Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance

<p><b>Serious golfer?</b> You know you’ve got the talent—but your brain keeps getting in the way. <em>Think Above Par</em> helps you master the <b>mental game of golf</b>, stop <b>overthinking</b>, and quit <b>worrying about what others think on the course</b> so you can play calm, confident, and consistent golf every round.</p><p>If you’re a serious golfer who knows you’re leaving shots out on the course, <b>Think Above Par</b> is your go-to podcast for mastering the <b>mental game of golf</b>. Hosted by <b>Kathy Hart </b>—a former Tour player, Top 50 Teacher, and Certified Mental Coach—each episode helps you <b>strengthen your golf mindset</b>, <b>manage pressure</b>, and <b>play calm, confident, and consistent golf</b>.</p><p>You’ll discover why you <b>underperform under pressure</b>, how to <b>stop overthinking your swing</b>, and what to do when you’re <b>worried about what others think on the golf course</b>. Whether you struggle with <b>performance anxiety, perfectionism, or negative self-talk</b>, Kathy shares proven <b>mental-game tools</b> to help you unlock your talent, enjoy the game again, and <b>lower your golf scores</b>.</p><p>Learn how to <b>think above par</b>—so you can <b>play below par</b>. Subscribe now to your weekly dose of <b>golf mindset coaching</b> and start transforming your golf brain today.</p>

When Someone Mentions Your Golf Score (and You Fall Apart)

Ever had a great round going until someone says, “Wow, you’re playing amazing today,” and suddenly… you can’t find the fairway? Yep, this one’s for you. In this episode, I talk about what really happens in your brain when someone mentions your score, your swing, or even the trouble up ahead—and why you can’t seem to shake it once you’ve heard it. I’ll walk you through how to take back control, stop giving other people the keys to your mental game, and stay focused on your shot, not their word...

10-22
10:13

How to Stop Overthinking and Start Trusting Your Golf Swing

Are you stuck in your swing thoughts or spiraling over your scorecard? You might just be in a learning stage—and that’s not a problem. In this episode, I break down the 4 stages of learning (for both your swing and your mental game) and how they show up on the course. You'll learn why overthinking happens, how to trust your skills, and when it’s time to stop micromanaging and start letting it fly. This one’s for every golfer who wants to feel freer, calmer, and more in control—without trying ...

10-15
11:15

The Mental Game SUCCESS Path: How Real Golfers Lower Scores and Play Confidently

Ever wonder what separates golfers who actually take their talent to the course from those who just hope it happens? In this episode, Coach Kathy walks you through the exact mental game SUCCESS Path her clients follow to create real results—lower scores, more confidence, and less frustration on the course. You’ll learn how to stop overthinking, manage pressure, and play calm, certain, and confident golf—every round. Success leaves clues, my friend, and these are the same steps real golfers us...

10-08
08:55

Track Your Mental Game — And Watch Your Scores Drop

Join Your Mental Caddy today Ever notice how you stop doing the very thing that helps your golf the most? In this episode, I share a live coaching clip all about CCC golf — Calm, Certain, Confident. When you track how many shots you hit from your best mental state, your scorecard starts to tell the truth: more CCC = lower scores. But here’s the catch — your brain loves to slip back into old habits. That’s why mental game work isn’t one-and-done. It’s a practice, just like your swing. In this ...

10-01
13:33

Pushing Boundaries: The Mental Courage to Compete in Golf

Ever felt too scared to sign up for a qualifier or show up for a tournament because you’re afraid of what might happen—or what people might think? This one’s for you. I’m talking about the courage it takes to put yourself out there, the mental drama that comes with it, and why sitting on the sidelines doesn’t keep you safe—it just keeps you stuck. You’ll hear a powerful client story (shoutout to Becky!) and get real talk about fear, belonging, and finding your win, no matter what the scorecar...

09-24
08:52

How to Turn Around a Bad Start to Your Golf Round

Join me in Your Mental Caddy HERE Ever hit a couple off shots to start your round and immediately think, “Ugh, here we go…”? In this episode, I’m calling out the lie that a bad start means a bad round. I’ll show you how to stop letting the first few holes hijack your whole mindset, how to neutralize early mistakes, and why laughing it off (yes—even the coffee spill) might be your new secret weapon. Because one hole doesn’t get to decide your whole day. Continue your mental journey at Your Men...

09-17
09:40

When Can You Stop Working on Your Mental Game?

Join my community Your Mental Caddy HERE Think you’ve “graduated” from working on your mental game? Think again, friend. In this episode, we’re digging into why your brain keeps serving up negative thoughts—even when you thought you had this mindset thing down. You’ll learn why it feels like you're going backwards (you're not), what your brain is really designed to do (hint: not help your golf game), and why this work is a daily practice—just like your swing. No shame, no drama—just real talk...

09-10
12:05

Why You Put Too Much Pressure on Par 3s

For your next round, Your Mental Caddy is HERE Do you tense up on par 3s? Feel like you should par them all—or else? You’re not alone. This week, I’m breaking down the real reason you feel pressure on par 3s (hint: it’s not the yardage) and how to shift your mindset so these holes stop messing with your confidence. You’ll learn how to see par 3s as neutral, drop the “I should” drama, and finally play 'em with a clear head and a calm swing. Every shot counts the same—so let’s stop acting like ...

09-03
09:39

The Golf Wins That Actually Matter

Get your fastest wins at Your Mental Caddy HERE What if I told you your biggest golf wins might not have anything to do with a low score or shiny trophy? In this episode, I’m sharing real stories from my clients—from first-time college players to 80-something gold medalists—and the kind of wins we should be celebrating more. Spoiler: it’s not just about making the cut. It’s about managing your mind, handling pressure, showing up proud, and proving to yourself that you can do hard things. You’...

