The Mental Golf Show
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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
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.
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
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.
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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.
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.
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
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.
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
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.
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
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.
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Welcome to the first episode in the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through what he believes are the core components of a good mental game.
First up: Acceptance
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Dial in your Pre-Shot Routine!
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
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📧 Sign up for The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter
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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! 🙏
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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 training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)
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Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
🏌️♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans
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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.
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📚 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.
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Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com
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Follow Josh on social:
X/Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
YouTube: Josh Nichols Golf
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Dallas Webster, creator of the Tangent Golf app, joins to discuss his journey from competitive high school golfer to tech entrepreneur, focusing on using data to improve golf performance while keeping technology unobtrusive.
Topics & Timestamps:
Introduction to Tangent Golf App (05:03)
Mental Game and Tracking (06:25)
The Tangent Four (14:44)
AI Caddy and Course Management (10:43)
Battling Mental Demons (19:34)
Balancing Technology and Focus (24:52)
AI Caddy’s Impact (26:54)
Mental Game and Dispersion Patterns (29:35)
Avoiding Negative Visualization (32:28)
Subconscious and Target Selection (33:53)
Pressure and Mental Shifts (35:17)
Handling External Distractions (42:23)
Mental Breakthroughs in Tournaments (43:44)
Public Golf Journey and Mental Struggles (46:34)
Rating Good Shots with Poor Mental Game (51:50)
Mental Game’s Impact Across Skill Levels (55:02)
Hands-Free Technology Use (01:02:18)
Dallas’s Golf Journey (01:07:13)
Where to Find Dallas:
Website: tangent.golf
App: Tangent Golf on the Apple App Store (Android coming soon)
YouTube/Instagram: The Good Miss Golf
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15% off PutterCup! Improve your putting!
🔗 Go to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow
👉 Then sign up for the PutterCup newsletter for 15% off
-----
📧 Sign up for The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter
-----
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! 🙏
-----
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 training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)
-----
Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
🏌️♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans
-----
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
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Follow Josh on social:
X/Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
YouTube: Josh Nichols Golf
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
In order to play well, you have to let go of playing well.
In order to lower your handicap, you have to let go of lowering your handicap.
These paradoxes make for tough, disciplined behavior. But if you can dial this in then you'll be getting out of the way of your own golf improvement.
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📧 Sign up for The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter
-----
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! 🙏
-----
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 training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)
-----
Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
🏌️♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans
-----
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
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Follow Josh on social:
X/Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
YouTube: Josh Nichols Golf
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with performance coach and hypnotherapist Dawn Grant to unpack the true nature of "the zone." While many think of it as a purely mental state, Dawn reveals it as a spiritual and mental experience that goes far beyond traditional sports psychology. She shares how her work with hypnosis led her to discover that the peak performance state athletes describe is the same euphoric, calm, and focused state her clients enter during hypnosis.
Dawn explains that the zone is a natural state of mind, characterized by reduced critical thinking and the absence of worry, doubt, and fear. By learning to quiet the ego and its negative thought patterns, we can deliberately tap into our true potential—not just on the golf course, but in every aspect of our lives. We discuss the value of failure as a roadmap for growth, the importance of a healthy mindset, and why the "post-segment routine" is key to building lasting confidence and joy.
Topics & Timestamps:
The Zone as a Peak Performance State (00:00 - 02:58)
The Post-Segment Routine (10:13 - 14:00)
Building Confidence Deliberately (14:50 - 17:13)
Applying Mental Training to Life (17:19 - 21:09)
Effective Visualization in the Post-Shot Routine (22:26 - 25:21)
Taming the Ego and Realistic Affirmations (25:21 - 28:12)
Striving for Joy and Presence (28:12 - 32:24)
Mental Training as Human Psychology (32:24 - 39:18)
Conscious vs. Subconscious Mind in Performance (39:18 - 53:49)
The Role of Faith and Letting Go (53:49 - 59:02)
Dawn Grant's Resources and Free Content (59:53 - 01:00:48)
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Dawn Grant:
🌐 DawnGrant.com
📱 MindMastered.com
📘 7 Strokes In 7 Days
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📧 Sign up for The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter
-----
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! 🙏
-----
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 training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)
-----
Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
🏌️♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans
-----
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
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Follow Josh on social:
X/Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
YouTube: Josh Nichols Golf
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Scottie Scheffler has been on a ridiculous run. And at the risk of recency bias, I want to try to glean something from the way Scottie goes about playing the game. Specifically his mentality and his relationship with golf. He's a fascinating case study that we're getting to watch in real time.
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📧 Sign up for The Mental Re-Grip free weekly newsletter
-----
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! 🙏
-----
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 training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)
-----
Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:
🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course
🏌️♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans
-----
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