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:

• #66: [Inside the Mind] Scott Fawcett: Risk Management, Responding v. Reacting, and Emotional Detachment

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. 

Nowhere is this truer than on the golf course. 

Every round is filled with a constant internal dialogue - whether you realize it or not. And the way you frame your questions dictates how you respond to adversity, how you manage pressure, and, ultimately, how well you play.

Questions shape your focus, your emotions, and your performance. 

The quality of your golf game is a direct reflection of the quality of your questions. 

In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn just how much of an impact the questions you pose to yourself have on your game, the three types of questions (and which to avoid), and how to upgrade relatable questions you may currently be asking during a round.

Let’s tee off!

The Quality of Your Questions Determines the Quality of Your Golf Game

Ever find yourself standing over a shot, gripping the club a little tighter, and thinking: Why do I always mess this up?

Or maybe after a bad stretch of holes, you ask: What’s wrong with me today? Why can’t I ever play consistently?

Seems harmless, right? Just a little venting to yourself. 

But here’s the problem - your subconscious is always listening. And just like a computer running a search query, it goes to work finding answers because it thinks it’s helping you by doing so.

• Ask, “why do I always choke under pressure?” and your subconscious will dig up every past failure to confirm that belief.

• Ask, “why can’t I putt?” and your mind will reinforce the idea that you’re a bad putter as it shows you every recent three-putt and missed three-foot putt.

• Ask, “why can’t I break 80?” and your subconscious will show you every time you blew up on the back nine after breaking 40 on the front.

The questions you ask shape your focus, emotions, and ultimately, your performance.

Now imagine flipping the script and asking a better question…

Instead of:

• Why do I always screw up my approach shots?

• What’s one thing I can focus on to make solid contact here?

Instead of:

• Why do I fall apart after a bad hole?

• What can I learn from that last hole to play better moving forward?

Instead of:

• Why can’t I putt?

• What’s the one aspect of my putting routine I can focus on to give me the best chance at hitting a solid putt?

See the difference? 

Feel the difference?

The first set of questions puts your brain in problem mode, focused on failures, frustration, and reasons why you’ll continue to struggle. The second set shifts your mind toward solutions, learning, and execution.

And here’s the best part: your subconscious mind will always look for answers. So, why not make it work for you rather than against you?

The quality of your golf game is a direct reflection of the quality of your questions.

Choose them wisely.

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 3 Types of Questions That Shape Your Golf Game

Every golfer talks to themselves during a round. 

Click here for a refresher on the power of word choice and self-talk.

Some conversations fuel confidence and focus, while others create frustration and doubt. 

What you may not realize, however, is that the questions you ask yourself - consciously or unconsciously shape your mindset, emotions, and performance.

There are three types of questions that dominate your internal dialogue:

1. Disempowering questions reinforce failure and frustration.

2. Neutral questions build awareness without judgment.

3. Empowering questions shift your focus to confidence, clarity, and execution.

Understanding the difference can transform your mental game. Instead of unconsciously feeding self-doubt, you can train yourself to ask the right questions - the ones that keep you calm, focused, and ready to perform under pressure.

Let’s break down these three categories so you can start using better questions to play better golf.

1. Disempowering Questions (What to Avoid)

These questions reinforce doubt, frustration, and failure. They focus on problems rather than solutions, keeping you stuck in negative thought loops.

• “Why do I always choke under pressure?”

• “Why am I so inconsistent?”

• “Why can’t I ever break 80?”

Your subconscious will always look for answers, and when you ask questions like these, it will dig up every past failure to confirm them.

Replace them with questions that shift your focus toward improvement and action:

• “What can I do to stay calm under pressure?”

• “What does my best golf feel like, and how can I tap into that today?”

• “What small adjustment will help me be 100% present during my next shot?”

2. Neutral Questions (Useful for Awareness)

These questions are observational and help you analyze your game without judgment. Remember, remaining curious during a round is a mental edge to help you stay emotionally detached from the outcomes beyond your control.

