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 Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
On today’s episode we’re talking about the yips. How do yips start, why do they continue, and how to systematically get rid of them.
You’re going to hear me use the word yips a lot in this episode, which might at first make you feel uncomfortable. But I believe naming it, talking about it openly, and facing your fears can destigmatize it in your own mind. So hang there and lean into it.
And this isn’t just about the yips. This applies to anytime your fear of an outcome takes over and causes you to hit bad shots. Which is a much broader issue that we all face, even if you don’t struggle with the yips specifically.
So let’s dig in and learn how to get rid of the yips.
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
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Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
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Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
On today’s episode we have Henry Shimp. He recently graduated from playing at Stanford. His scoring average was 72.45 across 120 rounds, he was PAC 12 scholar athlete of the year in 2022. He was part of Stanfords NCAA team victory in 2019. And he now runs a golf podcast called The Tie. It’s a fascinating podcast where he and his co host Walker Simas talk with a wide variety of people about their tie to golf.
This episode is a little different. We take our time getting to the nitty gritty of golf psychology but I think this is a very interesting conversation about Henry as a person and golfer and how his relationship with the game has changed throughout the years. But we get into some really good stuff with Henry’s battle with his chipping and how mental it’s become so hang in there for that.
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Henry Shimp:
The Tie Podcast
Henry Shimp on Twitter
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
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Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
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Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
I have one major regret from when I finished runner-up in the 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur, and we talk through it on this episode.
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
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Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
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Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
"Dr. J" Jason Novetsky joins The Mental Golf Show.
He's notably the mental coach for the Chasing Scratch guys.
On this episode he talks talk pressure, emotions, identity as a person/golfer, and much more.
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Dr. Jason Novetsky's links:
Website: www.champmindset.com
Twitter: @jsnovetskyphd
Instagram: @champion_mindset_group
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
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Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
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Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
On this episode, we talk about meditation. What is it? How to do it? Why should I do it? How will it help my golf game?
And if you’re interested in nerding out with me and want to read more about the benefits of meditation/mindfulness practice, here’s the best research paper I’ve personally read about it:
Meditation experience is associated with difference in default mode network activity and connectivity
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51825876_Meditation_Experience_Is_Associated_with_Differences_in_Default_Mode_Network_Activity_and_Connectivity
And here’s an excerpt from Raymond Prior’s book on just a “few” of the benefits mindfulness practice can have on you as a person:
“A massive body of research shows people who practice mindfulness tend to be happier, more optimistic, more hopeful, and more fulfilled with their chosen crafts. They are more satisfied with their lives and grateful for what they have. They are less anxious, stressed, fearful, and depressed. They are less likely to repeatedly fall into unproductive habit loops and lose control in stressful environments. They are more emotionally intelligent and emotionally agile, allowing them to respond to negative emotions more effectively. They are more likely to engage in behaviors that lead to better health and higher performance related to physical fitness, nutrition, and sleep. They are physically healthier, have stronger immune systems, and even get fewer colds. They are more motivated to pursue passions and interests. They are more conscientious and openminded, leading to faster and better learning. They’re more resilient when faced with challenges and show more grit when pursuing endeavors that are important to them. They are more forgiving, empathic, and are better able to see other’s perspectives. They have closer and more functional relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners.
“Oh, and people who practice mindfulness are more composed under pressure and have more stable confidence.
“In the coming years, mindfulness practices will be as common, and required, for sport and performance as strength and conditioning training because the positive impacts are measurable and undeniable; those who don’t understand and don’t practice mindfulness will be left lagging behind.”
Dr. Raymond Prior. Golf Beneath the Surface (Kindle Locations 977-986). Kindle Edition.
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Meditation - here's a Breath-Centered Mindfulness Practice that I recorded for you to try.
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
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Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
On today’s episode we have Sasho MacKenzie
Co-Founder of The Stack System swing speed trainer
Biomechanist
Professor
Works 1-on-1 with some of the best players in the world
Has worked directly with Matt Fitzpatrick on making dramatic gains in his distance
He’s not directly related to golf psychology, but there’s a lot here that can help you think differently about your improvement.
