Think Above Par | Your Mental Caddy for Golf Mindset & Performance

What if the way you think on the golf course isn't just a golf problem?

The patterns you practice in everyday life often come with you to the course. Perfectionism. People pleasing. Overthinking. Catastrophizing. The need for control. Fear of failure. Self-criticism. Even the tendency to take care of everyone else while forgetting about yourself.

In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy explores how these familiar patterns can show up in your golf game—and how the golf course can become a powerful place to recognize them and practice responding differently.

You'll le...

Taking a golf lesson is one thing. Getting the most out of it is another.

In this episode of Think Above Par, I’m talking about the mental side of golf instruction—how to find an instructor who communicates in a way you understand, what you should realistically expect from a lesson, and what your responsibility is once the lesson is over.

We’ll talk about why a good instructor may still not be the right instructor for you, why understanding a swing change isn’t the same as owning it, and why feeling uncomfortable doesn’t...

Does playing more golf actually make you a better golfer? Not necessarily.

In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy explains the important difference between practicing your golf skills and playing the game. You’ll learn why repeatedly playing rounds can allow bad swing habits to creep in, how practicing the wrong things may reinforce the very problems you’re trying to fix, and why your fundamentals deserve regular attention.

Kathy also shares how to balance time on the golf course with productive practice, what to check after tournament rounds or difficult playing conditions, and how...

Why can you handle a bad shot one day—but completely lose it over the same shot another day?

It may have less to do with your golf and more to do with your capacity.

In this episode, Kathy explores how stress, mental fatigue, and life off the course can leave you with less patience for missed shots, slow play, and even the people in your group. You’ll learn how to check your “tank” before you play, adjust your expectations without lowering your standards, and stop a low-capacity day from becoming a confidence-crushing round.

Bec...

Have you ever stepped onto the golf course thinking, “I can’t afford to make a mistake today”?

It may feel true—especially during a qualifier, club championship, or important round—but it creates pressure, tentative swings, and even more mistakes.

In this episode, Kathy explains why trying to play mistake-free golf works against you, how perfectionism turns one bad hole into a bigger problem, and what to focus on instead. You’ll learn how to stay patient, neutralize mistakes, and keep playing freely through all 18 holes.

Because good golf isn’t mistake-free golf. It’s ref...

Want to save shots without rebuilding your golf swing? Start managing the hole in front of you.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the simple course-management lessons I coached at the Gurus of Golf, an event held following the FedEx Cup at TPC Southwind in Memphis. We played the course in tournament conditions, with the same pin positions from the final round—and let’s just say there were plenty of good lessons out there.

We’ll talk about playing par 5s backwards, paying attention to your lie, wind, grain, a...

This is a clip from a live coaching call inside the Your Mental Caddy community — not a scripted interview, just a real conversation about what mental transformation on the golf course can actually look like.

Kris Henderson, a member of the community since day one, jumps on the call fresh off qualifying for a USGA Women’s Senior event to talk through how she handled it — a double bogey, a triple bogey, a bad lie in the fescue, and plenty of pressure — without letting any of it wreck her round.

And that’s the transformation.

We ta...

Blow-up holes usually don’t come from one bad shot. They come from what you do next. In this episode, I’m breaking down the four reasons big numbers happen and how to stop piling mistakes on top of mistakes. You’ll learn how to calm down, think clearly, make the smart play, and keep one crappy shot from turning into an eight. Because bad shots are part of golf—but the real damage comes from what you do after them.

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How many shots is your mental golf costing...

Got the putting yips and wondering how to fix them? In this episode, I’m breaking down what causes the putting yips—from wonky mechanics and inconsistent routines to fear, doubt, and self-imposed pressure.

You’ll learn how to determine what’s feeding your nervy putting stroke, what to work on first, and a few simple putting drills to help you feel calmer and more confident over short putts.

No shame, no panic, and no pretending a new putter will solve everything. Although…it might be worth a try.

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Golfers say a lot of things—to themselves and to each other—and sometimes those “helpful” comments create more doubt than confidence.

