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The Golfing Mind
The Golfing Mind
Author: Robin Sieger
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© 2026 The Golfing Mind
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Insights to understanding the mental game of golf, with advice, tips, instruction and instant techniques you can apply to your game. From best selling author of Silent Mind Golf and two other books on the mental game. These are short reflections and instructions for golfers of all levels, from beginner to PGA Tour Pro
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As another compelling season of golf draws to a close, The Golfing Mind takes a step back to reflect, evaluate, and look ahead. In this special one-hour End of the Year Review, we examine the professional game, the trends that shaped performances at the highest level, and the lessons serious golfers can take from them.
From shifting tour dynamics and the evolving influence of LIV Golf, to standout players, major championships, and the mental attributes that consistently separate the best from the rest, this episode offers a clear, considered overview of where the game is—and where it is heading.
Looking forward to 2026, we explore emerging themes in preparation, mindset, technology, and competition, and discuss what both elite professionals and committed amateurs should be paying attention to over the coming year. Which players appear poised to take the next step? And how is the modern game continuing to challenge traditional thinking?
Joining me is long-standing friend of the podcast Bob Ross, who brings his trademark clarity and insight to the discussion. Bob shares his reflections on the season just gone, and his perspective on what will truly make the difference in 2026.
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We all want to play better golf—lower the handicap, hit it longer and straighter, and stay rock-solid when the pressure turns up. And in pursuit of that dream, we raid the piggy bank for the latest gadget, club, graphite tee, or miracle shoe promising extra backspin.
But be honest… how often has that truly transformed your game? The initial excitement fades, old habits creep back, and the breakthrough never quite arrives.
Sometimes what we need isn’t new equipment—it’s inspiration. Something that refuels our motivation, sharpens our focus, and reminds us why we believe we can get better.
In this week’s episode, I share some of the stories that have inspired me most over the years—plus a special offer exclusively for podcast listeners.
Tune in, recharge your mindset, and rediscover what’s possible in your game.
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Welcome to The Golfing Mind, where we delve into the psychology behind exceptional golf and explore the critical aspects of the mental game and mindset that transform ordinary players into winners.
This week, we’re diving deep into three aspects that shape every great round. These are the invisible forces that separate the great from the merely good. When your mind drifts, your game follows. But when you can stay calm, focused, and emotionally balanced — every shot has a chance to be your best.
If you’ve ever wondered why you can stripe it on the range and struggle on the course, this episode is for you. By the end, you’ll understand how mastering your attention, ego, and emotions can transform not just your golf — but the way you think, feel, and perform under pressure.
Let’s get started — and discover how a quiet mind creates world-class golf.
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Welcome to The Golfing Mind, the podcast that explores the psychology of golf and the mental habits that separate great players from the rest.
Every golfer, from club amateur to major champion, knows what it feels like to lose confidence. One week, the swing feels effortless, the next it’s as if you’ve forgotten how to play. It’s a lonely, frustrating place — but it’s also part of the game. What matters isn’t avoiding slumps, it’s knowing how to recover from them.
In today’s episode, we’re looking at how to rebuild self-belief when your confidence has faded. We’ll explore the mental traps that make slumps worse, practical steps to restore trust in your swing, and how great players — from Rory McIlroy to Rickie Fowler — found their way back after setbacks.
Confidence isn’t a mysterious gift reserved for the lucky few. It’s something you can rebuild, step by step, with the right mindset and habits. So if you’ve ever stood over the ball thinking, “What happened to my game?”, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about how to rediscover your belief — and your best golf.
