Josh Nichols

The Mental Golf Show

Sports EN ↓ 298 episodes

The Mental Golf Show is all about helping serious golfers translate their game when it matters. Host Josh Nichols — a U.S. Mid-Amateur finalist and Golf Mental Coach — has spent years investigating one question: why do good players struggle to access their best game under real conditions? Through in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and performance experts — plus solo episodes breaking down what he’s learned — Josh investigates the gap between a golfer’s potential and what actually shows up on the course.

Author

Josh Nichols

Category

Sports

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

73: Bad Shots are Inevitable. So Why Aren’t You Ready for Them? 29.11.2020

When was the last time you played a round of golf without a bogey? It's not exactly common. How about something even more rare - playing a round without a bad shot/swing/chip/putt? It doesn't happen. Ben Hogan famously said even in his best rounds he only hit 1 or 2 perfect shots. So it's essential that you prepare mentally for bad shots, holes, scores, and tournaments. Listen for a way to do it....

72: Your Game Doesn’t Change Overnight 28.11.2020

2 day streak! Still going... for now. The topic of this episode was inspired by working with one of my players who felt they were a totally different golfer from one day to the next. But he (and all of us) need to realize an important truth about our game. Listen to hear it! *****Bonus points to the first person to send me the name of my cat which is revealed after she so rudely (but also cutely)...

71: How to Take Control of Your Own Improvement 27.11.2020

Yes I'm going to do this to myself. I'm going to commit to doing a daily podcast. Even if it's just something small and unedited. I want to consistently give you guys something to think about that's been on my mind, or that I've learned, or that I've discussed with one of my own mental coaching players, or just random thoughts. I already know I'm not going to pull off a daily show, so I'm going to...

70: You Have to Know THIS About Your Golf Personality w/ Dr. Bhrett McCabe 30.10.2020

Dr. Bhrett McCabe is one of the leading coaches in the field of Sport Psychology and works with several of the top golfers in the world. In this episode we discuss the different types of personalities there are in golf, and why you should know yours. We also talk about coaching styles, and what makes certain coaches better at what they do. I highly recommend Dr. McCabe's book The Mindside Manifest...

69: How a Regular Person Can Become a Scratch Golfer w/ Sean Denning of parmachine.com 23.10.2020

Sean Denning is just a "regular guy". He works a regular job. Has a regular family. Has regular time constraints. Yet he improved his handicap from around a 4, into a scratch in just over a year. Now at first glance that might not sound like a lot and it might sound like a long time. But look at your improvement during your own life. Has it been dramatic? Has it been fast? If you're like me, then...

68: How Managing Expectations Makes You a Better Golfer and a Happier Person w/ Jon Sherman of Practical Golf 17.10.2020

If you feel like you are never living up to the standard you'd like to reach, maybe you need to look at your expectations for yourself. It can change everything about you and your golf game, and for the better. If you'd like to get more from Jon Sherman, head to practical-golf.com or follow him on twitter @practicalgolf Thanks for listening! Follow me on twitter: @joshlukenichols

67: The Competitive Formula w/ My Swing Instructor and Mentor Robert Linville 03.10.2020

Robert Linville (owner of Precision Golf School in Greensboro, NC) is probably the most knowledgeable person in the golf industry I know. He has over 30 years experience working with golfers, from beginners to USGA champions. Hopefully you'll be able to glean a little knowledge off of this episode. Follow Robert on Instagram and Twitter: @rlprecisiongolf Follow me on twitter! @joshlukenichols My m...

66: The Best Definition of Process I’ve Ever Heard w/ Kellen Lee, CMPC 25.09.2020

You've heard the phrase "Stick to the process" or "focus on the process" or "the process is more important than the result" right? Probably more than you'd like. But what does it mean? This conversation with Kellen Lee, one of the mental coaches for the San Francisco Giants baseball organization, dives deep into that very topic, and how having a clear process can actually help you play better. And...

65: How to Get Over Scoring Plateaus w/ Adam Young Golf 17.09.2020

You've been shooting the same scores for a while now. You just can't seem to break through and go lower than normal. When you're on a plateau, how do you overcome it? That's just one of the topics Adam Young and I discuss on this episode. Adam Young is the author of the best-selling golf book of The Practice Manual. You should definitely follow Adam Young on twitter @adamyounggolf or check out his...

64: Where to Find Your Golf Motivation w/ Scott Barnicle, PhD, CMPC 16.09.2020

Do you focus on result throughout most of every round? Do you get disappointed when you don't play perfect? Where do you get your source of satisfaction and enjoyment in golf? Do you get it from external sources like shot, or score, or tournament finish? On this episode Josh has a conversation Scott Barnicle, a professor at West Virginia University with a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology and i...

63: Why the Mental Game is Vital w/ Dr. Lindsey Blom 02.09.2020

How much of golf would you say is mental and how much is physical? 50/50? 60/40? 20/80? Regardless you will scarcely find someone that thinks it's all physical and no mental. So then does your practice time reflect those percentages? If you think any part of golf is mental then you should incorporate at least some mental training into your regimen, and Dr. Lindsey Blom makes a great case for that...

