Show Notes
👉 Take the free Mental Game Assessment: https://app.joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment 38 questions, less than 5 minutes. You’ll get your Mental Game Index (your handicap index, but for your mental game) plus strokes gained for each mental game trait. ----
Your driver cracks on the range the morning of the club championship. You hit it in the trees. Play gets suspended. Terrible luck, right? Maybe not. In this episode I tell the story of a golfer whose answer to every break, good or bad, was two words: “We’ll see.” A cracked driver, a rolled ankle, a lightning delay, and a lead going into the final round. None of it meant what his playing partners thought it meant.
In this episode: • Why labeling what happens as good or bad is just guessing • How golfers get careless after good breaks and tight after bad ones • What acceptance actually is on the golf course, and what it isn’t
More from The Mental Golf Show
I get on-course with Mike from Chasing Scratch to talk through his thoughts on, well, his thoughts. We work through his process of how he manages his swing thoughts on the course. Mike is a great player and has improved a ton through gaining a better understanding of his own golf game.
In this episode, performance coach Karl Morris shares insights on how perception, mental models, and understanding the nature of golf can transform your game. Discover practical exercises and mental shifts to access your skills and enjoy golf more. Key topics (AI-generated 🤖) - The importance of accepting bad shots as part of golf- Using intention to improve golf interaction- Changing perception to reduce threat response- The concept of 'skill access' versus 'skill development'- The role of mental stories and beliefs in golf performance- Practical exercises to reframe bad shots and pressure situations- The analogy of golf as a made-up game like Monopoly- The impact of perception on access to skills during play- The importance of simplicity and focus in the mental game- How to question and redefine your relationship with golf
Just a few weeks ago, Manuel Elvira was tied for the lead going into the final hole of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after making eagle on the 71st hole. Some would say he collapsed on the 72nd hole. But how does Manuel feel about it? What can you learn from his experience? Key topics from this episode (AI-generated 🤖)- Imposter syndrome and proving you belong- Handling pressure and nerves during critical shots- Mental routines and relaxation techniques- Learning from setbacks and maintaining confidence- The importance of commitment and decision-making- Balancing performance and mental health in sports
Jim Waldron (balancepointgolf.com) works remotely with golfers around the world on yips and general mental game coaching. He also teaches full swing, short game, and putting mechanics. In this conversation with Jim Waldron we talk through controlling your attention, managing stress, and developing a resilient mindset to improve performance under pressure. Here are the key topics we cover in this episode (AI-generated 🤖) - The role of self-image and ego in performance- Controlling consciousness like a flashlight- The “snow globe” analogy for a stressed mind- Deep acceptance and non-resistance to thoughts- The importance of routine and focus in golf- The concept of good stress and its benefits- The difference between internal and external focus- The impact of life outside golf on mental state- Strategies to develop meta-awareness- The importance of living in the present moment
Gary Wise has been working with golfers for decades on their swings and their minds, and is the author of No Junk Reps.