Hey Fellow Golfer - 

Thank you for reading this week’s More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

You can click here to read the online version of this week’s newsletter.

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If you’re serious about success - 

If you’re committed to achieving your full potential - 

You have a coach.

Period.

Whether on the golf course or in your business, asking for help accelerates results.

Society has normalized the value of coaching since you were young. Back then, you had a coach teaching you the fundamentals of the sports you played

For our sake, we’ll refer to this type of coaching as technique coaching. A technique coach helps refine your technique and develop a fundamental understanding and proficiency of the skill you’re focused on.

If we use the conscious competence model of learning, which I detailed in this previous newsletter, as an example, a great technique coach is valuable when you’re progressing from unconscious competence to conscious incompetence and conscious competence.

In golf, you have a swing coach who helps you build a consistent and strong golf swing. You may also have a personal trainer who helps you develop the singular skills of strength, power, speed, balance, and mobility.

If you’re committed to maximizing your potential, however, you need a coach to help you ascend from a stage of proficiency (conscious competence) to mastery (unconscious competence).

Enter a mindset coach. 

Your subconscious - your mind - influences 95 percent of what you do daily. It’s home to your memories, emotions, beliefs, and habits.

You consciously know what to do to achieve greatness; however, if you’re not where you want to be or feel you should be (on or off the course), you’re likely held hostage by a collection of fears, beliefs, and behaviors. 

If you’ve ever felt like you knew what to do but couldn’t seem to do it, you have a mindset problem.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly what mindset coaching is.

You’ll also learn how far (and wide) the benefits of mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can go into helping you achieve your potential - both on and off the course. 

If you feel stuck, trapped, or like you're fighting the resistance of an invisible gravitational force preventing you from being more, doing more, earning more, and achieving more, buckle up.

Let’s tee off.

The Makeup of Your Mindset

Your mindset encompasses your conscious and subconscious mind.

To best differentiate the two aspects of your mind, Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psychoanalysis, introduced the Iceberg Theory, likening it to the human mind's two main components.

Above the surface, resembling the tip of an iceberg, lies the conscious mind - where awareness, perception, and deliberate thought reside. It's the part of the mind you actively engage and influence.

Researchers estimate that what you see of an iceberg is only 10 percent of its structure. 

On the other hand, the subconscious mind parallels the remaining 90 percent of the structural integrity of the iceberg that lies beneath the surface. 

Within the subconscious, you'll find your beliefs, fears, habits, emotions, values, perceived reactions, imagination, and intuition. These collectively shape your personality and identity and ultimately craft your reality.

Freud posited that most behavior stems from factors operating beyond conscious awareness, originating from the depths of the unconscious mind. While the conscious and subconscious work in concert, he suggested that the unconscious mind exerts the greatest influence. 

The relationship between your conscious and subconscious mind is akin to a one-way radio broadcast. The subconscious continually sends signals influencing the conscious mind, but the conscious mind can't transmit signals in return.

The result: your conscious thoughts, willpower, and actions are under the sway of your subconscious. If fears, doubts, or feelings of inadequacy reside in your subconscious, they'll directly shape your conscious thoughts and actions, ultimately influencing your identity and reality.

Read that again…

Your Subconscious Wants to Keep You Safe

The primary function of your subconscious mind is to ensure your safety.

Many researchers believe that the subconscious mind includes two of the oldest portions of your brain: the brain stem (responsible for basic, involuntary functions) and the limbic system (home to emotional processing).

This is noteworthy because it illustrates the subconscious's role in keeping our species alive for thousands of years.

It’s been around since our inception, and although significant brain and overall species development have occurred since our ancestors were running from saber-toothed tigers, your subconscious remains rooted in these outdated survival and safety principles. 

Your subconscious is rooted in emotional reactions, often lacks rationality, and doesn’t have a clear grasp of reality.

This means that what you and I logically understand to be safe, like achieving financial success, losing significant weight, or breaking 80 on the golf course, may not align with your subconscious's assessment. 

This discrepancy can be attributed to past events and memories that have shaped its perception (more on this in next week’s newsletter). 

To ensure your safety, your subconscious mind holds on to emotions (like anger, shame, or guilt). It also deploys several programs and behaviors to help bring you back to a predictable, familiar place.

