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 episodes:

1. #44 [Journey to Scratch] You Can’t Change Unless You Change

2. #45. Overcoming the Yips: Get out of Your Own Way and Play Freely

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. 

Curiosity might be the last thing you think about when standing over a tough shot, but it could be the key to unlocking your potential on the course. Curiosity is a desire to explore, understand, and approach each situation with an open mind. 

When you bring curiosity to your game, perfection takes a back seat, and golf becomes an enjoyable journey rather than a source of stress. 

In today’s newsletter, you’ll learn what it means to be curious on the course and how a curious mindset can shift your approach, helping you stay neutral, resilient, and focused.

By the end, you’ll have the tools to make curiosity your mental advantage, creating a consistent, more enjoyable round.

Let’s tee off!

Curiosity on the Course

Curiosity

cu·ri·os·i·ty

/ˌkyo͝orēˈäsədē/

a strong desire to know or learn something.

Curiosity on the golf course can be defined as the practice of engaging with each shot, challenge, and outcome with a sense of openness and exploration. 

In 1899, famous philosopher and psychologist William James - best known for his work on stream of consciousness and theory of emotion -  called curiosity “the impulse towards better cognition,” meaning that it is the desire to understand what you know that you do not.

Think about curiosity as it relates to the golf course (and life) like this: instead of reacting emotionally to mistakes or focusing solely on results, a curious mindset encourages neutral (non-judgemental) observation to learn from your experiences.*

*Notice how I chose to use the word experiences rather than mistakes - a subtle, yet significant word choice that can go a long way in keeping you immune from the frustration of poor outcomes. 

A curious approach promotes neutrality, minimizes frustration, and helps maintain a presence in the moment, creating a positive feedback loop that enhances performance and enjoyment.

Remaining curious transforms a round of golf into a journey of discovery rather than a battle against yourself.

Read that twice.

Besides an occasionally uber-challenging hole, who do you lose most battles to on the course?

Yes, yourself.

Let’s discuss what it means to be curious on the course next.

Ready to harness the power of your mind and the heavily research-backed strategy of visualization to play your best round of golf?

Click here to download my “play your best round” hypnosis audio recording.

What Does It Mean to Be Curious on the Course?

Curiosity on the golf course means approaching each shot, situation, and challenge with an open mind, free from judgment or rigid expectations. It’s about viewing each moment as an opportunity to learn, explore, and respond rather than react. 

Curiosity is a tool that allows you to detach from the outcome and instead engage fully with the process, promoting a steady, neutral mindset. When you’re curious, mistakes or challenges become a part of the game’s learning curve rather than roadblocks to success.

Consider this example:

Imagine a golfer who steps up to a challenging shot, such as a ball nestled in thick rough and a tight line of sight between two trees. Instead of tensing up or becoming anxious about the potential difficulty, he approaches it with curiosity. 

He examines the lie and the density of the grass and considers how these factors might affect his club choice and swing path. He also becomes curious about his ability and past experiences to shape his shot through the narrow opening. 

Rather than viewing the shot as something to “survive” or “fix,” he sees it as an invitation to try something new, with a calm, curious mindset.

By remaining curious, he can stay present, embrace the challenge, and often achieve a better result than if he had approached it with worry or frustration.

Curiosity as a Catalyst for Lower Scores

Curiosity can transform your golf game by shifting your mindset from one of frustration to exploration. When you stay curious, each shot, challenge, and setback becomes an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. 

Here’s a list of how curiosity creates an opportunity to shoot lower scores.

Observing the Outcome Without Judgment: After hitting a shot that doesn’t go as planned, strive to respond (not react) with curiosity. 

Rather than thinking, “That was terrible,” consider something similar to, “I wonder what caused that result?” This approach empowers you to look objectively at your grip, swing, or alignment, defusing your emotional response and promoting both an opportunity to learn and an opportunity to bounce back before your next shot.

Exploring Course Conditions with Excitement: When faced with a challenging lie, such as being stuck in thick rough or a difficult bunker, you can take a curious approach by asking, “How can I best work with this shot?” 

This curiosity gamifies a challenge and invites in creativity to analyze factors like slope, grass density, and club choice, maintaining focus on the task instead of feeling anxious or pressured.