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Welcome to The Golfing Mind, where we explore the mental game behind great golf. In today’s episode, The Extraordinary Power of Focus, we look at what separates the best players in the world from the rest — their ability to stay completely present, no matter what’s at stake. Focus is more than concentration; it’s the art of silencing distraction, calming the mind, and trusting the moment. Think of Tiger Woods on one leg at Torrey Pines, Jordan Spieth’s remarkable recovery at Royal Birkdale, or Collin Morikawa’s calm precision on the final tee at St George’s — each a masterclass in FOCUS under pressure. We’ll explore what science tells us about focus, how it shapes performance, and how you can strengthen it in your own game. Because in golf, as in life, success rarely belongs to the strongest — it belongs to the most focused
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Golfing Mind, where we explore one of the most defining elements of performance — how we manage pressure. Whether you’re standing over a five-foot putt to win the club medal or facing a high-stakes moment in your career, pressure reveals who we truly are. In this episode, we’ll break down the 10 key aspects of managing pressure, both on the golf course and in everyday life. From mindset and preparation to emotional control and self-belief, we’ll uncover what separates those who crumble from those who stay composed when it matters most. Drawing on insights from sport psychology, real-world examples, and lessons from the world’s best players, this episode will help you strengthen your mental resilience and perform at your best when the stakes are high.
Tune in — because mastering pressure isn’t just about golf; it’s about mastering yourself.
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Welcome back to The Golfing Mind.
This week, we turn our attention to one of the greatest sporting contests in the world — last week's Ryder Cup. More than just a golf tournament, it is a battle of wills, character, psychology, and teamwork. Every two years, we see the best players from the United States and Europe step onto the same fairways, but what makes this event so fascinating is that talent alone doesn’t decide the outcome.
The Ryder Cup is about pressure — the kind of
pressure you can’t buy, practice, or even fully prepare for. It’s about how
players handle expectation, how they fit into a team, and how they adapt when every shot matters, not just for themselves, but for their teammates and their continent.
In today’s episode, I want to go beyond the scoreboards and statistics, and look at the mental game. We’ll explore five key psychological differences between the American and European players, five ways the teams differ in how they bond and function, and five contrasts in their playing styles that can often determine who lifts the trophy.
So, let’s dive into the mind of the Ryder Cup.
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Welcome back to The Golfing Mind. I’m your host, and with me today are Bobby Ross and Mike Kershaw. As we approach the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, we’ve got a lot to unpack: captains, strategies, pairings, and – of course – our prediction.
On the U.S. side, Keegan Bradley leads the charge. He’s confirmed he will not serve as a playing captain, choosing instead to concentrate fully on leadership. He’s also close to solidifying his pairings, signalling that much of his game plan is already mapped out.
Europe, meanwhile, is captained again by Luke Donald, returning for back‐to‐back Ryder Cups after the 2023 win. His team is almost identical to the one in Rome, with only one change: Rasmus Højgaard replacing his twin Nicolai. Donald’s picks are designed for cohesion and experience, with several pairings we expect to stay together through critical sessions.
As for pairings, Europe looks likely to lean on combinations like Rahm-Hatton, McIlroy-Fleetwood, Åberg-Hovland, and Lowry-Straka in the foursomes and fourballs. Golfmagic The U.S. pairing sheet is more uncertain, but expect strong-performing veterans to be matched with rising stars – perhaps Thomas with Morikawa, or Scheffler with Burns.
So, what will the final score be?
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Welcome back to The Golfing Mind. Today, we're diving into what really swings the balance in the Ryder Cup — not just drives and putts, but something deeper: the mind. In this episode, Robin Sieger explores the psychological undercurrents that can make or break performance in match play, especially in those tense singles sessions.
We’ll explore how crowd energy—those roaring galleries, partisan cheers, even the hostility—can amplify nerves or fuel momentum. Expectation comes next: the weight of history, national pride, captain’s picks, and media narratives all pile on long before the first tee shot. Then there’s pressure—not just from opponents or course, but from the self: fears of letting teammates down, faltering under the spotlight, or slipping in form where it counts.
Speaking of form: recent performances, winning or losing streaks, momentum through the week — these build or erode confidence. And confidence itself, entwined with self-belief, determines whether a player goes for a risky shot, stays calm after a bad hole, or folds under tension. By the end, we’ll give you our verdict: which players we think will thrive psychologically, which ones might crack, and who might tip the final score in their team’s favour based on mental strength more than golf swing.
So tighten your grips, because this episode is about what you think as much as what you swing.
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Welcome back to The Golfing Mind, the podcast that looks beyond the swing and dives into the psychology, strategy, and subtle mechanics that shape this beautiful and frustrating game.
Today’s episode is called The Three Faults That Cause You to Miss Short Putts—and if you’re an average golfer, you already know the sting of watching a simple two-footer slide past the hole. Nothing derails confidence faster than missing what should be the easiest shot in golf. But why does it happen so often?
