External Targets Beat Mechanical Swing Thoughts

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

Jess Lapachinsky is a sports performance mental coach and strength and conditioning coach with around 20 years of experience working with athletes and coaches. After working extensively in strength conditioning, student-athlete development, and coaching at a private boarding school, she pursued a master's degree in sports and exercise psychology. Today, through her private practice, Victory Lap Mindset, she provides individualized mental coaching to youth, collegiate, and professional golfers.

Topics Covered

• Developing a Flexible Mindset: How successful golfers manage on-course adversity by accepting that rounds rarely go perfectly.
• Redefining Confidence: Viewing confidence as a forward-thinking mindset and a belief in one's ability to handle mistakes, rather than relying strictly on past success.
• Managing Negative Self-Talk: Strategies for allowing initial negative thoughts to pass without judgment and using intentional "second thoughts" to refocus on the next shot's process.
• Body Language and "Eyes Up Always": Utilizing positive posture, inspired by Rory McIlroy, to improve breathing, project confidence, and support teammates.
• External Focus vs. Swing Mechanics: Why players should prioritize external targets over internal technical swing thoughts to prevent hesitation and stiffness.
• Pre-Round & Night-Before Routines: Emphasizing the rule of "nothing new on game day," visualizing the first three holes, and staying anchored in a consistent pre-shot routine.
• Journaling and Off-Course Growth: Why writing down reflections and tracking successes helps athletes retain perspective and process mental growth.

And more mental golf tips. Follow Jess Lapahinski on Instagram and check out her website.

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