n this episode, Kathy shares an enlightening conversation from Kelvin Kelly's golf podcast where they dive into the mental aspects of golf. Kathy discusses the importance of managing thoughts and emotions on the golf course through practices like journaling, using her STEAR method, and building self-awareness. They explore how these techniques not only improve golf performance but also positively impact broader aspects of life. This episode is a must-listen for golfers looking to enhance their m...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 207
As we kick off 2025, it's time to set goals for your game—both on and off the course. But not all goals are created equal. In this episode, Kathy breaks down the difference between effective golf goals and those that might leave you frustrated. She shares tips on how to move beyond vague objectives, like “practice more” or “break 80,” and instead focus on actionable steps that align with who you want to become as a golfer. Whether you're aiming to lower your handicap, conquer score barriers, or ...
Jan 08, 2025•10 min•Ep. 206
In this special New Year's episode of "Think Above Par," Kathy tackles the often-dreaded topic of New Year's resolutions and flips it on its head, transforming it into an opportunity for meaningful change in your golf game and mental approach. With a realistic look at why most resolutions fail, Kathy introduces a more impactful approach: establishing specific mental golf habits right now. This episode is packed with actionable advice on how to start building or breaking mental habits that will n...
Jan 01, 2025•14 min•Ep. 205
In this heartfelt and thought-provoking Christmas Day episode, Kathy dives into the concept of "deserving" and its many interpretations on and off the golf course. Is deserving about entitlement, worthiness, or earning something? Kathy unpacks how our beliefs about what we "deserve" can influence not only our performance in golf but also our growth and mindset in life. With humor, relatable examples, and actionable insights, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you use and understand t...
Dec 25, 2024•12 min•Ep. 204
In this episode Kathy challenges the idea of an "off-season" for mental golf. While the colder months may sideline physical play, now is actually the best time to strengthen your mental game. Kathy shares four powerful practices to develop mental resilience that applies on and off the course. Listeners will learn how to set daily intentions, master the STEAR method for thought awareness, process emotions in 60-90 seconds, and shift limiting beliefs. These skills aren't just for golf — they’re fo...
Dec 18, 2024•13 min•Ep. 203
In this reflective episode, Kathy guides listeners through a powerful "Year in Review" process designed to set them up for a successful 2025 golf season. Sharing insights from her live membership call, Kathy encourages golfers to take a "post-year evaluation" similar to a post-round analysis. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on what went well — a mindset shift from the usual tendency to dwell on mistakes. Listeners are guided to assess key areas like their handicap progression, rounds p...
Dec 11, 2024•12 min•Ep. 202
In this episode Kathy dives into a topic every golfer (and human) can relate to: the frustration of not seeing results as quickly as we’d like. Whether it’s on the course or in life, we’ve all been tempted to quit when the payoff doesn’t match the effort. Kathy breaks down why this happens, how our brains play tricks on us, and what we can do to shift our mindset for better outcomes. Learn how to: Identify the mental roadblocks that hold you back. Detach your self-worth from your performance. Re...
Dec 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 201
n this milestone 200th episode of Think Above Par , Kathy dives into "10 Ways Golf Impacts Your Life." She shares heartfelt insights on how mastering the mental game of golf doesn't just improve your performance on the course but transforms your daily life. From managing emotions and building self-confidence to creating stronger relationships and even reducing road rage, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration. Tune in to celebrate this special episode and discover why working...
Nov 27, 2024•19 min•Ep. 200
This episode dives into the transformative power of gratitude both on and off the course. Learn how practicing thankfulness can boost your resilience, calm your nerves, and improve your golf game—even when you're struggling to find the fairway. With research-backed insights, practical tips, and relatable humor, this episode will help you shift your mindset and elevate your performance. Tune in, and discover why gratitude is the ultimate game-changer for golfers and life. KathyHartWood.com Contin...
Nov 21, 2024•14 min•Ep. 199
In this inspiring and insightful interview, Kathy sits down with trailblazer Suzy Whaley, the first woman to become the President of the PGA of America and one of only a few women to have played in a PGA Tour event. Suzy shares her journey of breaking barriers in the male-dominated golf world, from qualifying for the Greater Hartford Open to leading one of golf's most influential organizations. The conversation dives into the challenges women face in the sport, the importance of fitting equipmen...