While many golfers rush to fix mechanics—grip, stroke, alignment—the truth is most short-putt failures come from the mind, not the body. Pressure, nerves, and self-doubt creep in, and what should be a routine tap-in suddenly feels like a life-or-death trial. In the first half of this episode, I’ll explore the three biggest mental traps that cause golfers to miss short putts, and I’ll share practical ways to overcome them.
Then, in the second half, we’ll look at some of the more common mechanical errors—things you can check and adjust quickly to give yourself a better chance of holing out.
So, let’s get started and tackle those short putts head-on.
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This week, we delve into Tommy Fleetwood's latest heartbreaker at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Despite holding a five-shot lead midway and a two-stroke advantage with five holes remaining, Fleetwood faltered late, finishing tied for third. This marks his 46th top-10 finish without a PGA Tour win, a record dating back to 1983 . What can he do to fix this scenario, Robin discusses.
Yet, there's a silver lining: Fleetwood has secured his spot on Team Europe for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, joining Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy . As we preview the September showdown, we assess Europe's prospects of clinching a rare away victory and examine the dynamics within Team USA under player-captain Keegan Bradley.
Stay tuned as we explore the narratives shaping golf's most intense competition.
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Welcome back to The Golfing Mind, the podcast that explores the inner game of golf—where performance begins between the ears, not just between the fairways.
This week, we're diving deep into the mindset of the man who’s dominating the game like few others have in recent years—Scottie Scheffler. Calm, consistent, and quietly competitive, Scheffler isn’t just winning tournaments—he’s redefining what mental toughness on the golf course looks like.
So what makes him tick? What’s going on behind that steady demeanour and unshakeable rhythm? In this episode, I’ll unpack the psychological traits, routines, and mental habits that set Scheffler apart—and more importantly, I’ll share how you can apply some of those same mental tools to improve your own game, whether you're playing in a Major Championship or simply trying to beat your friends.
Let’s get into it—because if golf is a game of inches, most of them are in your head.
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Welcome to this week’s Golfing Mind. In this special episode, “THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW 2025,” we’re turning our focus to the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush, set for July 17–20. Whether you’re a casual fan or a serious bettor, we’ve got you covered with an expert breakdown of course conditions, player form, and our keenly awaited picks.
We’ll begin by mapping out Portrush’s signature challenges—the heaving dunes, strategic bunkers, and seaside wind patterns that demand precision off the tee and creativity around the greens. Next, we’ll analyze this year’s top contenders—our updated top‑10 list including Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm, defending champ Schauffele, and surprise sleepers like Hovland—with fresh angle predictions based on recent stats and Open history.
Joined from Salisbury, NC, by Matt Barr and from Atlanta, Georgia with Bob Ross, we delve deep and share our thoughts and observations.
So grab your earbuds, settle in, and let’s tune our mental “mindware” to the rhythm of Royal Portrush—because championship week is here, and the Golfing Mind is primed to unlock it all.
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Golfing Mind, titled “Why Exactly Do You Play Golf Anyway?” Today, we’re diving deep into the heart and soul of what drives us to pick up those clubs time and time again. Is it pure enjoyment—the simple thrill of watching that ball soar, the fresh breeze on the course, and that satisfying click of a perfect swing? Absolutely. But golf is so much richer than that.
For many of us, golf gives purpose: a challenge to master ourselves, a journey toward personal growth with every swing and every round. Each shot is a mini-mission, each hole a quest. It’s this pursuit of improvement—against the course, conditions, and even our own tendencies—that gives golf its powerful sense of purpose.
And let’s not forget the spirit of competitiveness. Some of us thrive on healthy rivalries: with our buddies on weekends, with ourselves in our best score, or even against a course that refuses to yield an easy round. That element of competition sharpens our minds and fuels that exhilarating love-hate relationship with par.
Finally, it’s all about fun. The laughter on the green, the stories shared on the 19th hole, the camaraderie that builds over bogeys and birdies alike—it’s these light-hearted moments that turn a golf outing into a cherished memory.
