The Mental Golf Show

John Dunigan is the cofounder of the Practice Golf Coach app. I haven't used the app personally yet, but one of my mental coaching clients uses it and he swears by it. He's sent me screenshots and it looks awesome. It uses AI combined with John and cofounder Dr. Will Wu's expertise and experience to build you custom workouts that change with you as you enter in more data. I'll have to check it out. But this was an awesome conversation with John. He's extremely passionate about golfers practicing better and having a more well-rounded view of their game and improvement. Which is a soapbox I've been standing on for a long time, before and since starting this podcast. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 - Thinking Too Much About the Golf Swing 08:42 - Embrace Golf Like a Roller Coaster 16:58 - Fairways & Fundays ad 20:24 - Bigger Picture Perspective Enhances Acceptance of Outcomes 25:39 - Does the Golf Swing Matter? 32:13 - Shot Pattern ad 34:41 - Should We Strive for Consistency in the Golf Swing? 40:00 - Golf is Hard. Make Your Practice Just as Hard. 56:09 - Do Most Golf Instructors Teach the Wrong Things? 59:10 - Using a Golf Club as a Tool 1:01:51 - Errors are a Good Thing 1:05:40 - John Dunigan - Practice Coach app ----- John Dunigan's stuff: The Practice Golf Coach app John Dunigan on Instagram Website - johndunigangolf.com ----- Mentioned in this episode: 🍀 Fairways & Fundays - Ireland Golf Tours - Named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards in 2024 and 2025! If you’re interested in going on a golf trip to Ireland, send me an email and I’ll get you set up with them - josh@joshnicholsgolf.com 🏌️‍♂️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'. ----- Josh's stuff: 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter. 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 👨🏻‍🏫 Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com to work with Josh on your mental game. ----- Other podcast partners: 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. 🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! ----- 🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

Andy Gorman is ThePASS (The Putting And Shortgame Specialist). And this episode is truly all about putting. If you wonder why you don't putt better, whether you have the right putter for you, why you don't putt well under pressure, why you under-read so many putts, and then exactly how to address all of these things... then you're going to love this episode. Andy is both extremely knowledgable about the ins and outs of every detail of the putting stroke, but he's also able to consolidate that info into very simple practices, fundamentals, and feelings that will instantly help you putt better. I've already been trying some of the things he told me about and I feel much more comfortable and confident over putts. Pretty cool stuff. Here's a sample of the many topics we cover on this episode: How life pressure is tied to golf pressure The dangers of comparison to other players or the leaderboard The one fundamental key to improving putting What to think standing over a putt Should you change your putting technique? Is it better to be correct or consistent? Why was (is? 👀) Tiger so good at putting? How to stop under-reading greens The biomechanics of the putting stroke The 10-10 Drill to calibrate green speed and stroke length The psychology of putting pressure Putting yips ----- Andy Gorman’s stuff: Email: golf@andygorman.com WhatsApp: +447966235706 YouTube: Andy Gorman ThePASS Website: Andy Gorman Golf ----- Mentioned in the episode: 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- Josh's stuff: 📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter. 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 👨🏻‍🏫 Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com to work with Josh on your mental game. ----- Other podcast partners: 🏌️‍♂️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'. 🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! ----- 🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

📕 Click this link to get Cameron Strachan's book UNF*CK YOUR GOLF BRAIN, plus bonus videos, a pre-round cheat sheet, and more: https://bit.ly/ufygb-josh ----- Cameron Strachan was not a name I had heard before this. But when he reached out to me expressing interest in being on the show and shared his book UNF*CK YOUR GOLF BRAIN with me, I gave it a read and I was immediately hooked. I read over half of it in about 30 minutes. It's unlike any golf book I've ever read before. The best way I can describe it is a wakeup call to the golfer who is obsessed with mechanics and swinging "correctly" and looking good on camera. And despite what I've learned over the years I would put myself in that class of golfers. It's a refreshing read, and I encourage you to pick it up. This conversation with Cameron was equally refreshing. It's crazy to think that someone saying "just be yourself, let it rip, and go play" is controversial, yet it is. And it kind of broke my brain at times. I think you'll like this one. Here are some of the topics we cover: Balancing Golf and Family Life Freedom in Golf: Letting Go of Control Instruction vs. Coaching: What Actually Helps? Trusting Your Swing Mastery vs. Expertise in Golf Why Simplicity Wins in Golf Performance, Psychology, and Enjoyment What Makes Golf Legends’ Swings Unique Golf as a Journey of Self-Discovery Playing Freely: An Art Form Letting Go Is Harder Than You Think Giving Yourself Permission to Play Your Game Learning Without Losing the Joy The “Lazy and Stupid” Approach to Golf From Expert to Mastery: The Real Shift Trust and Self-Acceptance on the Course The Radical Idea of Playing Freely Simplifying Your Game, Elevating Your Results ----- Mentioned in the episode: 🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. ----- Josh's stuff: 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter. 👨🏻‍🏫 Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com to work with Josh on your mental game. ----- Podcast partners: 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there. 🏌️‍♂️ Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.   

