The Mental Golf Show

In this episode, I detail what we can do to counteract the effects that the pressure and stress of golf can cause. ----- Links mentioned:  🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course 📧 The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter 📊 Mental Game Assessment ----- Timestamps & Topics 00:00 - Breathing for Golf 01:20 - What’s happening internally when pressure ramps up? 04:05 - What mental state is best for golf? 04:31 - The Breath’s Role In Our Mental State 07:03 - NEW Online Course: The Perfect Pre-shot Routine - joshnicholsgolf.com/course 09:07 - Three Breathing Techniques for On-Course 14:32 - Summary 15:41 - Resources & Links ----- Research cited in this episode: Spiegel, D., Malhotra, P. A., Li, R., et al. (2023). Brief structured respiration practices enhance mood and reduce physiological arousal. Cell Reports Medicine, 4(2), 100895. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36630953/ ----- Thanks to these partners for supporting The Mental Golf Show: Titleist - join Team Titleist Nerd Fitness Fit For Golf Shot Pattern - golf GPS app PutterCup ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Mental Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- 📚 2025 Book Club! Click here to join the exclusive group chat where we discuss the books we're reading, questions and struggles about the mental game, and first access to Q&A's and meetups. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf

On this episode of The Mental Golf Show my guest is Jim Waldron, a nationally acclaimed golf teaching professional, mental game coach, author, and lecturer. Jim touts a 94% success rate of eliminating the yips, so naturally I was curious about and we dig into it right away. This was one of my favorite conversations on The Mental Golf Show yet, so hopefully you enjoy listening as much as I did. Topics are below. ----- Links mentioned:  🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course 🏌️‍♂️ Practice Plans ⛳️ The Divot Board 10% Off - Use code MentalGolf10 at checkout 📧 The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter 📊 Mental Game Assessment ----- Timestamps & Topics (00:00) Understanding the Yips: What Exactly Are They? (04:13) Why does our brain make us yip? (The Two Minds Theory) (11:06) What’s the opposite of the yips? (14:17) Should we have emotions before and during the golf shot? (16:14) NEW Online Course: The Perfect Pre-shot Routine - joshnicholsgolf.com/course (17:59) How did Ben Hogan exemplify true acceptance? (19:38) How to Work On Acceptance (25:37) Basic and Custom Practice Plans - joshnicholsgolf.com/practice (27:44) Digging Into Identity to Truly Change Your Golf Game (33:37) Sponsor: The Divot Board - Get 10% Off - divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow with code MENTALGOLF10 (35:41) Shedding the “Adolescent Ego” (39:27) Seeking Discomfort and Rites of Passage (47:36) The Pros and Cons of “Playing Like a Kid” (49:46) Radical Acceptance and The Mastery Mentality (53:08) Swing Thoughts: What should we be thinking about over the ball? (58:24) Two-Way Miss: What can you do? (1:05:25) Jim Waldron: balancepoint.com (1:06:54) Bonus topic- The Missing Link: Mindfulness and Consciousness ----- Links mentioned:  🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course 🏌️‍♂️Practice Plans ⛳️ The Divot Board 10% Off - Use code MentalGolf10 at checkout 📧 The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter 📊 Mental Game Assessment ----- Thanks to these partners for supporting The Mental Golf Show: Titleist - join Team Titleist Nerd Fitness Fit For Golf Shot Pattern - golf GPS app PutterCup ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Mental Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- 📚 2025 Book Club! Click here to join the exclusive group chat where we discuss the books we're reading, questions and struggles about the mental game, and first access to Q&A's and meetups. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf

