#43: [Inside the Mind] Maurice Harden: Activate Your Muscles to Prevent Injury and Hit the Ball Further

As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to talk about goal setting - but not in the traditional sense. In today’s episode, I’m sharing a detailed, personal, and transformative approach to setting and achieving your ultimate golf goals. Through my own journey of going from a ~24-handicap to confidently declaring my commitment to becoming a 5-handicap by the end of 2025, I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts, identity changes, and deliberate actions required to create a clear and actionable roadmap for success.  I’ll share how I’ve aligned my goals with my identity, prioritized process over outcome, and leveraged mental and emotional resilience to stay committed—even when motivation runs low. This episode is packed with actionable insights, relatable stories, and practical advice that will help you achieve breakthroughs on the course and in life. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: Why your identity is the foundation of achieving your golf goals. How to reverse engineer your goals into clear performance and process goals. The power of a deeply personal “why” to fuel your commitment. How mental and emotional training are as vital as your swing. Why progress often lags effort—and how to stay consistent through it. The role of deliberate practice in accelerating your improvement. How aligning your habits and actions with your goals transforms your game and life. Get ready to unlock your potential, redefine your approach to goal setting, and take your game - and life - to the next level.  Get your pencils ready and start listening.  Tickets for the Mental Game of Golf Summit are live! Make Playing to Your Potential A Habit: Unlock the mental tools and proven strategies to make playing to your potential a habit at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and secure your ticket here.  P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: The Importance of Identity Change: Achieving your goals requires transforming your identity. You must align your habits, beliefs, and self-talk with the golfer you aspire to become. The Role of a Strong 'Why': A deeply personal and emotionally charged reason behind your goals serves as the anchor that keeps you motivated through challenges and setbacks. Process Over Outcome: Focusing on daily and weekly process goals—small, actionable steps—creates a roadmap that keeps you consistent and aligned with your ultimate goal. Prioritize Mental and Emotional Training: Success in golf is about more than technical skills. Developing emotional resilience, mental toughness, and the ability to access your potential on demand is crucial. Goal Clarity Simplifies Decisions: Clear, well-defined goals act as a filter for decision-making, helping you focus on what truly matters while eliminating distractions. Progress Takes Time and Trust: Results often lag behind effort. Trust in your process and stay consistent, even when visible progress isn’t immediate. Golf as a Reflection of Life: The game of golf mirrors life, offering opportunities to grow, confront fears, and become the best version of yourself both on and off the course. Key Quotes: "A goal isn't just about achieving an external result; it's about becoming a better version of yourself in the process." "If what you were doing today was enough to achieve your goal, you'd already have achieved it." "Your why is the emotional fuel that will sustain you during the inevitable grind of the process." "By aligning your habits and actions with the identity of the golfer you aspire to become, you'll improve your game a hell of a lot faster and enjoy the process of becoming the best version of yourself." "The best golfers are those who can access their potential on demand, especially under pressure." "Golf and successful golf are about so much more than the swing; it's about managing emotions, staying resilient, and playing with intention." "Your goal should make you pause, feel nervous, or even afraid—it means you're pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, which is the sweet spot for growth." 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. Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: 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. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Goal Setting in Golf 03:06: Personal Journey and Mindset Shift 05:48: Defining Goals and Commitment 08:58: The Importance of Goal Setting 12:08: Identity Change and Goal Achievement 15:01: Framework for Goal Setting 18:01: Ultimate, Performance, and Process Goals 21:12: Consistency and Progress Tracking 23:49: Holistic Approach to Golf Improvement 27:06: Mental and Emotional Goals 29:58: Understanding Your Why 33:12: Unveiling 2025 Goals 35:49: Detailed Action Plan for 2025 38:56: Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Meet Henry Stetina - the Director of Player Development for the New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management Program and the Director of Instruction for Red Hawk Golf Club in Las Cruces, NM.  