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Sasho MacKenzie on Twitter: @SashoMacKenzie
The Stack System: thestacksystem.com
The Stack System FAQ page
Just Google Sasho
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
-----
Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
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Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
On this episode we have Raymond Prior yet again. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for any length of time you know who he is. But in case you haven’t he is a performance consultant to high performers in many different industries, and works with player at the top of the golfing world.
As you’ve probably heard me talk about before, he is dropping his new book Golf Beneath the Surface: The New Science of Golf Psychology. It will be available May 9 so the link to go grab it is below.
We get into a ton as always but here's some of the interesting topics we get into:
Why Tiger gives such good chipping lessons
Can you force yourself to think perfectly during the golf swing?
Why labelling things as good and bad is unhelpful
What can you do to change bad golf habits?
What is “being present” and why is it important?
The risk of pursuing pro golf
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Raymond Prior, PhD:
Raymond Prior's website: btsmindset.com
Amazon book- Golf Beneath the Surface: The New Science of Golf Psychology
Raymond Prior, PhD on Twitter: @bts_mindset
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
-----
Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
-----
Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
On today’s episode we have Dr. Mike Grevlos.
He’s a speaker, consultant, performance coach to golfers, professor of motivation, performance, sport psychology, and neuroscience.
He’s also the author of The Motivation Game: A Course on the Psychology of Golf Improvement which has been an Amazon Bestseller in the Golf and Sport Psychology genre.
Some specific things he’s done that have stood out to me are his research on deliberate practice in college athletes and his articles on motivation and how it drives golfer’s decision making.
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Dr. Mike Grevlos's website - themotivationgame.com
Dr. Mike Grevlos on twitter
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
-----
Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
-----
Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
On this episode of The Mental Golf Show we have special guest Patrick Grimes. He's a former Stanford player, teammate and caddie for Patrick Rodgers, mini tour and PGA Tour player, and now swing and golf psychology coach.
We talk about his journey through the college and mini tour ranks, then we talk about how psychology came into play into the 2023 Masters with Rahm, Brooks, Rory, Tiger, and how it can all apply to your game.
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Patrick Grimes on instagram: patrickgrimesgolf
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
-----
Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
-----
Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
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Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
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Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Welcome to part 2 of 2 where Raymond Prior, PhD and I work through another set of common golf psychology myths.
If you haven't listened to part 1, I highly recommend it. In part 1 we talked about myths and cliches like “just be positive”, why distracting yourself is unhelpful, how you can’t just will the ball into the hole or make yourself focus, and it’s impossible to just forget a bad shot. We also had a little bonus at the end talking about block vs random practice and how much you should be challenging yourself in practice.
In part 2 we talk about what's deceiving about the common wisdom surrounding nerves and anxiety, perception vs. reality, muscle memory, pre-shot routines, alcohol helping your anxiety, sleep being optional, and we take a deep dive on the yips that you're not going to want to miss.
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Raymond Prior, PhD:
Raymond Prior's website: btsmindset.com
Amazon book- Golf Beneath the Surface: The New Science of Golf Psychology
Raymond Prior, PhD on Twitter: @bts_mindset
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Episode topics:
00:00 Intro
02:50 Myth # 4 - “Nerves = Anxiety”
14:12 Extra - Yips deep dive
20:35 Myth # 5 - “Perception is Reality”
26:40 Myth # 6 - “Muscle memory”
29:24 Extra - Pre-shot routines - Need em or not?
32:55 Myth # 7 - “Alcohol for 1st tee anxiety”
43:25 Myth # 8 - “I don’t need to sleep”
48:27 Extra - The best thing to do after you get a golf lesson
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Take the Mental Game Assessment and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement.
-----
Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ newsletter to receive golf psychology help in your email inbox every-ish Tuesday.
-----
Have a suggestion for a topic or guest? Drop your suggestions here.
-----
Prefer reading, but somehow found yourself here in audio land? Click here to check out the Foundations Mental Performance blog.
-----
Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Head to joshnicholsgolf.com or email Josh directly at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com.
-----
Follow Josh on social:
Twitter: @joshlukenichols
Instagram: @joshlukenichols
TikTok: @joshlukenichols
-----
Follow The Mental Golf Show on social:
Twitter: @mentalgolfshow
Instagram: mentalgolfshow
TikTok: mentalgolfshow