The expectation each time you step on the course is to play your best and shoot more pars than bogeys, right?

Expecting to play your best is the goal; however, your best differs day-to-day based on numerous variables.

A critical mistake I see many golfers make is setting rigid expectations that are incongruent and unrealistic with reality.

The result?

It’s a miserable experience of frustration, anger, envy, and poor performance.

In today’s episode, I’ll help you understand how a large space between expectation and reality may hold you back from shooting lower scores. I’ll offer tangible examples to help you clarify a more appropriate, fluid expectation and how to close the gap so you can play better golf.

Start listening.

P.S. I’m getting great feedback on this recent issue of the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter, which digs into cultivating the emotional resiliency necessary to shoot more pars than bogeys.

Check it out here.

Key Quotes:

• "It's the space between expectation and reality that is responsible for you remaining stuck in a downward spiral of negative self-talk."
• “Golf is not a game of perfect.”
• “Your false expectations are keeping you stuck in a state of anger, frustration, and envy.”

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

Are you curious to learn how hypnosis can help you shoot lower scores? Snag my free hypnosis audio recording today to help you play your best round tomorrow.

Download it here.

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers striving to shoot more pars than bogeys.

More Pars Than Bogeys Facebook Group.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @paulsaltercoaching
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Announcement
• 01:29 Golf as a Mirror of Life
• 04:54 Personal Golf Experience and Setting Expectations
• 08:25 The Gap Between Expectations and Reality
• 14:14 Consistency in Practice and Play
• 21:48 Narrowing the Gap: Staying Motivated and Focused
• 22:40 Conclusion and Call to Action

Meet Bryan Taylor - founder of Leaderboards of America, handicap golfer, multi-tournament winner, and someone who truly strives to reach his potential - while lifting up those around him - every single day.

Bryan didn’t start playing golf until the age of 30 - seriously! And since, he’s been on a path of greatness, including having won multiple tournaments and accumulating some wickedly low scores along the way.

In today’s conversation, we go inside the mind of Bryan to learn his take on the important of practice - and how to practice right - as well as how he implements a pre-round and pre-shot routine.

Bryan’s relationship toward improvement and dedication to learning about himself through the game of golf is nothing short of incredible.

Start listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Key Quotes:

• “Recognize that there is always room for improvement in golf and strive to constantly get better.”
• “Find ways to make practice more efficient and effective, such as visualizing shots and creating a practice course in your mind.”
• “Quality practice is more important than quantity. Focus on specific areas of improvement and be conscious of your practice.”
• “Reflect on your rounds and focus on the positives. Give yourself credit for the good shots and learn from the mistakes.”
• “Take time to emotionally offload after a round and be present with your family and loved ones.”

Leaderboards of America (LBA) is a leader in innovative and effective visual marketing solutions with a focus on point-of presence sponsorships at golf venues.

Years of extensive experience in the creation and construction of leaderboards and leaderboard sponsorships allows LBA to develop, design and deliver unique and impactful branding solutions that deliver real results for all types of businesses and organizations.

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:

The (Aspiring) Scratch Golfer’s Society.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @paulsaltercoaching
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Golf Journey
• 08:30 The Power of Quality Practice
• 15:47 Maintaining a Balanced Mindset
• 25:46 Reflecting on Rounds and Believing in Your Ability
• 30:06 Constantly Striving for Improvement

Golf is a game of emotional regulation.

If you cannot manage the accumulated emotions - from anger and envy to excitement and joy - then you’ll continue to shoot subpar scores relative to your potential.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn what emotion is, why you feel tension or tightness when experiencing an emotional reaction, and a simple, effective strategy to begin emotionally off-gassing during your rounds to remain locked into your flow state.

Start listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Key Quotes:

• "Emotional mastery is imperative if you wish to shoot more pars than bogeys."
• "You're not going to immediately salvage or fix the deep-rooted emotional problem by taking a couple extra hundred swings after a subpar round."
• "You've got to learn to better manage, regulate, identify, control your emotions."

