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:

• #69: Humbled, But Not Broken: Setbacks, Shanks & Showing Up Anyway

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. 

Most golfers I work with aren’t chasing a paycheck.

They’re chasing something much more meaningful:

• A feeling. 

• A sense of pride. 

• A quiet confidence. 

• A deep belief that they can do hard things - and succeed.

Jim is one of those golfers.

By all traditional measures of success, Jim had made it. A highly accomplished entrepreneur, he had built a life of freedom, financial wealth, and professional impact. 

But when it came to golf, he was still living in the shadows of “good enough.”

• He was committed, but not fully.

• He wanted to improve, but he wasn’t all-in.

• He said he cared, but his actions told a different story.

Can you relate?

He’d describe himself as “just an average guy who lucked into a few opportunities and made the most of them.” And whether he realized it or not, he brought that same belief to the course.

In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn how Jim uncovered and rewrote the deep-seated beliefs holding him back, what emotional barriers were quietly sabotaging his success, and how - by transforming his identity - he’s now on a fast track to becoming a scratch golfer.

Let’s tee off!

The Cost of Playing Small

Before working with me, Jim didn’t think of himself as needing help. 

He had accomplished so much in life. 

Why dig deeper? 

Why want more?

But deep down, he was sick of playing small on the course.

He was tired of:

• Making excuses and pretending not to care

• Taking shortcuts during practice and playing distracted

• Prioritizing his playing partners’ experience over his own goals

• Settling for mediocrity and masking it with self-deprecating humor

Yet, at the same time, he found immense comfort in, well, remaining comfortable!

• He didn’t want to stand out.

• He didn’t want to be “that guy” chasing scratch and taking things too seriously.

• He just wanted to fit in, have fun, and play decent golf.

But under the surface, Jim was quietly fighting a different battle - one between who he was and who he knew he could be.

Click here to download a guided hypnosis specifically crafted to help you overcome the aspect of your game most consistently holding you back from playing to your potential.

The Invisible Resistance Holding Him Back

Jim carried a belief system that kept him stuck at a glass ceiling he couldn’t quite break through.

Here’s what it sounded like:

• I’m not an athlete. I’m just an average guy.

• I’ve already accomplished so much—why push harder?

• What if I fail? What if I try and it’s not enough?

• I don’t deserve to be a scratch golfer. That’s for other people.

On the outside, Jim looked calm, confident, and easygoing.

But on the inside, he was full of doubt, fear, and resistance.

He was afraid of what might happen if he actually succeeded.

Who would he become if he regularly shot in the low 70s - or even broke 70?

• Would his friends treat him differently? 

• Would he feel pressure to maintain it? 

• Would it change how he saw himself?

That fear of the unknown - of success - kept him stuck.

The Breakthrough: Rewriting the Story

In our work together, we didn’t focus on fixing his swing.

We focused on upgrading his identity.

Jim had to let go of the old version of himself - the one who played it safe, downplayed his drive, and used humor to cover up his frustration.

We’ve worked on:

• Releasing the fear of failure and the fear of success

• Updating outdated beliefs that no longer served him

• Making it emotionally safe to win instead of just be liked

• Creating a new internal operating system rooted in confidence, clarity, and self-trust

We helped Jim stop living with one foot on the gas and one on the brake.

And the results have been undeniable.

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 make playing to your potential a habit. 

Results that Go Deeper than A Scorecard

Jim’s handicap is already down a few strokes this year. He’s tracking fast toward his goal of becoming a scratch golfer.

But more importantly, he no longer apologizes for wanting to be great.

• He no longer feels like he has to choose between being liked and being excellent.

• He no longer sabotages his preparation and shrinks in fear of expectations.

• He’s stepped into the identity of a golfer who trusts himself - on the course, in competition, and under pressure.

Jim now plays with the presence, discipline, and emotional resiliency that great golfers are built on. 

And for the first time in his life, he believes he deserves to be excellent - because he’s done the inner work to become it.

Work with a golf hypnotherapist and mindset coach to unlearn the beliefs, programs, and behaviors that are no longer serving you so that you can play to your potential. 

Click here to schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call to learn how I can help you make playing to your potential a habit. 

Jim’s Story Recap

Before working with me:

• Settled for being “just an average guy” on the course

• Downplayed his desire to be great because he’d already “accomplished enough”

• Avoided standing out or taking his golf seriously

• Sabotaged progress with shortcuts, distractions, and excuses

• Held limiting beliefs around athleticism, success, and self-worth

• Afraid of both failure and success

Why he chose to work with me:

• Knew he was capable of more, but didn’t know how to access it

• Realized his mental and emotional patterns - not his swing - were the real problem

• Wanted to redefine what he believed was possible

Results and accomplishments:

• Handicap dropped several strokes and trending toward scratch

• Rebuilt belief in himself as a golfer and competitor

• Let go of approval-seeking and self-sabotage

• Created emotional safety to pursue and own success

• Now plays with clarity, discipline, and confidence, as well as a greater sense of excitement and joy than ever before

Final Thought

If Jim’s story feels familiar, it’s because his story is your story. The details may differ, but the themes are the same:

• Settling for less. 

• Playing it safe. 

• Feeling the quiet weight of untapped potential.

If you’re tired of being “almost there”…

If you know you’re capable of more but can’t quite seem to access it…

If you’re ready to stop playing small and finally own your greatness…

Then, it’s time to do the real work - the deep work that has a positive ripple effect on every aspect of your life.

I can help you get there. Let’s talk.

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, ask yourself: “Am I settling for good enough?” And allow that to marinate before taking action to do what you know you need to do - even if it feels uncomfortable (which it should) to change this.

If you have any questions, feel free to DM me on Instagram (@thegolfhypnotherapist) or send me an email directly: [email protected]

After reading today’s newsletter, I want you to take the time to complete each step in my goal-setting process. Then, share it with me via email or on social media.

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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1. Listen to The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast: Whether you’re an occasional amateur, a weekend regular, or a competitor seeking a tournament trophy or your pro card, this podcast will help you overcome the mental hazards of your mind to shoot more pars than bogeys. Start listening.
   

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