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Welcome to Season 2 of the She Talks Birdie Podcast!

I am excited to share a special episode I created in partnership with PXG to launch the new season. Have you ever thought of golf as more than just a game? Perhaps it's hard to consider the far-reaching benefits of golf when you feel as though the course just kicked your butt.

Through my conversation with two members of our military and PXG's Heroes Squad, Corporal Chris Nowak and Corporal Chad Pfeifer, I discovered how PXG is helping veterans heal from visible and invisible wounds through golf. 

Here are the highlights from this episode:

• [1:56] Introduction
• [2:57] Cpl. Chad Pfeifer's story
• [11:26] Cpl. Chris Nowak's story
• [15:54] The learning process that has to take place for a veteran taking up golf
• [24:02] How a veteran's mental toughness can be leveraged in golf to help them successfully navigate life
• [30:07] How veterans and golfers alike are taught to maintain a positive outlook on the course
• [33:11] The importance of perspective in golf
• [35:00] How PXG is supporting veterans through their programs 
  • getting veterans introduced to the game
  • making equipment affordable
  • building a community of veterans who look out for each other
• [41:00] How you can learn more about PXG and their programs (links mentioned are provided below)
• [44:25] Final thoughts from Chad and Chris

To get a list of the links mentioned in this episode, please visit my full show notes page at  https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/021

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What's the point of playing golf if you don't love your game. If "love" isn't the word you'd use to describe your current feelings about your game then I can help. In this episode, I share the 3 tools you need to pave the road to a golf game you love. Are you in?

In golf, your brain is your personal navigation system. 

Your brain directs your decisions, actions, reactions, and more moment by moment on the course.

And just like every type of navigation system, your brain operates specific tools that can help you reach your golf goals.

Here are the 3 inner tools that are a natural part of your hardwiring...

• [2:51] 1: Your Gut - What is your default thinking when you're playing well or not as you would like?
• [4:21] 2: Your Imagination - If you know that you are playing with negative or self-critical thoughts, where do you think they are coming from?
• [6:24] 3: Your Inner Caddy - Did you know that your game has already provided you with every bit of evidence you need to establish a solid belief foundation under your game?
• [9:39] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

Be sure to download the one-page reference sheet in my latest email newsletter with specific suggestions to help you start leveraging the power of your inner tools both on and off the course. Learn more by visiting https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/020

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There is one incredible quality the best players possess that you can too. It's not a technically better swing, the ability to hole more putts, or even a longer drive. The one thing that separates you from the greatest golfers starts in your mind and works its way into your performance. 

I'm talking about your belief.

The wonderful Arnold Palmer once said, “I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.” 

Unshakeable belief is the one thing that separates the good players from the great ones. And belief is trained.

The greatest golfers in the game have disciplined their minds so they see themselves and their games from the right perspective. In this first of my new short episode series, you'll discover 3 simple steps that will help you play with a belief that can have a big impact on your golf success.

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [6:16] Step 1: Be Honest About Your Current Thought Habits - What is your default thinking when you're playing well or not as you would like? 
• [7:27] Step 2: Identify the Source of Your Limited Perspective - If you know that you are playing with negative or self-critical thoughts, where do you think they are coming from? 
• [8:40] Step 3: Compile Real Evidence to Expand Your Current Belief - Did you know that your game has already provided you with every bit of evidence you need to establish a solid belief foundation under your game?
• [11:54] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

These three steps will get you on a path to developing the kind of belief that aligns with your current ability rather than holding you back from realizing it.

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When you aren’t playing as well as you’d like it is easy to focus on the things that are causing you frustration. You don’t have to be a club-thrower to have challenges with negative thinking. But a little bit of negativity can take a toll on a big portion of your game. 

Honestly, there’s no place for negativity on the course if you want to play well. Operating with the wrong kind of mindset will simply prevent you from getting the results you want. Good rounds require a positive outlook on yourself and your ability to play.

Strengthening your mental game requires self-awareness before you can improve your self-management. In alignment with that approach, it’s important to understand the typical sources of your negative thoughts, how negative thoughts can hurt your round, and how you can begin thinking more persistently so your thoughts improve your performance.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to infuse your rounds with the kind of thoughts that improve scores and avoid the ones that can derail you.

