In this episode of The Connected Instructor, Landon Michelson sits down with former professional golfer Michael Buttacavoli. From a stellar collegiate career at Rice University to four victories on the PGA Tour Latin America, Michael shares his journey through the highs and challenges of life in professional golf.

Discover how he navigated the demanding world of pro tours, battled perfectionism, and ultimately found peace and perspective after stepping away from the game. Michael reflects on lessons learned, including the power of acceptance, managing performance pressure, and finding joy in competition again through amateur events like the US Mid-Am.

Key Takeaways:
🎯 Persistence Through Pressure: How resilience fueled Michael's career despite setbacks.
⛳ The Art of Letting Go: The mental shift from chasing technical perfection to trusting his game.
🏌️ Life After Golf: How Michael's competitive edge now powers his career in real estate.
💡 Pro Tips for Golfers: Play for stakes—whether money or pride—and get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Timestamps:

• [00:01:06] Michael’s journey from Rice University to PGA Tour Latin America
• [09:05] Life on the Hooters Tour & early pro struggles
• [20:43] Insights into qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour
• [27:11] The power of acceptance in golf and life
• [56:09] Competing in the US Mid-Am as an amateur

Connect with Michael:
Instagram: @ButtaInMiami
Website: michaelbuttacavoli.ewm.com

Show Notes:

In this insightful episode of The Connected Instructor Podcast, Landon sits down with Michael Whitehead, a former professional golfer, Rice University standout, and current fitness professional at Whitehead Fitness. They delve into Michael’s journey from college golf to competing in the U.S. Open, his unexpected shift to fitness, and how his approach to training evolved along the way. Now as a fitness trainer, Michael applies his unique experiences to help athletes, especially golfers, improve both on and off the course. His philosophy of “intentional training” and practical advice offer valuable takeaways for golfers and trainers alike.

What You'll Learn:

- [00:05:00] Michael’s college golf career and transition into professional play

- [00:11:00] How losing and injury led to his shift toward fitness training

- [00:20:00] Insights into the psychology of competition and handling pressure

- [00:35:00] Tips on strategic training for high-stakes play: driver control, shot shaping, and optimizing scoring

- [00:50:00] Balancing strength with precision—why “gaining speed” is only part of the equation

- [01:03:00] The future of golf training: integrating fitness, data, and personalized coaching to maximize performance

Follow Michael on social media to learn more about his work with golfers at Whitehead Fitness in Houston.

In this episode, Landon Michelson sits down with Joel Turner, creator of Shot IQ and Mind IQ, to explore the transformative power of mental training for athletes. Known for his revolutionary approach to handling performance anxiety and refining motor skills, Joel shares his insights on how shooters, archers, and golfers alike can benefit from conscious decision-making, speech-based focus techniques, and understanding open vs. closed loop systems in sports.

Key topics include:

• The psychology of performance anxiety and Joel’s approach to overcoming "target panic" in shooting—paralleled to the golfer’s struggle with the “yips.”
• Open and closed loop control systems: how golfers can use these principles to adjust their swing and improve consistency.
• The concept of “getting loud in your head” and how conscious self-talk can help athletes remain focused, even under intense pressure.
• Practical applications of Shot IQ and Mind IQ for golfers, as well as Joel's insights on how conscious attention to detail can help athletes build repeatable, reliable performances.
• Gender differences in perception and vision in sports, and how these nuances can influence performance.

Listen in to discover how to apply these groundbreaking mental techniques in your game, develop a stronger mindset, and take control of your performance.

You can connect with Joel Turner and explore his work through various platforms:

- Instagram Follow [@shotiq]

- YouTube: [SHOT IQ YouTube channel]

- Mind IQ Course: [Mind IQ online course]