January 02, 2025

#56: [Inside the Mind] Michael Leonard: Minimizing Mental Stress, Cultivating Consistency, Upgrading Your Identity, and Breaking 80 Regularly

1 hour 1 minute

Meet Michael Leonard - the creator of Wicked Smart Golf, a +2 handicap, and mental golf coach. He uses his five-pillar approach to help players shoot lower scores and play more consistently... without swing changes.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

The key elements to focus on changing to upgrade your identity
The power of consistency - and how to cultivate it
The importance of slowing down to regain focus after mistakes
How less is more in practice and preparation for tournaments
The role of mindset in developing consistency and breaking 80
Actionable strategies for building effective post-round reflections
Why mental and physical self-care off the course impacts on-course performance

Get your pencils ready and start listening.

P.S. You can learn and connect with both Michael and I live at The Mental Game of Golf Summit. Learn more and reserve your seat here.

More About Michael

Connect with him on Instagram.

Watch him on YouTube.

Purchase “Wicked Smart Golf” on Amazon.

Subscribe to the Wicked Smart Golf Podcast.

Work with Michael.

Key Takeaways:

The mental game’s primary goal is to reduce stress, as stress disrupts motor patterns and prevents you from swinging your best on the course.
A growth mindset is critical for improving in golf; believing that improvement is possible fuels the effort needed to achieve your goals.
Effective practice involves intention and structure—prioritizing deliberate, focused sessions over marathon practice that leads to burnout.
Consistency in effort, even with small, incremental steps, is the foundation for long-term progress in golf and life.
Managing your expectations with data-driven insights (e.g., realistic fairway hit percentages) helps avoid frustration and enhances performance.
Pre- and post-shot routines, along with slowing down after mistakes, are essential tools for bouncing back from blow-up holes and staying composed.
The golfer you are on the course is deeply connected to the human being you are off it—prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional well-being will elevate your performance.

Key Quotes:

"The whole goal of the mental game is stress is coming—it’s going to happen. No matter how good you get, you're going to hit bad shots. The key is figuring out how to calm down and get back to your process as fast as you can."
"You have to have a growth mindset—if you don’t think you can improve, you won’t. But if you believe someone else did it, then you can too."
"Do different to get different. If you keep practicing the same way, going through the same motions, and expecting better results, you’ll stay stuck. Challenge yourself to do what others aren’t willing to do."
"Your swing is already there. It’s not going to change the day before a tournament. Sometimes the best preparation is resting, eating well, and showing up with a clear and focused mind."
"Consistency beats everything. Even if it’s a mediocre practice or an okay workout, you’re still showing up. Over time, that builds belief and creates real progress."
"Having the right expectations is everything. If you think you’ll hit every fairway or make every putt, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Focus on playing your best with what you have that day."
"You can’t separate the golfer from the human being. How you care for yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally off the course directly impacts how you perform on the course."

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Time Stamps:

00:00: Morning Routines and Productivity
12:10: The Importance of Deliberate Practice
24:03: Mindset and Identity in Golf
30:05: Mental Game and Overcoming Mistakes
32:28: Managing Emotions on the Golf Course
34:15: The Importance of Expectations in Golf
35:54: Breath Control and Its Impact on Performance
37:55: The Role of Sleep in Golf Performance
38:52: Bouncing Back from Blow Up Holes
42:10: Learning from Every Round
46:48: The Power of Reflection After Rounds
47:39: The 'Less is More' Philosophy in Practice
49:44: Goals and Excitement for the Future
51:30: Dream Guests and Podcast Highlights
54:05: Introducing the New Book: Blueprint to Breaking 80

...more

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By Paul Salter

4.7

2727 ratings