Demystifying Mental Toughness2 Touko 2025

280 How To Help A Golfer Who Struggles Playing Strokeplay

David Charlton hosts the Demystifying Mental Toughness podcast with his colleague and a fellow competitive amateur golfer, Colm O'Donoghue today. Colm discusses his journey from playing golf as a child to returning to the sport in his mid-20s, driven by an interest in the psychological aspects of golf. He shares his struggles with perfectionism and the importance of maintaining a present-focused mindset. Together they talk about a case study of a young golfer, who excels in match play but struggles with stroke play due to focusing too much on the score. Colm and David emphasize the importance of a pre-shot routine in maintaining his focus and staying present, which can help manage his arousal levels, in turn, lowering his scores.

Key Learning Points:

· Trying to play perfect golf and focusing too much on the score can impact enjoyment of the sport.

· Colm explains the difference between match play and stroke play, emphasizing the reset nature of match play and the need to focus on the process in stroke play.

· Self-awareness is critical, recognising and being able to reset when you are ahead of yourself and predicting future holes, shots or score and identifying when you are stuck in the past, dwelling on mistakes.

Connect with David Charlton

Join David @ The Sports Psychology Hub

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN

Podcast Episodes To Help Golfers Focus On The Process

Ep243 David Charlton - How I Would Help Rory McIlroy Win The British Open

Ep099 Trevor Jones - How to Deal with Overthinking on the Golf Course

Ep167 Karl Morris - How To Manage Your Emotions To Improve Your Golf #BITESIZE

Other Valuable Resources To Help Children, Young Golfers, Parents and Youth Sport Coaches

Youth Sports Psychology Library

Conversations With Kids Ideas

Frequently Asked Questions - Sport Psychology for Children and Parents

Resources To Support Golfers So That They Focus Better

Frequently Asked Questions on Golf Psychology and Golf Mental Skills

Golf Psychology and Mental Skills for Golf Library

Control Your Thoughts on the Golf Course

Play Your Best Golf More Often

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Jaksot(312)

312 Dr John Perry: How Sport Coaches Influence Mental Toughness

To end a recent series on the coach-athlete relationship, in this bonus episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David Charlton is joined by Dr John Perry, Head of Department of PE and Sp...

3 Huhti 50min

311 Learning Orientation: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

In this episode David concludes the eight-part series exploring the coach–athlete relationship by focusing on a powerful concept within the Challenge pillar of the 4Cs model of Mental Toughness, learn...

27 Maalis 11min

310 Risk Orientation: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

Description Today, David Charlton explores another dynamic within the coach–athlete relationship: differences in risk orientation (a sub-measure of Mental Toughness). He discusses a common scenario ...

20 Maalis 10min

309 Interpersonal Confidence: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

In this episode of the Demystifying Mental Toughness Podcast, David Charlton explores an often overlooked aspect of confidence in sport, interpersonal confidence. He discussed a common dynamic seen in...

13 Maalis 8min

308 Confidence In Ability: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

Today, David Charlton explores a powerful but often misunderstood dynamic in sport: the highly confident coach working with an athlete who lacks confidence in their ability. At first glance, this com...

6 Maalis 11min

307 Achievement Orientation: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

In part 4 of this mini-series, David Charlton explores a challenging but common sport dynamic: the high achievement-oriented athlete working with a low achievement-oriented coach. The athlete is orga...

27 Helmi 10min

306 Goal Orientation: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

In this episode (part 3) of Demystifying Mental Toughness, David Charlton continues his solo series exploring the 4Cs of Mental Toughness through the coach–athlete relationship lens. The focus this w...

20 Helmi 12min

305 Emotional Control: When Coaches and Athletes Think Differently

In this episode of Demystifying Mental Toughness, David Charlton continues in part two of his solo series exploring the 4Cs of Mental Toughness through the coach–athlete relationship lens. The focus ...

13 Helmi 18min