Nov 13, 2024•36 min•Ep. 198
In this episode of Think Above Par , Coach Kathy dives into the power of three simple words: "I get to." Shifting from "I have to" to "I get to" can completely change how we approach both life and the golf course. Kathy shares personal stories, including a moment when this shift helped her reframe a difficult situation, and breaks down how this mindset shift creates gratitude, hope, and fulfillment instead of pressure and resentment. Whether you’re teeing off early or practicing in challenging c...
Nov 06, 2024•8 min•Ep. 197
In this episode, Kathy dives into the sneaky world of golf intimidation —whether it’s that monster par-3 staring you down, the big-hitting player in your group, or that nagging feeling that’s got you second-guessing your game. Kathy shares why intimidation is more about our thoughts than the hole or the person on the tee box next to us. You’ll learn why intimidation is just a choice (no, really!) and how to switch from feeling intimidated to feeling calm, confident, and ready to play your best. ...
Oct 30, 2024•14 min•Ep. 196
In this episode of Think Above Par , we’re excited to share a powerful interview with Dr. Alison Curdt, a dual PGA and LPGA Master Professional, and a clinical sports psychologist. Kathy and Dr. Curdt dive into the mental side of golf, exploring topics that affect golfers at all levels. Dr. Curdt shares her unique approach to balancing golf coaching, psychology, and competition while still being an active competitor herself. Key takeaways include: How self-concept impacts a golfer’s mindset and ...
Oct 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 195
Can you sense other people’s emotions or energy on the golf course? This episode is all about the empathetic golfer—you know, the one who feels every vibe on the course, whether it’s the joy of a great shot or the tension of a missed putt. We’ll chat about how empathy, that beautiful gift, can shape your golf experience, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, keep your cool, and, of course, give back those pesky ‘dust bunnies’ of negative energy that don’t...
Oct 16, 2024•10 min•Ep. 194
In this episode of Think Above Par , Kathy dives into the secret language we use on the golf course—commands! You know the ones: “Don’t hit it in the bunker!” or “Get it to the hole!” But are these commands helping or hurting your game? Spoiler: Your brain doesn't like being bossed around (even by you!). Kathy breaks down the types of commands we give ourselves on the course: swing commands, result commands, and feel commands. She explains why some are useful, while others might be putting extra...
Oct 09, 2024•17 min•Ep. 193
All it takes is one shift in a way of thinking on the golf course or about your game. In this episode, Kathy unpacks the magic of "Chick-fil-A moments"—those little paradigm shifts that can change your game and your life. She’ll explore how looking at things from a new angle can unlock hidden opportunities on the course, from rethinking your approach to that nightmare hole to understanding why empathy for others (and yourself) makes a world of difference. Whether you’re a high handicapper or a s...
Oct 02, 2024•14 min•Ep. 192
In this episode of "Think Above Par," we dive into the often-ignored topic of speaking up on the golf course and why staying silent can cost you more than just a missed putt. Kathy unpacks the common scenarios where golfers hold back—like when someone’s standing in your line or talking during your shot—and how not speaking up can sabotage your game. This isn’t about being rude or confrontational; it’s about having your own back and protecting your peace of mind. If you’ve ever felt irritated, di...
Sep 25, 2024•8 min•Ep. 191
Ever wondered how to handle gamesmanship on the golf course? In this episode, Kathy delves into the concept of gamesmanship in golf, sharing personal anecdotes and insights into how players can get into each other's heads to disrupt performance. Drawing from her experiences with family members and tournament play, Kathy explores both the negative impacts and potential uses of gamesmanship. She offers advice on protecting yourself from such tactics and questions the motivations behind employing t...
Sep 18, 2024•12 min•Ep. 190
Are you defining your self-worth by the numbers on your scorecard? In this episode, Kathy explores the concept of 'acceptable scores' in golf and how it shapes your self-perception on the course. By understanding and redefining what scores you deem acceptable, you'll learn to treat yourself with more grace and manage expectations better. You'll also discover how your handicap relates to your average scores and how to align your mindset with the statistics. Listen in to shift your identity as a g...
Sep 11, 2024•10 min•Ep. 189
Hae you ever played golf with people who just bug the heck out of you? Unless you play with the same group with your favorite people every round, you like have played with "challenging people". In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy dives into the mental game of golf by exploring how to make fellow golfers and various on-course interactions neutral (neither golf nor bad). She shares personal anecdotes and offers practical advice on how to manage your thoughts and reactions to different person...
