In this episode, Kathy prompts golfers to consider the deeper meaning of the game as the season concludes. Encouraging reflection beyond the casual acknowledgment of golf being just a sport, Kathy highlights potential emotional red flags, such as heightened anxiety or an excessive focus on scores. The episode aims to gently guide listeners into honestly assessing the emotional impact of golf on their lives, urging them to explore whether the game carries more significance than they consciously r...
Nov 15, 2023•10 min•Ep. 147
In this episode, Kathy addresses the dilemma many golfers face when they've put in a lot of effort and time into their game but aren't seeing the desired results. She discusses the emotions that arise, such as feeling defeated and wanting to quit. Kathy emphasizes that quitting to escape negative emotions isn't the best solution and encourages golfers to shift their perspective. She highlights that golf doesn't always have a direct correlation between effort and results, unlike some other areas ...
Nov 08, 2023•12 min•Ep. 146
In this podcast, Kathy discusses the mental aspects of golf and how golfers can self-sabotage mentally on the course. She emphasizes the importance of continuous mental practice, regardless of the season or tournaments. Kathy identifies four common ways golfers sabotage themselves mentally: 1. Failing to self-reflect and be aware of repeating patterns and habits. 2. Waiting for external situations to change to feel better, giving away power to circumstances. 3. Not setting intentions for the rou...
Nov 01, 2023•13 min•Ep. 145
This episode dives deep into the topic of setbacks and how they affect both your golf game and daily life. We all have those days when it seems like we're taking a step back, struggling with negative thoughts, or feeling like we've regressed. Kathy reassures you that these moments are not signs of failure but part of being human. She shares insights and strategies to deal with setbacks. Life outside the golf course can influence your game, and she explains how to manage these external factors. W...
Oct 25, 2023•10 min•Ep. 144
This podcast is a conversation that Tori Totlis of T-Time with Tori had with me about my experience caddying in the USGA Senior Women's Amateur this year in Scottsdale, AZ. We get into how our brains can be either our biggest asset or biggest barrier in golf, discussing the importance of effective instruction and how it can be tailored to resonate with different learners. “The fastest way to get better is to manage your mind first. Don’t wait to become a certain handicap before you decide to wor...
Oct 18, 2023•44 min•Ep. 143
Listen in on part 2 of my interview with Tour Player Yoonhee Kim as she answers questions from members of the Above Par Academy. Yoonhee talks about confidence, digging deep on the last few holes and worrying about what other people think. You will relate to what she focuses on with mental golf and understand that you do not need to be a professional or low handicap to benefit from this work. If you want to benefit from working on your mental golf connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com Continue...
Oct 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 142
Yoonhee Kim is a mini tour player working toward playing on the LPGA. In this episode, we talk about how she deals with pressure, fear, embarrassment and Tour qualifying school. Yoonhee also shares some of her on-course mental tools and sayings that help her stay calm and present. Regardless of your level of golf, you will find her story relatable as you learn how a tour player manages the golf brain and tournament play. Connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com Continue your mental journey at You...
Oct 04, 2023•29 min•Ep. 141
Have you ever told yourself you needed to make a couple birdies on the last few holes? Or maybe you categorize holes as "birdie holes" and up your expectations on short par fours or fives. Chances are it did NOT turn out the way you planned. You may have even made a bogey or two instead. So the question is “How do you make a birdie?” The quick answer is hit is close and make as short a putt as possible. This is for sure an easier way to go about it but in this episode I want to shift the way you...
Sep 27, 2023•8 min•Ep. 140
Scoring can be mental. How you think about par, birdie, bogey can affect how you show up over the ball. You can put unnecessary pressure on yourself to make a putt for par or give yourself a "3-putt pass" on a par 5 if you hit the green in two. In this episode, I share a different way to think about scoring so that you can stand over as many shots as possible from a calm, certain or confident place. Listen in and gain a paradigm shift on scoring with 3 key concepts. Learn more about Kathy at Kat...
Sep 19, 2023•11 min•Ep. 139
"Just play golf one shot at a time." It is common advice but most golfers don't know how to exactly get that done. In this episode, I first break down what it means to NOT play golf one shot at a time. By understanding what happens when you get ahead of yourself on the course, ruminate over a previous hole or shot, or argue with the reality of the situation in front of you, you can better understand what is required to play in the present moment. I share with you the 3 steps required to hit golf...
