Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance

What does winning golf really look like?
In this episode, I’m breaking down the mindset of Maria Jose Marin after her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur—and giving you real, on-course examples of how she handled pressure, nerves, and her own thoughts.
Because here’s the truth: she didn’t win by playing perfect golf.
She won by managing this:
Feeling nervous—and not making it mean anything
Riding emotional highs and lows without spiraling
Resetting with simple “caddy phrases” like breathe, calm down, you’re okay
Trusting her momentum and adjusting her game plan mid-round
Looking at the leaderboard…and immediately feeling the pressure spike
Choosing patience instead of trying to force birdies
This is what winning golf actually looks like.
Not perfect swings. Not forcing results.
Just a player who knows how to guide her mind back to calm, confident, and clear—over and over again.
If you want to play more consistent, confident golf and stop letting your emotions run the show, this episode will show you how to think differently on the course.
Let’s go. 💛
How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com
Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy 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 [email protected]
Website: KathyHartWood.com

Ever feel like you’re actually getting worse after working on your golf game?
You take a lesson, spend time on the range, really try to improve… and then your scores go up—and your brain goes straight to, “What is wrong with me?”
Yeah. We’re fixing that today.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what I call the Aerated Green Effect—and why expecting great results while you’re changing your swing is one of the fastest ways to tank your confidence.
You’ll learn:
Why your golf game feels worse after a lesson (even when you’re improving)
The mental mistake that keeps golfers stuck and frustrated
How to stop judging your game mid-improvement
What to focus on instead so you can actually get better
If you’ve ever walked off the course thinking, “I just ruined my swing,” this episode is your reset.
Because you’re not getting worse—you’re just in the middle of the process.
And if you can learn how to handle that part? That’s where real confidence comes from.
How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com
Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy 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 [email protected]
Website: KathyHartWood.com

Ever make the turn, realize you’re playing well… and suddenly everything feels tighter?
Welcome to your back nine brain.
In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you go from playing freely to trying not to mess it up—and why that shift is what actually costs you the round.
We’re talking about:
Why your brain goes into “protect the score” mode
The sneaky difference between “I’ve got this” and “don’t blow it”
How future-thinking kills your ability to swing freely
And the simple shift that helps you stay present and finish strong
Here’s the truth: nothing has gone wrong—you just left the present moment.
If you’ve ever felt the pressure creep in on the back nine (or the last few holes), this episode will help you spot it, laugh at it, and get right back to playing your game.
One shot. One decision. One commitment.
Let’s go.
How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com
Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy 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 [email protected]
Website: KathyHartWood.com

Got a tournament coming up and your brain is already spiraling?
You’re not broken—your brain is just trying to protect you.
In this episode, I’ll show you what’s actually happening when nerves kick in and give you a simple 5-step process to calm your mind, quiet the noise, and show up ready to play.
Because it’s not about getting rid of nerves…
 It’s about not letting them run the show.
If you’ve ever thought “I’m not ready” before a round—this is for you.
How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com
Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy 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 [email protected]
Website: KathyHartWood.com

Ever feel like your brain turns against you on the golf course?
One minute you’re standing over the ball… and the next your brain is yelling: Don’t hit it in the water. Don’t mess this up. Everyone’s watching.
In this episode, I’m sharing a funny story about my husband assembling a bike rack without reading the instructions—and how golfers do the exact same thing with their brains.
Here’s the truth: your brain wasn’t designed to help you shoot lower scores. It was designed to keep you alive. That means it’s constantly scanning for danger, mistakes, embarrassment, and anything that might go wrong.
So if your mind goes negative on the golf course… nothing has gone wrong.
You just haven’t been given the instruction manual.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through why your brain works this way and how a little awareness can help you guide your thoughts instead of getting pushed around by them.
Because when you understand your brain, the pressure drops—and the game gets a lot more fun. ⛳️

KathyHartWood.com
How many shots is your mental golf costing you?
Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com
Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy 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 [email protected]
Website: KathyHartWood.com