#84: [Inside the Mind] Joe Park: Overlooked Fundamentals, Fewer Mistakes, and More Intentionality on the Range (and Course)

In this episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I’m joined by elite swing coach Joe Park to demystify the path to a consistent, efficient, and powerful golf swing.

Joe shares lessons from his decades of coaching—from helping high handicappers break 90 to training his sons as they pursue the PGA Tour. You’ll hear how small changes to grip, tempo, and practice structure can completely transform your swing—and why you must practice to forget.

Joe breaks down his five golf swing fundamentals, explains why most golfers fail by chasing complexity, and outlines how to design and forge a swing that holds up under pressure. This episode blends mechanics, mindset, and the subtle art of self-coaching in a way that will resonate with golfers of all levels.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• The five core fundamentals Joe Park teaches to build a repeatable, powerful swing.
• Why grip is the most overlooked yet essential element in fixing slices and shaping shots.
• How to practice with intention by exaggerating drills to create long-lasting improvements.
• The key differences between single-digit handicaps and scratch players — and how to bridge the gap.
• Why “swing faster” might be the most underrated advice for gaining distance.
• How to balance mechanics and mindset for lasting results on the course.
• What most golfers get wrong on the range — and how to finally take your “range game” to the course.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.

More About Joe

Joe is a Master Teaching Pro with over 30 years of experience helping golfers better understand their golf swing through science, physics, and better thinking.

Located in Scottsdale Arizona, Joe moved w/ his family from Minnesota so that their two sons Bobby and Joey Park could play and practice in warmer weather.

They turned pro here at just 15 and 17 years old at the..WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN PRE QUALIFIER and eight years later are still chasing the dream of the PGA Tour and heading to Qschool this year. 

Learn more about Joe and get his newly released eBook, “Five Fundamentals: How To Make A Golf Swing” here. 

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High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching

Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential.

He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential.

Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course. 

Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist 

Twitter: @parsoverbogeys

Key Takeaways:

• A good grip isn’t natural — it’s learned. Get it right, and you instantly solve 80% of your ball flight issues.
• Joe’s “Five Fundamentals” begin with grip and move through takeaway, transition, impact, and follow-through.
• Most golfers swing too slowly in the backswing, leading to rushed transitions and reduced power.
• You can’t practice mechanics and performance under pressure at the same time. Structure practice around exaggeration then application.
• Self-awareness and honest feedback are non-negotiable if you want to improve.
• Distance is simple: swing faster — and give yourself permission to do so.
• Golfers must learn to be less risky on the course. Play smart. Avoid blow-up holes.

Key Quotes:

• “Fundamentals never go out of style.”
• “We practice to forget.”
• “Intentional exaggeration is what changes your baseline.”
• “A slinky doesn’t snap unless it’s been stretched.”
• “You don’t need more shots — you need fewer mistakes.”

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Introduction to Joe Park's Golf Journey
• 03:10: The Five Fundamentals of Golf
• 06:04: Understanding the Golf Swing Mechanics
• 08:58: The Importance of Mental Game in Golf
• 11:59: Transitioning from Amateur to Professional
• 15:10: Mastering the Short Game
• 18:02: The Path to Becoming a Scratch Golfer
• 21:01: Developing a Pre-Shot Routine
• 24:00: Drills and Practice Techniques
• 26:57: Final Thoughts on Golf Mastery
• 31:00: The Art of Intentional Practice
• 34:08: Embracing Discomfort for Growth
• 36:53: Balancing Mechanics and Mindset
• 41:04: The Importance of a Structured Approach
• 44:59: Finding the Right Coach
• 50:00: Risk Management in Golf and Life