Sep 13, 2023•12 min•Ep. 138
Being a golf parent can be challenging. It can be hard to watch your child struggle with all of the ups and downs that golf brings, especially as we learn this game. As parents, we can sometimes be lost at what to say to our kids. How to help them and support them along the journey so that they can have some success. It's challenging at times to watch them feel bad, be upset, fail, beat themselves up, be negative. All the things that comes with being a junior golfer or a golfer for that matter. ...
Sep 05, 2023•10 min•Ep. 137
All golfers deal with anxiety and fear at some point on the golf course. Some golfers struggle with these emotional states more than others. Golf, however, does not produce anxiety or fear, it exposes it. It exposes a state of our nervous system that we deal with in our day to day lives. In this episode, Jill Howell, an emotional health coach, explains what is actually happening when you experience anxiety. She also share some useful tools that you can take to the course to help you manage the a...
Aug 30, 2023•38 min•Ep. 136
If you play enough golf you are going to run into slow play or slow golfers. And, you may actually be a slow golfer. In fact, many golfers fear being labeled as slow to the point that it affects their performance and enjoyment of the game. In this episode, I cover it all: waiting on slow golfers playing slowly fear of being a slow golfer I describe 3 types of slow golfer scenarios that you likely have to deal with on the course. You definitely want to get your head around slow play because witho...
Aug 23, 2023•14 min•Ep. 135
If you play enough golf you are going to get some bad breaks. You are going to get a bad bounce, a lip out, a crappy lie, an untimely gust of wind, etc. Some days it may feel like you get more than your fair share. If you struggle with those days or have a sense you are just a bit unluckier than most, this episode is for you. I show you how to use two of mental concepts, lenses and 50/50, to help you reframe and shift your experience around the bad, unfortunate, or unlucky parts of the game. Con...
Aug 16, 2023•10 min•Ep. 134
Superstitions are everywhere but definitely prevalent in the world of golf. Whether it is the lucky ball mark, colored shirt, number on the cart, color of the tee, number on the ball, superstitions in golf are very common. In this episode, I shed light on the impact of the superstitions that may affect your performance. I share with you how to decipher if your "thing" is a preference or a superstition. You get to figure out if it is something you want to keep or shift for the benefit of your gam...
Aug 09, 2023•15 min•Ep. 133
If you want to start lowering your handicap or knock a shot of your score, there are 3 main areas to look: physical mental course management/skills In this episode, I give you a fresh perspective on how to sharpen your game one shot at a time. Connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Join the NEXT Workshop Here Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your ...
Aug 02, 2023•15 min•Ep. 132
As the summer unfolds, we dive into a vital topic for every golfer – avoiding mental complacency while playing our home course daily. In this episode, we explore how repeatedly playing the same course can lead to a 'home course disadvantage' for our game. We uncover five effective strategies to elevate both our mental and golfing skills. By changing tee boxes, hitting different shots off the tee, playing with better golfers, trying alternate shot formats, and challenging ourselves in various wea...
Jul 26, 2023•11 min•Ep. 131
In this episode, we delve into the often overlooked aspect of being a good golf partner and navigating the mental challenges of playing in tournaments with a partner. Discover four key strategies that will help you establish a strong partner relationship before stepping onto the course. We explore the power of open communication with your partner, setting boundaries, and being mindful of the words and body language you use during the game. Learn how to avoid unnecessary pressure and distractions...
Jul 19, 2023•15 min•Ep. 130
If you don't like it when people ask you what you shot, or what you made on a hole or what place you finished, this episode is for you. Most golfers don't have a problem sharing the score of a good round. But, when you have a lousy day and someone asks you what you shot, the dialogue in your head about the question and questioner, expose 4 mental hurdles. These are mental obstacles to you being able to play your best golf and enjoy your time on the course. Learn more about Kathy at KathyHartWood...
Jul 12, 2023•12 min•Ep. 129
Sometimes it is challenging to shake a bad golf memory. Maybe you hit a ball in the water, made a triple bogey, missed a couple short putts, bladed it out of bunker and that memory pops in your head the next time you stand over the shot or play the hole. If that happens, your mind is not present and your swing is not smooth. As a result, you likely repeat the same mistake. In this episode, learn 4 ways to eliminate the bad memory so that you can make your best swings the next time you tee it up....