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers striving to shoot more pars than bogeys.

More Pars Than Bogeys Facebook Group.

***

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @paulsaltercoaching
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps

• 00:00: Introducing the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter
• 02:06: The Importance of Emotional Mastery in Golf
• 04:08: The Impact of Unaddressed Emotions on Performance
• 09:51: The Rapid Reset Breath: A Strategy for Emotional Regulation
• 16:28: Read the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter for Valuable Insights

Meet Matt Doud, former caddie at Pebble Beach Golf Club in Carmel, CA, sub-five handicap golfer, and a Business Made Simple Coach in the Kansas City Metro Area.

In today’s episode, we go inside the mind of Matt to unpack the insights and learning lessons he gleaned from caddying for all of these years. You’ll learn about the critical mistakes most golfers make when it comes to course management, as well as how impactful errors in club selection can be.

Gulp - the latter one hit home for me.

We also discuss the mental approach necessary for a solid and consistent pre-shot routine, the role of identity in shaping who you are as a golfer (and the habits associated), and what you can do to find greater ease letting the past shot go as you focus on the present shot.

Start listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Key Quotes:

• "Okay, you get 10 seconds to feel how you want to feel about that shot. And then you have got to let the fucking thing go."
• "If you wonder why you're stuck shooting low nineties or high eighties and you aspire to shoot scratch, here's an easy way to likely shave off quite a few strokes without affecting your swing or even talking about pre-shot post-shot routines or anything. It's just simple course management."
• "Accept the outcome of that shot no matter what it was - immediately accept a shot mentally and emotionally and then start the routine over for the next one."

More About Matt Doud

Matt Doud, a certified Business Made Simple coach, is an early-stage Co-founder and Fractional COO based in the Kansas City Metro Area. Having discovered his passion for advising and coaching during his time as a caddie at Pebble Beach Golf Club in Carmel, CA, Matt pursued opportunities to utilize these skills professionally.

He began by leveraging his Economics and Business degree from Westmont College as a financial advisor in Portland, OR, before co-founding Pre-Approve Me, a residential mortgage software company, in 2013, where he served as COO.

Connect with Matt here.

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:

The (Aspiring) Scratch Golfer’s Society.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @paulsaltercoaching
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview
• 13:46 Matt's Golf Journey and Caddying at Pebble Beach
• 19:48 Managing the Margin of Error in Club Selection
• 21:35 Choosing the Right Shot on Hole 11 at Spyglass Hill
• 26:31 Handling Tournament Pressure with Trust and Decisiveness
• 32:23 The Impact of Practicing the Short Game
• 36:10 Separating Self-Worth from Golf Scores
• 40:33 Combining Golf and Business Coaching

At some point, it’s no longer a swing problem holding you back from shooting lower scores.

It’s a mindset problem.

Many golfers I work with are hesitant to admit that emotional and mental hazards of their mind are, in fact, present in their game.

And, if they are humble enough to admit it on their own, they often think self-talk and logic are enough to defuse the anger, frustration, tension, and inability to maintain focus that plagues their round.

Sure, that may work - at a snail’s pace (if at all).

But it will never get to the core of what’s really catalyzing the collection of sabotaging behaviors keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of performance.

If you want to experience rapid, effective change in how you manage emotions and maintain a confident, calm, and focused demeanor on the course, hypnosis is your answer.

In today’s episode, I’ll first discuss what hypnosis is not, before detailing what it is, how it works, and how it can help you shoot lower scores.

Start listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Want more detail and examples of how hypnosis is helping my clients shoot lower scores AND a free recorded hypnosis audio to help you play better?

Grab both of these free resources here.*

Note: this will be live in early June - if the site isn’t live when you attempt to grab it, simply send me a message on Instagram and I’ll send it your way.

