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The Scratch Golfer's Mindset

The Scratch Golfer's Mindset

Written by: Paul Salter
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 Paul Salter is a triple-digit golfer on a quest to become a scratch golfer. He's also a High-Performance Mindset Coach and Credentialed Hypnotherapist with 15 years of experience helping high performers from all walks of life get unstuck and unlock their full potential. Each week, Paul will share the emotional and mindset shifts you need to make to make mastering the mental game of golf simple, tangible, and relatable so that you can overcome the mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance. He'll also routinely keep you updated on his progress toward par while sharing a raw and vulnerable look into his own collection of mental hazards he must overcome. Whether you're an occasional amateur, a weekend regular, or a competitor seeking a tournament trophy or your pro card, this podcast will help you play better golf.2024 Golf Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • #135: The Golf Mental Game Upgrade with Paul Salter and Scott Fawcett (Decade Golf)

    #135: The Golf Mental Game Upgrade with Paul Salter and Scott Fawcett (Decade Golf)
    Feb 9 2026
    Scott Fawcett flips the script and interviews me—Paul Salter, The Golf Hypnotherapist—to pull back the curtain on what hypnosis actually is (and what it's not), how it compares to meditation, and why so many golfers struggle with their mental game and stay stuck even when they "know what to do." We dig into the real reason consistency collapses (hint: it's not laziness), what I mean by destructive mindset programs, and how fear of next-level success quietly drives self-sabotage. I also explain memory reconsolidation—why your past isn't "over" just because you've compartmentalized it—and how releasing old emotional charge can free up energy, focus, and execution when it matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: The real difference between hypnosis and the "pocket watch" caricatureWhy meditation helps—but why it often isn't enough for identity-level changeHow fear of success can be the hidden reason you stop doing what worksWhat "memory reconsolidation" is and how it impacts performanceWhy the yips and performance anxiety often have roots outside golfThe difference between surface-level tools vs subconscious rewiringWhy stress is often an "energy leak" from unresolved internal conflict If you've tried sports psychology, visualization, breathwork, and self-talk… and still feel like there's something deeper running the show, this conversation will connect a lot of dots. Get your pencils ready and start listening. P.S. Curious to get a taste of high-performance hypnotherapy and the impact it can have on your life? Click here to apply to work with me and I'll be in touch to get this call scheduled Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery CallSubscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys NewsletterDownload 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: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Hypnosis isn't mind control—it's a natural brain state you already enter daily. The work is simply learning to access it intentionally for change.Meditation and hypnosis overlap in brainwaves, but hypnosis adds direction. It's not just relaxing—it's targeted problem-solving and identity work.Most inconsistency is subconscious protection, not lack of discipline. When success feels unfamiliar, the mind pulls you back toward "safe" and predictable.Self-sabotage is often sneaky and cumulative. It shows up as small broken promises (sleep, meditation, workouts), not just obvious destructive behaviors.Next-level performance requires detachment from outcome. "Need to / have to / should" language is a dead giveaway you're gripping the result.Memory reconsolidation changes your relationship with the past. You don't erase memories—you drain the emotional charge so they stop hijacking the present.Your golf game carries your whole life onto the course. Unresolved family dynamics, identity pressure, and old emotional pain can create mental interference that looks like "golf problems." Key Quotes: "Hypnosis…it's not magic. It's not brainwashing. It's a natural state of mind.""If you know what to do and you're not doing it…that's a mindset problem.""Most people are afraid of next level success or being the best version of themselves.""The sneaky lowercase-s self-sabotage…is breaking the little promises you keep to yourself.""You can control your process…but not the outcome.""Memory reconsolidation is like opening a Word document and doing some editing.""You bring your whole self to the golf course…most of the stressors are completely unrelated to golf." Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction to Podcasting and Guest Introduction03:02: Paul Salter's Journey to Coaching and Hypnotherapy05:52: The Role of Mindset in Performance08:48: Hypnosis vs. Meditation: Understanding the Differences11:45: The Flow State and Its Importance in Performance14:34: Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Destructive Mindset Programs17:21: Beliefs and Their Impact on Success20:40: Memory Reconciliation and Letting Go of the Past25:46: Understanding Memory Reconsolidation27:33: The Impact of Traumatic Moments on Performance29:39: Healthy Detachment and Mental Interference31:08: The Importance of Process Over Outcome33:07: The Role of Self-Reflection in Performance35:03: ...
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    57 mins
  • #134: [Inside the Mind] Collin Henderson: The 4 Levels of Confidence and Overcoming the #1 Performance Killer