Jul 05, 2023•13 min•Ep. 128
Explore the crucial role of mental preparation in golf practice. Debunking misconceptions, this episode reveals the impact of mindset on performance. Discover how setting goals, making purposeful decisions, and cultivating confidence can optimize your practice sessions. Whether you love, hate, or overdo practice, gain actionable strategies to develop a positive mindset and unlock your potential on the golf course. Listen in to learn the importance of intention, quality, and a focused approach in...
Jun 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, Kathy addresses a common concern among golfers: the feeling of not being good enough. Explore the detrimental effects of shame and unrealistic expectations, both from comparing oneself to others and from external standards. Kathy provides practical advice on shifting your mindset, cultivating self-acceptance, and separating your worth from your performance on the golf course. Discover how to identify moments of self-doubt, pivot away from shame, and either work on improving spec...
Jun 21, 2023•12 min•Ep. 126
This is a portion of a live call from Unleash Your Game, a complete program for mastering your golf brain so you can consistently play to your potential with more calm, certainty and confidence. In the program, I offer live calls to support members on the mental golf journey. I start the call talking about hope. How we use the word versus how we create hope for us on the golf course. At the end of this call, you can hear a member share her recent experience shifting her thoughts and changing her...
Jun 14, 2023•14 min•Ep. 125
Discover the keys to unwavering commitment on the golf course in this episode. Kathy discusses the three essential steps for achieving a state of complete dedication over every golf shot. Learn how being committed can transform your game, enhance your decision-making, and yield remarkable results. Explore the power of self-awareness, making confident choices, and the crucial art of keeping your word to yourself. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, these practical strategies will help...
Jun 07, 2023•12 min•Ep. 124
Setting a golf intention is about giving your brain direction on the golf course. it is a valuable tool to shifting your results. In this episode, I focus on 4 different ways to set intentions along with a few examples of how you can use them the next time you play. Start creating the habit of setting an intention before you play and give your brain direction on what to look for on the course. Learn more about how to work with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com Continue your mental journey at Your Menta...
May 31, 2023•11 min•Ep. 123
Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions. This is really what mental golf is…bouncing back quickly. In this episode, I share with you the top 5 areas for you to focus on building up your resiliency. You may find that you are more resilient in one area and do not recover as quickly in other areas. This episode puts a little different spin on looking at mental golf and narrows done where to focus so that you can build your golf resilience. Learn more at KathyHartWood....
May 24, 2023•10 min•Ep. 122
If you have a one day qualifier on your schedule this season whether it is a USGA or club championship qualifier, I have three tips to help you get through these rounds easier and with more success. One of the keys is to not make the event too big of a deal for the sake of your brain. The bigger of a deal you make the tournament the more your brain is going to freak you out. I share three mental hurdles that typically show up on qualifying days. If you are aware of them and have some strategies ...
May 17, 2023•12 min•Ep. 121
Positive thinking isn't always useful and negative emotions are always harmful. In this podcast, Kathy discusses how our emotions affect our golf game and how we can use negative emotions to our advantage. Kathy suggests 5 negative emotions that you are likely to experience in golf and how they can be useful when playing the game. It is not about avoiding negative emotions or feeling like the only way to play well is if you are calm, certain, or confident. There actually are some negative emotio...
May 10, 2023•12 min•Ep. 120
Do you think competition is fun? Or would you rather play "fun" golf. Many people sign up for tournaments or competitions and then don't enjoy the event - regardless of how they score. In this episode, I explore what your golf brain is doing when it comes to tournaments and three reasons you might not enjoy competition. Then, I simply reverse engineer it all and show you how to create more enjoyment around those golf tournaments you sign up for. Link to podcast on "Is Golf Fun?" https://www.buzz...
May 03, 2023•10 min•Ep. 119
We tend to ask ourselves bad questions about ourselves and our golf game. They are questions that make us feel crappy. They lead to a bit of hopelessness, doubt, fear, pressure. They sound like: What is wrong with me? What if I score bad? Why can't I ever play well? What If I get off to a bad start? Why do I suck? Why is everyone better than me? The thing is that our brains will just ask these questions by default...if we let it. In this episode, I bring light to these common crappy golf questio...
Apr 26, 2023•13 min•Ep. 118