In this episode, I’m talking about how to notice the thoughts running through your golf brain, decide whether they’re actually useful, and be more intentional with what you say to your playing partners. You don’t have to judge every thought, fix every thought, or believe every thought. Sometimes you just need to notice it, let it pass, and hit the next shot.

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How many s...

Member-guests are some of the most fun events we play—and some of the most mentally challenging. From well-meaning advice and teammate expectations to Golf Genius score watching and the pressure to perform, there's a lot more going on than just hitting golf shots.

In this episode, I'm sharing the mental challenges I experienced during a recent member-guest and how all those little distractions can affect your confidence, decisions, and performance. You'll learn how to stay present, trust your game, and keep other people's words from playing your round for you.

Think above par, my fr...

Ever feel like you should be able to stay focused for all 18 holes?

Yeah… good luck with that.

In this episode, I’m giving you permission to stop trying to focus for four straight hours like some kind of highly caffeinated golf robot. Your brain is supposed to wander. It’s human. It’s normal. It may even start thinking about dinner, the beverage cart, or why Betty won’t stop talking right before you hit.

The real skill isn’t perfect focus. It’s learning how to refocus.

You’ll learn why losing...

Ever feel like it takes three, four, or even five holes before you finally feel like yourself on the golf course?

In this episode of Think Above Par, I'm talking about one of the most common challenges golfers face—getting into the rhythm of a round. Whether you're dealing with first tee nerves, tournament anxiety, or just feeling out of sync early in your round, I'll show you why it's completely normal... and why making it a problem only keeps you stuck there longer.

You'll learn:

What if your next breakthrough on the golf course isn’t happening during your round—but after it?

In this episode, I’m sharing an excerpt from a live coaching session inside Your Mental Caddie where we talk about one of the most overlooked skills in golf: learning from your rounds instead of simply reacting to them.

Most golfers either celebrate a good round or try to forget a bad one. But both approaches leave valuable lessons behind.

I’ll walk you through the three simple questions I encourage every golfer to ask after a...

Do you feel like you're always getting the bad breaks on the golf course?

The tree kick that goes out of bounds. The putt that lips out. The weather that seems to turn against you at exactly the wrong moment.

In this episode, Kathy explores why so many golfers feel unlucky—and why the reality may be very different. You'll learn how your brain naturally pays more attention to negative events, how that shapes your experience on the course, and why the story that you're "unlucky" might be costing you more strokes than the bad br...

Ever feel like you finally figured golf out... and then the game gets hard again?

In this episode, I explain why that's completely normal. Golf isn't a problem to solve—it's a practice. Just when you think you've arrived, the game will invite you into a new level of growth, discomfort, and learning.

You'll learn why setbacks don't mean you've gone backwards, how your brain's negativity bias can pull you off course, and the one question to ask instead of, "What's wrong with me?"

Because there is no graduation in golf—only practice.

Ever notice how some golfers seem to be playing in fast-forward while others move like they're on a Sunday stroll?

In this episode, I'm sharing a simple analogy that can help you understand your mental game in a whole new way: your personal speed limit.

Some golfers speed up under pressure. Others slow down and get stuck overthinking. Neither is wrong—but when you get pushed outside your natural pace by your playing partners, pace of play, or your own emotions, your performance can suffer.

I'll show you how to identify your speed, re...

Have you ever noticed how quickly the energy in your foursome can affect your golf game? One frustrated player, one bad hole, one negative mood—and suddenly everybody’s struggling. In this episode, Kathy breaks down the connection between energy, emotions, and golf performance.

You’ll learn how to recognize when your mental state is hurting your game, how to reset your energy during a round, and why confidence has less to do with your swing and more to do with the emotional state you bring to the course.

This episode is packed with practical golf m...

Most golfers think they lose shots because of their swing.

But if your swing was working on the range… chances are it’s not your swing costing you strokes on the course.

It’s what happens in a handful of very specific mental moments during the round.

In this episode, Kathy walks through 5 moments where golfers commonly lose control of their minds — and their scorecards:
⛳ The first tee
⛳ After the first mistake
⛳ Mid-round mental drift
⛳ When the score starts to matter
⛳ The final holes when golfers start protecting instead of playing...

