When It Counts

You prepare. You put in the work. You expect to compete. And then… it doesn’t go as planned. In this episode, Richard breaks down his recent tournament rounds at Spanish Oaks—the highs, the mistakes, and the moments that changed everything. From a brutal opening hole to equipment decisions, mental battles, and course management under pressure, this is an honest look at what really happens when you...

Winning the Masters isn’t about playing perfect golf—and this year proved it. In this episode, Richard Christensen and Steve Nelson break down the final round and uncover what really decided the tournament. From Rory McIlroy’s early double bogey to the missed opportunities from players like Scottie Scheffler, Justin Rose, and Cameron Young, this wasn’t a story of perfect swings—it was a story of d...

There are tournaments you watch… and then there’s The Masters. In this episode of When It Counts , Richard and Steve take a step back from analysis and predictions to talk about what makes Augusta National and The Masters Tournament so memorable. Steve shares what it’s like to be on the grounds at Augusta—where to watch, what you can’t see on TV, and why the course is even more dramatic in person....

Most golfers have experienced it. You’re hitting it great on the range—pure strikes, solid contact, everything feels right. Then you step onto the first tee… and it’s gone. In this episode of When It Counts , Richard and Steve break down the difference between practice and playing , and why your range game doesn’t always transfer to the course. They discuss: Why the range can give you a false sens...

Golf isn’t lost on one swing — and it’s not won in one moment either. In this episode, Richard and Steve break down why golf is truly a marathon, not a sprint. Over five hours and 18 holes, the real challenge isn’t avoiding mistakes — it’s how you respond when they happen. They dive into: When a round is actually lost The “snowball effect” that turns one mistake into three How ego and decision-mak...

In this episode of When It Counts , we explore one of the most important — and counterintuitive — ideas in golf: if you want to shoot your best scores, you have to be willing to shoot a bad one. Many golfers try to protect their score by playing safe, avoiding mistakes, and steering the ball. But that mindset often leads to tension, indecision, and average golf. We discuss: why fear shows up durin...

Golfers spend all winter working on their swings—practicing indoors, hitting balls into simulators, and watching their numbers improve. But when the golf season finally starts, many players experience the same frustrating problem: the swing that felt great all winter suddenly doesn’t show up on the course. In this episode of When It Counts , Richard Christensen and Steve break down why the transit...

The golf season may be months away, but serious competitors know that winter is where next season is built. In Episode 4 of When It Counts , Richard and Steve take a look at off-season preparation through two different eras of golf. Steve reflects on what winter training looked like in the 1970s—long before indoor simulators, launch monitors, and structured fitness programs—while Richard shares ho...

Most competitive rounds don’t fall apart because a player suddenly loses their swing. They fall apart because of decisions, pressure, and the moment when a player drifts away from their process. In Episode 3, Richard and Steve break down what really happens when a round starts to go sideways. They discuss how pressure speeds up thinking, why players begin chasing shots, and how small decisions — n...

In competitive golf, the players who stick around aren’t always the ones with the most natural talent. They’re the ones who learn how to last. In this episode, we look at what really sustains a player over years of competition—through qualifiers, slumps, injuries, and changing life demands—and why raw ability alone rarely carries someone for long. We talk about the habits, mindset, and preparation...

Competitive golf looks simple from the outside. You hit shots, keep score, and try to play well. But once something is actually on the line, the game asks for something different. In this first episode of When It Counts , Richard Christensen and longtime tour player and instructor Steve Nelson talk about what really shows up under pressure — and what competitive golf actually demands over time. Dr...