These questions create self-awareness, which is key step in making adjustments.

• “What am I feeling over this shot?”

• “Where is my focus right now?”

• “What’s my current energy level?”

Additionally, these questions help you recognize what’s happening in the moment so you can course-correct before your round spirals.

If you don’t like the answer you receive after asking, you can always step away to avoid an anyway shot and then begin your pre-shot routine again.

Use them when you need to regain focus or assess your mindset mid-round.

3. Empowering Questions (The Game-Changers)

These are the questions that fuel confidence, problem-solving, and present-moment focus. 

They direct your mind toward actionable solutions and better decision-making.

• “What’s my target, and how can I fully commit to this shot?”

• “What’s one thing I can control right now?”

• “How can I make this next shot the best one yet?”

The difference? 

Instead of dwelling on mistakes or fear, these questions keep you in a growth mindset - focused on execution, learning, and playing your best.

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. 

5 Questions to Avoid – and What to Ask Instead – to Play Better Golf

Your mind is constantly shaping your experience on the golf course, and the questions you ask yourself play a massive role in how you think, feel, and perform. Poorly framed questions lead to frustration, self-doubt, and spiraling negativity. 

But ask better questions, and you instantly shift into a mindset of clarity, confidence, and composure.

Here are five common self-sabotaging questions that golfers unconsciously ask - and the powerful alternatives that will transform your mental game.

Avoid: "Why do I always mess up under pressure?"

Ask Instead: "How can I handle pressure like my best self?"

This first question reinforces a negative belief - you "always" mess up, so your brain searches for evidence to prove it. The alternative shifts your focus to a solution-oriented mindset, allowing you to tap into past successes and strategies to stay composed.

Example: Instead of dwelling on missed clutch putts, recall a time when you executed under pressure and identify what you did well. You can always further ingrain these memories with a hypnosis pre-round audio primer.

Avoid: "Why am I such a terrible putter?"

Ask Instead: "What’s one thing I can do to roll a solid putt right now?"

Calling yourself a terrible putter embeds that identity into your subconscious. Instead, directing your mind to one specific action - like focusing on speed, committing to your line, or keeping your head still - gives you a clear, constructive way to improve in the moment.

Example: Instead of thinking, I always miss these five-footers, shift to I’m going to commit fully to my read and roll it with confidence.

Avoid: "Why do I always lose focus after a bad hole?"

Ask Instead: "What’s the best way for me to reset and refocus right now?"

Bad holes happen. The key is what you do next. The first question keeps you stuck in the past, while the second moves your attention to the present moment, where you actually have control.

Example: After a double bogey, instead of stewing on it, take a few deep breaths, remind yourself that every hole is a fresh opportunity, and refocus on your next target.

Avoid: "What if I embarrass myself in front of my playing partners?"

Ask Instead: "What if I play freely and enjoy the round?"

Worrying about embarrassment means you’re focused on others’ opinions rather than your game. By flipping the "what if" into a positive, you shift to a mindset that allows you to stay relaxed and committed.

Example: Instead of stressing about a first-tee shot, tell yourself, What if I step up confidently, trust my routine, and hit a great drive?

Avoid: "Why can’t I ever break 80 (or 90)?"

Ask Instead: "What adjustments will help me take the next step in my game?"

Focusing on a lack of progress creates frustration, whereas identifying specific adjustments keeps you solution-focused.

Example: Instead of, I’ll never break 80, say, I need to clean up my approach shots and get better at course management - what’s one step I can take today?

Every time you step onto the course, you have a choice: ask limiting questions that keep you stuck or empowering questions that fuel your best golf.

Your brain is always looking for answers. 

Make sure you’re asking the right questions.

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, take five minutes and brain dump all of the questions you may ask yourself during a tough round.

Choose one and focus on asking a better question.

Check out one of my transformational guided hypnosis audios for further visualization support here.

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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