What if golfers could get mental game help right before they tee off… without having to read a book, hire a coach, or admit they’re “in their head”? 😏

In this episode, I’m sharing the new project I’m ridiculously excited about: Mental Game Monday QR tips at golf clubs. Weekly bite-sized mental game insights golfers can scan right at the course — before the first tee nerves, after the blow-up hole, or heading into a big tournament round.

We’re talking about the golfers who secretly struggle, the juniors learning the game right now, and why sometimes O...

You’ve probably heard this advice before:
 “Just stay positive.”
 “Don’t think so much.”
 “Confidence comes from playing well.”

Sounds right… but it’s not.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the three biggest lies golf taught you about the mental game—and why they might actually be making your game worse.

We’re talking about why forced positivity feels fake, why you can’t stop thinking (and shouldn’t try), and why tying your confidence to your score is a losing strategy.

This isn’t about thinking happier thoughts.

Ever stripe it on the range… and then completely lose it on the first tee?

Yeah. We’re talking about that golfer today.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why your golf swing isn’t the problem—even when it really feels like it is. The truth? The range and the golf course are two totally different mental environments, and your brain responds to each one whether you like it or not.

We’re diving into why your brain shifts into “protect mode” on the course, how that creates tension, overthinking, and those “where did...

Ever feel like you’ve already lost before you even tee off?

You see who’s in the field… you watch their swings on the range… and suddenly your brain goes straight to: “I’ve got no shot.”

In this episode, we’re breaking down what actually happens when you feel outmatched on the golf course—and why that thinking is what’s really hurting your game.

You’ll learn how to:

Let’s talk about the real reason you might be holding back on the golf course—and it’s probably not what you think.

After watching Rory McIlroy at the Masters, I had to break this down because what he shared about heartbreak? That’s not just about elite golf. That’s about every golfer.

In this episode, we’re getting into the truth about the mental game of golf—and why your fear of disappointment might be the exact thing keeping you from playing your best.

We’ll talk about:

What does winning golf really look like?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the mindset of Maria Jose Marin after her win at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur—and giving you real, on-course examples of how she handled pressure, nerves, and her own thoughts.

Because here’s the truth: she didn’t win by playing perfect golf.

She won by managing this:

Ever feel like you’re actually getting worse after working on your golf game?

You take a lesson, spend time on the range, really try to improve… and then your scores go up—and your brain goes straight to, “What is wrong with me?”

Yeah. We’re fixing that today.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what I call the Aerated Green Effect—and why expecting great results while you’re changing your swing is one of the fastest ways to tank your confidence.

You’ll learn:

Ever make the turn, realize you’re playing well… and suddenly everything feels tighter?

Welcome to your back nine brain.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when you go from playing freely to trying not to mess it up—and why that shift is what actually costs you the round.

We’re talking about:

Got a tournament coming up and your brain is already spiraling?

You’re not broken—your brain is just trying to protect you.

In this episode, I’ll show you what’s actually happening when nerves kick in and give you a simple 5-step process to calm your mind, quiet the noise, and show up ready to play.

Because it’s not about getting rid of nerves…
 It’s about not letting them run the show.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not ready” before a round—this is for you.

Receive fr...

Ever feel like your brain turns against you on the golf course?

One minute you’re standing over the ball… and the next your brain is yelling: Don’t hit it in the water. Don’t mess this up. Everyone’s watching.

In this episode, I’m sharing a funny story about my husband assembling a bike rack without reading the instructions—and how golfers do the exact same thing with their brains.

Here’s the truth: your brain wasn’t designed to help you shoot lower scores. It was designed to keep you alive. That me...

Most of the fear you feel on the golf course doesn’t come from your swing. It comes from the questions you’re asking yourself.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the sneaky “I don’t know” questions that spike anxiety, tighten your body, and send your brain into full-on threat mode.

“Am I going to shoot under par?”
 “What are they thinking about me?”
 “Am I about to blow this round?”

Your brain hates uncertainty. And when you ask questions you can’t actually answer, it fills in the blank with fear.

I’ll...

You’re putting in the reps.
You’re taking lessons.
You’re grinding on the range.

So why does your tournament play still fall apart?

In this episode, I’m breaking down why more practice alone won’t fix your performance under pressure — and why tournament golf exposes something completely different than your swing.

