Claim OwnershipThink Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance
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© 2026 Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance
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Serious golfer? You know you’ve got the talent—but your brain keeps getting in the way. Think Above Par helps you master the mental game of golf, stop overthinking, and quit worrying about what others think on the course so you can play calm, confident, and consistent golf every round.
If you’re a serious golfer who knows you’re leaving shots out on the course, Think Above Par is your go-to podcast for mastering the mental game of golf. Hosted by Kathy Hart —a former Tour player, Top 50 Teacher, and Certified Mental Coach—each episode helps you strengthen your golf mindset, manage pressure, and play calm, confident, and consistent golf.
You’ll discover why you underperform under pressure, how to stop overthinking your swing, and what to do when you’re worried about what others think on the golf course. Whether you struggle with performance anxiety, perfectionism, or negative self-talk, Kathy shares proven mental-game tools to help you unlock your talent, enjoy the game again, and lower your golf scores.
Learn how to think above par—so you can play below par. Subscribe now to your weekly dose of golf mindset coaching and start transforming your golf brain today.
278 Episodes
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What does winning golf really look like? In this episode, I’m breaking down the mindset of Maria Jose Marin after her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur—and giving you real, on-course examples of how she handled pressure, nerves, and her own thoughts. Because here’s the truth: she didn’t win by playing perfect golf. She won by managing this: Feeling nervous—and not making it mean anythingRiding emotional highs and lows without spiralingResetting with simple “caddy phrases” like breat...
Ever feel like you’re actually getting worse after working on your golf game? You take a lesson, spend time on the range, really try to improve… and then your scores go up—and your brain goes straight to, “What is wrong with me?” Yeah. We’re fixing that today. In this episode, I’m breaking down what I call the Aerated Green Effect—and why expecting great results while you’re changing your swing is one of the fastest ways to tank your confidence. You’ll learn: Why your golf game feels worse af...
Ever make the turn, realize you’re playing well… and suddenly everything feels tighter? Welcome to your back nine brain. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you go from playing freely to trying not to mess it up—and why that shift is what actually costs you the round. We’re talking about: Why your brain goes into “protect the score” modeThe sneaky difference between “I’ve got this” and “don’t blow it”How future-thinking kills your ability to swing freelyAnd the simple...
Got a tournament coming up and your brain is already spiraling? You’re not broken—your brain is just trying to protect you. In this episode, I’ll show you what’s actually happening when nerves kick in and give you a simple 5-step process to calm your mind, quiet the noise, and show up ready to play. Because it’s not about getting rid of nerves… It’s about not letting them run the show. If you’ve ever thought “I’m not ready” before a round—this is for you. How many shots is your mental g...
Ever feel like your brain turns against you on the golf course? One minute you’re standing over the ball… and the next your brain is yelling: Don’t hit it in the water. Don’t mess this up. Everyone’s watching. In this episode, I’m sharing a funny story about my husband assembling a bike rack without reading the instructions—and how golfers do the exact same thing with their brains. Here’s the truth: your brain wasn’t designed to help you shoot lower scores. It was designed to keep you alive. ...
Most of the fear you feel on the golf course doesn’t come from your swing. It comes from the questions you’re asking yourself. In this episode, I’m breaking down the sneaky “I don’t know” questions that spike anxiety, tighten your body, and send your brain into full-on threat mode. “Am I going to shoot under par?” “What are they thinking about me?” “Am I about to blow this round?” Your brain hates uncertainty. And when you ask questions you can’t actually answer, it fills in the b...
You’re putting in the reps. You’re taking lessons. You’re grinding on the range. So why does your tournament play still fall apart? In this episode, I’m breaking down why more practice alone won’t fix your performance under pressure — and why tournament golf exposes something completely different than your swing. Practice builds skill. But mental reps build belief. If you’re striping it on the range but tightening up in competition… if you’ve ever wondered why you can’t access your talent whe...
What makes someone enjoyable to play golf with? In this episode, we’re talking about golf etiquette, emotional maturity, and the real reason people want (or don’t want) to be paired with you. It’s not your handicap. It’s not your swing. It’s not your score. It’s your energy. Golf is four hours of emotional exposure. And whether you realize it or not, how you show up on the course affects your playing partners more than your double bogey ever will. We’ll dive into: The qualities that make some...
Ever play with someone who uses the rules like a weapon? Yeah… this episode is for that situation. Today we’re talking about mean girl energy on the golf course—rule enforcers who come in hot, loud, and intimidating (sometimes while being totally wrong). I break down why this behavior messes with your head, how it pulls you out of your game, and what’s actually going on with the person doing the correcting. You’ll learn how to stay grounded, protect your focus, and stop letting someone ...