I had the pleasure of hosting Alex Fortey on the podcast. Alex is a content creator with over 300,000 subscribers on YouTube (The Art of Simple Golf). He's a pro golfer with some very strong opinions on the golf industry and golf instruction, and has some very honest takes on how to make golf simpler. Some of the topics we cover: The Complexity of Golf Instruction Understanding the Disconnect in Golf Performance The Importance of Setup in Golf Simplifying Golf: The Art of Simple Golf The Psychological Aspects of Golf Overcoming Fear and Embracing Authenticity The Journey of Improvement in Golf The Pursuit of Perfection in Golf The Role of Expectations in Performance Finding Joy in the Game of Golf The Impact of External Perceptions The Power of a Simple Checklist Reducing Variables for Better Performance The Balance of Enjoyment and Competition Future Goals and the Fear of Failure Alex Fortey's YouTube channel: The Art of Simple Golf ----- Mentioned in the episode: ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- 📧 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'. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

Is chasing consistency actually hurting your golf game? In this episode, I’m joined by Brendon Post — a longtime competitive player, coach, and caddie with decades of experience at the college and professional levels. Brendon brings a rare perspective from living on both sides of the rope: competing under pressure and watching the game with total clarity as a coach and caddie. Topics covered: Why your ability doesn’t disappear under pressure — your ability to access it does How “tournament mode” creates mental clutter and breaks down trust Why easy shots often produce more fear than hard ones The danger of chasing repeatability and “perfect” ball striking How acceptance has to be credible to actually work Why messy golf can still produce low scores The caddie/coach perspective vs. the player perspective Swing thoughts vs. feels (and why it’s completely individual) Course management as a true separator at higher levels What to prioritize when time is limited: body, mind, and putting — not panic practice This one genuinely changed how I think about practice and performance under pressure. ----- 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there 🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

I had the honor of hosting Steven Yellin on the podcast. Steven is an author of the book Simplicity. He holds some very strong positions on how good golf must be played. But he claims they aren't his ideas, they are just the way the brain and the body work. I truly can't spell it all out here, you'll have to listen to know what I'm talking about.  If you like this podcast in general, you're going to love this conversation with Steven Yellin. ----- Steven Yellin's links: Website: stevenyellin.com Book: Simplicity: The Fluid Motion Factor Golf Program ----- 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 🏋️‍♂️ Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.   

🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. ----- I used to always play golf with a ton of fear. And frankly, I still play golf with fear. But not as much as I once did, thanks to an understanding of some of the core reasons we as humans encounter fear. In this episode, you will learn what the core sources of human fear are, why we fear those things, how that relates to golf, and a solution for dealing with and extinguishing each of the core sources of human fear. I'm confident you will leave this episode with a better understanding of yourself, your tendencies, and having new tools to play better golf. ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 🏋️‍♂️ Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.   

I had the great honor of hosting Dr. Gio Valiante for a conversation that had me thinking from the moment he started talking. Something about the way Dr. Gio explains things makes me feel like golf is on the one hand deep and rich and complex, but on the other hand incredibly simple and fundamental to who we are as humans. His grasp of human psychology is aspirational, so it's no wonder he's been a pillar of the golf psychology arena for decades. I know you'll enjoy this episode, and I'm confident you will leave this episode with a deeper understanding of your golf game as well as yourself and why you do what you do on and off the course. Topics: Is Fear the Root of Most Mental Game Problems in Golf? Fear, Flow, and the Full Spectrum of Golf Psychology What Fear Does to Skill, Decision-Making, and Performance Why Golf Creates Fear: Social Judgment and the Human Brain Mastery Orientation vs. Ego Orientation in Golf How Golf Shifts from Love of the Game to Results and Approval Embarrassment, Shame, and the Conditioning of Fearful Golf Why Ego-Driven Golf Makes Flow States Unlikely What It Means to Compete in Golf—and Who You’re Really Competing Against Playing the Golf Course: Targets, Process, and Task Focus ----- Dr. Gio Valiante's books on Amazon: Fearless Golf: Conquering the Mental Game Golf Flow: Master your mind, Master the course ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- 🏋️‍♂️ Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.   