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [6:39] Understanding the Source of Negative Thoughts - In order to combat your negativity, you've got to know where it's coming from. 
• [10:05] 4 Kinds of Thoughts That Can Increase Poor Shots and Bad Holes - While there are lots of thoughts that can negatively impact your rounds, here are the 4 most common I come across in my work with golfers that you'll want to avoid.
• [16:31] 5 Kinds of Thoughts That Improve Scores - You can be more proactive to develop and play with thoughts that enhance your rounds and make it far easier to bounce back following a disappointing shot.

[16:55] 1. Grateful Thoughts 

[17:28] 2. Scholarly Thoughts 

[18:08] 3. Humorous Thoughts

[18:55] 4. Flexible Thoughts

[19:34] 5. Present-Centered Thoughts

• [22:32] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

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One of the biggest complaints golfers I hear golfers express about the game is how long it can take to play. But the last thing you want to do in response to slow play is to rush because that strategy can actually add time to your round.

The strategies in this episode are practical and centered around the parts of the game you can control because other people's pace of play is not. 

I am constantly hearing the frustrating and disappointing stories of rounds when someone tried to make up for another’s pace of play. It’s simply an approach that is going to backfire on you.

I am not suggesting that you should play at a slow pace that prevents you from staying in position relative to the other golfers on the course. I believe that you should take a quality approach to every shot and set a pace that enables you to do that.

In this episode, you'll learn how to respond best to external and internal motivations to speed up your pace, and three ways you can better prepare for your next round so you play more efficiently.

Be sure to grab your free copy of the one-page highlight sheet by heading to https://trainingforoptimalperformance.com/017

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [8:04] Why you might be rushing - There's never a good reason to speed up your pace of play because by doing so you invite negative consequences.
• [10:39] How to be sensitive to the pace of your body - Emotional stress can also compel you to rush but there are signals your body gives to help you know when you need to get your pace back under your control.
• [13:13] 3 ways you can improve your pace of play before you play - Discover the three strategies that will help you play more efficiently.
• [13:46] #1: Reviewing the course - Take time to refamiliarize yourself with the course you are about to play so that you limit the surprises and unforced errors that could catch you off guard.
• [14:36] #2: Adjusting your strategy - Review the holes where you've lost shots, balls, or found yourself in tough situations to adjust the way you plan to play them.
• [15:41] #3: Taking a simple focus to the course - Select one thing you wish to take action on that will help you play better or more consistently in that area of your game.
• [18:16] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of this episode.

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As I talked about in part one of this episode, there is a time to train your swing and a time to maintain your swing. And there are different rules for each approach.

You cannot be in both phases at the same time. You are either working on your swing or working to trust and play with the swing in the state it’s in without constantly working on it.

When you are training your swing on the range you want to follow rules that help you maintain the right environment to learn and grow. To learn more about those rules, check out my show notes for Episode #015 here.

Even while your swing is under construction, you can gather some valuable feedback by test-driving your swing change on the course from time to time. But just like on the range, you must create a solid environment in which to learn and grow without the pressure to score.

To help you avoid unnecessary frustration, in this episode I share the 5 rules for a good round when you’re in the midst of a swing change.

Be sure to grab your free copy of the cheat sheet for this episode HERE.

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [3:51] Rule #1: Play with a Training-Centered Definition of Success - It's counterproductive to measure your success on the course during a training phase the same way you would when you're not working on your swing mechanics.
• [5:45] Rule #2: Focus on Doing One Thing Well - The last thing you want to take with you to the course is unnecessary mental clutter. You can play with a quieter mind by focusing on making one change at a time.
• [6:53] Rule #3: Expect to Make Progress By Making Mistakes - You execute your swing change the right way every time when it's new, so give yourself permission to make mistakes so you can learn something valuable from them.
• [8:19] Rule #4: Be Creative and Flexible - Golf rounds are ever-changing, so you must play with a mindset that allows you to change with the game without getting unsettled.
• [9:47] Rule #5: Track Your Progress After Every Hole - While you won't be keeping a traditional score, you can track your rate of success as you play.
• [11:39] Episode Summary - Here you will find a quick synopsis of the 5 rules for play.

If you have any questions about how to apply any of these rules to your game, please join me for my next Ask Me Anything Live Q&A Session inside my Facebook group. I show up live every Tuesday at 11:00 am ET and I'd be happy to help you advance your game.

To listen to last week's deep dive into Episode #015 CLICK HERE.

If you'd like to join this free group, head on over to PLAY GREAT GOLF on Facebook.

