How to Play Better Tournament Golf

One of the most common things I hear from players is how they can’t access their skill in competition. Like something comes over them when they get in a tournament. Why does golf feel like a completely different game when it’s competitive? It’s the same clubs, same course—so why does everything change the moment the stakes go up? Today, we’re diving into the truth about pressure, where it comes from, and how embracing it can be the key to unlocking your best game. We’re going to go through what I call The Two Laws of Pressure and how they can help you play better in tournaments. ----- 📚 2025 Book Club! Click here to join the exclusive group chat where we discuss the books we're reading, questions and struggles about the mental game, and first access to Q&A's and event info. ----- Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music credits: Creative Technology Showreel ****Music by Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay “Inspiring Thoughtful Piano” Music by Ivan Luzan from Pixabay

It’s the end of the year and very soon the beginning of 2025, so we’re going to talk about fitness. But before you click away, I’m not going to preach at you about getting in shape. In this episode, Matt Myers of Nerd Fitness and I hit 3 major topics that have been huge for me: the all-or-nothing mentality, mindful eating, and systems over goals. And these aren’t strictly limited to fitness or nutrition. These principles apply to any endeavor you’d like to set out on, like any of your golf or life goals. I'm confident you'll leave this episode with a thorough understanding of how to get and stay motivated to accomplish fitness goals, not to mention any other goal you have for 2025. ----- Previous goal-setting episodes of The Mental Golf Show: 2024: https://pod.fo/e/294fa2 2023: https://pod.fo/e/21145d 2022: https://pod.fo/e/159525 2021: https://pod.fo/e/101a80 2020: https://pod.fo/e/d0ff1 2019: https://pod.fo/e/129bab ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan - 25% off for a limited time! Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music credits: Creative Technology Showreel Music by Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay “Jazz Happy” by Music_For_Videos on Pixabay

On this episode, we’re going to be talking about goal-setting. It’s that time of year that we look ahead and set goals and plans. But I think just as important, if not more important, is to take stock of the year we just had. So in this episode we’re going to do both of those. You’ll hear me discussing my own year in golf, and my own golf goals for 2025. My hope is that you’ll be able to use what I say to inspire you and give you the tools to do it for yourself and have the best year of golf yet. ----- Mentioned in episode: The 4-Step Process for Setting and Achieving your Golf Goals in 2024 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mental-golf-show/id1477550168?i=1000640684543 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wsae7xkjzI629WGQxR9bT?si=b398bd9a58af47a5 ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan - 25% off for a limited time! Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music credits: Creative Technology Showreel Music by Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay Smart Technology Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay “Thoughtful Contemplative Documentary Piano” Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay “Inspiring Thoughtful Piano” Music by Ivan Luzan from Pixabay

Feeling those first-tee jitters? In this episode, we break down what causes them and how to stop them from sabotaging your game. Learn three simple strategies to stay calm, focused, and confident—no matter how big the moment.   I'm confident you'll learn: Why first-tee jitters happen and what they mean. How to use awareness and grounding techniques to stay present. The power of pre-acceptance to build unshakable confidence. ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan - 25% off for a limited time! Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Click here to sign up for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: Creative Technology Showreel Music by Ivan Ohanezov from Pixabay “Cozy Coffeehouse” Royalty Free Music by Lunar Years on bensound.com Contemplative Mellow Thoughtful Piano Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay “Study” by Chillmore from Pixabay

On this episode of The Mental Golf Show we’re going to be talking about a key element of the pre-shot routine: commitment. You’ve chosen your target, now you need to hit the shot. But the step between those two is commitment to the target. You should leave this episode with a better understanding of what commitment is, and a tangible way to be more committed on every shot to give yourself the best access to your skills. ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: “A Long Way” Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay Smart Technology Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay “Cozy Coffeehouse” Royalty Free Music by Lunar Years on [bensound.com](http://bensound.comhttps://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/cozy-coffeehouse-shiny-chill) Thinking Piano Music Ambience Music by Nicholas Panek from Pixabay “Thoughtful Contemplative Documentary Piano” Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay

What is burnout? What causes it? Can we stop it from happening? If so, how? In this episode, Josh dives into the concept of burnout and give you some knowledge and tools to be able to withstand the forces that can cause burnout, and to bounce out of it if (or when) it happens. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: “Study” by Chillmore from Pixabay “Savior Search” by DJ Freedem Contemplative Mellow Thoughtful Piano Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay  