🏋️‍♂️ Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! ----- I worked with Matt Myers at Nerd Fitness for the entirety of 2025 as my personal trainer. But far beyond building workout plans and keeping me accountable to nutrition goals, he was a partner on a journey. I know for a fact I would be so far off course from where I started 2025 had I been trying to go it alone. I can say without exaggeration that Nerd Fitness has changed my life. Matt and I want to do quarterly updates through 2026, so this is Q1 2026 Update. ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

I've done a goal-setting episode at the end of every year for the past 6 years, but I don't think I've ever done a review of the year that just ended. This episode will show you a simple, proven way to review your year (or your day or your round of golf) that you can and should use. And I of course set some golf and podcast goals for 2026, which I think can help you do the same. ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- 🏋️‍♂️ Nerd Fitness: Head to nerdfitness.com, and when (not if) you go through onboarding just mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

Steve Wheatcroft played professional golf for 19 years, almost all of those on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tour. In this episode we get into the experiences he had, the fallout of retiring, and the journey since.  Topics discussed: The Silence After Professional Sports Identity Beyond the Game The Balance of Passion and Profession Learning to Practice Effectively The Journey of Becoming a Golfer Self-Perception and Mental Challenges Lessons Learned and Advice for Others The Humor in Golf: A Lighthearted Approach The Feeling of Not Belonging: A Personal Journey Aspirations and Realities: The Golfing Dream The Pressure of Early Success: A Cautionary Tale The Long-Term View: Sustainability in Golf Careers Identity Beyond Golf: Finding Self-Worth Reflections on the Book: Cocktails and Range Balls The Identity Crisis After Golf Struggles with Alcoholism and Depression The Journey to Recovery Finding Purpose Through Storytelling Transitioning from Professional Golf The Mulligan Foundation: A New Hope Writing for Change: The Power of a Story ----- Steve Wheatcroft's links: Book: Cocktails and Range Balls: One's Too Many, Ten's Not Enough The Mulligan Foundation ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- 🏋️‍♂️ Nerd Fitness: Head to nerdfitness.com, and when (not if) you go through onboarding just mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here. ----- This year has been a monumental one for The Mental Golf Show. It's the most interviews I've ever done (33 up to this point) and I feel like my skill as an interviewer has drastically improved across this year, and certainly over the life of the podcast. So with guest episodes in mind, I wanted to pull out some of my favorite nuggets from interviews in 2025. I wanted to include so many more than this, but I also wanted the episode to be about an hour long so I landed on 9 guest nuggets (I said 8 in the pod intro, pardon my bad counting skills). Below are all the guests and their episode number so you can go back and listen to their full episode: Webb Simpson: What confidence is made of, how to grow it, and what hurts Webb's confidence (Episode 242) Dan Abrahams: How to get the most out of your ABCD Game (Episode 239) Jayson Nickol: Getting comfortable going low and eliminating “Anyway Shots” (Episode 238) Ross MacLeod: Is putting the most important part of the game? (Episode 244) Mike Booker: The difference between a “Tournament Golfer” and a “Golfer Who Plays Tournaments” (Episode 241) Gary Waters: The benefit of detaching yourself from your results (Episode 254) Lou Stagner: Where should players set their stat benchmarks? (Episode 236) Jim Waldron: What and how much should we be thinking about during the golf swing? (Episode 245) Dawn Grant: How do you maximize joy on the golf course? (Episode 250) ----- 🗓️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com/practice 🏋️‍♂️ Nerd Fitness: Head to nerdfitness.com, and when (not if) you go through onboarding just mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