Ever played a great shot, walked up to tap it in, and watched the wind roll your ball 30 feet away? 😤 Yeah… we’re talking that kind of day. In this episode, I’m breaking down how wind messes with your mind—and what to do about it. You’ll learn why your brain freaks out in unpredictable conditions, how to stop arguing with reality, and what to focus on instead so you can stay calm, swing freely, and manage your round like a champ. If you're tired of letting the weather take over your game, thi...
You’ve got a caddy for your clubs—now it’s time to get one for your brain. In this episode, I’m introducing the Mental Caddy App, a new tool I created to help you track, train, and trust your golf mind like never before. We’re talking: – Pre-round prep to clear your head – Post-round reflections that actually help – A reality check for your expectations – Your Mental Golf Index (yep, like a handicap—but for your mind) – And a pocket-sized version of me giving you on-demand coaching Whether yo...
If you're skipping or rushing your pre-shot routine, you're leaving shots (and sanity) on the table. In this episode, I’m breaking down how your pre-shot routine does way more than get you set up—it builds your swing’s foundation and gives your brain something steady to lean on when pressure hits. You'll learn how to use it to create consistency, calm your nerves, and play with more trust over every shot. Whether you're on the tee box or the putting green, this one habit can change everything...
If you think being serious all the time makes you mentally tough, we need to talk. In this episode, I’m calling out a sneaky mindset mistake a lot of golfers make—confusing intensity with commitment. We’ll dig into why laughing at yourself on the course isn’t weakness—it’s actually a sign of mental strength. You’ll learn how your identity might be a little too wrapped up in your score, how to create space between a bad shot and your self-worth, and why loosening up can actually help you play ...
If you’re ready to take your golf mindset seriously this year, this episode is your game plan. I’m breaking down the 7 stages of mental game transformation every golfer goes through—from awareness to emotional regulation to true confidence—so you can stop relying on willpower and start creating real, lasting change. Whether you’re trying to drop your handicap, play more consistently, or stop the emotional rollercoaster after one bad hole, this episode gives you a clear path forward. You’ll le...
It’s a new year, and before you start chasing birdies, let’s talk about what’s really holding your game back—your attitude. In this episode, I’m bringing back one of the most-loved topics with a fresh 2026 twist: the four golf attitudes that quietly sabotage your confidence and performance. Whether you’re feeling negative, victimy, defeated, or a little entitled (don’t worry, I’ve been all four), this is your wake-up call. You’ll learn how to catch yourself in these mindset traps and penguin-...
Ever feel drained after a round—like the energy was off, even if your swing wasn’t? You might’ve had a bad apple in your group. In this episode, I’m talking about how just one negative person can bring down the whole foursome (and it might even be you). You’ll learn why emotions are contagious on the course, how to protect your mindset, and how to stay focused no matter who you’re paired with. If you’ve ever played with a mood killer—or been one—this one’s for you. How many shots is your ment...
Even if your clubs are collecting dust and your course is covered in snow, your golf brain doesn’t have to hibernate. In this throwback episode, I’m sharing 6 simple, powerful ways to work on your mental game off the course—no glove, no tee time, no problem. We’ll talk about managing negativity, handling emotions, setting intentions, and building real-deal confidence before the season even starts. Because here’s the truth: you don’t need 18 holes to train your brain. You just need a little aw...
You ever stand on the tee trying to fix the shot you hit two holes ago? Welcome to the club. In this episode, we’re talking about how your brain loves to bring past shots (and all the emotion tied to them) into the present—and how that kills your confidence and your scorecard. I’ll show you how to stop fighting your fade, start playing the shot you actually brought that day, and make smarter choices based on evidence—not ego. This is how you lower the pressure, clean up your headspace, and pl...
Ever feel so frustrated on the golf course that you want to quit? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with my client Karl Pelli to talk about his transformation from being angry for days after a round to learning how to work with his brain instead of against it. Karl shares how he discovered the mental game after hearing me on another podcast, and why golf lessons alone weren't solving his real problem—his experience on the course. You'll hear Karl's honest journey through the three...
What does it really take to see success on and off the course? In this episode, I’m talking with longtime client, Karen Rainey about what helped her go from frustrated to focused, both in golf and life. We break down the exact mindset tools she used, how she defines her wins, and why there's no magic checklist—but a whole lot of power in showing up, doing the reps, and being your own solution. Karen’s journey is full of wisdom, heart, and real-life application. Grab your mental caddy an...
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Love this! They way negative self talk hurts your game really resonates with me and as I've controlled this, I've seen a big improvement in my game and my enjoyment of the game. in regard to feeling our emotions, I've found Nelly Corda's use of the whoop app interesting. You'd have no idea that she was feeling anxiety until you see her pulse!! Jon Rahm alluded to this lack of change on his face when he thought his ball was OB. Nelly's pulse though!! lol! Mine must get up to 200 🤣🤣