    #134: [Inside the Mind] Collin Henderson: The 4 Levels of Confidence and Overcoming the #1 Performance Killer
    Feb 5 2026
    If you've ever told yourself, "I just need to stay calm," you've been sold a half-truth. Because elite performers don't win by being calm. They win by using emotion as data—and refusing to let it drive the steering wheel. In this masterclass conversation, I sit down with Mindset and Performance Coach Collin Henderson to unpack what actually separates average performers from elite ones: not talent… not even skill… but the ability to reduce internal interference when pressure spikes—on the first tee, on the back nine, or in the biggest moments in business. We break down Collin's "4 levels of confidence," the #1 performance killer (FOPO: fear of other people's opinions), why your brain is always trying to keep you safe (even when it sabotages you), and how to build unshakable confidence through identity, self-talk, and a repeatable process. In this episode, you'll learn: Why emotional regulation isn't "staying calm," but staying in controlHow to perform confidently without feeling confidentCollin's 4 levels of confidence—and why most people get trapped in levels 2–3The equation that explains choking under pressure: Talent + Skill – Internal InterferenceHow to kill FOPO and stop playing golf (and life) like you're being judged by a panelWhy identity is the true ceiling—and how to change itThe simple framework to shift your "don'ts" into "do's" and stop carving failure into your nervous system Get your pencils ready and start listening. P.S. UPDATE: I have decided to start anew on Instagram. Follow me @thepaulsalter for your daily dose of high-performance wisdom, insights, and actions. P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Apply for 1-1 Mindset and Performance Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. More About Collin Collin Henderson is the founder and CEO of Master Your Mindset, LLC, and one of today's leading voices in mental conditioning. A former two-sport Division I athlete and top-ranked medical sales professional, he left corporate success to coach elite performers full-time. Acclaimed broadcaster Jim Rome calls him "an authority of what matters most — an elite mindset." Collin has authored seven books, hosts the Master Your Mindset podcast, and has trained #1 NBA draft picks, Heisman finalists, and top performers across pro sports and Fortune 500 companies. His trainings have been utilized by organizations like Nike, Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon, and Novartis. A proud family man and dad of five, Collin also loves Fruity Pebbles, pizza, Ted Lasso, and cute puppy videos on Instagram. Learn more about Collin by visiting his website. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery CallSubscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys NewsletterDownload 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 Key Takeaways: Emotions are information, not instructions; use them as data without letting them dictate behavior.You don't have to feel great to perform great; elite performers execute through uncertainty and discomfort.Most people operate with conditional confidence, while unshakable confidence commits without needing results or validation.Talent plus skill minus internal interference determines execution probability, not talent alone.Fear of other people's opinions (FOPO) quietly sabotages performance, even though others are focused on themselves.Negative self-labels reinforce a fixed identity and set a ceiling on performance.Scripted self-talk and repeatable processes prevent the mind from freelancing under pressure. Key Quotes: "Words are the language of the brain. Emotions are the language of the body." "You don't have to feel great to perform great.""If you can't control your state, you can't control your performance." "If you want to change your psychology, use your physiology." "Talent plus skill minus internal interference equals execution probability." "You never outperform your self-image." Time Stamps: 00:00: Understanding Emotional Regulation03:01: The Four Levels of Confidence05:42: Building Unshakable Confidence08:22: The Impact of Internal Interference11:04: The Role ...
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    52 mins
  • #133: My Journey to Scratch Update: January 2026 Recap

    #133: My Journey to Scratch Update: January 2026 Recap
    Feb 2 2026

    UPDATE: I have decided to start anew on Instagram. Follow me @thepaulsalter for your daily dose of high-performance wisdom, insights, and actions.

    Today's episode is a candid, no-BS monthly check-in on my own golf journey—the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable middle.

    Over the last 30 days, I've made more long putts and birdies than ever… and also racked up a painful number of triple bogeys. It's been frustrating, humbling, and oddly encouraging all at once.

    In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what's actually happening beneath the surface—technically, mentally, and emotionally—as I continue the pursuit of scratch. If you've ever felt like you're doing the work but the results aren't showing up fast enough, this one's for you.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • Why progress often looks like "two steps forward, three steps back" before it clicks
    • The real reason I'm hemorrhaging strokes off the tee—and how I'm fixing it
    • How at-home putting became the biggest confidence (and scoring) game-changer
    • The hidden cost of "playing bogey golf" as an identity and why I'm ditching it
    • The exact process and weekly variables I'm tracking to stay committed and objective

    Get your pencils ready and start listening.

    P.S. Curious to get a taste of high-performance hypnotherapy and the impact it can have on your life? Click here to apply to work with me and I'll be in touch to get this call scheduled

    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

    Key Takeaways:

    • Progress isn't linear—breakthroughs and breakdowns often coexist in the same season.
    • Consistency in fundamentals beats chasing new fixes when pressure exposes old patterns.
    • Putting confidence can save rounds, momentum, and belief—even when ball-striking lags.
    • Playing "bogey golf" as an identity can quietly cap your potential and reinforce settling.
    • Real improvement requires patience, repetition, and staying committed when results feel delayed.

    Key Quotes:

    • "I'm making more birdies than ever—and also more triple bogeys. Frustrating, to say the least."
    • "If it feels comfortable, it's probably wrong—because comfort is usually my old pattern."
    • "Putting has saved me more strokes than any swing thought ever has."
    • "I caught myself playing not to screw up instead of playing to execute—and I'm done with that."
    • "This game isn't just exposing my swing; it's exposing where I'm still settling."

    Time Stamps:

    • 00:00: Paul's Golf Journey: A 30-Day Reflection
    • 04:48: Setting Goals and Tracking Progress
    • 10:05: Lessons Learned: Alignment and Technique
    • 17:37: Overcoming Mental Barriers and Course Management
    • 23:51: Commitment to Consistency and Practice
    • 26:38: Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Mindset
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    30 mins
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