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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 149

Being Hard on Yourself Vs Finding Small Golf Wins

If you are a high achiever, played other competitive sports or are in the habit of beating yourself up for not reaching your goals or falling short of your expectations, this episode is for you. When I encourage people to find the small wins in golf or life, it can seem like you are giving yourself an out or a pass for not succeeding. It can seem more useful to beat yourself up for a bit, feel down and show that you are not happy with your performance. In this episode, I want to share with you the reasons why you want to find the smalls wins and the benefit or lack there of in being hard on yourself. This will shift the way you look at giving yourself a hard time for underperforming and inspire you to go out and find the wins, no matter how small. Email: Kathy@KathyHartWood.com KathyHartWood.com 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 148

How to Find the Wins After a Challenging Golf Season

Even if you had a crappy or challenging golf season, it is hard but important for you to find the wins. In this episode, you discover how to properly go through the process of evaluating not only your round but your season. You can look at your season from a mechanical, mental as well as course management perspective. This process helps you create a plan for the next season. And even if you are not playing and your season is over, Kathy shares how to practice your mental skills all year. To work with Kathy or learn more about her programs head to KathyHartWood.com 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 147

When Golf Means Too Much

In this episode, Kathy prompts golfers to consider the deeper meaning of the game as the season concludes. Encouraging reflection beyond the casual acknowledgment of golf being just a sport, Kathy highlights potential emotional red flags, such as heightened anxiety or an excessive focus on scores. The episode aims to gently guide listeners into honestly assessing the emotional impact of golf on their lives, urging them to explore whether the game carries more significance than they consciously recognize. Learn about working with Kathy and mental golf programs at KathyHartWood.com 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 146

When All Your Hard Work is Not Showing Up in Your Golf Scores

In this episode, Kathy addresses the dilemma many golfers face when they've put in a lot of effort and time into their game but aren't seeing the desired results. She discusses the emotions that arise, such as feeling defeated and wanting to quit. Kathy emphasizes that quitting to escape negative emotions isn't the best solution and encourages golfers to shift their perspective. She highlights that golf doesn't always have a direct correlation between effort and results, unlike some other areas in life. Managing one's mind and emotions on the golf course is crucial, and unrealistic expectations can lead to frustration. Kathy suggests that before quitting, golfers should consider what they truly want from the game and how it makes them feel. The key is to manage one's emotions and embrace the journey rather than rushing for results. Before you throw in the towel, make sure you listen to this episode. KathyHartWood.com 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 145

4 Ways You Mentally Self-Sabotage in Golf

In this podcast, Kathy discusses the mental aspects of golf and how golfers can self-sabotage mentally on the course. She emphasizes the importance of continuous mental practice, regardless of the season or tournaments. Kathy identifies four common ways golfers sabotage themselves mentally: 1. Failing to self-reflect and be aware of repeating patterns and habits. 2. Waiting for external situations to change to feel better, giving away power to circumstances. 3. Not setting intentions for the round, allowing the mind to wander. 4. Creating unnecessary mental turmoil by not preparing for certain shots or situations. She encourages golfers to proactively address these issues and be more aware of their mental game to avoid self-sabotage. If you want assistance with your mental management on the course, contact Kathy at KathyHartWood.com 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 144

How to Handle Mental Setbacks

This episode dives deep into the topic of setbacks and how they affect both your golf game and daily life. We all have those days when it seems like we're taking a step back, struggling with negative thoughts, or feeling like we've regressed. Kathy reassures you that these moments are not signs of failure but part of being human. She shares insights and strategies to deal with setbacks. Life outside the golf course can influence your game, and she explains how to manage these external factors. With real-life examples, she illustrates how new and unfamiliar situations can challenge even the most experienced golfers. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, she encourages you to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Tune in to this episode, and discover how to break mental habits, maintain progress, and thrive on and off the golf course. 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 143

3 Things I Learned as a Caddie in a USGA Event with Tori Totlis

This podcast is a conversation that Tori Totlis of T-Time with Tori had with me about my experience caddying in the USGA Senior Women's Amateur this year in Scottsdale, AZ. We get into how our brains can be either our biggest asset or biggest barrier in golf, discussing the importance of effective instruction and how it can be tailored to resonate with different learners. “The fastest way to get better is to manage your mind first. Don’t wait to become a certain handicap before you decide to work on your brain and how you think out on the course. Work on it now.” Tori and I dive into my three biggest takeaways on caddying for USGA events: being prepared mentally for the pace of play, understanding group dynamics, and setting up your course conditions. You can listen to more of Tori's podcasts by going here on Apple Connect with Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com 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 142

Part 2 - Q and A with Tour Player Yoonhee Kim, Confidence, Making Money, and Digging Deep

Listen in on part 2 of my interview with Tour Player Yoonhee Kim as she answers questions from members of the Above Par Academy. Yoonhee talks about confidence, digging deep on the last few holes and worrying about what other people think. You will relate to what she focuses on with mental golf and understand that you do not need to be a professional or low handicap to benefit from this work. If you want to benefit from working on your mental golf connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com 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 141

Dealing with Pressure, Fear and Professional Golf with Yoonhee Kim

Yoonhee Kim is a mini tour player working toward playing on the LPGA. In this episode, we talk about how she deals with pressure, fear, embarrassment and Tour qualifying school. Yoonhee also shares some of her on-course mental tools and sayings that help her stay calm and present. Regardless of your level of golf, you will find her story relatable as you learn how a tour player manages the golf brain and tournament play. Connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com 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 140

How to Make a Birdie

Have you ever told yourself you needed to make a couple birdies on the last few holes? Or maybe you categorize holes as "birdie holes" and up your expectations on short par fours or fives. Chances are it did NOT turn out the way you planned. You may have even made a bogey or two instead. So the question is “How do you make a birdie?” The quick answer is hit is close and make as short a putt as possible. This is for sure an easier way to go about it but in this episode I want to shift the way you think about making a birdie so that you can open yourself up to more creativity and possibilities on the golf course. And in the process help prevent you from make random mistakes and ugly swings on those last few holes or short part fives. Connect with Kathy at KathyHartWood.com 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 139

A New Way to Score For Your Golf Brain

Scoring can be mental. How you think about par, birdie, bogey can affect how you show up over the ball. You can put unnecessary pressure on yourself to make a putt for par or give yourself a "3-putt pass" on a par 5 if you hit the green in two. In this episode, I share a different way to think about scoring so that you can stand over as many shots as possible from a calm, certain or confident place. Listen in and gain a paradigm shift on scoring with 3 key concepts. Learn more about Kathy at KathyHartWood.com 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 138

How to Play Golf One Shot at a Time

"Just play golf one shot at a time." It is common advice but most golfers don't know how to exactly get that done. In this episode, I first break down what it means to NOT play golf one shot at a time. By understanding what happens when you get ahead of yourself on the course, ruminate over a previous hole or shot, or argue with the reality of the situation in front of you, you can better understand what is required to play in the present moment. I share with you the 3 steps required to hit golf shots "one at a time." Reach out to Kathy at Kathy@KathyHartWood.com or on her website: KathyHartWood.com 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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