Henry joins me for a detailed conversation on the golf swing, feel-based training, and mastering the short game. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: how to manage expectations for better performance techniques for improving your short-game strategies to overcome the yips the value of strategic and intentional practice the role of commitment in reaching scratch level Get your pencils ready and start listening.  More About Henry  Henry Stetina, PGA is the Director of Player Development for the New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management Program and the Director of Instruction for Red Hawk Golf Club in Las Cruces, NM. Henry embodies the Modern Coach philosophy by working full-time for the university and coaching a 200-player PGA Jr. League part-time, usually 10 hours per week. Henry's wife is also a PGA of America Professional and they have two daughters, MacKenzie (10) and Leila (8). Connect with Henry on Instagram. Tickets for the Mental Game of Golf Summit are live! Make Playing to Your Potential A Habit: Unlock the mental tools and proven strategies to make playing to your potential a habit at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and secure your ticket here.  P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: Simplifying the short game involves managing expectations and focusing on technique. Many golfers have unrealistic expectations based on professional highlights. The yips can stem from both physical flaws and mental fears. Proper grip and setup are crucial for successful putting. Club-focused instruction aligns with how the brain learns motor skills. Slow motion practice can help identify and correct swing issues. Strategic pauses in the swing can prevent manipulation of the club. Becoming a scratch golfer requires significant time and dedication. Coaching should prioritize understanding the person behind the golfer. Key Quotes: “I believe that the improvement you make and the goals you achieve in golf will reflect the time and effort you commit to the game.” “Focus on what you want to do as opposed to what you fear might happen.” “The difference between a scratch golfer and others is the amount of time they spend playing and practicing the game.” “Most players have too high of expectations, thinking they should make all their putts within 10 feet or hit it close with a wedge every time. Tempering expectations reduces stress and allows you to play more freely.” “Slow-motion swings can help you identify whether you’re executing correctly. In golf, where precision matters, slowing down can make all the difference in building a repeatable and effective swing.” 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. Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: 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. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Henry Stetina 01:58: Simplifying the Short Game 06:04: Setting Realistic Expectations in Golf 09:57: Understanding the Yips 14:01: Fundamentals of Putting 20:02: The Importance of Club-Focused Instruction 26:01: The Role of Slow Motion in Practice 29:46: Strategic Pauses in the Swing 33:59: Personal Journey and Competitive Aspirations 37:54: Advice for Aspiring Scratch Golfers

In today’s episode, you’ll learn… What strategic tunnel vision is and why you need to master this skill to achieve your goals. How to intentionally narrow your focus to eliminate distractions, better manage your energy, and make steady, meaningful progress in your golf game and life. Why focusing on one or two true priorities, rather than spreading your energy across many interests, is essential for achieving your goals. Why repetition and deliberate practice are critical for moving from conscious effort to automatic performance, helping you play with consistency and confidence. Start listening. Tickets for the Mental Game of Golf Summit are live! Make Playing to Your Potential A Habit: Unlock the mental tools and proven strategies to make playing to your potential a habit at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and secure your ticket here.  P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: Strategic tunnel vision is an intentional narrowing of focus. Eliminating distractions is crucial for success. Commitment to a single goal enhances performance. Cognitive overload can hinder learning and progress. Focus on one aspect of your game at a time. Your calendar reveals your true priorities. Strategic tunnel vision simplifies decision-making. Effective practice leads to accelerated results. Mastery requires repetition and focused effort. Less is more when setting goals. Key Quotes: “Strategic tunnel vision is an intense, intentional narrowing of focus, channeling maximal awareness and energy to a common goal.” “The difference between proficiency and mastery is repetition, repetition, repetition.” “Stop consuming conflicting information. If you're working on one aspect of your game with a coach, stick to their guidance and eliminate other distractions.” “You don't have a dozen goals—what you really have is a dozen interests. True success comes from committing to just one or two priorities.” 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. Grab my free hypnosis audio to help you prepare to play your best round. Download it here. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction and Personal Update 10:41: Benefits of Strategic Tunnel Vision 16:02: Macro vs. Micro Focus in Golf 22:25: Commitment vs. Interest in Goals

