Special guest Coach Bruce Chalas and I talk all about college golf, the psychological demands of college golf, and the recruiting process for junior golfers. So if you’re a junior golfer, college player, a parent of one, or a coach helping players navigate this stage, this one’s for you.

And even if you’re not in that world, it’s still a really cool peek behind the curtain at how high-level players get noticed, develop, and play great golf under pressure.

Bruce Chalas is the head coach of the Boston University women’s golf team and he’s been there for 17 years.

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Junior Girls Golf Clinic: https://bostonuniversitygirlsgolfclinic.com/

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

Welcome to Episode 3 of the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through the core components of a good mental game.

This week: Handling Pressure

On this episode, I want to talk about that feeling in your chest, that slight tremor in your hands, that racing thought pattern that can suddenly appear when the stakes feel higher. Something that every golfer deals with on the course, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned tournament player, and whether you realize it or not: pressure.

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

In this episode, I sit down with Jayne Storey for a deep conversation about golf, performance, and the inner life of an athlete. Jayne brings decades of experience in meditation, movement, and spiritual practice.

Golf feels hard when you’re trying to control every move. So we dig into how letting go leads to freedom and flow on the course. If you’re tired of grinding and want to just feel golf again, this is the conversation you need.

Thanks to Jayne for the thoughtful exploration of how golf can open the door to something far greater than just the game itself.

Topics discussed:

1. Golf as a Spiritual Practice – beyond the game and into self-expression

2. Sri Aurobindo’s Teachings – spirit, matter, and the athletic body

3. Scheffler’s Search for Fulfillment – dissatisfaction and meaning in sport

4. Flow and Meditation – entering the state where golf plays itself

5. Jayne’s Journey Through Movement Arts – Tai Chi, yoga, and swimming

6. Chi Energy in Sport – subtle awareness and performance

7. Relaxed Readiness – the paradox of being loose yet prepared

8. Getting Out of Your Own Way – surrendering to the swing

9. Ego on the Course – tension, fear, and the desire to succeed

10. Vigilant Passivity – alert presence without interference

11. Trusting the Body – allowing skill to emerge naturally

12. Equanimity Under Pressure – calmness when it matters most

13. Practices for Presence – meditation, grounding, and soft focus

14. Gratitude and Devotion – embracing golf as a higher offering

15. The Spiritual Horizon of Sport – where performance meets transcendence

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Jayne Storey's links:

Website: chi-performance.com

Books: chi-performance.com/books

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

Confidence in golf often feels like it comes and goes with your scorecard. But what if there’s a way to build confidence that doesn’t vanish after a bad hole or a bad round? In this episode, we’ll explore where true confidence really comes from—and why most golfers never find it.

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

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

Special guest Mike Berland joins The Mental Golf Show. They discuss the multifaceted nature of golf, emphasizing the importance of enjoyment over mere improvement. Mike shares personal experiences and insights on the psychological aspects of the game, the social dynamics involved, and the need for modernizing golf to make it more inclusive. The discussion highlights the balance between striving for better performance and appreciating the joy of the game, ultimately advocating for a more relaxed and fulfilling approach to golf.

Topics discussed:

• The Joy of Golf vs. Improvement
• Mental Game and Flow State
• Social Aspects of Golf
• Managing Expectations in Golf
• The Unpredictability of Golf
• Golf as a Social Connector
• Topgolf and Accessibility of Golf
• Rekindling the Love for Golf
• The Role of Mental Focus in Golf Performance
• Overcoming Distractions and Regaining Focus
• The Journey to Improvement and Consistency
• The Social Dynamics of Golf
• Modernizing Golf for Inclusivity
• The Evolution of Golf During the Pandemic
• Personal Exploration vs. Social Aspects of Golf
• The Message of 'Not About Golf'

Mike Berland's links:

Book: Not About Golf: The Life Changing Joy of Playing the Game

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

Welcome to the Episode 2 of the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through the core components of a good mental game.

This week: the Pre-Shot Routine.

Every good pre-shot routine contains four key pillars. We explore those on this episode.

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

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

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

In this enlightening episode, Josh Nichols sits down with Gary Waters for a deep dive into the mental game of golf and life. Gary, a performance coach with a passion for unlocking human potential, explores how shifting your perspective can transform your experience on the golf course and beyond.

From redefining success as inner peace to dissolving limiting beliefs that fuel fear and frustration, this conversation unpacks practical insights for golfers seeking flow, freedom, and joy in their game.

Whether you're a pro battling a slump or an amateur chasing enjoyment, Gary's wisdom offers a roadmap to playing with authenticity and ease. Tune in to discover how to rewrite your "why" and embrace a limitless approach to golf.

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Topics & Timestamps:

Perspective and Golf (00:00 - 06:00) Peace vs. Competitiveness (06:00 - 09:35) Dissolving Unhelpful Motivations (09:30 - 15:55) Overcoming Deep Frustration in Golf (15:55 - 19:56) Role of Therapy and Mentorship (19:56 - 26:17) Fear and Performance on the Golf Course (26:17 - 32:30) Balancing Conscious and Subconscious in Golf (32:30 - 38:02) Detaching from Identity in Golf (38:02 - 46:05) Origins of Limiting Beliefs (44:23 - 47:32) Self-Acceptance and Authentic Self (47:32 - 51:28) Balancing Acceptance and Change (51:28 - 57:33) Resistance as an Opportunity (57:33 - 01:02:58) Gary Waters Contact and Resources (01:02:58 - 01:05:39)

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Resources and Links Mentioned by Gary Waters:

• Gary Waters' Website: garywaters.co.uk
• Gary Waters' Instagram: @iamgarywaters
• Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Peter Crone's work: petercrone.com

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Get more from Josh Nichols:

The Perfect Pre-shot Routine digital course: Dial in your pre-shot routine here.

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

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

Josh Nichols Golf (1-on-1 Mental Coaching): Email josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or visit joshnicholsgolf.com for sessions.

Custom Weekly Practice Plan: Hand-built plans based on your stats and schedule at joshnicholsgolf.com.

Mental Game Assessment: Free assessment at joshnicholsgolf.com to identify strengths and improvement areas.

The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips at joshnicholsgolf.com.

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

Welcome to the first episode in the FundaMENTALS series, where Josh Nichols will be walking through what he believes are the core components of a good mental game.

First up: Acceptance

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Dial in your Pre-Shot Routine!

🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course

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Get 10% off a Divot Board!

Go to divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow and use the code MentalGolf10 to get 10% off your entire purchase.

Get a great deal AND support The Mental Golf Show. Thank you! 🙏

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Thanks to these partners for supporting The Mental Golf Show:

Titleist - Join Team Titleist

Nerd Fitness

Fit For Golf

Shot Pattern - golf GPS app

PutterCup training aids (15% off when you sign up for their newsletter)

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Perform better with these Josh Nichols Golf products:

🎓 The Perfect Pre-shot Routine Digital Course

🏌️‍♂️ Basic and Custom Practice Plans

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1-on-1 Mental Coaching

Are you a competitive golfer? Interested in working 1-on-1 with Josh as your Mental Coach? Email Josh directly at ⁠⁠josh@joshnicholsgolf.com or head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joshnicholsgolf.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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📚 2025 Book Club!

Click here to join the exclusive group chat where we discuss the books we're reading, questions and struggles about the mental game, and first access to Q&A's and meetups.

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Want to be a SPONSOR on The Mental Golf Show? Email us with inquiries at mentalgolfshow@gmail.com

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X/Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshlukenichols⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh Nichols Golf