Approaching Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: If you make a mistake, instead of dwelling on it, ask yourself, “What can I learn from that shot?” 

This frame of mind allows you to explore aspects like distance control, swing tempo, or mental distractions that contribute, helping you remain engaged with the process and making each shot a stepping stone toward growth.

Reduces Pressure and Anxiety: A golfer who remains curious can treat a round as an experiment rather than a test of their worth or skill. For example, instead of dreading a challenging hole, they might think, "I wonder how I can navigate this differently today."

This reduces the internal pressure to perform perfectly and allows you to stay more relaxed. A relaxed mind and body lead to smoother swings and better focus, which are key to playing to your potential

Promotes Emotional Resilience: When faced with adversity - like a bad bounce or a challenging lie - a curious golfer asks, "How can I make the most of this situation?" rather than dwelling on the unfairness of the circumstance.

This mindset fosters resilience and the ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks. Instead of letting one mistake ruin the round, curiosity helps you maintain perspective, keeping your emotions in check and allowing for a quicker recovery.

Encourages Presence and Focus: Curiosity keeps you present in the moment. Instead of being distracted by thoughts of past mistakes or future outcomes, you can better focus on the details of each shot, such as the wind direction, the way the grass is growing, or how the putt might break.

By staying present, you can give your full attention to each shot, leading to more precise execution. This presence of mind helps eliminate distractions and enhances the quality and enjoyment of your round.

Fosters Enjoyment and a Growth Mindset: A curious golfer finds joy in exploring the game's nuances, such as trying a new shot or experimenting with different strategies. They view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

This approach makes the game more enjoyable, which is crucial for maintaining motivation over the long term. It also aligns with a growth mindset, where the focus is on learning and developing, leading to steady improvement and a deeper connection with the game.

***

As a Golf Hypnotherapist, I use hypnosis to unlearn and upgrade outdated, habitual ways of feeling, thinking, and behaving that are holding you back from your potential.

Click here to schedule a free Mental Game Strategy session to learn how I can help you make playing to your potential a habit. 

Practical Application on the Course

Here are seven practical steps to start implementing curiosity on the golf course, based on each section of the newsletter:

1. Ask Questions Frequently: Why did that happen? How did that happen? What was I feeling before that shot? During? Ask more questions. Ask better questions. 

2. Observe Without Judgment: After each shot, regardless of the outcome, pause and notice any immediate reactions. Instead of labeling a shot as “bad” or “good,” ask yourself, “What can I learn from this shot?” This helps shift your response from judgment to observation, keeping emotions in check.

3. Reframe Setbacks as Learning Opportunities: When faced with an unexpected outcome, rather than dwelling on frustration, ask, “What factors may have contributed to that result?” This question encourages you to reflect on grip, swing, or alignment, fostering a growth mindset over self-criticism.

4. Approach Challenging Lies with Excitement: Treat a tough lie like a puzzle by asking, “How can I best work with this shot?” Gamify the experience by experimenting with different strategies and club choices. This turns potentially stressful moments into opportunities for creativity.

5. Use Curiosity to Reduce Pressure: View each hole as a fresh experiment. Instead of approaching difficult holes with dread, try saying, “I wonder what’s possible if I try a different approach here.” Releasing the need for perfection allows you to play with a relaxed, open mind, reducing anxiety and enhancing performance.

6. Stay Present by Noticing Details: As you prepare for each shot, focus on the environment around you. Observe details like wind direction, grass texture, or the slope of the ground. Engaging your senses with curiosity keeps you anchored in the present, which can improve focus and execution.
   

7. Treat the Round as a Learning Experience: Set a curiosity goal instead of setting strict performance goals for each round. For example, “Today, I’ll learn one new thing about my swing or the course.” This mindset fosters enjoyment and helps you maintain a long-term focus on growth, aligning with a steady path to improvement.

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, get curious about your game! Bring that curiosity to your swing, your shots in various situations, and each hole and round. You’ll find more enjoyment and unlock catalysts for improved play. 

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. Download My “Play Your Best Round” Hypnosis Audio Recording: Let me help you lock in the level of focus, confidence, and clarity you need to create the mindset necessary to make your next round your best round. Download Your Free Hypnosis Audio.
   

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.