Sep 04, 2024•12 min•Ep. 188
In this episode of Above Par, we dive into the common challenges golfers face when standing over the ball. Through real Q&A snippets from the Think About Par Club, we explore issues like dealing with uncertainties, focusing on difficult versus easy shots, and maintaining discipline and awareness. Learn practical tips on committing to shots and improving mental focus that can translate to better performance on the course and in life. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies to help you pl...
Aug 28, 2024•13 min•Ep. 187
Kathy wrote a book! In this episode, Kathy shares exciting news about her new book, 'Mastering Your Golf Brain: A Guide to Self-Coaching.' The book is currently available in Kindle format on Amazon. Kathy, a former tour player and top 50 golf teacher turned mental golf coach, takes listeners through her journey of discovering the importance of mindset in golf. She narrates her struggles with putting, the pivotal revelation that changed her game, and how managing thoughts can unlock true potentia...
Aug 21, 2024•10 min•Ep. 186
Do ever say, "I just want to play well" or "I really want to (or need to) win this match"? Well, how do you do that? You focus on the things that you can control and surrender to the things you cannot. In this episode, Kathy delves deep into the aspects of golf that drain mental energy and how to effectively manage them. By identifying uncontrollable factors like weather, course conditions, and other players' behaviors, she advocates for focusing on what you can control - your thoughts, emotions...
Aug 14, 2024•10 min•Ep. 185
Hello, golf friends! In this episode of *Above Par*, Kathy dives deep into the allure of quick fixes and why they don’t work for your mental golf game. Kathy draws parallels between seeking quick fixes for swing mechanics and mental game. She explains why quick fixes, like band-aids, eventually fall off, leaving golfers right back where they started. Instead, Kathy emphasizes the importance of developing lasting mental skills that allow you to manage anxiety, pressure, and fear on the course eff...
Aug 07, 2024•14 min•Ep. 184
In this episode,Kathy offers invaluable insights into the concept of 'mental shanks'—negative thoughts that sidetrack us both on and off the golf course. She explains how these thoughts are akin to shanking a golf ball; they move us sideways or backward rather than forward. Kathy emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing these mental shanks to prevent them from becoming detrimental habits. Through intentionality and awareness, golfers can pivot away from unhelpful thoughts to impro...
Jul 31, 2024•11 min•Ep. 183
In this insightful episode, Kathy dives deep into the power of positive thinking on the golf course. Have you ever wondered why some affirmations just don’t seem to work, no matter how positive they sound? The secret lies in understanding how our brains process these thoughts. We'll uncover three crucial insights: ensuring your thoughts are believable, creating an emotional connection, and managing the inner dialogue. Learn how to engage in a mental 'tug of war' with your thoughts and emerge vic...
Jul 24, 2024•13 min•Ep. 182
In this heartfelt episode of Above Par, released just before her 60th birthday, Kathy shares her personal journey and insights on aging, especially within the realm of golf. Reflecting on her feelings about turning 60 and the recent loss of her father, she discusses the impact of age on one's mindset, golf performance, and self-perception. Kathy addresses common concerns related to aging, such as physical decline and the feeling of running out of time, and emphasizes the neutrality of numbers. S...
Jul 17, 2024•17 min•Ep. 181
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 Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Private coaching starts with a Free Discovery Call here: Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com...
Jul 10, 2024•16 min•Ep. 180
Do you get exceptionally nervous in competition? And struggle to feel in control on the golf course? You may notice how much better you play in casual rounds of golf or that they are significantly more fun than tournaments or matches. In this episode of 'Above Par,' Kathy explores the mental transition between casual and competitive rounds of golf. Learn how to manage your mindset, reduce anxiety, and elevate your performance by making your casual and competitive golf experiences more similar. K...
Jul 03, 2024•13 min•Ep. 179
In this special episode of Above Par, Kathy delves into the powerful experiences of the members from Think Above Par Academy. By sharing their wins and the impact of mental and emotion management on the course, you learn how managing emotions and focusing on the experience can enhance golf performance. Hear firsthand accounts of overcoming mid-game excitement, maintaining calmness under pressure, and shifting paradigms to create a more enjoyable and successful game. Listen to the stories and dis...
Jun 27, 2024•17 min•Ep. 178
