Mind Caddie - Improve Your Mental Golf Game

What does it really take to become a PGA Tour winner—and stay at the top of your game?
In this episode of The Mind Caddie, we're joined by PGA Tour winner Derek Ernst, now Associate Head Coach at the University of Tennessee, for a deep dive into the mindset, discipline, and decision-making behind elite golf performance.
Derek shares powerful insights from his journey—from teaching himself the game to winning on the PGA Tour in a dramatic playoff—along with the lessons he now passes on to the next generation of top golfers.
Inside this episode, we explore:
How Derek developed his game from scratch
The importance of setting clear, tangible goals
Why loving the process is key to long-term success
The mindset shift that helped him win on the PGA Tour
The hidden dangers of playing too much golf
How to schedule smarter and avoid burnout
The challenge of competing on multiple tours
Why understanding your values is crucial for performance
The surprising downside of being a "selfish golfer"
His transition into elite college coaching
How modern college golf has evolved in the U.S.
The growing influence of sponsorship in amateur golf
Coaching top-level amateurs, including Walker Cup players
Lessons from renowned coach Randy Joyner: focusing on shots, not swings
Whether you're a competitive golfer, coach, or simply love the game, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you improve your mindset and performance on and off the course.
👉 To become a Certified Mind Factor coach: www.themindfactor.com
👉 Join The Mind Caddie journey: www.mindcaddie.golf
Shop with code : MINDFACTOR10 at checkout for 10% OFF your next order at www.fenixxcell.com @fenixxcell

Today on The Mind Caddie, we're joined by a true legend of the game — Ian Baker-Finch, winner of The Open Championship in 1991.
In this fascinating and deeply honest conversation, Ian reflects on his unforgettable victory at Royal Birkdale, including that extraordinary back-nine 28 on Saturday that helped secure his place in golfing history. He also opens up about the emotional highs of winning one of golf's greatest prizes—and the very real challenges that followed.
We dive into his new book To Hell and Back (or perhaps, as Ian suggests, To Heaven and Back), exploring the full journey of a career that saw both incredible triumph and difficult struggles.
Ian shares invaluable insights on:
Learning to think your way around the golf course, inspired by Peter Thomson

Why mastering shots—not just swings—is key to long-term success

The mental side of the game and how losing confidence can impact performance

His experiences across golf's "golden era," from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods

Why appreciating the whole game matters far more than just the score

This is a powerful, insightful, and often moving conversation with one of golf's true gentlemen—full of lessons for golfers of all levels.
👉 To become a Certified Mind Factor coach: www.themindfactor.com
👉 To follow The Mind Caddie journey: www.mindcaddie.golf
Shop with code : MINDFACTOR10 at checkout for 10% OFF your next order at www.fenixxcell.com @fenixxcell

400 Episodes of the Mind Caddie: The Real Keys to Golf Improvement
What could the Mind Caddie do for your golf game this year?
Today marks a huge milestone — Episode 400 of the Mind Caddie podcast. Hard to believe that over the past 8 years we've shared hundreds of conversations exploring the mental game of golf, performance psychology, and what it truly takes to improve your game.
Have we solved every problem in golf? Probably not.
But along the way, we believe we've started asking better questions about how golfers actually improve.
In this special episode, we turn the tables as Ben interviews Karl Morris about the evolution of the Mind Caddie and the lessons learned from 400 episodes of conversations about golf mindset, coaching, and performance.
Together they explore:
• The real keys to lasting improvement in golf • How to rediscover the joy and creativity of shot-making • The biggest myths and misconceptions about the mental game • Why golfers struggle to transfer practice range skills to the golf course • The power of being open to new possibilities in your game • The impact of AI and technology on the future of golf coaching • Practical steps you can take right now to improve your golf
The Mind Caddie exists because of the incredible support of listeners around the world.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
If you want to take your understanding of the mental game further:
Become a Certified Mind Factor Coach www.themindfactor.com
Join the Mind Caddie community www.mindcaddie.golf
Shop with code : MINDFACTOR10 at checkout for 10% OFF your next order at www.fenixxcell.com @fenixxcell

Today on the podcast we're joined by rising golf fitness coach Kiran Mistry, founder of The Golf Athlete X and one of the fastest-growing voices in golf performance training.
We met at the European Teaching Conference in Portugal, and his approach to golf conditioning, movement efficiency, and pre-round preparation immediately stood out.
With a large and rapidly growing Instagram following, Kiran has become known for his simple but powerful message:
15 minutes can transform your golf performance.
In this episode, we dive into:
The non-negotiables of a proper golf warm-up

How to activate the exact muscles used in the golf swing

Why split-leg movements improve balance and power

Centre of mass distribution and its effect on ball striking

Core engagement for stability and rotational speed

Lunges with rotation for real swing carryover

How to safely create acceleration before you tee off

Warming up tissue vs. just "stretching"

Connecting mind and body before a round

Engaging your attention for sharper focus on the first tee

This is a practical, no-fluff conversation about how to give yourself the best possible chance to play great golf — physically primed and mentally ready.
If you want to improve consistency, increase swing speed, reduce injury risk, and feel more prepared before every round, this episode is for you.
Follow Kiran Mistry on Instagram: @thegolfathletex
To become a Certified Mind Factor Coach: www.themindfactor.com
Join the Mind Caddie journey: www.mindcaddie.golf
Shop with code : MINDFACTOR10 at checkout for 10% OFF your next order at www.fenixxcell.com @fenixxcell

Can a Rite of Passage End Modern Psychological Suffering in Golf? | Golf Psychology & The Mental Game
Why do so many golfers struggle with fear, frustration and emotional suffering on the course?
In this powerful episode of The Mind Caddie, I'm joined by renowned golf coach and deep thinker Jim Waldron for a fascinating conversation about golf psychology, ego, performance pressure and the concept of the rite of passage.
For most of human history, societies marked the transition from child to adult with a rite of passage — a psychological shift from ego-driven identity to mature responsibility. Today, that structure has largely disappeared. Are many of us trying to play golf — and live life — with a childlike ego in an adult world?
We explore how this unresolved psychological development fuels fear of failure, score protection, shame, and emotional reactivity on the golf course.
In this episode, we dive into:
Why golfers experience so much fear and anxiety under pressure

How protecting your score increases suffering

The hidden power of willingly experiencing shame and humiliation

"Whatever we resist, we strengthen" — and how this applies to golf performance

The principle of impermanence and why embracing it transforms your mindset

The Buddhist concept of the Second Arrow — responding instead of reacting to setbacks

Why letting go of outcome control creates freedom and better performance

The real and immediate psychological consequences in professional golf

What your golf — and your life — could look like after a true psychological rite of passage

This is a deep, thought-provoking conversation about emotional resilience, mental toughness, spiritual growth, and what it really means to "grow up" psychologically in sport.
If you're serious about improving your mental game in golf — and reducing unnecessary suffering on the course — grab your notebook. This episode may change how you see performance forever.
Learn more about Jim Waldron at: www.balancepointgolf.com
Become a Certified Mind Factor Coach at: www.themindfactor.com
Join us on the Mind Caddie journey: www.mindcaddie.golf
Shop with code : MINDFACTOR10 at checkout for 10% OFF your next order at www.fenixxcell.com @fenixxcell