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510: Josh Nichols - Proven Mental Strategies to Play Better Under Pressure

Golf

510: Josh Nichols - Proven Mental Strategies to Play Better Under Pressure

Wicked Smart Golf›
Today1:01:28

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Episode Notes

>>Get my FREE pre-shot routine cheatsheet

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Today I'm joined by Josh Nichols, the creator of the Mental Golf Show, a decorated tournament golfer, and a mental performance coach. Josh returns to share his deep insights on how to bridge the gap between practice and high-level competitive performance.

In this episode, we dive into:

  • The Mental Scorecard: Learn how Josh quantifies his mental game on every shot to ensure process remains the priority over the final score.

  • Overcoming Competitive Rust: Discover the hidden "mental load" of tournament golf, from managing logistics and etiquette to handling five-hour rounds.

  • The Three-Hole Check-In: A powerful mid-round hack to audit your emotions and stop a mental spiral before it ruins your card.

  • Pre-Acceptance and Commitment: Why accepting every possible result before you swing is the most underrated skill for playing free, committed golf.
  • Post-Round Recaps: How to use neutral data to "purge" the emotions of a round and inform a smarter practice plan.
  • Planting the Flag: Why setting concrete competitive goals on your calendar is the best way to drive consistent improvement in your lifestyle and your game

And more mental game tips. 

WICKED SMART GOLF 

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Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans.

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Listen guide

How do I listen to this episode of Wicked Smart Golf?

"510: Josh Nichols - Proven Mental Strategies to Play Better Under Pressure" is an episode of Wicked Smart Golf. Runtime 1 hr 1 min. Published July 9, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.

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Quick FAQ

When was this episode published?
July 9, 2026.
How long is this episode?
1 hr 1 min.
What podcast is this from?
Wicked Smart Golf. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
What does this episode cover?
Wicked Smart Golf covers golf. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.

Sources

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  • 510: Josh Nichols - Proven Mental Strategies to Play Better Under Pressure
  • Wicked Smart Golf

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