to see how they perform on the course eventually. Recently, I played at the scenic Ansley Golf Course in downtown Atlanta. The unique layout and its challenges really tested my skills.
A key lesson from my last round: minimizing distractions is crucial for success on the course.
Next up, I'm heading to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky! If you're enjoying the podcast, hit like, subscribe, or share it. You can also follow me on socials @elliottphall

Episode 19 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Confidence and that elusive 90)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall and welcome to another episode. I've hit some new milestones recently, like playing a memorable round at the Bobby Jones Golf Course and taking a trip to Austin, Texas. I talk about the big role that consistency, familiarity, and confidence play in my progress toward becoming a better golfer.
I'll also discuss my experience at the Hills Country Club, where I scored in the low 40s on the front nine, and how I'm getting closer to breaking 90. We'll explore some course strategies, the importance of shot accuracy, and how crucial mental focus is in golf.
Plus, I look into custom fittings for golf clubs and how they might help me finally break that elusive 90 mark. The episode wraps up with some thoughts on my place in a golf fantasy league and how applying consistency can improve both your golf game and life. Please like, follow, and subscribe. Or follow me on socials @elliottphall 

Episode 18 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Blended Clubs and Fittings)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall and in this episode we'll be talking about "whats in the bag?" Pings, Mizunos, TaylorMades, and Clevelands. I'm here to share what I’ve learned, the experiments I’ve tried, and how I’m slowly but surely gaining more confidence on the course with different clubs. 
Last year I decide to learn with just eight clubs in my bag, adding more as I’ve gotten better. I’ll walk you through my routine and my strategy, shedding some light on choosing clubs, improving my game, and the ins and outs of club fitting.
I’ve also been testing different brands of clubs to see what works best with my style. I've also finally got fitted for some clubs and we'll be talking about that in detail and the general analytical approach to elevate my game.
Join me on the journey and please like, follow, and subscribe. Or follow me on socials @elliottphall 
(*this episode was originally supposed to be posted on May 4th but didn't due to technical difficulties) 

Episode 17 - The Journey ...to St. Andrews (Playing Seminole Legacy in FL)

Hey y'all, I'm Elliott Hall and back with another episode of Journey to St Andrews! I just got back from a trip to Tallahassee, FL, where I met with our new distributor partner for our Golf Beer - Calamity Jane, and, of course, squeezed in some golf at the prestigious Seminole Legacy course at FSU (I messed up in the podcast and said SFU : /  ). 
Big shoutout to Steve from the North Florida PGA who got me onto the course—beautiful and challenging, yet super fun for a first-timer like me. And guess what? I’ve been leveling up my putting game, now averaging about 2.2 per hole.
The highlight? The 17th hole—it’s modeled after the iconic 17th at Augusta, complete with those tricky Nicklaus undulations. Nailed a bogey there despite a three-putt.
Wrapped up the weekend at a beer festival in St. George, mingling with new Florida distributors. Can’t wait to share more of these adventures with you. Remember to like, follow, and subscribe, and you can follow me on socials @elliottphall