Meet Ryan Mouque, Golf Coach and Caddy helping develop players to play to their potential. Ryan produces a mass amount of online content that is generated through the lens of educating and empowering his clients and followers.  He possesses a unique depth of knowledge and experience about not only the swing, but how to play outstanding golf. In today’s episode, you’ll: Learn how adopting a growth mindset can redefine mistakes as opportunities, helping golfers improve and stay motivated. Discover the three essential types of practice - block, random, and competitive - and why each is crucial for building a well-rounded game. Understand the importance of refining your swing path, clubface control, and setup for better drives and fewer penalty shots. Learn the benefits of focusing on off-the-ball drills and slow-motion swings to develop muscle memory and ingrain better movement patterns. Explore why most amateur golfers don’t practice enough to justify getting frustrated, and how shifting perspective can actually improve performance. Discover Ryan's “Goldilocks training” method, using extreme opposite movements to enhance awareness of the ideal swing pattern. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  More About Ryan Ryan works with players to develop a plan that matches their time availability and learning style, and help them to achieve their goals. Work with Ryan. Key Takeaways: A growth mindset sees failure as a learning opportunity. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Many golfers struggle with misconceptions about their swing. Intentional practice is crucial for improvement. Transitioning from high scores to low scores requires focus on technique. Common struggles off the tee often stem from poor technique. Improving ball striking is key to lowering scores. It's important to structure practice sessions effectively. Learning through exaggeration helps in skill acquisition. Online coaching allows for more frequent feedback. Off-the-ball training prepares the brain for movement. Muscle memory is a myth; the brain must learn movements. Key Quotes: “Well, I think, you know, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” “As a coach myself, I see the value in coaching and I've worked with enough golfers to know that those who don't get coaching are just super confused and it doesn't take much to actually get them on the right track.” “You don't practice enough to get that upset about playing poorly.” 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. Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: 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. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Ryan Mouque and His Golf Journey 03:05: The Importance of a Growth Mindset in Golf 06:10: Overcoming Fixed Mindsets and Seeking Help 09:02: Common Misconceptions in Golf Coaching 12:00: Intentional Practice: Structuring Your Sessions 14:57: Transitioning from High Scores to Low Scores 18:10: Common Struggles Off the Tee 20:50: The Role of Technique in Golf Improvement 23:52: The Mindset Shift: It's Just a Game 26:45: Evolving Perspectives on Golf Coaching 27:15: The Importance of Data in Coaching 28:14: Essential Golf Training Aids Under $100 30:37: Learning Through Exaggeration and Contrast 32:27: Goldilocks Training: Finding the Right Balance 34:49: The Value of Shot Shaping in Golf 36:02: The Shift to Online Coaching: 37:55: The Benefits of Off-the-Ball Training 44:12: Understanding Muscle Memory and Movement 49:11: The Growth Mindset in Golf Training

In today’s episode, you’ll learn… Where the results you’re seeking reside (and how you’ve been looking in the wrong place) Why continuing to learn more information is holding you back from your goals How the same core topics of golf mindset are surface-level distractions preventing you from the breakthrough you crave Start listening. Tickets for the Mental Game of Golf Summit are live! Make Playing to Your Potential A Habit: Unlock the mental tools and proven strategies to make playing to your potential a habit at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and secure your ticket here.  P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: Fatherhood has been a transformative experience for me. The results you seek are often in the work you avoid. Information consumption without action leads to stagnation. Emotional regulation is crucial for performance and personal growth. Many people confuse a lack of information with a lack of action. Beliefs formed in childhood can limit our potential. Self-sabotage often stems from deep-seated beliefs. Confronting uncomfortable emotions is necessary for growth. Taking uncomfortable action is essential for change. You already know what you need to do to improve. Key Quotes: “The common mistake that you are making to achieve your goals is assuming that you have a lack of information problem.” “I remind you, information alone isn't enough. You still have to do the work.” “You listen to a podcast on the positives of self-talk, of breath work, of acceptance, of grace, of gratitude, of neutrality. And all of these are good concepts to understand, to develop proficiency in, but they're fucking surface level. Because the truth is, you know these things.” 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. Grab my free hypnosis audio to help you prepare to play your best round. Download it here. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Time Stamps: 00:00: Embracing Fatherhood and Personal Growth 05:55: Information vs. Action 19:02: Beliefs and Self-Sabotage 23:49: Taking Uncomfortable Action