These programs and behaviors are what I collectively refer to as Destructive Mindset Programs. I dedicated an entire newsletter to this topic, which you can read here. 

In short, a destructive mindset program is an unconscious collection of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors that serve as pre-programmed responses to particular emotions.

Consider this relatable example: It’s the third hole, and you’re coming off of back-to-back poor holes to start. 

• You step up to the tee box and slice your drive into the trees - again.

• You immediately feel heat radiating across your forehead, and a wave of anger overwhelms you.

• “F%&K! You idiot,” you whisper under your breath (or even yell aloud).

• Walking toward the area where you last saw your ball, you feel the tension gradually building in your chest. 

• Your mind is filled with nasty, unproductive talk, disbelief, and the acceptance that it will be a long day…

• Fortunately, your ball kicked back in bounds, yet your body has residual tension as you line up to hit your next shot. 

• You have difficulty slowing down to focus on the present moment.

• You hook your iron into the sand trap near the green - again.

And the cycle repeats itself. 

Let’s break down what happened:

• Trigger: slice your tee shot

• Emotion: anger

• Word Choice: “F%&K! You idiot.”

• Thoughts: “This is so unfair. I can’t believe this.”

• Belief: “I always slice my driver. I never play well at this course.”

• Action: You’re tense and distracted playing your next shot and don’t execute your usual pre-shot routine.

• Result: You hit another bad shot.

Something triggered an unconscious downstream cascade of negative thinking and counterproductive behaviors in the blink of an eye.

What I want you to glean, however, is that this same outdated, unconscious programming doesn’t discriminate based on where you are.

Life demands you traverse a battlefield of unseen emotional triggers daily. It’s not a matter of if you’re triggered, it’s when. 

This means that your pre-programmed reaction of rage, anger, yelling, or physical release is the same when triggered on the course, in the office, or at home.

Read that again…

If you struggle with emotional management on the course, you struggle with it away from the course. It’s likely costing you much more money in your business and an indescribable amount in your home life.

There exist dozens of unique destructive mindset programs. However, what makes it challenging to dismantle these programs is that you’re only ever aware of what’s happening on the surface (as opposed to seeing the core of the issue), and this is where you dedicate your time, energy, and money to solving the problem. 

This is comparable to noticing a large weed in your garden and persistently trying to eliminate it by trimming the visible part rather than directly targeting the roots for complete removal.

The number one reason why personal transformation often doesn't last is that nearly everyone is trying to make subconscious changes from conscious efforts.

To make things even more complicated - and by complicated, I mean frustrating - is the harsh truth that you likely know the solution to your problem.

If you don’t, a simple Google search will yield thousands of solutions in seconds.

I share this to reiterate you don’t have an information problem.

You have a mindset problem.

Fortunately, mindset coaching and hypnotherapy help you get to the core of the problem and not only understand when, how, and why this programmed reaction came to be but also begin to either unlearn or upgrade the associated emotions, beliefs, or behaviors so that they align with the version of yourself you wish to become. 

If you want to learn more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and in your business, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me. 

What is Mindset Coaching?

Before we discuss the many benefits of mindset coaching - specifically hypnotherapy - it’s important to understand what mindset coaching is, how it differs from tactical coaching, and how coaching differs from teaching. 

Mindset Coaching Explained

Your subconscious mind, home to your emotions, memories, beliefs, and habits, influences 95 percent of your behavior.

Traditional therapy and technique coaching focus on the five percent.

Mindset coaching focuses on the 95 percent.

Mindset Coaching is an intensive, one-on-one transformational coaching experience that will cut to the core of your biggest fears, limiting beliefs, and sabotaging behaviors so that you can tap into unstoppable levels of performance, achieve your most ambitious goals, and create a life that’s rich in fulfillment, impact, and income.

Through a combination of hypnosis, subconscious reprogramming, and mindset shift training, a skilled, credentialed, and experienced coach like myself will help you not only uncover the origin of these outdated, counterproductive fears, beliefs, and behaviors but begin to unlearn or upgrade them so that they’re congruent with the version of you who’s destined to reach his potential. 

Hypnotherapy Enters the Equation

I use a combination of hypnosis, inner child healing, subconscious reprogramming, and mindset shift training, among other modalities, to help you get out of your own way and stop self-sabotage at the source.

