#86: [Inside the Mind] Debbie O’Connell: Training Your Mindset (versus Mental Game) and Bringing Your WHOLE-self to the Course

In this powerhouse episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I’m joined by LPGA professional and mindset expert Debbie O’Connell to dive deep into what mindset really means—and how it differs from the mental game of golf.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you’re bringing emotional baggage from life onto the course, this episode will feel like it was made for you.

Debbie and I discuss how your subconscious beliefs, emotions, and early life programming shape your identity as a golfer—and how shifting these beliefs can spark massive breakthroughs both on and off the course. From self-sabotage to self-worth, from fear to flow state, we cover it all.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• The key difference between mental game strategies and true mindset training
• Why emotional reactions on the course are often rooted in childhood patterns
• How to unearth and release limiting beliefs that create performance plateaus
• What it really takes to break through your “internal thermostat” and shoot lower scores
• How your identity shapes your results—and how to rewrite it
• The role of flow state, presence, and emotional regulation in consistent performance
• How golf is a mirror of your life—and how growth in one reflects in the other

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 Debbie

Want to attend Debbie’s three-day live event next month?

Text “YES” to 727-339-0106 

Then, text “FLOW” for her free flow state eBook. 

Debbie is a seasoned media professional, successful entrepreneur and accomplished business leader. She is the host of Audible’s 10-lesson series “Game Time Golf Positive.” She has also had multiple appearances on the Golf Channel, and has hosted numerous golf-oriented radio shows as well as the television show “Par Fore the Course.”

Debbie is the author of the bestselling book, “Golf Positive! Live Positive!” which offers insight and practical solutions to help one achieve their goals both on and off the golf course.

As an advocate for teenage development and self-esteem, Debbie speaks in several local schools teaching skills to improve self-confidence and personal empowerment. Her positive energy and enthusiasm made her an easy choice to be the lead LPGA Professional for the LPGA Leadership Academy, whose mission is to teach teenage girls leadership skills and strategies through the game of golf. Debbie also co-hosted Instructional Golf Days in association with Anthony Robbins “Unleash the Power Within” programs.

Debbie holds certifications in John Maxwell Speaking, Training, Coaching; Strategic Intervention; DISC Training; and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with minors in broadcasting and business from Western Kentucky University.

Connect with Debbie on her website.

Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course

1. Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call
2. Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter
3. Download my “Play Your Best Round” free hypnosis audio recording.

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:

• Mindset goes beyond routines. It's not just about pre-shot breathing or staying positive—it's about rewiring how you think, feel, and respond under pressure.
• You bring your whole self to the course. Your fears, beliefs, and emotional patterns show up in your swing, decision-making, and reactions.
• Fear drives self-sabotage. Fear of success, fear of failure, and fear of judgment all contribute to rushing, over-trying, and tightening up.
• Flow state is possible—and trainable. You can learn to access deeper focus and bypass conscious interference, creating effortless, confident swings.
• The subconscious is irrational. It’s like a five-year-old running the show—until you learn to reprogram it.
• Reactions are patterns. Responses are power. You can train yourself to respond with calm, clarity, and curiosity—even after OB or three-putts.
• Change your identity, change your score. If you don’t believe you’re someone who can shoot in the 60s, your subconscious will keep the score higher.

Key Quotes:

• “We bring our whole selves to the game of golf.”
• “The mental game is a checklist. Mindset is who you become.”
• “Your subconscious doesn’t care if it makes sense. It just wants to protect you.”
• “The conscious mind is the goal-setter. The subconscious is the goal-getter.”
• “Golf is just a mirror of your personal development journey.”
• “You’re either in the driver’s seat of your life—or blaming someone else from the passenger side.”

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Introduction and Energy Exchange
• 01:09: Understanding the Mental Game of Golf
• 03:10: The Depth of Mindset in Golf
• 04:55: Exploring Emotional Connections in Golf
• 08:18: The Impact of Mindset on Performance
• 10:28: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change
• 10:56: The Role of Fear in Personal Growth
• 14:02: The Importance of Identity in Performance
• 21:57: Building Mental Toughness
• 31:53: The Power of Positivity
• 42:25: Taking Ownership of Your Story