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When you are working on a swing change the inconsistency of being able to hit the ball the way you’d like or create the shot shape you’re working toward can be frustrating. Did you know that your mental game can help you assimilate a swing change faster and easier?

The best learning takes place in an environment devoted to learning off the course -- an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes, hit loopy shots, and micro-manage your mechanics without negative repercussions to your score. That place is on the range. 

If during a training period in your game you choose to spend some time on the course, you have to also maintain the right environment there to learn and grow. This means leaving your score out of it. 

If you want to make changes to your swing and get the most out of your lessons with your swing coach, you must have a training plan that consists of specific rules to help you make progress.

Part One of your plan, which I cover in this episode, centers around the rules associated with creating a great training environment for your work on the range. In the next episode, I will talk about how you can play when you are in a training phase.

Be sure to grab your free copy of the worksheet for this episode HERE.

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [9:01] Rule #1: Set Aside Time to Train - It's important to give yourself pressure-free time and space to learn and grow. This means staying off the course.
• [10:06] Rule #2: Embrace the Growing Pains - Making changes means moving outside your comfort zone and that can sometimes be a bit painful. You have to recognize that it's the price you pay for progress.
• [11:04] Rule #3: Lead with Patience and a Positive Attitude - Negativity slows the learning process by bogging your brain down with irrelevant distractions. Positivity paves the way to improvement.
• [12:13] Rule #4: Keep Your Goals Small and Incremental - Avoid trying to bite off more than you can possibly accomplish by prioritizing what one thing you need to focus on changing first.
• [13:17] Rule #5: Be Mindful of Your Position on the Journey - Success doesn't happen overnight and it takes time to develop new habits in your swing. Instead of focusing on what's not working, appreciate where you're going.
• [14:27] Episode Summary - Just want a quick synopsis of the 5 rules, you will find them here.

If you have any questions about how to apply any of these rules to your game, please join me for my next Ask Me Anything Live Q&A Session inside my Facebook group. I show up live every Tuesday at 11:00 am ET and I'd be happy to help you advance your game. To join this free group, head on over to PLAY GREAT GOLF on Facebook.

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Many of my clients have asked me why they feel like they lose ground (or actually play better) in one location over another.

If you’re a snowbird, you are familiar with the challenges that can come when transitioning from north to south, and back again. That’s why in this episode I share the step-by-step guide to take the pain out of your snowbird migration. It includes 3 easy to complete steps that will help you keep making progress season over season.

Take a moment to download a copy of the worksheet for this episode HERE.

Here's how this episode plays out...

• [8:23] Step #1: Reset Your Thinking - Before you can kick start a new season, you need to reflect on the one you are completing to assess your game in specific areas.
• [10:46] Step #2: Reset Your Strategy - It's important to keep a running list of all the valuable reminders to play each of your home courses at your best. A cheatsheet of targeted information can help you keep the right things top of mind.
• [12:17] Bonus Tip - Don't neglect considering how you might need to address how your migration might challenge you physically.
• [12:46] Step #3: Reset Your Goals - With the information you gather in steps 1 & 2 you will be equipped to set new goals and corresponding action steps that will help you continue to make progress.

If you have any questions about how to select the right action steps to make your goals possible then consider joining me for my next Ask Me Anything Live Q&A in my Facebook group. I show up live every Tuesday at 11:00am ET and I'd be happy to help. To find this private free group, head on over to PLAY GREAT GOLF on Facebook.

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Experiencing pressure to play well is a sign of poor focus. Playing with pressure takes the fun out of the game, causes tension, and negatively impacts your shotmaking ability.

What kind of situations cause you to feel pressure to perform?

A team event, a golf trip with friends, playing with better golfers, or playing with people you don’t know? In order to play great, you need to have all your attention focused on yourself. Yes, you need to be more self-centered, but in a productive way. In this episode, I teach you how to eliminate the pressure to play great by pointing your focus in one direction.

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If you’ve ever been in one, it can be pretty scary to feel like you are headed into a slump in golf. That’s a place you never want to be, and the good news is that it can be avoided.

The scary part of a slump are the unknowns - 

• not knowing exactly how you fell into one
• not knowing exactly how you will get out of one
• and not knowing how long you might be stuck in one

Slumps can feel like getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle with no way out in sight. You just have to know the warning signs and steps to get back on track fast. That’s why in this episode I share the top 6 ways to get out and stay out of a slump in golf.