62: How to Play Freely When the Pressure is Highest w/ Mini Tour Player Casey Komline 19.08.2020

What's up podcast! This is a special episode for me because I got to talk with my close friend Casey Komline about his experience in a mini tour event and the mental game lessons he learned. I think this is a super relatable episode that you are definitely going to learn something from! ----- Thanks for listening! Learn more: foundationsmp.com Follow me on twitter: @joshlukenichols Instagram: @jos...

61: Should You Be Trying to Shoot Lower Golf Scores? 17.08.2020

We all assume shooting a low score in golf should be the goal. But have we ever questioned that goal? What if there's a better mentality that would naturally lead to lower scores over time? ----- Thanks for listening! Learn more: foundationsmp.com Follow me on twitter: @joshlukenichols Instagram: @joshlukenichols YouTube: joshlukenichols TikTok: @joshlukenichols

60: How You Should Act When College Coaches are Watching + More | GTOTD 14.08.2020

What's up podcast listeners! I'd love to hear any questions you have or topics you'd like to hear on the pod. You send me something and I'll talk about it. Here's some ways you can do that: Email: joshlukenichols@gmail.com Twitter: @joshlukenichols Instagram: @joshlukenichols Thanks for listening!

59: Many Blows Fell a Large Tree- How to Reach Your Big Golf Goals 12.08.2020

What's up podcast listeners! There are endless golf topics that can be talked about, but I'd love to hear what YOU want to hear on the pod! If you're using the Anchor app, just leave me a voice or regular message. If not, send me an email joshlukenichols@gmail.com - big thanks to those who have done this already - you know who you are (: Follow me on social: @joshlukenichols Learn more at foundati...

58: How to Win a Golf Tournament 07.08.2020

Have a question about the mental game? Have a topic you'd like me to talk about? Send in your questions! If you listen with the Anchor app, just leave a voice message and I can play your question right in the episode. Not feeling that bold? Email your question to joshlukenichols@gmail.com . ----- On this episode, I talk about the mentality of someone who only focuses on the controllables and leave...

57: Dr Lindsay Ross-Stewart, PhD on the Importance of the Mental Game 05.08.2020

On this episode I talk about the importance of the mental game with Dr. Lindsay Ross-Stewart, PhD, an associate professor for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the Graduate Program Director for their Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Program, and the Sport Psychology Consultant for their Division I Athletics Program. So needless to say, she knows what she's talking about. If you'd li...

56: You the Athlete Need to Determine Success with Aaron Goldman of PLAYFree 29.07.2020

On this episode, Josh talks with Aaron Goldman, Masters in Applied Human Development, mental performance coach, and owner of PLAYfree, about several highly relevant topics that will help both athletes and coaches improve their performance, track their improvement, and most importantly, enjoy the journey. If you'd like to know more about Aaron Goldman, his site is playfreesport.com . And you should...

55: Birdie Putts and Having the Confidence to Go Low 22.07.2020

On this episode, we learn about the foundational skills you need to be able to step up to a birdie putt and be able to freely hit it with confidence. For more on this subject, or to learn about working with a mental performance coach, head to foundationsmp.com . Theme song: Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama License: http://creativecommons.org/lic...

54: Two Sports Psych Masters Students Discuss the Psychology of Putting 15.07.2020

On this episode of The Mental Golf Show, Josh talks with two Masters in Sport Psych students from the University of North Texas about the mental game as it relates to putting, as well as much more. Link to Elizabeth and Lauren's golf mental game survey: https://unt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1KUontm4yPPPJTD For more from Foundations Mental Performance, including blog posts and a visualization p...

53: There’s No One Way to Think 04.05.2020

A lot of us think that we have to do things just like to the pros in order to play like the pros. But I think that's a misconception that we should challenge ourselves on. What we do can weigh us down. So here's a challenge to change that way of thinking. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed it leave a rating!  For more, head to joshnicholsgolf.com.

52: Too Afraid to Suck 30.04.2020

The key to dealing with fear of failure on and off the golf course. Thanks for listening! For more head to joshnicholsgolf.com .

51: Dealing with Change 21.04.2020

How do you deal with change? Is your house built on sand or on a solid foundation of rock? In order to deal with tough circumstances you must build from the ground up. Thanks for listening! For more head to joshnicholsgolf.com .

50: Visualization Practice 16.04.2020

A lot of us are looking for things we can be doing during our downtime, between tournaments, or just a good daily habit to exercise your mind. This visualization practice is a good way to fill those gaps! The first half of this episode describes the why, what, and how of visualization/meditation. And the second half is a recording of a visualization practice that I do for myself. But just because...

49: When Things Feel Out of Control 30.03.2020

There’s a strong tendency to focus on the things you can’t control, especially when circumstances are not how you’d like them to be. But when external forces seem to be out of control, what you choose to focus on can determine your performance. Thanks for listening! For more, head to joshnicholsgolf.com .

Listen to the The Mental Golf Show podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.