In this episode of the Going OB Golf Podcast, I am joined by Mike Laritz, a competitive amateur golfer from Michigan who’s proving that scratch golf isn’t just for full-time players.
Mike shares how he balanced work, family life, and competitive golf to take his handicap from a mid-single figure down to scratch — and why simulator golf played a huge role in that journey.
We dive into the growth of indoor golf in the US, the rise of simulator leagues, and whether this style of practice could change the way everyday golfers improve their game.
We also talk about the Grass League concept, amateur competition, golf content creation, and what it really takes to get better when you don’t have unlimited time to play.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Can simulator golf actually make you better?
How do amateurs get to scratch?
What’s the best way to practice when you work full time?
Is indoor golf the future of the game?
— this episode answers all of those questions.
As always, Going OB is about real conversations, real golfers, and the parts of the game you don’t usually hear about.
00:00 – Intro & who is Mike Laritz
01:56 – Winter golf & the rise of simulator practice
03:29 – 24/7 golf simulators and indoor training trends
08:32 – Mike’s golf story: from junior golf to competition
11:45 – The journey to scratch while working full time
18:53 – Simulator matches, content creation & YouTube
24:50 – Grass League and amateur competition formats
33:14 – Goals, competitive ambitions & future plans
Follow Mike Laritz
Instagram: @migolfer93
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@migolfer93
TikTok: @migolfer93