08-27
09:43

The Mental Edge You Won’t Find in Your Golf Cart GPS

Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Tech's making golf easier—but also making us a little mentally soft. In this episode, I’m talking about going old-school with your yardages and why doing your own dang math might be exactly what your golf brain needs. You’ll learn how using your feet (instead of your watch) helps quiet the noise, sharpen your focus, and get you back in the game—mentally and emotionally. Devices are handy, no doubt. But they’re not a substitute for awarene...

08-20
11:41

How to Practice Pressure Situations in Golf (the Right Way)

Think practicing pressure means grinding three-footers while imagining the club championship on the line? Sounds good in theory… but not how your golf brain works. In this episode, I’ll show you the right way to prepare for big moments on the course—by training your mind to pivot out of fear, doubt, and jitters into focus and freedom. You’ll learn how to spot the emotions that sabotage your swing, how to shift them fast, and how to build confidence you can actually trust when it matters most....

08-13
12:19

How Distance Chasing Sabotages Your Golf Swing and Confidence

You ever play with someone who hits it farther and suddenly your swing disappears? Yep, we’re talking about the sneaky mind game of chasing distance. In this episode, I’m breaking down why trying to keep up off the tee messes with your tempo, trashes your confidence, and takes you completely out of your own game. I’ll share a few Pro-Am stories (spoiler: fragile male egos ahead), and help you spot when your brain starts spiraling into “I’m not enough” mode. If you’ve ever gripped it and rippe...

08-06
13:12

What Scottie Scheffler Gets Right About Mental Golf (and You Can Too)

Join the NEXT Workshop Here Okay, I’m spilling the beans. This episode is my coaching confession—and it’s not really about your golf game. Sure, I love hearing you’re playing better, but what lights me up is when you shift your relationship with yourself. If you’ve ever felt like your score determines your worth or you beat yourself up after a round, this one’s for you. We’ll talk Scotty Scheffler, self-worth, and why the number on your scorecard should never decide how you treat yourself. Re...

07-30
10:35

The 55 Thoughts Every Golfer Has (You’re Not Alone)

Don't miss it! Join the Master Your Golf Brain Workshop Live HERE Ever feel like you’re the only one who overthinks tee shots, spirals after a bad hole, or panics when people are watching? You're not. In this episode, I’m sharing 55 real, raw mental challenges from golfers of all levels—yep, from juniors to 70-year-olds, scratch players to 30 handicaps. You'll see yourself in this list and realize: you're not broken, you're just human. We talk about why your brain does what it does, why...

07-23
10:13

End Golf Frustration: Set Realistic Expectations for a Stronger Mental Game

Join Your Mental Caddy and start playing to your potential today: 👉 https://YourMentalCaddy.com In this episode, you’ll learn how to master your golf mindset with a simple expectations exercise that transforms your mental game. This clip comes from a LIVE Master Your Golf Brain workshop I taught recently at a private club. This is just one small section where we explored why chasing “your best” only leads to frustration—and how gathering real data about your game helps you set realistic expec...

07-16
09:52

Drop the Dumbass Golf Talk and Boost Your Confidence

Join Your Mental Caddy and start playing to your potential today: https://YourMentalCaddy.com Ever call yourself a dumb ass after a bad shot and shrug it off like it’s no big deal? Hate to break it to you, but your brain doesn’t think it’s funny. In this episode, I’m sharing a story about my client who decided to drop her self-trash talk for just one round—and everything changed. She didn’t magically shoot a career low, but she actually enjoyed herself, felt proud, and even stuck around to so...

07-09
10:55

Why Golf F#@ks With Your Brain

Ever wonder why you feel calm on the range but like you’re fighting for survival on the course? In this episode, we break down how golf hijacks your brain—from fight-or-flight reactions and perfectionism to obsessing over what everyone thinks. Learn why golf feels so personal, why your nervous system goes haywire, and how to stop letting it mess with your head. If you’re tired of finishing 18 holes feeling exhausted and frustrated, this one’s for you. Tired of Underperforming? I'll walk you t...

07-02
10:53

How to Stop One Bad Shot from Ruining Three Holes

Ever hit one bad shot and watched it hijack the next three holes? You're not alone—and you're not broken. In this episode, I break down why it's not the bad shot that kills your round... it's what your brain does with it. We’ll talk emotional residue (yes, that’s a thing), your personal “green light” golf state, and how to stop swinging from frustration, shame, or pressure. Plus, I’ll give you a 60-second shot clock tool that'll help you move on, regroup, and get back to playing like the golf...

06-25
09:34

When You Can't Get Back to Positive on the Golf Course

You don’t have to be calm to play good golf—you just have to stop spiraling. In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional detour most golfers need but rarely take: neutral. Forget forcing positivity or faking chill. That doesn’t work (and your brain knows it). Instead, I’ll show you how to recognize when you're in a mental spin, and how to shift into neutral—a place that’s steady, honest, and totally playable. This is the mindset move that keeps your round (and your head) from going off...

06-18
08:59

The 5 Things Your Brain’s Doing Between Shots

What’s your brain up to between shots? If your answer is “uhhh… spiraling?”—you’re not alone. In this episode of Think Above Par, Coach Kathy walks you through the 5 most common (and completely normal) things golfers do mentally after a less-than-stellar shot—and why most of them aren’t helping you hit the next one any better. From chasing swing squirrels 🐿️ to mentally roasting yourself like it’s open mic night, you’ll learn how to interrupt the noise and give your brain a better job between...

06-11
12:34

Stacey Leigh

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 🤣🤣

06-27 Reply

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