Wicked Smart Golf

Michael Leonard
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Oct 17, 2023 • 14min

179: Why You Need to Create a Yellow Card "Highlight Reel"

An index card can literally change your golf game forever. This tip from GYRA Golf has been an absolute game changer. It's known as a "yellow card" and a great way to stay calm under pressure. On a 3 x 5 notecard write down every club you have in your bag. Then, next to it, write down in detail the best and most recent shot you hit with that club. For example, a few of my "highlights" from this summer include: Driver - Hole 18 at Tuscon GC final day, water both sides, middle fairway. 3W - Hole 1 at Centennial GC, final day, 280 yard dead straight. Hybrid - Hole 17 at Aguilla - AZ Open qualifying. And so on with every club in the bag. Here's how it works... When you look at your index card before a certain shot you can tap into past visualization to build confidence. During the 18th hole of a tournament I was leading the event but felt the nerves of wanting to finish strong and hopefully win. On the tee box I looked at my yellow card, remembered a clutch 300+ yard bomb I hit a few weeks ago and went through my pre-shot routine. During my practice swings behind the ball I was imaging the shot from my card. Once I was over the ball I had a ton of confidence, stuck to my routine, and hit the best drive of the day. This clutch shot helped me go on to win the event and became a "yellow card" moment in itself. By having this index card (if you read the book you'll understand why it's called a yellow card) I was able to recall a great shot and use it for positive motivation. This is an EASY mental game trick that you can do too. Carry your card in your bag, pocket, or yardage book so you can always have a highlight reel of good shots. If you're nervous over a certain shot, look at your card, refer to the club you're about to hit, and imagine the past shot. This should help you have a ton of confidence and hopefully hit a great shot. Trick your mind to playing your best golf. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Oct 13, 2023 • 4min

178: Change Your Stress Levels, Not Your Swing

Learn why stress - not your golf swing - is the real reason you aren't shooting lower scores. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 3min

177: Dr. Izzy Justice - Learn GYRA Golf to Hack Your Mental Game

GRYA Golf will change your game forever. I'd argue it's one of the best golf books ever and I've read hundreds! I've seen first hand how it can help your mental game and had some of my best tournament rounds ever once applying these principles. The author is Dr. Izzy Justice and I'm lucky to talk with today on the show. As noted on his website, "Dr. Izzy Justice is a sports neuroscientist and inventor of the ground-breaking technology The Brain Trackman™ who has authored 8 books over the course of 30 years on the topic of Emotional Intelligence." He's also trained and certified more than 300 coaches in EQ in golf, basketball, football, triathlons, and more. Speaking of triathlons he's done more than 40 including 8 half iron mans and 5 full iron mans. In our interview we cover: Why golf is 93% mental The five doors to the brain How to bounce back after bad shots. How a yellow card can get you out of stress quickly Why you should treat a round of golf like a "spa day" (this was an a-ha moment) Make sure to buy GYRA Golf on Amazon now (it's one of the BEST investments you can make in your golf game). Connect with Dr. Justice on Twitter/X, Instagram and his website for more tips. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube
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Oct 10, 2023 • 22min

176: Unlock Your Potential - Six Lessons from a 68

Shooting your best scores is easier than you might think. After a little golf hiatus I recently teed it up and put up a great score - despite not touching a club. In this episode I'll recap some lessons that you can add to your game - whether you're shooting in the 90s or 70s. Shooting lower scores is more mental and course management skills than you might realize. When you listen to this episode you'll learn: How to focus on the last few holes. Why the first tee shot doesn't matter. How to bounce back quickly after a bad shot. An easy short game tip that will save you strokes every round. And a lot more. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Oct 6, 2023 • 3min

175: Can't Figure Out the Break? DO THIS

Learn the best strategy to keep in mind the next time you can't figure out how a putt breaks. WICKED SMART GOLF RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching 10X your confidence putting with the Look and Shoot Method. Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro. Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Learn how to shoot lower scores every round (no swing changes): Score Like a Scratch Golfer. Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Oct 5, 2023 • 18min

174: 12 Essential Ryder Cup Lessons for Everyday Golfers (2/2)

The 2023 Ryder Cup is over but there is SO MUCH to learn from the pros to make your game wicked smart. In part 2 of this Ryder Cup series I'll help you: Play your game for more confidence. Make putting more natural and less technical. Learn to stay in the hole, even after a bad shot. Understand the real reason short-siding yourself is killing your game. And a lot more Ryder Cup lessons. Remember, anytime you're watching the best players in the world there is SO much to learn. Check out part 1 first - episode 173. WICKED SMART GOLF PRACTICE RESOURCES 10X your confidence on the greens with the Look and Shoot Method. Take your practice to the next level with my FREE mini-course: Practice Like a Pro. Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro. Dominate your practice and fitness with the Under Par Golf App. Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Oct 3, 2023 • 18min

173: 12 Essential Ryder Cup Lessons for Everyday Golfers (1/2)

The 2023 Ryder Cup is over but there is SO MUCH to learn from the pros to make your game wicked smart. In part 1 of this Ryder Cup series I'll help you: Why you should go for short par 4s. How to cultivate belief in your game. Understand how to play better in match play. Why a faster putting routine can help your confidence on the greens. Remember, anytime you're watching the best players in the world there is SO much to learn. Check out part 2 on Thursday - episode 174. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Sep 29, 2023 • 4min

172: The #1 Thing to Notice at the Ryder Cup

In this five-minute Friday episode learn why you shouldn't do triathlons hungover (you'll get the joke) and what to watch for during the Ryder Cup this weekend. GO USA! WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Sep 28, 2023 • 17min

171: Q&A - How Do I Get in the Zone?

Tim - a Wicked Smart listener recently emailed me asking, "How do I get in the zone (and stay there more often)?" Which is one of the best mental golf questions... ever! The zone is a mythical thing for so many golfers but chances are you've been in the zone before. The zone or flow state is where great golf happens. The first step to getting in the zone is understanding it. Wikipedia did a great job summing up what is the zone, "The mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting transformation in one's sense of time. Flow is the melting together of action and consciousness; the state of finding a balance between a skill and how challenging that task is. It requires a high level of concentration; however, it should be effortless." To get in the zone more often you need a good routine, to learn your Mental Golf Type, and use tips mentioned in GYRA Golf. I go deep on this episode to share my best tips to get in the zone and play your best golf. Make sure to check out episode 155, 158, 159, 160 for more recent mental golf based episodes. WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.
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Sep 26, 2023 • 23min

170: 5 Mental Golf Lessons That Helped Me Shoot 66

Golf is more mental than you can imagine. I recently shot my best tournament round ever - 66 (-5) with a rather lackluster front nine even par. But the putter got hot on the back nine for a clutch 31 in a 4-ball tournament. After the round I documented as much as I could remember to help you grab some mental tips to apply to your game. I'm confident that when you apply some (or all) of these tips, you'll play wicked smart and go low! Don't forget, there is SO MUCH more than just working on your mechanics... change your mindset, change your game! WICKED SMART GOLF MENTAL GAME RESOURCES Work with Michael for Mental Golf Coaching Download the Mental Golf Playbook (100% FREE) Unlock your potential by taking your FREE mental game assessment: Mental Golf Type Master your pre-shot routine in golf to save 3–5 shots per round: Join Pre-Shot Like a Pro Also, don't forget to connect on social media: Follow on TikTok Follow on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube Buy my golf book on Amazon ("Wicked Smart Golf: How to Play Better Golf and Shoot Lower Scores Without Changing Your Swing") Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to get new episodes each week so you can play better without swing changes.

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