

The Mental Golf Show
Josh Nichols
Host Josh Nichols shares from his own 20 years of competitive and golf psychology coaching experiences, along with years of learning psychology, as well as interviews with players, coaches, and experts in the golf industry, all with the goal of helping you think better on and off the golf course.
*This podcast is not meant to apply to every individuals’ mental health. And not all opinions expressed by guests reflect Josh’s opinions and experiences.
*This podcast is not meant to apply to every individuals’ mental health. And not all opinions expressed by guests reflect Josh’s opinions and experiences.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 10min
259: FundaMENTALS - Handle Pressure Better in Three Simple Steps
Welcome to Episode 3 of the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through the core components of a good mental game.
This week: Handling Pressure
On this episode, I want to talk about that feeling in your chest, that slight tremor in your hands, that racing thought pattern that can suddenly appear when the stakes feel higher. Something that every golfer deals with on the course, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned tournament player, and whether you realize it or not: pressure.
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📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.
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Get more from Josh Nichols:
The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.
PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.
Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.
Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.
Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.
Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.
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Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

4 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
258: Jayne Storey - Relaxed Readiness, Inner Quietude, and the Deeper Dimensions of Golf
Jayne Storey, a writer and meditation expert, explores the fusion of spirituality and golf. She discusses how letting go and embracing flow can enhance performance, turning the game into a spiritual practice. Jayne delves into the concept of 'relaxed readiness,' connecting Tai Chi principles to achieving calmness under pressure. The conversation highlights the importance of trusting your body and recognizing when to step back, allowing true skill to emerge. Discover how golf can be a path for self-expression and inner fulfillment.

Sep 23, 2025 • 8min
257: FundaMENTALS - Confidence: Durable vs. Fragile
Confidence in golf often feels like it comes and goes with your scorecard. But what if there’s a way to build confidence that doesn’t vanish after a bad hole or a bad round? In this episode, we’ll explore where true confidence really comes from—and why most golfers never find it.
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Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.
-----
📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.
-----
Get more from Josh Nichols:
The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.
PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.
Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.
Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.
Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.
-----
Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

7 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 57min
256: Mike Berland - Redefining Success, Making Golf More Inclusive, and Finding Joy in the Game Again
Mike Berland, a strategic advisor and author of *Not About Golf: The Life Changing Joy of Playing the Game*, emphasizes the joy of golf over mere improvement. He discusses the importance of managing expectations and finding mental clarity, sharing grounding exercises for focus. Berland highlights golf as a social connector and advocates for making the sport more inclusive through modernizing formats and technology. His insights aim to rekindle love for golf, encouraging players to enjoy the game without the pressure of performance.

11 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 15min
255: FundaMENTALS - Pre-Shot Routine: Four Steps for a Solid Process
Discover the four essential steps to mastering your mental pre-shot routine in golf! This discussion breaks down target selection, commitment to your shot, accepting outcomes, and a powerful breathing exercise for improved focus. Whether you're a novice or a pro, these pillars will help enhance your performance on the course. Tune in for tips that can transform your game and elevate your mindset!

4 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 7min
254: Gary Waters - Shifting Perspective, Finding Peace on the Course, and Unlocking Your Authentic Golf Game
Gary Waters, a passionate performance coach, discusses how shifting your perspective can transform both your golf game and life. He emphasizes redefining success as finding inner peace rather than competitiveness, and how to dissolve limiting beliefs that fuel frustration. The conversation touches on balancing conscious and subconscious processes, overcoming fear, and the importance of self-acceptance. Gary provides actionable insights for golfers to play authentically, emphasizing joy and freedom in their game.

17 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 19min
253: FundaMENTALS - Acceptance: Stop Playing Scared Golf
Explore the transformative power of acceptance in golf, as it helps players overcome fear and enhances performance. Discover practical tips for embracing uncertainty, allowing golfers to play with freedom. Learn how accepting mistakes can lead to a more enjoyable game, enabling quick recovery from poor shots without harsh self-judgment. This conversation reveals key insights into the mental aspects that can take your golfing skills to the next level.

16 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 9min
252: Dallas Webster - Better Course Strategy, Golf Highs and Lows, and the Mental Game of Technology
Dallas Webster, creator of the Tangent Golf app and tech entrepreneur, shares insights on improving golf performance through data. He discusses the delicate balance between technology and maintaining focus on the course. Dallas reveals the mental challenges golfers face, from battling self-doubt to mastering the pre-shot routine. He also highlights the innovative AI caddy feature and how it simplifies course management. His personal journey from competitive golfer to app developer underscores the importance of mental resilience in achieving success.

8 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 6min
251: Stop Trying to Play Good Golf
To truly excel in golf, you must release the urge to play well. This paradoxical approach allows golfers to focus on the process rather than just outcomes. Learn the vital difference between leading and lagging indicators in performance—focusing on what you can control is key. By managing your expectations, you can create space for genuine improvement on the course. Embrace these mental strategies to enhance your game and lower that handicap!

52 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 60min
250: Dawn Grant - Access the Zone, Deliberately Improve, and Find Joy in Golf
In this insightful discussion, performance coach and hypnotherapist Dawn Grant shares her expertise on accessing the 'zone'—a state of peak performance that blends mental clarity and spiritual awareness. She unpacks how hypnosis reveals the pathway to this natural state and the importance of quieting the ego to overcome self-doubt. Dawn emphasizes the value of failure for growth, effective visualization, and developing a post-segment routine to build confidence. Ultimately, she inspires listeners to find joy and presence in both golf and life.