441: 10 Mental Golf MISTAKES You Must Avoid for Lower Scores

Nov 4, 2025

They break down the top 10 mental mistakes that cost golfers strokes. Topics include pre-round preparation, course strategy, and sticking to routines. They cover emotional control, negative self-talk, body language, and how to reset after bad shots. Practical tips on focus, visualization, and avoiding score-focused thinking are highlighted.

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ANECDOTE

Scramble Comeback With Seven Birdies

Michael recounts a recent two-man scramble where early pars gave way to seven birdies in the final ten holes.
The comeback highlighted grinding and competitive fun despite poor initial shots.

ADVICE

Never Rush Your Pre-Round Routine

Plan your arrival and warm-up so you aren't rushed and frazzled on the first tee.
Do foam rolling, light activation, range hits, putting and the Wicked Smart warmup routine before you start.

ADVICE

Stop Setting Score Goals

Avoid setting score goals before a round and instead focus on routines and process.
Control what you can like arrival time, pre-shot and post-shot routines, and self-talk rather than the final score.

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Most golfers don't struggle because of their swing, they struggle because of what's happening between their ears. In this episode, we break down the 10 most common mental golf mistakes that cost players strokes every single round… and more importantly, how you can avoid them.

If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you're capable of better scores than you're posting, this is the blueprint to unlock your potential. We'll talk about course strategy, emotional control, routines, expectations, confidence, and how to actually think like a champion instead of an anxious, outcome-focused golfer.

You'll learn:

What to do pre-round for mental success
Why you should never root against playing partners
The two areas of the mental game you control for better golf
The #1 focus mistake most golfers make
How elite players reset, rebound, and regain confidence
Simple mental tools you can implement immediately

This episode will help you stop beating yourself and finally play the level of golf you know you're capable of.

Listen in, take notes, and get ready to think and score like a wicked smart golfer.

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