Through hypnosis, we’re able to uncover the origin of the collection of beliefs, behaviors, and stories (what I previously referred to as detrimental mindset programs), and then begin doing the necessary work to unlearn and upgrade these elements to that they’re aligned with who you want to be and where you want to go.

The result: You break through limiting beliefs, overcome mental roadblocks, and conquer the fears holding you back from unlocking your full potential.

What the Research Says

A research review published over 50 years ago examined all available studies comparing the impact of traditional talk therapy versus hypnotherapy.  

The research review extracted the following conclusions after reviewing hundreds of studies:

• Participants engaging in traditional talk therapy experienced an average of 38% positive impact after 600 sessions (on average) - over 10 years of weekly therapy.

• Participants engaging in hypnotherapy experienced an average of 93% positive impact after six sessions (on average).

In short, hypnotherapy is safe, fast, and effective because it immediately gets to the core of the problem. This allows you to either unlearn or upgrade the outdated program and align it with the next-level success you’re seeking. 

You can learn more specifically about hypnosis (what it is not, what it is, how it works, and how I use it to help my clients unlock their potential) in either of these recent resources:

• “How Hypnosis Can Help You Improve Your Golf Game.”

• Episode #7 of the Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast

• Grab your free hypnosis audio recording to play your best round

10 Reasons You Need a Mindset Coach (on and off the course)

1. Overcome Mental Blocks: A mindset coach will help you identify and break through limiting beliefs that hinder your performance on the course and in business.
   
   If you’ve ever felt like you know what to do but can’t seem to do it consistently, then a deep-rooted fear or belief keeps you stuck.
   
   Mindset coaching will help you uncover the origins and release these outdated fears and beliefs to take massive action toward your desired life.
   

2. Increase Confidence: A mindset coach will help you build unshakeable self-belief that enhances your performance in both golf and business, leading to more assertive play and stronger leadership.
   
   This means believing in your abilities and playing more aggressively on the course. In business, it fuels the courage to take on new challenges and lead with authority. In your personal life, it manifests as higher self-esteem, allowing you to set and approach ambitious goals with determination.

3. Improve Focus and Concentration: A mindset coach will help you strengthen your focus and concentration, skills that serve you immensely in each area of your life. On the course, you’ll bring intense presence to every single shot you hit, which results in eliminating those pesky anyway shots.
   
   In business, this translates into improved productivity and sharper decision-making. Imagine being more present, not just on the course but in your daily life, leading to stronger relationships and a more fulfilling personal life.

4. Develop Emotional Resilience: A mindset coach will empower you to bounce back from setbacks and maintain control of your emotional state.
   
   Whether recovering from a bad hole in golf or navigating a tough day at work, resilience keeps you moving forward with a positive mindset, enabling sustained success in all areas of life.

5. Improve Decision-Making: A mindset coach will help you sharpen your ability to make confident, quick decisions on the course and in your business, reducing hesitation and improving outcomes.

6. Manage Stress Effectively: Learn to stay calm and composed under pressure, minimize anxiety, and maximize performance in competitive golf and business situations.
   
   Stress can cripple performance in both golf and business. Mindset coaching and hypnotherapy will teach you how to manage stress effectively to stay calm under pressure, whether you’re sinking a crucial putt or making critical business decisions. Off the course, this ability to handle stress ensures greater emotional well-being and a more balanced life.

7. Create a Winning Mindset: Ultimately, mindset coaching is about creating a winning mindset - one that fosters continuous improvement, whether you're aiming to lower your golf scores, achieve business goals, or find more joy in your personal life.
   
   The impact of this transformation will be felt not only in your scorecards but also in the quality of your relationships, your leadership abilities, and your overall fulfillment.

8. Optimize Clarity and Priorities: Mindset coaching will help you master the mental skills to balance your passion for golf with the demands of your business and the priorities of your family life.
   
   When you recognize what’s most important - and why - you’re better able to direct your energy to where it matters most, thus experiencing the greatest impact and success. 

9. Break Through Performance Plateaus: Mindset coaching can help you overcome mental blocks and limiting beliefs and break through performance plateaus when you feel stuck in a rut.
   
   Hypnotherapy works at a deeper level, reprogramming your mind for success. By unlocking your potential, you’ll see tangible improvements on the course, in your business, and your overall satisfaction with life.
   