Meet Jim Waldron, a nationally acclaimed golf teaching professional, mental game coach, author, and lecturer best known for his pioneering research on the mind/body connection approach to learning and teaching golf.  In my own words, I’d describe him as equal parts Buddhist Monk, Golf Nerd, Zen Master, Yogi, Cool Dude. And it’s this demeanor and zen that he’s been bringing to the course for more than 35 years to help his students play better golf - and to do so fast using a variety of models of teaching and coaching not commonly found on the course.  In today’s episode, you’ll learn: How to eliminate “swing thoughts” that contaminate your body’s natural movement, and learn Jim’s antidote for a pure, thought-free swing. How to between the objective physical world and your private mental world impacts focus, performance, and emotional resilience on the course. Why practicing in slow motion without a ball is essential to cementing new movement patterns in your unconscious mind, making your swing more consistent. Jim’s step-by-step method to overcome the yips by tackling the root cause - your emotional triggers and attention control. Explore the transformative power of focused attention on your golf game, and why staying in the external world boosts performance and confidence. How detaching from your emotions and thoughts can reduce frustration, anger, and mental fatigue during a round, keeping you present and composed. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  More About Jim Jim Waldron is a nationally acclaimed golf teaching professional, mental game coach, author, and lecturer best known for his pioneering research on the mind/body connection approach to learning and teaching golf. His holistic approach to golf improvement blends swing and short game mechanics, mental focus skills, physical fitness and emotional state control into a revolutionary golf instruction paradigm. He is recognized as one of the game's best golf swing instructors and swing theorists. This unification of Western scientific principles with Eastern psychological insights is the result of his lifelong interest in and passion for a deeper understanding of human potential - both physical and mental - and especially about how that understanding can lead to peak performance breakthroughs in the game of golf. He began playing golf in 1960 and has been a serious student of the game ever since. Work with Jim. Key Takeaways: Slow-motion training is crucial for developing proper swing mechanics. Swing thoughts can be toxic and disrupt performance. The yips are a psychosomatic disorder linked to negative emotions. Understanding the difference between correct and incorrect movements is key. Emotional resiliency is essential for consistent performance on the course. Practicing in slow motion allows for better muscle memory and awareness. The two worlds theory separates objective reality from subjective psychological experiences. Negative emotions can be confronted without identifying with them. Staying external during play can prevent self-sabotage. Acceptance of discomfort is part of the growth process. Engaging with the physical world can enhance mental clarity. Key Quotes: "Swing thoughts are toxic." “The reason why you don't want to use a ball, obviously, slow motion and ball are incompatible on the face of it. But even at full speed, eventually you're going to go to the range, you're going to work on what I call dynamics, which is a different part of the brain. Learning mechanics should only be done, also called movement pattern training, is only done away from a ball in slow motion.” "The Yips is a serious psychosomatic disorder." “And in philosophy, that fallacy is called mind-body dualism. Now we know from today, from modern neuroscience, although the ancient Buddhist tradition, which is also 2,500 years old, agrees with modern neuroscience that mind and body are two sides of the same coin.” 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. Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: 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. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Jim Waldron and His Philosophy 02:12: The Mind-Body Connection in Golf 06:07: Decontaminating the Golf Swing 10:15: The Importance of Slow Motion Training 12:31: Integrating Slow Motion into Practice 19:10: Understanding and Overcoming the Yips 27:15: Cultivating Emotional Resiliency 29:36: Understanding the Two Worlds Theory 36:02: Applying Mindfulness on the Golf Course 45:33: The Power of Attention in Golf 52:12: Final Thoughts and Resources

