If you've ever played your best golf alone but fallen apart the moment others are watching, this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Gary Belsky makes a compelling case that solo golf isn't just a scheduling convenience — it's a mental training ground that can rewire how you handle pressure, self-criticism, and the performative noise that creeps in during a round. You'll walk away with some fresh perspective on why the mental game is so hard, and a genuinely practical tool for building it.

Gary is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and decision-making expert who spent 14 years at ESPN, and his newly released book Solo Golf: The Zen of Playing Alone and How It Can Transform Your Game is unlike anything else in the genre.

Timestamps and topics:

01:46 - Is golf a difficult test, or for pure enjoyment?

14:49 - Shot Pattern: shotpattern.app - Discount code MENTALGOLFSHOW for 20% Off

17:19 - The Value of Solo Golf for When You're Not Solo

29:10 - Basic Practice Plan: joshnicholsgolf.com/practice

30:06 - Why Do We Try to Perform for Others?

45:30 - PutterCup: Get 15% off by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter

47:14 - Does Enjoying Golf Get In the Way of Performing Well?

57:57 - Why Are Pro Golfers So Much Better Mentally Than Us?

1:05:15 - Gary Asks Josh What He's Learned From Doing the Podcast

1:16:01 - Gary Belsky

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Gary Belky's book:

Solo Golf: The Zen of Playing Alone and How It Can Transform Your Game

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Mentioned in this episode:

🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there.

🏌️‍♂️ Basic Practice Plan - Practice made simple, intentional, and accountable.

⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.

👨🏻‍🏫 1-on-1 Mental Coaching with Josh: Visit joshnicholsgolf.com/coaching to see plans and pricing to work with Josh on your mental game. Or send an email to josh@joshnicholsgolf.com.

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Josh's stuff:

🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf.

📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement.

📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.

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Other podcast partners:

🏌️‍♂️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.

🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here!

🍀 Fairways & Fundays - Ireland Golf Tours - Named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards in 2024 and 2025! If you’re interested in going on a golf trip to Ireland, send me an email and I’ll get you set up with them - josh@joshnicholsgolf.com

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🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

Andreas Kali is a golf coach based in Denmark who works with nine professional golfers across four tours, including players ranked inside the top 50 in the world. He's spent the better part of two decades coaching, and his philosophy runs counter to a lot of what you see or hear — harder practice, honest feedback, and no false confidence. Things that I love and agree with.

This is going to be a conversation that makes you reflect on your own improvement process and how you could be getting more from yourself.

Here's are the topics we hit:

The Importance of Getting It Wrong

Practicing Under Pressure and Discomfort

Balancing Mastery and Competition

The Role of Statistics in Improvement

The Importance of Being Present in Golf

The Evolution of Practice Techniques

Redefining the Purpose of Playing Golf

Passion and Curiosity in Coaching

Knowing When Your Swing is Good Enough

Mental Approach Over the Ball

The Balance of Math and Creativity in Golf

Calming the Mind: Overcoming Performance Anxiety

The Importance of Perspective in Golf

Coaching Styles: Balancing Tough Love and Support

How do Pros Structure and Plan Their Improvement

The Future of Coaching: Personal Growth and Development

Expectations vs. Reality: Insights from Tour Events

Are Danish Golfers the Best Ball Strikers?

Resources for Aspiring Golfers

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Andreas Kali's website: https://andreaskaligolf.com/

Andreas Kali on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaskaligolf/

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Mentioned in this episode:

🏌️‍♂️ Basic Practice Plan Template - Practice made simple, intentional, and accountable.

🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there.

🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf.

👨🏻‍🏫 1-on-1 Mental Coaching with Josh: Visit joshnicholsgolf.com/coaching to see plans and pricing to work with Josh on your mental game. Or send an email to josh@joshnicholsgolf.com.

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Josh's stuff:

📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement.

📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.

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Other podcast partners:

🏌️‍♂️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.

⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.

🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here!

🍀 Fairways & Fundays - Ireland Golf Tours - Named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards in 2024 and 2025! If you’re interested in going on a golf trip to Ireland, send me an email and I’ll get you set up with them - josh@joshnicholsgolf.com

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🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.

You ever feel like the mental game advice you try doesn't stick? That's because most mental game advice is superficial and not effective in high-pressure moments. Including some of the stuff I've put out.

That's because there has to be a deeper layer underneath that advice for your mental game to actually be effective. In this episode, we dive into that.

Key topics:

The Ineffectiveness of Common Mental Game Advice

Understanding Yourself: The Key to Improvement

The Five Whys: A Deep Dive into Self-Reflection

Processing Emotions: Closing the Loop on Bad Shots

The Long-Term Benefits of Self-Inquiry

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Pre-order How to Try Again by Steve Kamb

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👨🏻‍🏫 1-on-1 Mental Coaching with Josh: Visit joshnicholsgolf.com/coaching to see plans and pricing to work with Josh on your mental game. Or send an email to josh@joshnicholsgolf.com.

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Josh's stuff:

🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf.

📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement.

📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter.

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Podcast partners:

🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there.

🏌️‍♂️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'.

⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter.

🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here!

🍀 Fairways & Fundays - Ireland Golf Tours - Named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards in 2024 and 2025! If you’re interested in going on a golf trip to Ireland, send me an email and I’ll get you set up with them - josh@joshnicholsgolf.com

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🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.