Key Quotes:

• "Hypnosis is a powerful tool for transformation that can change the reality and the trajectory of your life really fast."
• "When you're in this hypnotic state, you bypass all of that noise, negativity and nonsense."
• "Your brain's ability to adapt, change, rewire, form new neural pathways and connections as you accumulate new experiences and learn new information."
• “The subconscious mind influences 95% of behavior, and hypnosis provides a shortcut to accessing and transforming it.”
• “Hypnosis allows golfers to bypass the critical judgmental voice of the conscious mind and directly connect with their subconscious, leading to rapid change and improved performance.”

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:

The (Aspiring) Scratch Golfer’s Society.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @scratchgolfermindset
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Meet Luke Barton, the Business Development Director for 360IT Partners who has a sub-four handicap.

Luke’s golf journey began by grabbing a bag of clubs that was left out with his neighbor’s trash. It was this curiosity that sparked an incredible rise in his skill and a drop in his score as he began to play the game of golf. And, just last week, Luke carded his lowest score ever - a 69 at one of his local courses in Virginia Beach.

In today’s episode, we go inside the mind of Luke to learn and unpack the value he places in continuing to improve his mental game. Specifically, Luke digs into the importance of curiosity and preparation in course management strategy, and discusses the role of what we inevitably refer to as Big Driver Energy (BDE) and the ego off the tee box.

He also highlights major mental game and physical game changes that helped him move from a high 80s player to a consistent low 70s player.

Start Listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Key Quotes:

• "Investing in the mental game is crucial for success in golf."
• "Balancing ego and strategy is important to avoid counterproductive outcomes."
• "Curiosity and course management can greatly impact decision-making on the course."
• "Getting fitted for equipment can make a wildly large difference."

Learn more about Luke and his work at 360IT Partners.

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:

The (Aspiring) Scratch Golfer’s Society.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:

Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.

https://golfmindsetcoaching.com/scratch-golfers-playbook/

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @scratchgolfermindset
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Warm-Up
• 03:03 Investing in the Mental Game
• 07:53 Balancing Ego and Strategy
• 11:43 Curiosity and Course Management
• 15:37 Taking Inventory: Physical and Mental State
• 23:37 Managing Pressure and Performing Well in Tournaments
• 26:15 Course Management and Strategy for Better Results
• 35:08 The Power of Asking for Help and Being Self-Aware
• 37:23 Cultivating a Calm and Focused Mindset for Better Golf Performance

If you’ve ever readied yourself for a shot by executing your entire pre-shot routine, yet, felt that at the last moment, something was “off,” yet, hit the shot anyway…

You are guilty of the anyway shot.

And, this shot may be costing you as many as 6 - 10 (or more strokes) per round!

In today’s episode, I detail the anyway shot: what it is, why it happens, how it effects your game, and actionable steps you can take to do it less often.

I also update you on the next round of nine holes I played, my continued swing progress, and where in the game of golf I feel I’m making strong strides.

Start Listening.

***

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.

Each week, I’ll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

***

Noteworthy Sound Bites:

"An anyway shot is any particular situation you find yourself in where you know that something is off. Something is not quite right, almost as if there is a crack in your metaphorical pre-shot routine armor. Yet, you hit the shot anyway."

"My estimate is you might hit at least five to 10 anyway shots throughout an entire 18-hole round. That could be five to 10 different strokes you could potentially save if you gather the courage, awareness, and composure to back off the ball any time something doesn't feel right."

"Can we identify a theme, trend, or pattern? Does it occur in particular situations where you have a lie that you haven't worked on much? Anytime you're hitting a shot where there's doubt, uncertainty, second-guessing, or just a general, 'I have no clue,' it's just an opportunity to make a note during your round on what you need to study and focus on away from the course."

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction to the Anyway Swing

07:17 - The Cost of Anyway Shots

10:46 - Identifying Areas of Improvement

13:09 - Emotional Regulation and Pressure Management

15:57 - Overcoming the Fear of Judgment and Rejection

Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:

The (Aspiring) Scratch Golfer’s Society.

For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:

Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.

https://golfmindsetcoaching.com/scratch-golfers-playbook/

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @scratchgolfermindset
• Twitter: @paulsaltercoach
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching