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Think Above Par

Sometimes you just need someone to explain why your golf brain does what it does.

Think Above Par is where Kathy talks about the thoughts, emotions and patterns that show up on the golf course—and what you can do with them.

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All episodes (305)

Library updated

Episode 297

The Real Reason You Worry About What Other Golfers Think

Picture this: you’re standing over a four-foot putt, a small crowd watching from the 18th green, and your mind isn’t on your stroke. It’s on whether they think you’re a terrible putter. In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy Hart looks at the mental weight of worrying about judgment and why that fear can quietly sabotage your golf mindset. She walks through what she calls the judgment trifecta: how you judge yourself, how you judge others, and how much you worry about being judged. These three are connected, and changing one changes the others. You’ll hear why judgment is a feeling only you can actually experience, why the judgment you imagine from others often reflects what you already think about yourself, and a three-step way to loosen its grip on your game. The goal isn’t to stop caring. It’s to stop playing for approval and start playing for execution. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 296

Golf Isn't Fair. And Maybe That's Not the Problem.

Ever finish a round thinking, "Well, that wasn't fair"? Maybe someone got too many handicap strokes. Maybe you played from different tees. Or maybe you hit a beautiful shot, got a terrible bounce, and watched somebody else get away with a lousy one. Golf isn't always fair. But what happens when you decide it shouldn't be that way? In this episode of Think Above Par, I'm talking about fairness in golf, the ways we slip into victim thinking, and how blaming circumstances can leave us feeling powerless. I'll share some personal experiences from my professional playing days, including a few family matches where the tee assignments became a little controversial! We'll also explore the difference between recognizing something that's genuinely unfair and allowing it to take over your emotional experience. Because you don't have to pretend everything is fair to enjoy the game. The question is: What are you going to do when it isn't? Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 295

Why You Fall Apart on the Last Few Holes (And How to Stop)

Have you ever played 14 or 15 really good holes of golf, only to watch your round unravel coming down the stretch? Maybe you start protecting your score. Maybe you're already calculating what you're going to shoot. Or maybe you've convinced yourself that you're just someone who doesn't finish well. But what if that story is part of the problem? In this episode, I'm sharing four reasons golfers struggle to finish strong. And here's something interesting: It's not always your mental game. Sometimes you're physically tired, mentally exhausted, or simply putting too much meaning on those last few holes. We'll talk about how the stories you tell yourself can become self-fulfilling, why focusing on your score can change the way you swing, and how to redirect your thinking so you can stay calm, certain, and confident all the way to the 18th green. Because the golfer who played those first 14 holes? That golfer is still there. You don't need to become a different golfer to finish strong. You need to stop getting in your own way. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 294

Why Golfers Self-Sabotage When They're Playing Well

Have you ever been playing great golf, maybe even heading toward your best score, when suddenly your brain pipes up with, "Don't screw this up!"? And just like that, the game that felt so easy becomes a struggle. What if it's not your golf swing that's holding you back? What if it's what you believe about yourself as a golfer? We're talking about self-sabotage, limiting beliefs, and how the identity we've created around our golf game can keep us playing the same golf we've always played. We'll explore six ways self-sabotage can show up on the course, from protecting a good score to expecting that inevitable blow-up hole. More importantly, we'll talk about how to recognize those patterns and start responding differently. Because just because you've always been a certain kind of golfer doesn't mean that's who you have to be. And what we're learning about ourselves on the golf course has a funny way of showing up in the rest of our lives. Your past golf experiences don't have to predict your future. Let's find out what else might be possible. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 293

Golf Mental Game: Why Your Brain Focuses on the Bad Shots

Why is it so easy to remember the one bad golf shot and forget all the things you did well? It has a lot to do with negativity bias—your brain's natural tendency to notice, remember, and give more weight to negative experiences. And understanding this tendency can make a big difference in your golf mental game. One missed putt becomes “I can't putt.” One bad drive becomes “My driver is terrible.” Two bad holes somehow become the story of an otherwise solid round. In this episode of Think Above Par, mental golf coach Kathy Hart explains how negativity bias affects your golf mindset, why your brain automatically looks for what's wrong, and how negative thoughts can begin influencing the rest of your round. You'll also learn why intentionally noticing your mental wins can help you develop a more accurate picture of your golf game and the golfer you're becoming. This isn't about ignoring bad shots or forcing yourself to think positively. It's about learning to manage your mind on the golf course—and making sure one bad shot doesn't become the verdict on your entire round. Your brain is already pretty good at keeping score of what went wrong. It's time to teach it to keep score of what went right. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 292

What Your Golf Game Reveals About You: The Mental Patterns You Bring to the Course

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 learn why a bad shot can trigger the same mental habits you experience off the course, how even useful traits can sometimes work against you, and why the goal isn't necessarily to change who you are. It's to become aware of your patterns and ask: Is this pattern helping me here? Because golf doesn't just reveal your swing. It reveals your patterns. And once you can see a pattern, you have an opportunity to practice a different response—on the course and off. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 291

How to Get More Out of Your Golf Lessons

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 necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong. I also share some thoughts about consuming golf instruction on YouTube and social media, practicing what you were actually taught, and why judging a change too quickly by your ball flight can get you into trouble. Because sometimes the hardest part of changing your golf swing isn’t the swing change. It’s how you think about yourself while you’re learning it. In this episode: • How to choose the right golf instructor for you • What to expect from a golf lesson • Why communication between golfer and instructor matters • The danger of chasing the next swing tip online • Why swing changes often feel uncomfortable • How to practice after a lesson • How often you should take golf lessons • Why immediate results aren’t always the best measure of progress • What golf lessons can reveal about your patience, perfectionism, and expectations If you’re investing time and money into golf instruction, this episode will help you become a better student—and get more out of the work you’re already doing. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 290

Why Playing More Golf Isn’t Lowering Your Handicap

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 to prevent small issues with your grip, posture, alignment, ball position, and tempo from becoming bigger swing problems. If you play frequently but aren’t seeing your handicap improve, this episode will help you take a more intentional approach to golf practice—without beginning an emergency swing reconstruction after three ugly shots. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between practicing and playing golf Why playing more rounds doesn’t automatically improve your skills How ineffective practice reinforces bad habits Why fundamentals often cause bigger swing problems How to balance practice, tournaments, and recreational rounds What to work on after playing in wind or difficult conditions Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 289

Why You’re More Irritable on the Golf Course Some Days

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. Because sometimes your golf isn’t broken. You’re just running low on poker chips. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 288

You Can Make a Mistake and Still Play Great Golf

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 refusing to turn one mistake into a whole dramatic miniseries. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 287

7 Course Management Tips to Save Shots Without Changing Your Swing

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, and where the trouble actually is. I’ll also show you why the “obvious” club isn’t always the smart club, how to stop turning one bad decision into a big number, and why your favorite hybrid might be a much better choice than your driver when keeping the ball in play matters more than feeding your ego. Because better golf isn’t just mechanical. You need swing skills, mental skills, and what I like to call caddy skills—the ability to manage each hole and each shot based on what’s actually happening. If you’re tired of making sixes and sevens from places where a four or five was totally available, this episode is for you. Smarter decisions. Less bleeding. More fun. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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Episode 286

“I’m So Fricking Proud”: A Real Golf Mindset Transformation

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 talk about what “18 Proud” actually means in the moment, why your next best move matters more than your last mistake, and how learning to have your own back changes the way you make decisions, commit to shots, and recover when things don’t go your way. Kris also shares how some of the mental game coaching she once resisted became part of her biggest breakthrough. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can actually change the way you think, feel, and respond on the golf course, this is a real-life example of what’s possible. Not the highlight reel. The actual work. Come experience conversations like this inside the Your Mental Caddy community. Receive free weekly mental golf tips HERE How many shots is your mental golf costing you? Take the quiz here: quiz.mymentalcaddy.com Continue your mental journey at Your Mental Caddy HERE Mastering Your Golf Brain - A Guide to Self-Coaching Mastering Your Golf Brain - The Workbook Mental Golf Journal - A Range for Your Brain Are all available at KathyHartWood.com/book Email Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com Website: KathyHartWood.com

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