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Hey Fellow Golfer -
Thank you for reading this week’s More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter. If you find it valuable, could you forward this email to a fellow golfer?
Thank you.
You can click here to read the online version of this week’s newsletter.
And be sure to catch up on this week’s podcast episode:
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.
On paper, Hans had won.
He’d built a remarkable career turning around multi-million-dollar companies.
He took bold risks, led with discipline, and transformed sinking ships into thriving ventures—more than once.
Eventually, he sold his last company, stepped away from the boardroom, and gave himself permission to pursue another big goal:
To see how far he could take his golf game.
The goal?
Become a scratch golfer.
Win club championships.
Compete—and win—at the US Senior Amateur National level.
But despite all his success, work ethic, and resources…
Hans kept choking when it counted.
And he couldn’t figure out why.
In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn how Hans rewired perfectionism, self-doubt, and fear of choking into confidence, what it takes to swing freely and play to your potential when it matters most, and the exact mindset shifts and emotional breakthroughs that helped him win multiple tournaments
Let’s tee off!
The Pressure to Prove Himself – Again
Hans didn’t grow up golfing.
He came to the game later in life—after decades of professional success—and brought with him the same high standards, drive for perfection, and intense urgency that had served him so well in business.
But on the course, those very traits started working against him.
The short game yips became a recurring nightmare. He’d overthink chips. Freeze over pitch shots. And instead of approaching tournaments with calm confidence, he felt trapped in fear—especially when he was in contention.
One round in particular left a scar.
Hans held a multi-shot lead at the US Senior Amateur Nationals with just a few holes to go. He was playing beautifully…until he realized he might win.
And that’s when everything shifted.
He got tense. Defensive. His rhythm fell apart. He started swinging not to win—but to not blow it.
And he did blow it.
The collapse left behind more than just a bad taste. It etched itself into his memory like trauma. In his own words: “I don’t have fun in these moments. I dread them.”
The next time he was in contention, that dread would surface again. And again.
He had built the swing. He had the experience. But mentally and emotionally, he couldn’t get out of his own way.
Can you relate?
The Real Weight He Was Carrying
When we began working together, it became clear that Hans wasn’t just struggling with performance issues. He was carrying decades of internal pressure—most of it invisible to the outside world.
“I have a false sense of urgency,” he admitted. “I expect perfection from myself. And when I get close to a win, I tighten up and try to protect the lead instead of staying present and free.”
Underneath it all was a deeper belief that he didn’t deserve to win—because he hadn’t been playing as long as others. That he wasn’t a “real” golfer. That he had to prove himself. Again. And again.
Like many high achievers, Hans was brilliant at executing under pressure in his career. But golf? Golf revealed what he hadn’t yet addressed internally.
The tension. The self-doubt. The fear of choking.
It all showed up when the stakes were highest.
If you’re serious about taking your game to the next level - on and off the course - click here to schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call to learn how I can help you plug your energy leaks and play to your potential.
Unlearning Urgency
Through our work together, we slowed everything down.
We unpacked the internal stories that created stress and tightness. We used hypnosis and guided reprogramming to retrain his subconscious. We stopped just working on his swing—and started working on his relationship with himself.
He learned how to:
Identify and interrupt the spiral of negative self-talk before it hijacked his round.
Replace old beliefs about being “behind” with new beliefs grounded in worthiness.
Develop emotional awareness and self-compassion in high-pressure moments.
Rebuild confidence and presence around the greens with a trusted short game process.
Play freely—especially when it mattered most.
Most importantly, Hans started enjoying the game again.
He stopped playing not to lose.
He started swinging to win.
And the results speak for themselves.
From Scar Tissue to the Winner’s Circle (Again and Again…)
Since doing this work, Hans has won multiple tournaments.
He’s competing at a high level.
He’s performing under pressure.
He’s trusting himself, his swing, and his process.
And he’s no longer dreading the final few holes—he’s relishing them.
“Paul’s coaching literally unstuck me from some unproductive beliefs and behaviors. I’m now much more comfortable around the greens and playing much better when in contention. And I’ve got the first-place finishes to show for it.”
Hans didn’t just become a better golfer. He became a more grounded, more resilient version of himself.
If you’ve ever felt that gnawing fear when you realize you’re in contention…
If you’ve ever spiraled at the turn because the thought of winning scared you more than the thought of losing…
If you’ve ever tightened up, choked, and questioned whether you’re even capable of pulling it off…
Hans’ story is your story, too.
And his transformation is proof that you can change it.
Han’s Story Recap
Before Working With Me:
Crippling anxiety in contention
Scar tissue from past collapses under pressure
Short game struggles and fear-based swings
High demands, perfectionism, and urgency
Deep internal doubt around whether he deserved to win
Why He Worked With Me:
Tired of collapsing under pressure
Wanted to win and enjoy the moment, not dread it
Needed to retrain the mental and emotional patterns sabotaging him
What We Worked On and Reprogrammed
Released trauma and fear through mindset coaching and hypnosis
Rewired perfectionism and pressure into confidence and patience
Transformed inner dialogue from critical to compassionate
Rebuilt trust in himself and his process
Created freedom in his swing—especially when the stakes were highest
Results and Accomplishments:
Won multiple tournaments
Performed consistently in contention
Transformed short game confidence and approach
Found joy, calm, and freedom on the course
Built a belief system rooted in self-worth and trust—not proving and pressure
Final Thought
Hans didn’t need a new swing.
He needed a new story.
And through the courage to look within—unpacking the pressure, releasing the dread, and rewriting his internal programming—he unlocked the version of himself who could win with peace, presence, and power.
If you’ve got the game to compete but can’t seem to win when it counts…
If your swing tightens when it should flow…
If the pressure feels like a prison…
Let’s talk.
Click here to schedule a mindset coaching discovery call with me.
It might just be the first step that changes everything.
Because like Hans, you deserve to know what it feels like to play free—and win.
Your Next Step
Every newsletter will conclude with a suggested action step and further resources on the topic we discussed.
After reading today’s newsletter, I encourage you to take action and schedule a mindset coaching discovery call with me to learn how upgrading your mindset can have a positive ripple effect on every area of your life.
If you have any questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram (@thegolfhypnotherapist) or send me an email directly: [email protected]
Thank you for reading today’s newsletter.
If you found it valuable, share it with a fellow golfer ready to take their game to the next level.
Until next time,
Paul
P.S. What did you think of today’s newsletter? Reply back / drop a comment below to let me know.
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