Join me as we explore how enjoyment, purpose, competitiveness, and pure fun blend together to answer the ultimate question: why do we play golf anyway?
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Welcome to this week’s episode of The Golfing Mind, where we’re diving into seven mental habits every golfer should adopt to improve their inner game. You don’t need to be a tour professional or work with a sports psychologist to benefit from these tips—each one is simple, practical, and proven to make a real difference. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or someone chasing a single-digit handicap, these habits will help you manage nerves, sharpen focus, and bounce back from those frustrating moments we all face on the course. The mental game is often the missing piece in golf improvement, and today we’re breaking it down into easy-to-use ideas that can be applied in your very next round. If you’ve ever walked off the 18th green thinking “I should’ve handled that better,” this episode is for you. Let’s get into the habits that separate good golfers from great ones.
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Welcome to a special edition of The Golfing Mind, where today we dive deep into the drama, triumph, and heartbreak of the 2025 U.S. Open at the legendary Oakmont Country Club. Joined by Omar Malik and Bob Ross, we give. Our thoughts and opinions on this year's championship. It lived up to every expectation, testing the nerves, skill, and resilience of the world’s best players on one of golf’s most unforgiving stages. From J.J. Spaun’s remarkable rise to victory and a clutch 64-foot putt on the final green, to the emotional collapse of pre-tournament favourites and the brutal conditions that defined the week, Oakmont delivered a masterclass in championship golf. In this episode, we break down the key moments, analyse the scoring trends across all four rounds, and explore what made this U.S. Open one for the history books. Whether you're a weekend golfer or a major championship junkie, there’s something here for every golfer.
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Welcome to this week's episode of The Golfing Mind, titled "The Problem with Practice."
Too often, golfers head to the range and hit balls mindlessly, hoping for improvement through sheer repetition. But without a structured plan, clear objectives, and focused intent, such practice can reinforce bad habits rather than eliminate them. By adopting a more purposeful approach to practice, you'll enhance your skills and build confidence and consistency on the course.
So, if you're ready to transform your practice sessions and see tangible improvements in your game, stay tuned. Let's explore strategies that can make your practice more effective and enjoyable.
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Welcome to this week's episode of The Golfing Mind podcast, where we delve into the highly anticipated 2025 U.S. Open Championship at the storied Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. As Oakmont prepares to host its 10th U.S. Open, the course's legendary challenges—lightning-fast greens, the infamous Church Pew bunkers, and unforgiving rough—promise a true test of skill and composure for the world's elite golfers.
Joining us are two esteemed contributors: Tom Needham, whose analytical insights have helped us pick the winner more often than not, and Bob Ross, bringing decades of experience and a deep appreciation for the game's nuances. Together, they'll dissect the field, highlight key contenders, and share their perspectives on who might rise to the occasion in this ultimate examination of championship golf. Stay tuned as we preview what promises to be an unforgettable tournament at one of golf's most hallowed grounds.
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Sadly, too often we fall out of love with golf. There are various reasons for this, which, if we are aware of them, perhaps we can avoid them taking hold and causing us to sentence our golf clubs to a lifetime of dust collection in the basement.
Many professionals, upon retirement, never play golf again; it was their job, their place of work, and they retired from work to pursue other activities, which makes perfect sense. But for the regular amateur to give up a game they once loved is something that need not be permanent. In today's podcast, we explore the reasons people fall out of love with the game and offer several suggestions and strategies to rekindle that love affair.
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Hello and welcome back to The Golfing Mind, where we delve into the mental, physical, and emotional facets of the game we all cherish. Today, we're privileged to have a guest whose expertise bridges the worlds of medicine and golf.
Dr. Omar Malik is a distinguished Consultant Neurologist at Imperial College London. Beyond his medical credentials, Dr. Malik is a passionate golfer with a profound understanding of amateur and professional play. Notably, he has served as the Captain of the esteemed Royal St George's Golf Club.
Dr. Malik's contributions to the sport extend beyond the fairways. He has been instrumental in pioneering research on golf's health benefits, co-authoring influential studies that highlight how the game can enhance physical and mental well-being. His work has been recognised internationally, underscoring golf's positive impact on overall health.
Today, he joins Robin for an informal interview where they discuss all things golf.
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