We hit a TON of very rich questions in this one. Here's the list of topics we tackle: 1. What happens physically when a player overthinks? 2. Please discuss the strategy of acceptance in golf. Can accepting the results before hitting the shot help a person play better golf? 3. Mental struggles with injuries 4. What is an area that could be taught/coached better? 5. What if negative thoughts were repackaged as opposing fans? 6. Pre-accepting two or three bad shots in a row 7. Best tips for finishing great rounds 8. Tips for adjusting expectations with life getting in the way of practicing and playing. 9. How do you accept a truly awful break that just ruins your round? 10. Practice- Most bang for your buck 11. Managing slow pace of play 12. Dealing with the nerves and pressure of tournament play on an unfamiliar course 13. Tips for working with junior golfers mentally 14. Dealing with constant bad luck during the round 15. Special bonus question at the end ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: “A Long Way” Music by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay “Upbeat Morning Cafe” Music by Sleep Volume from Pixabay Thinking Piano Music Ambience Music by Nicholas Panek from Pixabay “Jazz Happy” by Music_For_Videos on Pixabay  

On this episode we’re uncovering the way to enjoy golf, and the main culprit that prevents us from enjoying golf. I’m confident you’re going to leave this episode with an understanding of the psychology behind what causes those unenjoyable rounds, as well as real practical ways to let those things go and have more fun when you play. ----- Fit For Golf - Get 20% off a great golf fitness app! Use this link: https://fitforgolf.blog/#MentalGolfCoach Use this code at checkout: MentalGolf20 ----- Submit Q&A tweet: @joshlukenichols ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: “Inspiring Cinematic Ambient” Music by Lexin_Music from Pixabay “Savior Search” by DJ Freedem “Upbeat Morning Cafe” Music by Sleep Volume from Pixabay “Vintage Movie Piano” Music by Josef Surikov from Pixabay “Mellow Melancholic Piano Music Calming Thoughtful Sad” Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music from Pixabay “Study” by Chillmore from Pixabay “Inspiring Thoughtful Piano” Music by Ivan Luzan from Pixabay “Jazz Happy” by Music_For_Videos from Pixabay

In part 1 of this conversation with Karl Morris, we discussed the importance of building skill, rather than obsessing over golf swing. And how you can access that skill through having a more optimistic view of the circumstances you’re in. But that was mostly concept. In part 2, I want to make it more concrete. I want something for the player that is in the middle of a bad round and needs something to go to. A tactic to put into place to help them through it. A way to adapt to changes in the environment or in ourselves. Karl Morris guides us through some great ways to do just that. ----- Karl Morris's podcast: Mind Caddie Apple: Mind Caddie Spotify: Mind Caddie ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf ----- Music Credits: "Study" by Chillmore from Pixabay “Thoughtful Contemplative Documentary Piano” Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay “Emotive Nostalgic Piano Atmosphere for Sentimental Scenes” Music by UNIVERSFIELD from Pixabay “Soft Piano Music” Music by Calvin Clavier from Pixabay “Inspiring Cinematic Ambient” Music by Lexin_Music from Pixabay “Inspiring Thoughtful Piano” Music by Ivan Luzan from Pixabay “Waterfall” Music by Roman Senyk from Pixabay

How do you actually get good at golf? How do you know what to work on? And then how do you access those skills when you play? Josh hosts Karl Morris where they dive into these topics. ----- Karl Morris's podcast: Mind Caddie Apple: Mind Caddie Spotify: Mind Caddie ----- Get 10% off a Divot Board! Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code 'MentalGolf10' to get 10% off your purchase Yes, I get a little cut when you use my link. Thank you! 🙏 ----- Elevate the quality of your practice! Custom Weekly Practice Plan Do you want to get the most out of your practice time? Let Josh hand-build your practice plan using your stats and your time availability so that you can start practicing more efficiently. ----- Take the FREE Mental Game Assessment⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and learn your top mental game traits and your areas in most need of improvement. ----- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for The Mental Re-Grip ⛳️ Newsletter to receive mental game tips in your email inbox every week. ----- 1-on-1 Mental Coaching Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Golf Psychology Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠[email protected] or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ----- Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at [email protected] ----- Follow Josh on social: X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music Credits: Music by Denis Pavlov from Pixabay Music by Ashot Danielyan from Pixabay Music by UNIVERSFIELD from Pixabay Music by Ivan Luzan from Pixabay