The Mental Golf Show

263: Paul Salter - Fear, Confidence, and the Secret to Consistent Golf Success

FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement
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Paul Salter joins The Mental Golf Show (for the second time). Paul is a mindset and performance coach who uses hypnosis to help his clients get unstuck, uncover their edge, and unlock their potential.
We cover these topics:
The Commitment to Golf MasteryThe Power of Language in Self-TalkBuilding Confidence Through ActionUnderstanding Fear and SuccessThe Role of Beliefs in PerformanceUnlearning Limiting BeliefsNavigating Fear and Anxiety in GolfThe Art of Unlearning for SuccessThe Pressure of ExpectationsThe Secret to Consistent SuccessThe Secret to Extraordinary SuccessChallenging Societal Norms and RulesThe Balance Between Success and FulfillmentIdentity and Performance in SportsCommunication and Relationships in Golf and Life
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Paul Salter's Links:
The Scratch Golfer's Mindset podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Instagram - thegolfhypnotherapist
Website - thegolfhypnotherapist.com
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Get more from Josh Nichols:
The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.
📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.
Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.
Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.
Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com.
PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.
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Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here. 

262: Caddie Yourself into Full Commitment

Most of us don't have caddies helping us get fully committed to shots, so we have to be our own caddies. Learning how to be your own caddie effectively can give you a huge advantage over your opponents and your own unhelpful tendencies.
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The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.
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Get more from Josh Nichols:
📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.
Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.
Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.
Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com.
PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.
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. 
 

261: Dr. Doug Tataryn - Inadequacy, Self-Betrayal, and Core Beliefs are Affecting Your Golf Game

Dr. Doug Tataryn is the founder of the Bio-Emotive Framework. And we get into things like integral theory, the Four Facets Model of Human Transformation, and the effects of your childhood experiences on your worldview.
But, and this is very important, Dr. Doug is very good at grounding these abstract topics back to golf. And I’d like to think that I represent you, the listener, in being relatively new, if not completely ignorant of these concepts. Hopefully I do you justice and ask the questions you might ask.
Dr. Doug's links:
Read (and sign up for) Dr. Tataryn's Substack: https://drdougbioemotive.substack.com/p/fairways-of-the-mind-worldviews-intro
 
The Bio-Emotive Website: https://bioemotiveframework.com/
 
Sign up for Dr. Tataryn's "Fairways of the Mind" online offerings to improve your Golf Psychology: https://mailchi.mp/bioemotiveframework.com/fairwaysofthemind
 
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Topics Covered:
The Universality of Golf and Mental Game
Introduction to the Four Facets of Human Experience
Understanding the Four Facets Framework
The Role of Emotional Processing in Golf
Disidentification and Its Impact on Performance
The Interplay of Childhood Experiences and Golf
Balancing the Four Facets for Optimal Performance
Real-Life Applications of the Four Facets
The Relationship Between Golf and Personal Growth
Navigating Feelings of Inadequacy in Golf
The Quest for Balance in Golf and Life
Emotional Holes and Compulsive Behavior
Worldviews and Personal Growth
Pattern Recognition and Ego Deconstruction
Vision, Motivation, and Emotional Conditioning
Exploring Regret and Self-Betrayal
Embracing Current Reality
Betrayal vs. Abandonment
Core Feelings and Emotional Depth
Vision for Success and Loneliness
Reframing Isolation in Golf
Worldviews and Emotional Reactions
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Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.
 
The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.
 
Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com.
 
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Get more from Josh Nichols:
 
📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.
 
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.
 
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. 
 

260: Bruce Chalas - College Golf Recruiting and Performing Under Intense Pressure

Special guest Coach Bruce Chalas and I talk all about college golf, the psychological demands of college golf, and the recruiting process for junior golfers. So if you’re a junior golfer, college player, a parent of one, or a coach helping players navigate this stage, this one’s for you.
And even if you’re not in that world, it’s still a really cool peek behind the curtain at how high-level players get noticed, develop, and play great golf under pressure.
Bruce Chalas is the head coach of the Boston University women’s golf team and he’s been there for 17 years.
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Junior Girls Golf Clinic: https://bostonuniversitygirlsgolfclinic.com/
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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. 

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. 