In today’s episode, you’ll learn… Why Mindset Matters More Than Mechanics – Discover how mindset, not your swing, could be the primary barrier to playing your best golf. How Stress Affects Your Game – Understand how unresolved stress and emotions follow you onto the course, impacting your focus, energy, and swing. The Importance of Releasing Emotions – Learn why emotions are “energy in motion” and how finding a healthy outlet for anger, frustration, and anxiety leads to better performance. The Role of Non-Negotiable Self-Care Habits – Explore how consistent self-care in physical, mental, and emotional health builds the resilience needed for peak performance. The Power of Consistency – See how small, daily habits add up to big results, supporting a disciplined mindset that empowers you to play freely and with confidence. Start listening. Tickets for the Mental Game of Golf Summit are live! Make Playing to Your Potential A Habit: Unlock the mental tools and proven strategies to make playing to your potential a habit at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and secure your ticket here.  P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: You don't have a swing problem; you have a mindset problem. Overcoming mental blocks is essential for playing to your potential. Stress and unresolved emotions directly impact golf performance. Emotional resilience is key to maintaining focus on the course. Self-care habits are non-negotiable for optimal performance. Compartmentalizing emotions can only go so far. Physical tension from stress affects your swing. Creating a supportive environment is crucial for self-care. Small, consistent actions lead to significant improvements. Asking for help can accelerate your progress. Key Quotes: “But at the end of the day, you can only compartmentalize so much.” “You need to learn how to diffuse the stress, anxiety, insecurity, fear, shame, guilt, anger, and frustration that you may be experiencing on the course.” “You cannot separate who you are as an individual, how you show up in your home at the office from who you are on the golf course.” “The magic is in the accumulation, the compounding interest of showing up and consistently executing every single day.” 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. Grab my free hypnosis audio to help you prepare to play your best round. Download it here. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching Time Stamps: 00:00: Unlocking Your Golf Potential: The Mindset Shift 15:14: Building Resilience: Tools for Emotional Management 30:02: Commitment to Self-Care: The Path to Improvement

In today’s episode, I’ll recap… Gulp…my worst round to date. The collection of emotions I experienced during and after this round - and how I am moving forward. The learning lessons I extracted from this round and the action steps that have followed since.  Start listening. P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on (and off) the course, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: Frustration and disappointment are part of the learning process. Emotions are energy that can be harnessed and redirected. Self-kindness is crucial during challenging times. Discipline and intentional practice are key to improvement. Learning from mistakes is essential for growth. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn. The journey to becoming a better golfer is ongoing and requires commitment. Key Quotes: “And lo and behold, I go to hit my first shot, I execute my backswing and whoosh…I top the ball and it goes about 20 feet.” “And it was just one of those days where it felt like nothing was working.” “I am to blame, I am responsible, I take full ownership and I have a lot of work to do on the little things to really get or set things in motion to make massive progress in 2025.” Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter. This newsletter helps avid golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds to 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. Grab my free hypnosis audio to help you prepare to play your best round. Download it here. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to the Journey-Altering Round 08:13: Navigating Frustration and Disappointment 16:31: Lessons Learned and Future Commitments