🎓 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/practice 🏋️‍♂️ Nerd Fitness: Head to nerdfitness.com, and when (not if) you go through onboarding just mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. ----- Will Knauth is a +5 handicap U.S. Mid-Amateur competitor, a PhD student in Theoretical Statistics and Time Series Analysis, and he has opinions on how to play better golf. In this episode, you'll hear those opinions. I'm confident you'll leave here knowing more about the game with real things to try and having changed your thinking on different parts of golf. Will is one of my favorite guests because he has no skin in the game--he's not pushing or selling anything, he's not trying to build a personal brand... he's just a good golfer who's incredibly smart. I think you'll enjoy it. ----- Topics discussed: Two and a Half Years of Fighting the Hooks The Physics of Pushing vs. Pulling: Finding a New Swing Feel Swing Thoughts on the Course: Why Mental Chatter Isn't the Enemy Block Practice vs. Random Practice: The Internal Dialogue The Music Analogy: Distraction and the Sequence of Thoughts Bridging the Gap: Taking Your Range Game to the Course The Bottom of the Pendulum: Knowing When to Change Swing Thoughts Peaking for the US Mid-Am: Timing Your Game The Tale of the 13: A US Mid-Am Disaster Making Golf Work with a Demanding Life: Commitment and Sacrifice Time vs. Efficiency: There's No Substitute for Hours The Choice to Stay Competitive: What Are You Willing to Give Up? ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

🎓 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/practice 🏋️‍♂️ Nerd Fitness: Head to nerdfitness.com, and when (not if) you go through onboarding just mention Josh at The Mental Golf Show sent you. ----- David Buck is a former professional playing pro who’s competed on the Canadian Tour, mini tours, and traveled extensively across North America and internationally chasing the game. He now operates an engaged community through his brand Big Swing Kings, where he blends humor and real coaching, swing roasts, and totally unique ways of thinking about the game. And he says he does this all with the intent to help players play better and enjoy the game more. You can find David at these places: Youtube: Big Swing Kings TikTok: bigswingkings Instagram: bigswingkings Website: bigswingkings.com ----- 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. ----- In this FundaMENTALS episode, we look at how expectations add tension and narrow your options, and why shifting to clear standards helps you swing with freedom. I cover the basic brain mechanics, a simple process to use before each shot, and a few practical course examples. The goal is steadier decision-making and more durable confidence. ----- 🗓️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com/practice 🎓 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'. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- 🔥 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement 🗓️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans: Get more organized with your practice at joshnicholsgolf.com/practice 🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here. ----- What if your pain wasn’t just a body problem, but a brain and golf problem? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Carly Hunt—Mid-Am Golfer/Pain Psychologist and author of Train Your Brain to Beat Chronic Pain—to talk about how golf can both ease and amplify pain, why “it’s all in your head” is a terrible (and wrong) message, and how the brain’s alarm system actually works. We get into practical tools for playing with ongoing pain, navigating fear of re-injury, dealing with the identity grief of not being the golfer you used to be, and how to shift from fighting your body to working with it so you can keep playing the game you love. ----- Carly Hunt's links: Carly Hunt's Book: Train Your Brain to Beat Chronic Pain: How to Harness the Power of the Mind-Body Connection - https://www.amazon.com/Train-Your-Brain-Beat-Chronic/dp/1462558526 Pain Reprocessing Therapy - https://www.painreprocessingtherapy.com The Pain Psychology Center - https://painpsychologycenter.com/therapy-techniques Carly on LinkedIn Carly on Instagram Email Carly ----- 📧 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'. PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here. ----- How do you lean in when the round of golf starts going sideways? It’s so easy to eject mentally and just go through the motions. Let's dive into the concept of Exposure Therapy as a tool to build your mental resilience. ----- FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement 📧 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. ----- Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement ----- 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 Mastery The Power of Language in Self-Talk Building Confidence Through Action Understanding Fear and Success The Role of Beliefs in Performance Unlearning Limiting Beliefs Navigating Fear and Anxiety in Golf The Art of Unlearning for Success The Pressure of Expectations The Secret to Consistent Success The Secret to Extraordinary Success Challenging Societal Norms and Rules The Balance Between Success and Fulfillment Identity and Performance in Sports Communication and Relationships in Golf and Life ----- Paul Salter's Links: The Scratch Golfer's Mindset podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Instagram - thegolfhypnotherapist Website - thegolfhypnotherapist.com ----- 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. ----- Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

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. ----- The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here. ----- 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. ----- Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.   

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