Ross MacLeod joins The Mental Golf Show. Ross is a putting coach to players of all skill levels. Click here to find him on X. And click here to check out his Putting Coaching offerings. Timestamps & Topics: (00:00) Putting Under Pressure and Tendencies It Causes (06:06) Does mental game cause bad putting? Or does bad putting cause mental issues? (14:25) Can a bad golfer be as good of a putter as the best players in the world? (18:34) Basic and Custom Practice Plans - joshnicholsgolf.com/practice (20:41) Why do golfers focus on their swing when putting is a simpler fix? (24:46) Is putting the most important part of golf? (29:27) Why did Ross choose to teach JUST putting? (36:48) NEW Online Course: The Perfect Pre-shot Routine - joshnicholsgolf.com/course (38:32) What makes Phil Kenyon (Scottie Scheffler’s putting coach) such a good putting coach? (42:03) Why is it important to measure putting stats? (45:34) What is a good putting pre-shot routine? (50:44) 10% off The Divot Board - divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow with code MENTALGOLF10 (52:48) Where should our “mind’s eye” be while we’re putting? (55:29) Putting Speed Control (1:03:57) Does the putter matter? (1:10:14) Are you born a good/bad putter? (1:12:14) Putting Yips (1:17:00) Ross MacLeod ----- 🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course Six modules plus downloadable practical exercises to help you be consistently present and freed up on every shot. Check out the Pre-Shot Routine course here ----- 🏌️‍♂️🗓️ Plan Your Practice Better A Basic Practice Plan to organize your busy life while staying flexible to a changing schedule. And a Custom Practice Plan built for you to structure your entire week of golf down to the minute. Check out the Practice Plans here ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code MentalGolf10 to get 10% off your entire purchase. Get a great deal AND support The Mental Golf Show. Thank you! 🙏 ----- 🏋️ Nerd Fitness Get stronger, feel better, change your habits, and improve your life. Start working with a personal coach by going to nerdfitness.com and mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. ----- FREE Weekly Mental Game Newsletter Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your inbox every week. ----- Assess Your Mental Game Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Mental Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- 📚 2025 Book Club! Click here to join the exclusive group chat where we discuss the books we're reading, questions and struggles about the mental game, and first access to Q&A's and event info. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf

Dr. David Spiegel, a renowned Stanford psychiatrist and co-founder of the self-hypnosis app Reveri, shares insights on overcoming golf trauma and the psychological hurdles that golfers face. He discusses how hypnosis can enhance performance and self-image, while also addressing the notorious 'yips.' Spiegel emphasizes the importance of a structured pre-shot routine and self-hypnosis for boosting focus. He introduces techniques like visualization and breathing exercises to manage anxiety on the course, revolutionizing the way we perceive challenges in golf.

Webb Simpson, a professional golfer and 2012 U.S. Open champion, shares his reflections on the emotional highs and lows of competitive golf. He discusses the importance of a solid pre-shot routine and how it influences confidence on the course. Webb highlights distinguishing traits of fellow golfer Scottie Scheffler, particularly his exceptional control. The conversation delves into the mental game, balancing focus and relaxation, and the self-identity journey as a golfer. Webb's insights reveal the intricate mental strategies behind golf performance.

Mike Booker, a Texas Golf Hall of Famer and former tour pro, dives deep into the psychology of golf. He discusses building and losing confidence, and how to embrace mistakes on the course. Booker emphasizes the importance of a disciplined pre-shot routine and visualization techniques for performance. He contrasts tournament golfers with recreational players, advocating for a proactive mindset to combat negativity. The conversation also touches on creating structured practice plans to enhance skills and the responsibility players have in facing challenges in golf.

Joe Bronson, author of PARdon Me and a seasoned golfer who's played nearly all of the Top 100 courses, shares insights on balancing the game with life. He discusses how confidence can stem from experience rather than just practice. Joe reflects on memorable rounds at iconic venues like Augusta and Pine Valley, emphasizing the joy of good company over competition. He also explores the significance of a structured pre-shot routine and how to cultivate a deeper love for golf while managing life's responsibilities.

Dan Abrahams, a sport psychologist and former professional golfer, delves into the complexities of performing under pressure. He discusses how emotions can impact performance and emphasizes the importance of mastering your thoughts on the course. A-B-C-D Game strategies are explored, highlighting personal accountability and the significance of a consistent pre-shot routine. Dan also shares insights on mental resilience, using examples from elite golfers like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau to illustrate effective mental game techniques.

In this engaging discussion, Jayson Nickol, a top golf instructor and coach known for his kindness, shares insights on improving golf performance. He emphasizes the critical role of practice reps and personalized plans to avoid burnout. Jayson dives into the importance of putting and developing a solid pre-shot routine to combat pressure. He also covers strategies for managing anxiety on the course, tackling the mental game, and offers tips on reading greens to enhance scoring. Get ready to elevate your game with Jayson’s expert advice!

In this discussion, Jon Schram, a performance coach for golfers and high-stakes players, shares insights on finding flow and clutch performance. He elaborates on the mental strategies necessary for success in pressure situations and the importance of embracing imperfections. Jon also tackles the balance between confidence and delusion in golf and life. He emphasizes structured practice and goal setting tailored to individual lifestyles, revealing how these methods can enhance performance both on the course and in the workplace.