Meet Melvin Beard a 30-year Golf Professional, Certified Level II Science in Motion Instructor, Certified Adaptive Golf Coach, and Certified Golf Mental Coach. Oh, he’s also a four-handicap with eight hole in ones. Evenmore, he also happens to be that guy who gave me unsolicited swing advice one Friday morning, spent 30 minutes working with me (because he’s that type of guy), and the same Coach Melvin I ended up hiring a few weeks later to help me achieve my goal of becoming a scratch golfer.  In today’s episode, you’ll learn: What Man Theory is - and why it’s ruining your performance. The power, importance, and need to prioritize the correct grip of the golf club.  How to augment your practice to produce confidence and better results. How to use your entire body to facilitate more power and distance in your swing. Why the mental game matters when it comes to finding focus, flow, and attention to detail in each aspect of the game. What to focus on to be a significantly better putter And much more. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  More About Melvin Melvin C.Beard lll is the CEO and Owner of A-Swing Golf Academy. He’s been a Golf Professional for over 30 years and holds numerous certifications and credentials, including Certified Level II Science in Motion Instructor, Certified Adaptive Golf Coach, and Certified Golf Mental Coach. He’s also a First Tee Youth Program Lead Coach. Key Takeaways: Golf is predominantly a mental game, comprising 98% mental and 2% physical. Grip and equipment play a significant role in a golfer's success. 'Man theory' can hinder a golfer's performance and should be avoided. Golfers should focus on their own game rather than comparing themselves to others. There is no single solution to improving your golf game. Many golfers mimic what they see on TV without understanding the process. Having a short memory is vital for maintaining confidence in golf. Taking notes during lessons can significantly enhance learning and retention. Finding a coach who emphasizes mental and physical aspects of the game is important. Key Quotes: "This game is 98% mental." “You gotta build from success that you have each single time for them to be able to kind of check it because soon as they're mental, as soon as it comes out their mouth, your ears are recording basically of I stink. I this - this happened.” "Pressure busts pipes, but pressure also makes diamonds." “If you can aim at something small, you can hit something small. I think that was the Little Red Book. And in that small tee going in the ground, you push it all the way down into the ground. So it's like you're hitting the ball off the ground, but you actually now you have a little target.” “As long as you can feel that target, you have to listen to your hands and understand your hands are the only thing that's grip that's a vice on the actual golf club. So if your grip is wrong your swing is wrong. It's that simple.” 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. Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: 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. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Melvin Beard and His Journey 03:03: The Mental Game of Golf 05:58: Building Individualized Coaching Relationships 08:58: The Importance of Confidence in Golf 11:57: Understanding the Mechanics of the Swing 14:50: The Role of Grip and Equipment 18:08: The Impact of Mentality on Performance 20:59: Playing the Course Strategically 24:08: The Dangers of 'Man Theory' in Golf 27:01: Advice for Aspiring Golfers 35:40: Understanding the Short Game 38:57: The Importance of Communication in Golf Instruction 41:39: Pressure and Performance in Golf 43:09: Common Mistakes in Putting 51:00: Attention to Detail in Golf 01:00:49: Connecting with a Golf Coach

In today’s episode, I’ll recap… A four-hour practice session that unlocked my next level of growth The round I played the following day How I’ve altered my approach to practice What I’m most excited about What I’m doing in 2025 to accelerate progress Start listening. P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on (and off) the course, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.  Key Points: Self-diagnosis and troubleshooting are key skills for golfers. Understanding swing mechanics can lead to better performance. Empowerment comes from knowing how to control the ball. Intention in shot execution enhances performance. Mirror work and slow-motion drills are effective training methods. Key Quotes: “He broke me down and where we noticed the biggest opportunity for growth, I'm not finishing swings, period. I'm still a little, know, handsy and armed, armsy, is that a word?” “Sometimes it's a nasty slice. Sometimes I hooked the ball completely. I miss both directions to be frank. What Melvin helped me understand was first and foremost, how to hit a draw, a fade, a cut.” “I have a mirror in my living room, I can pick up the club and do two swings in a minute or two, just whenever I find a moment. And that's going to go a long way to further helping reprogram this new swing that's going to allow me to swing with my entire body, get my hips through full rotation and make clean, consistent contact.” Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter. This newsletter helps avid golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds to 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. Grab my free hypnosis audio to help you prepare to play your best round. Download it here. Schedule a 1-1 mindset coaching discovery and strategy call with me - click here. 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: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction and Personal Excitement 01:50: Unlocking Potential in Golf 05:59: Drills and Techniques for Improvement 10:30: Understanding Swing Mechanics 12:24: Applying Lessons on the Course 18:09: Future Goals and Family Priorities