394: Dr. Michael Lardon - Learn How to Unlock Peak Performance

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May 8, 2025

Dr. Michael Lardon, a renowned sports psychiatrist, has coached elite performers like Phil Mickelson and Olympic athletes. He shares insights on achieving 'the zone' for peak performance in golf and the importance of pre-shot routines. He discusses mental scorecards to enhance focus and reduce anxiety, along with strategies for managing pressure during high-stakes moments. Listeners learn how mental preparation parallels physical skills and how to cultivate a resilient mindset for better performance.

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ANECDOTE

Dr. Lardon's Zone Journey

Dr. Michael Lardon's journey began in competitive table tennis where he experienced the zone firsthand during a national final.
His brother's PGA Tour career led him to caddying in Q school and blending psychiatry with elite sports experience.

INSIGHT

Pre-Shot Pyramid Explained

The pre-shot process involves left-brain analysis, right-brain visualization, and a no-brain execution stage.
Mastering this structured mental approach strongly correlates with better golf performance and consistency.

ADVICE

Track Your Mental Scorecard

Use a mental scorecard to rate each shot's adherence to the pre-shot pyramid for better awareness and improvement.
Aim for 85-95% consistency; higher scores statistically increase birdie chances and reduce bogeys.

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Today’s guest is one of the top performance coaches in the world and someone I’ve looked up to for years — Dr. Michael Lardon. He’s a world-renowned sports psychiatrist who’s worked with elite performers across multiple disciplines, including Olympic athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, and of course, some of the best golfers on the planet. His past clients include Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Lee Janzen, and Hunter Mahan, just to name a few.

Dr. Lardon is also the bestselling author of two powerful books: Mastering Golf’s Mental Game and Finding Your Zone. His work has had a massive influence on how I teach pre-shot routines and helped my own game as well. His system for performance under pressure, managing thoughts, and building a consistent mindset is one every competitive golfer should know.

When you listen to this episode, you will learn:

About his Q-school caddying experiences.
Why you need a mental scorecard every round.
What you can do to "think like the pros" for lower scores.
What is the zone and how to access the zone more often.
The importance of pre-shot routines for better performance under pressure.
What he's learned working with top athletes in the world that you can apply to your game.

And a lot more mindset hacks for better performance.

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