Think Above Par | Mental Golf & Mindset
If you’re a serious golfer who knows you’re leaving shots out on the course, Think Above Par is your go-to podcast for mastering the mental game of golf. Hosted by Kathy Hart Wood—a former tour player, Top 50 Teacher, and Certified Mental Coach—you’ll discover practical strategies to strengthen your golf mindset, manage pressure, and play with more confidence.
Each episode breaks down why you underperform when it matters most and how to stop overthinking so you can trust your swing and compete at your best. Whether you struggle with performance anxiety, perfectionism, or negative self-talk, Kathy shares tools to help you unlock your talent and enjoy the game again.
Learn how to think above par so you can play below par. Subscribe now and start transforming your mental golf game today.
Episodes
235 episodes
Drop the Dumbass Golf Talk and Boost Your Confidence
Join Your Mental Caddy and start playing to your potential today: https://YourMentalCaddy.comEver call yourself a dumb ass after a bad shot and shrug it off like it’s no big deal? Hate to...
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Episode 233
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10:55
Why Golf F#@ks With Your Brain
Ever wonder why you feel calm on the range but like you’re fighting for survival on the course? In this episode, we break down how golf hijacks your brain—from fight-or-flight reactions and perfectionism to obsessing over what everyone thinks.<...
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Episode 232
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10:53
How to Stop One Bad Shot from Ruining Three Holes
Ever hit one bad shot and watched it hijack the next three holes? You're not alone—and you're not broken.In this episode, I break down why it's not the bad shot that kills your round... it's what your brain does with it. We’ll talk emoti...
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Episode 231
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9:34
When You Can't Get Back to Positive on the Golf Course
You don’t have to be calm to play good golf—you just have to stop spiraling. In this episode, we’re talking about the emotional detour most golfers need but rarely take: neutral.Forget forcing positivity or faking chill. That does...
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Episode 230
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8:59
The 5 Things Your Brain’s Doing Between Shots
What’s your brain up to between shots?If your answer is “uhhh… spiraling?”—you’re not alone.In this episode of Think Above Par, Coach Kathy walks you through the 5 most common (and completely normal) things golfers do men...
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Episode 229
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12:34
Why Your Golf Results Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Are you working your tail off and still not seeing it on the scorecard? Welcome to the club—and also, let’s fix that perspective. In this episode, we break down the difference between progress and growth in your golf game (and...
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Episode 228
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9:36
Stop Measuring Yourself by Their Handicap
Ever feel that pit in your stomach when you get paired with golfers who have a lower handicap than you? Yep—welcome to the comparison trap. In this episode, we dive into what really happens when you measure your worth against someone else’s num...
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Episode 227
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8:22
This Word Makes You Miss Around the Green
You know the feeling—you’re standing over a “hard” shot and your brain goes, “Ugh, I hate this.” Suddenly, you’re gripping the club like it wronged you and praying for a miracle flop.In this episode, we’re calling out the real troublemak...
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Episode 226
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10:24
Is Your Phone Helping—or Hijacking—Your Game?
Real talk time. Your phone might be the biggest threat to your golf game. Not your swing. Not your putting. That little dopamine machine in your pocket.In this episode, I break down why picking up your phone during a round—especially in ...
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Episode 225
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11:15
The Real Reason You’re Second-Guessing Every Shot
Ever stand over a shot thinking, “Is it a 7-iron or an 8?” and then proceed to steer it down the fairway like you’re driving a minivan full of toddlers? Yeah. This one’s for you.In this episode, we’re talking about golf decisions
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Episode 223
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10:28
Golf Emotions: The Good, The Bad, and The Beneficial
Let’s talk golf emotions. Not the deep life stuff (although we touch on that too), but the short list of feelings that show up when you're standing over a shot, or watching a putt lip out... again.In this episode, I’m breaking d...
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Episode 222
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12:42
I Want to Love the Game… But I Suck
If you’ve ever said, “I want to love golf, but I suck,” this episode is for you.We’re digging into why your relationship with golf can feel so up and down—and how tying your love of the game to your performance is messing with y...
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Episode 221
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15:50
Think Like Rory: 6 Mental Game Moves You Can Use Today
In this episode, I’m breaking down what Rory actually said after winning the Masters—and more importantly, what it means for you. Because here’s the truth: what Rory is doing to manage his mind is the exact same work you're learning he...
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Episode 220
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11:06
The Mental Golf Sweet Spot Between Try-Hard and Don’t-Care
Ever find yourself a little too intense on the golf course? This week’s episode is all about finding that elusive mental sweet spot—the space between trying too hard and not trying enough. Whether it’s a local scramble, a one day quali...
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Episode 219
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11:34
How to Make Your Pre-Round Warmup Work for You
Is your pre-round warm up inconsistent or non-existent. In this episode, Kathy gets real about pre-round warmups. Spoiler alert: it’s not about finding the magic swing or hoping your confidence shows up. Kathy shares how to keep your warmup neu...
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Episode 218
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11:06
The Mental Game of Playing With Better Golfers
Feeling jittery about teeing off with golfers who seem to have their game dialed in way tighter than yours? Don’t sweat it! In this episode, I dive into how to shake off those nerves and shift your mindset to play your best, no matter who’s in ...
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Episode 217
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13:08
Changing How You React to Bad Golf Shots
Do certain bad shots make your head explode? Maybe it’s a chunked wedge, a skulled bunker shot, or that dreaded three-footer that refuses to drop. Whatever it is, your relationship with bad shots is affecting your game—and your sanity....
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Episode 216
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11:58
Practicing Hard but Not Getting Better? Here's Why
Not getting the results you want from your practice sessions? In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy dives deep into the mindset needed for effective practice sessions. Discover how to avoid common pitfalls and frustrations at the range, and...
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Episode 215
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23:06
How to Change Your Golf Results
Tired of creating the same results over and over again in golf? In this episode, Kathy dives deep into the concept of self-awareness, specifically focusing on the consistent results golfers create for themselves. She discusses how recognizing p...
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Episode 214
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10:26
How to Make the Most of Your Practice: Trackman, Simulators and Perfectionism
Are your practice sessions frustrating? This episode takes a closer look at why stepping away from the relentless pursuit of perfection and frequent simulator sessions can be beneficial for your golf game. Kathy explores a revelation from one o...
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Episode 213
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13:47
How to Play Your Best Golf
Ever catch yourself saying, "I just want to play my best today"? It sounds like a solid goal, right? But what does your best actually mean? In this episode, I break down why this common phrase can secretly add pressure to your...
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Episode 212
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13:05
Hidden Golf Thought Errors that Keep You Stuck
Ever catch yourself saying, "Here we go again" or "I always struggle with my putting"? These are thought errors, and in this episode Kathy dives deep into the mental missteps that can sabotage your golf game. Learn to identify and s...
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Episode 211
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16:39
Who to Blame For Your Golf Results
Ever feel like your golf game is out of your control? Many golfers struggle with externalizing blame—whether it’s the wind, the caddie, or that noisy spectator—which leads to a frustrating experience on the course.This blame game not onl...
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Episode 210
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10:54
The Mental Part of Short Game Touch
In this episode of Think Above Par, Kathy addresses a common thought error in the golfing community: the belief that it takes time to regain your touch after a break from the game. She explains how this mindset can become a self-fulfilli...
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Episode 209
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11:19
Bounce Back: Protecting Your Confidence on the Golf Course
Join Kathy as she dives deep into the world of self-confidence on and off the golf course. Discover the vivid analogy of a "Confidence Bubble" to understand how your internal dialogue shapes your self-assurance. Kathy unravels the differences b...
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Episode 208
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11:27