Practice builds skill.
But mental reps build belief.

If you’re striping it on the range but tightening up in competition… if you’ve ever wondered why you can’t access your talent when it matters… this one...

What makes someone enjoyable to play golf with?

In this episode, we’re talking about golf etiquette, emotional maturity, and the real reason people want (or don’t want) to be paired with you.

It’s not your handicap. It’s not your swing. It’s not your score.

It’s your energy.

Golf is four hours of emotional exposure. And whether you realize it or not, how you show up on the course affects your playing partners more than your double bogey ever will.

We’ll dive into:

Ever play with someone who uses the rules like a weapon?
 Yeah… this episode is for that situation.

Today we’re talking about mean girl energy on the golf course—rule enforcers who come in hot, loud, and intimidating (sometimes while being totally wrong). I break down why this behavior messes with your head, how it pulls you out of your game, and what’s actually going on with the person doing the correcting.

You’ll learn how to stay grounded, protect your focus, and stop letting someone else’s need to be right hijack your r...

Ever played a great shot, walked up to tap it in, and watched the wind roll your ball 30 feet away? 😤 Yeah… we’re talking that kind of day.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how wind messes with your mind—and what to do about it. You’ll learn why your brain freaks out in unpredictable conditions, how to stop arguing with reality, and what to focus on instead so you can stay calm, swing freely, and manage your round like a champ.

If you're tired of letting the weather take over your game, this one’s fo...

You’ve got a caddy for your clubs—now it’s time to get one for your brain. In this episode, I’m introducing the Mental Caddy App, a new tool I created to help you track, train, and trust your golf mind like never before.

We’re talking:
– Pre-round prep to clear your head
– Post-round reflections that actually help
– A reality check for your expectations
– Your Mental Golf Index (yep, like a handicap—but for your mind)
– And a pocket-sized version of me giving you on-demand coaching

Whether you’re ma...

If you're skipping or rushing your pre-shot routine, you're leaving shots (and sanity) on the table. In this episode, I’m breaking down how your pre-shot routine does way more than get you set up—it builds your swing’s foundation and gives your brain something steady to lean on when pressure hits. You'll learn how to use it to create consistency, calm your nerves, and play with more trust over every shot. Whether you're on the tee box or the putting green, this one habit can change everything. Let’s get it dialed.

Receive free wee...

If you think being serious all the time makes you mentally tough, we need to talk. In this episode, I’m calling out a sneaky mindset mistake a lot of golfers make—confusing intensity with commitment.

We’ll dig into why laughing at yourself on the course isn’t weakness—it’s actually a sign of mental strength. You’ll learn how your identity might be a little too wrapped up in your score, how to create space between a bad shot and your self-worth, and why loosening up can actually help you play better golf.

Because ment...

If you’re ready to take your golf mindset seriously this year, this episode is your game plan. I’m breaking down the 7 stages of mental game transformation every golfer goes through—from awareness to emotional regulation to true confidence—so you can stop relying on willpower and start creating real, lasting change.

Whether you’re trying to drop your handicap, play more consistently, or stop the emotional rollercoaster after one bad hole, this episode gives you a clear path forward. You’ll learn what it actually takes to shift your mental game—and become the golfer who handles pr...

It’s a new year, and before you start chasing birdies, let’s talk about what’s really holding your game back—your attitude. In this episode, I’m bringing back one of the most-loved topics with a fresh 2026 twist: the four golf attitudes that quietly sabotage your confidence and performance. Whether you’re feeling negative, victimy, defeated, or a little entitled (don’t worry, I’ve been all four), this is your wake-up call. You’ll learn how to catch yourself in these mindset traps and penguin-slap your way into a more powerful, realistic attitude for the season ahead. No shame, j...

Ever feel drained after a round—like the energy was off, even if your swing wasn’t? You might’ve had a bad apple in your group. In this episode, I’m talking about how just one negative person can bring down the whole foursome (and it might even be you). You’ll learn why emotions are contagious on the course, how to protect your mindset, and how to stay focused no matter who you’re paired with. If you’ve ever played with a mood killer—or been one—this one’s for you.

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