258: Jayne Storey - Relaxed Readiness, Inner Quietude, and the Deeper Dimensions of Golf

In this episode, I sit down with Jayne Storey for a deep conversation about golf, performance, and the inner life of an athlete. Jayne brings decades of experience in meditation, movement, and spiritual practice.
Golf feels hard when you’re trying to control every move. So we dig into how letting go leads to freedom and flow on the course. If you’re tired of grinding and want to just feel golf again, this is the conversation you need.
Thanks to Jayne for the thoughtful exploration of how golf can open the door to something far greater than just the game itself.
Topics discussed:
Golf as a Spiritual Practice – beyond the game and into self-expression
Sri Aurobindo’s Teachings – spirit, matter, and the athletic body
Scheffler’s Search for Fulfillment – dissatisfaction and meaning in sport
Flow and Meditation – entering the state where golf plays itself
Jayne’s Journey Through Movement Arts – Tai Chi, yoga, and swimming
Chi Energy in Sport – subtle awareness and performance
Relaxed Readiness – the paradox of being loose yet prepared
Getting Out of Your Own Way – surrendering to the swing
Ego on the Course – tension, fear, and the desire to succeed
Vigilant Passivity – alert presence without interference
Trusting the Body – allowing skill to emerge naturally
Equanimity Under Pressure – calmness when it matters most
Practices for Presence – meditation, grounding, and soft focus
Gratitude and Devotion – embracing golf as a higher offering
The Spiritual Horizon of Sport – where performance meets transcendence
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Jayne Storey's links:
Website: chi-performance.com
Books: chi-performance.com/books
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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. 

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'.
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📧 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.
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Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here. 

256: Mike Berland - Redefining Success, Making Golf More Inclusive, and Finding Joy in the Game Again

Special guest Mike Berland joins The Mental Golf Show. They discuss the multifaceted nature of golf, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment over mere improvement. Mike shares personal experiences and insights on the psychological aspects of the game, the social dynamics involved, and the need for modernizing golf to make it more inclusive. The discussion highlights the balance between striving for better performance and appreciating the joy of the game, ultimately advocating for a more relaxed and fulfilling approach to golf.
Topics discussed:
The Joy of Golf vs. Improvement
Mental Game and Flow State
Social Aspects of Golf
Managing Expectations in Golf
The Unpredictability of Golf
Golf as a Social Connector
Topgolf and Accessibility of Golf
Rekindling the Love for Golf
The Role of Mental Focus in Golf Performance
Overcoming Distractions and Regaining Focus
The Journey to Improvement and Consistency
The Social Dynamics of Golf
Modernizing Golf for Inclusivity
The Evolution of Golf During the Pandemic
Personal Exploration vs. Social Aspects of Golf
The Message of 'Not About Golf'
Mike Berland's links:
Book: Not About Golf: The Life Changing Joy of Playing the Game
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
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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. 

255: FundaMENTALS - Pre-Shot Routine: Four Steps for a Solid Process

Welcome to the Episode 2 of the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through the core components of a good mental game.
This week: the Pre-Shot Routine.
Every good pre-shot routine contains four key pillars. We explore those on this episode.
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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. 

254: Gary Waters - Shifting Perspective, Finding Peace on the Course, and Unlocking Your Authentic Golf Game

In this enlightening episode, Josh Nichols sits down with Gary Waters for a deep dive into the mental game of golf and life. Gary, a performance coach with a passion for unlocking human potential, explores how shifting your perspective can transform your experience on the golf course and beyond.
From redefining success as inner peace to dissolving limiting beliefs that fuel fear and frustration, this conversation unpacks practical insights for golfers seeking flow, freedom, and joy in their game.
Whether you're a pro battling a slump or an amateur chasing enjoyment, Gary's wisdom offers a roadmap to playing with authenticity and ease. Tune in to discover how to rewrite your "why" and embrace a limitless approach to golf.
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Topics & Timestamps:
Perspective and Golf (00:00 - 06:00)Peace vs. Competitiveness (06:00 - 09:35)Dissolving Unhelpful Motivations (09:30 - 15:55)Overcoming Deep Frustration in Golf (15:55 - 19:56)Role of Therapy and Mentorship (19:56 - 26:17)Fear and Performance on the Golf Course (26:17 - 32:30)Balancing Conscious and Subconscious in Golf (32:30 - 38:02)Detaching from Identity in Golf (38:02 - 46:05)Origins of Limiting Beliefs (44:23 - 47:32)Self-Acceptance and Authentic Self (47:32 - 51:28)Balancing Acceptance and Change (51:28 - 57:33)Resistance as an Opportunity (57:33 - 01:02:58)Gary Waters Contact and Resources (01:02:58 - 01:05:39)
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Resources and Links Mentioned by Gary Waters:
Gary Waters' Website: garywaters.co.uk
Gary Waters' Instagram: @iamgarywaters
Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Peter Crone's work: petercrone.com
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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.
The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com.
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Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.