10. Long-Term Success, Motivation, and Fulfillment: A mindset coach keeps you motivated and on track, helping you maintain the drive to achieve your golf on and off the course.
    
    More specifically, you’ll have the belief, accountability, and support you need to navigate both the expected and unexpected challenges you’ll encounter on your path to success.
    
    The result: greater results, success, pride, and fulfillment. 

As a Golf Hypnotherapist, I use hypnosis to help you unlearn the beliefs and behaviors holding you hostage on and off the course so you can live life to the fullest and play to your potential. 

Click here to schedule a free Mental Game Strategy session to learn how I can help you learn faster and shoot lower scores.

Benefits Beyond the Course

Luke's Story: When I met Luke, he was a six-handicap golfer trapped in a massive putting funk. Multiple three-putts per round were draining his confidence and costing him money and the pride and joy he once had for the game. 

Frustration was eating away at him. Together, we dove deep into the root of his fear and anxiety around putting, tracing it back to unresolved personal issues from his past.

Through mindset coaching and hypnotherapy, we dismantled the performance anxiety that gripped him every time he faced a second putt. 

With those fears released, Luke's game transformed. Three-putting became a distant memory, and he won a 45-hole tournament without a single three-putt. Today, Luke is putting with newfound confidence and has lowered his handicap to a three.

Charles' Journey: Charles was once a consistent high-80s shooter, but after years away from the course, he found himself mired in self-doubt. Each poor shot triggered an avalanche of negative emotions, and his scores reflected it - he was stuck in the mid-90s for years.

When we began working together, we focused on defusing the toxic emotions draining his energy and sabotaging his performance. He has experienced significant hardship away from the course that needed to be addressed.

The results were immediate and profound. 

Charles experienced renewed energy and joy, not only in his everyday life but also on the course. His scores began to drop, and his love for the game returned.

Harrison's Challenge: Harrison is preparing for Q School this fall, backed by unwavering emotional and financial support from his parents, girlfriend, and close-knit team. But with that support came an immense pressure that weighed him down, leading to anxiety and underperformance in tournaments.

Together, we’ve worked to apply logic to his situation and release the pressure and anxiety that had been holding him back. 

Now, Harrison is finding clarity and confidence on the course, which is translating into lower rounds and more focused practice sessions as he prepares for the next big step in his golfing journey.

What I Can Help You With

In short, I can help you become the confident golfer who brings mental toughness, emotional resilience, calm, and focus to the course.

I can also help you overcome each of the following - which likely plague you on and off the course. 

• Perfectionism

• People pleasing

• Procrastination and avoidance

• Anger management

• Self-sabotage

• Stress and anxiety

• Burnout and overwhelm

• Lack of confidence 

• Fear of success

• Fear of failure

• Low energy

• Imposter syndrome

• Poor self-control

• Anger issues

• Lack of accountability

• Poor self-esteem

Click here to schedule a free Mental Game Strategy session to learn how I can help you learn faster and shoot lower scores.

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, go back and listen to episode 17 of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, which will help you determine whether or not you’re committed to success - whether that be on or off the course.

If you’re serious about improving your golf game and becoming the best version of yourself, then know you have two paths to choose from:

1. Repetition: This path is long and painful, and often times, you won’t ever find the correct root cause of your problem; thus, it may not be effective.
   

2. Hypnosis: Fast, direct, and highly effective at upgrading your beliefs and behaviors to align with your potential so that playing your best becomes your reality.

Success loves action.

Success loves speed. 

If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go with others.

If you are committed (not merely interested) to achieving your goals and are ready to get out of your own way to accomplish them, then click here to schedule a mental game strategy session to discuss how I can help you unlock your potential on and off the course. 

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.

• Birdie

• Par

• Bogey

Thank you for reading.

When you're ready, there are three ways I can help you:

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.
   

2. Overcome the Mental Hazards of Your Mind: How Hypnosis Can Help You Shoot Lower Scores: Whether you spend two or ten hours at the range each week, if you don’t learn to address and overcome your mind's mental and emotional hazards, you’ll remain stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance playing well short of your potential. Shoot More Pars.
   

3. 1-1 Mindset Coaching and Hypnotherapy for Golfers: I help golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds to shoot lower scores (and have more fun) using hypnosis. Book a free Golf Mental Game Strategy Call Today.