Mastering the Mental Game: Building a Championship Mindset in Junior Golf

03/17/25 • 51 min

In this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I chat with Josh Nichols, a Golf Psychology Coach and seasoned amateur golfer who's packed with practical advice about the mental aspects of junior golf.

Josh shares his own journey, starting golf at age 12, inspired by his father's passion for the game. He emphasizes that mistakes aren't setbacks—they're signs young players are testing their limits and genuinely improving. As Josh humorously points out, hitting the ball into the trees every now and then means they're taking healthy risks.

We discuss strategies for handling the emotional ups and downs on the golf course, with Josh offering easy-to-implement techniques like breathing exercises and mindfulness practices. These tips help junior golfers stay calm and focused, turning potential meltdowns into opportunities for growth.

Josh also outlines effective practice methods, including a mix of block, random, and challenging drills, that make practice sessions engaging and impactful. He provides candid insights into preparing for tournaments, highlighting the importance of mental adaptability under pressure.

If you're looking for straightforward, relatable advice on supporting junior golfers in both their athletic and mental development, this episode delivers the perfect balance of genuine insight and practical strategies.

Key Takeaways:

It’s never too early or late to start playing golf.

Mistakes indicate progress, not failure.

Emotional management leads to better performance and enjoyment.

Emphasizing effort over results builds resilience and confidence.

Diverse practice routines enhance skill development.

Mental toughness is essential in tournament situations.

Mindfulness significantly improves performance on the course.

Clear emotional guidelines create a better experience for everyone. Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: Early Influences in Golf 01:56 Instilling a Championship Mindset in Children 06:10 Navigating Emotions: Teaching Kids to Self-Regulate 10:02 Setting Boundaries: The Role of Consequences in Parenting 11:59 Practical Tips for Emotional Regulation in Young Golfers 16:06 Mindfulness in Golf: Balancing Thought and Action 19:47 Effective Practice Strategies for Young Golfers 25:35 The Art of Deliberate Practice 27:04 Preparing for Competition: Practice Strategies 30:26 Maximizing Practice Rounds Before Tournaments 35:08 Lessons from the Psychology of Golf 39:52 The Importance of Embracing Failure 45:05 Parenting Reflections: Breaking Generational Patterns Josh Nichols Links: Website: https://www.joshnicholsgolf.com/The Mental Golf Show: https://www.joshnicholsgolf.com/podcastTwitter/X: https://x.com/joshlukenicholsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlukenichols/ The Golf Parent Links: Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://x.com/thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I chat with Josh Nichols, a Golf Psychology Coach and seasoned amateur golfer who's packed with practical advice about the mental aspects of junior golf.

Key Takeaways:

It’s never too early or late to start playing golf.

Mistakes indicate progress, not failure.

Emotional management leads to better performance and enjoyment.

Emphasizing effort over results builds resilience and confidence.

Diverse practice routines enhance skill development.

Mental toughness is essential in tournament situations.

Mindfulness significantly improves performance on the course.

Previous Episode

Building Golf Champions: Kellie Stenzel on the Power of Multi-Sport Development and Mental Strength

Join PGA Professional Kellie Stenzel, recognized among Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers and Golf Digest’s best instructors in New York, on this insightful episode of The Golf Parent podcast.

Kellie shares valuable golf advice and golf lessons focused on junior golf training, women's golf, and mastering the golf mental game. Discover why multi-sport athletes benefit greatly from diversified youth sports development, and learn how teaching kids work ethic can significantly improve their performance and enjoyment of golf. Kellie also explores essential golf parenting tips, emphasizing the importance of properly fitted equipment and nurturing self-reliance and resilience in young athletes.

Whether you're raising young athletes aiming to become better golfers or seeking golf life lessons to enrich your child's development, Kellie's expertise in golf coaching for kids will help you foster joy, growth, and success on and off the golf course.

Takeaways:

Playing multiple sports and not specializing too early can be beneficial for young athletes.

Proper equipment fitting is important for women in golf.

The mental aspect of the game is crucial, and having a well-rounded approach can lead to success.

Parents should provide support and avoid putting too much pressure on their children.

Enjoying the game and having fun should be a priority for both junior golfers and their parents.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background in Golf

03:36 The Value of Playing Multiple Sports and Avoiding Early Specialization

07:17 Writing Books for Women in Golf: Empowering and Helping Others

10:59 The Importance of Proper Equipment Fitting for Women in Golf

16:04 The Mental Aspect of Golf: A Well-Rounded Approach

20:27 Advice for Junior Golfers: Enjoy the Game and Have a Plan B

29:05 Supporting Junior Golfers: Parental Guidance and Avoiding Pressure

Links:

Website - ⁠https://www.kelliestenzelgolf.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kelliestenzelgolf

Books - https://amzn.to/4iD7aG7

The Golf Parent

Instagram -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://x.com/thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tiktok -⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thegolfparent⁠⁠⁠

Keywords:

golf, golf podcast, juniors, sports, supportive parents, multiple sports, specialization, writing books, women in golf, equipment fitting, mental aspect, well-rounded approach, junior golfers, parental support, golf lessons, how to play golf, golf advice, become a better golfer, youth sports development, teaching kids work ethic, golf parenting tips, junior golf training, raising young athletes, golf mental game, golf coaching for kids

Next Episode

Why Junior Golfers Should Burn Their Golf Goals and Follow a Roadmap

In this inspiring episode of The Golf Parent Podcast, I chat with renowned PGA Master Golf Pro John Dunigan—a Golf Digest Top 30, Golf Magazine Top 100 teacher, and U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Master Kids Teacher—about what truly separates elite junior golfers from their peers. John emphasizes that becoming a successful golfer is about far more than talent—it's about developing resilient, courageous individuals who also excel on the course.

John dives deep into the mental game, offering practical advice on how young golfers can face fears, manage pressure, and embrace nervousness as a positive sign of growth. He urges parents and coaches to shift their focus from achieving results to mastering the process, helping juniors build courage and resilience rather than fear of judgment or failure.

We also discuss the dangers of over-professionalizing youth sports and how it can dampen the joy of playing golf. John encourages parents to create fun, pressure-free environments and highlights the importance of finding coaches who prioritize the whole player—mental, emotional, and physical development.

John also shares exciting details about his upcoming Practice Coach app, aimed at making practice sessions more efficient, enjoyable, and effective for junior golfers.

Key Takeaways:

Elite junior golf is built on courage, work ethic, and resilience, not just talent.
Nervousness is an ally, not an enemy; embrace it as part of growth.
Focusing on the process, not goals, leads to sustained improvement.
Parents and coaches should foster a fun, low-pressure environment.
Effective coaching prioritizes holistic development.
Innovative practice tools, like the Practice Coach app, enhance training.

Sound Bites:

"I'm trying to create a legion of golfers that goes out to play a tournament with a big fat smile on their face going, like, let's go get on the roller coaster."

"It's not whether or not you have butterflies or not. It's whether or not you can get them flying in formation, harnessing the nerves."

"Success is not an outcome. It's the way you approach playing, the process that you go through playing."

"Everybody's putting the cart before the horse."

"Goal setting is important, right? Well, I say burn your goals."

"What can we do as parents to combat the professionalization of sports to help keep it fun?"

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and John Dunigan's Approach to Junior Golf

03:24 Teaching Courage and Overcoming Fear in Golf

05:26 Staying Focused and Putting in Your Best Effort in Golf

08:11 Dealing with Mental Farts and Bringing Focus Back to the Present

11:58 The Importance of a Fun and Non-Pressure Environment in Youth Golf

19:46 The Fear of Judgment and Pressure in Youth Sports