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The Scratch Golfer's Mindset

The Scratch Golfer's Mindset

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
  • #148: [Inside the Mind] LPGA Professional Gina Kim: Rebuilding an Elite Performance Identity

    #148: [Inside the Mind] LPGA Professional Gina Kim: Rebuilding an Elite Performance Identity
    Mar 26 2026
    What happens when everything you have worked for suddenly feels like it is slipping away? In this episode, I sit down with LPGA professional Gina Kim to talk about the emotional toll of losing tour status, the identity crisis that followed, and the deeper work required to rebuild herself from the inside out. Gina opens up about hitting a true low point in her professional career, questioning whether she even wanted to keep going, and how a new coach, a new process, and a radically different perspective helped her fight her way back. What makes this conversation so powerful is that Gina does not credit her comeback solely to hitting more balls or grinding harder. Instead, she shares how silence, visualization, journaling, self-reflection, and process-driven thinking helped her redefine confidence, reconnect with her purpose, and perform with greater freedom under pressure. In this episode, you'll learn: Why losing her tour card forced Gina Kim to confront who she needed to becomeHow journaling, visualization, and silent walks helped Kim rebuild her identityThe difference between grinding endlessly and practicing with intentionHow Kim redefined confidence as adaptability instead of perfectionWhy process, routine, and intention became the foundation of her comebackHow to separate a bad performance from your identityWhy elite performers fall back on routines instead of rising to the occasion This is an episode about resilience, identity, emotional regulation, and learning how to trust yourself again when the game — and life — stop going your way. Get your pencils ready and start listening. Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade" on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more. More About Gina Kim Gina Kim is a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour who played collegiate golf at Duke University, one of the premier programs in women's college golf. She competed at the highest levels of junior golf before committing to Duke, where she became a key contributor to one of the most competitive teams in college golf. During her time at Duke (2018–2022), she earned multiple collegiate wins and consistent top finishes, became an All-ACC selection and a WGCA All-American honorable mention, and played in the NCAA Championships, serving as a central part of Duke's nationally ranked teams. Kim turned professional in 2022, earning LPGA Tour membership through LPGA Q‑Series — one of the most grueling qualifying processes in professional golf. Since turning pro, she has competed regularly on the LPGA Tour and recorded multiple top-10 finishes early in her professional career. You can follow Gina on Instagram here: @ginak0504 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: Gina Kim's comeback began when she stopped obsessing over results and became deeply committed to process.Losing tour status created the space for self-reflection, identity rebuilding, and a healthier relationship with the game.Visualization, journaling, and silence played a major role in helping Kim mentally rehearse the version of herself she wanted to become.Grinding harder is not always the answer; elite players often practice with more intention, not more volume.Emotional resilience on the course comes from learning how to respond to setbacks rather than collapse after them.Kim's story reinforces that the path back to elite performance often requires surrendering old beliefs and rebuilding from the inside out. Key Quotes: "I cannot wait to get back to work during the off-season. I finally have the time to work on the things I want to work on.""What does the best version of Gina Kim look like? When I step on the tee box, how am ...
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    47 mins
  • #147: Free Yourself from Emotional Interference: 3 Key Benefits of Structure

    #147: Free Yourself from Emotional Interference: 3 Key Benefits of Structure
    Mar 23 2026
    You're not stuck because you don't know what to do. You're stuck because, without structure, your emotions are making your decisions. You start the day with a plan… but end up reacting—checking your phone, avoiding hard tasks, staying "busy" instead of productive. And every time you do, you reinforce the same pattern: comfort over commitment, ease over execution. In this episode, I break down how structure eliminates emotional interference, protects your energy and attention, and allows you to execute at a high level—regardless of how you feel. In this episode, you'll learn: Why lack of structure leads to emotional reactivity and inconsistent performanceHow emotions hijack decision-making and prioritize short-term reliefThe true definition of structure as a pre-decided system of priorities and behaviorsHow structure removes the need to negotiate with your emotions in real timeThe hidden cost of living in "evaluation mode" instead of "execution mode"How decision fatigue drains your energy, focus, and attentionWhy structure protects your attention from being hijacked by distractionsThe connection between structure and psychological safety (predictability + familiarity) Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more. The Sustainable Weight-Loss Code: 61 laws to lose weight and keep it off (for good): Buy on Amazon. 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: Structure eliminates emotional decision-making and replaces it with executionIf you don't define your day, your emotions or distractions willDecision fatigue drains energy that should be used for performanceStructure creates psychological safety, reducing anxiety and overwhelmYour calendar reflects your identity more than your intentions Key Quotes: "You're not making decisions based on where you want to go—you're making decisions based on what feels best right now.""Structure is a pre-decided system of priorities, behaviors, and standards that removes the need to negotiate with your emotions in real time.""When emotions are driving, the destination is always the same—short-term relief and long-term stagnation.""If it's not scheduled, it's emotional. And if it's emotional, it's inconsistent.""If you're relying on how you feel to determine how you show up, you've already lost control of your performance." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Hidden Cost of Emotional Reactivity00:59: How Emotions Derail Your Daily Goals01:56: The Pattern of Living in Reaction02:47: Living Below Your Potential Without Structure03:45: Introducing the Power of Structure06:02: Alex Hormozi's Approach to Success Through Structure07:52: Defining Structure: Priorities, Behaviors, and Standards10:49: How Structure Eliminates Emotional Decision-Making13:27: The Importance of Planning and Reflection17:10: Building Emotional Stability Through Structure19:00: Your Calendar as a Reflection of Your Values23:07: Structuring Daily and Weekly Routines28:20: The Five Key Buckets of Life Structure29:19: The Impact of Structure on Success30:11:Building a Personalized Structure for Your Goals
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    34 mins
  • #146: [Inside the Mind] Kevin Cahill: The Importance of Building Systems for Elite Performance

    #146: [Inside the Mind] Kevin Cahill: The Importance of Building Systems for Elite Performance
    Mar 19 2026
    In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Cahill—a real estate broker and strategist with nearly three decades of experience across every layer of residential real estate—for a powerful conversation on why systems are not restrictive—they're liberating. Kevin breaks down how the right systems and structure create the space to think clearly, stay present, and perform at a higher level in business, golf, and life. We explore the difference between systems and structure, why your calendar reveals what actually matters to you, and how so many entrepreneurs unknowingly create stress by refusing to build margin into their day. In this episode, you'll learn: Why systems help you become more present, focused, and effectiveThe difference between structure and the systems that support itHow your calendar reveals your real priorities, not your stated onesWhy building margin into your day reduces stress and improves performanceHow Kevin uses 13-week sprints instead of trying to plan an entire yearWhy respecting your calendar is a form of self-respectHow journaling, reflection, and intentional routines strengthen mindset and energy This episode is a reminder that peak performance is not built on chaos, hustle, and reacting—it's built on clarity, rhythm, and learning how to use systems to support the life you actually want to live. Get your pencils ready and start listening. Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade" on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more. More About Kevin Cahill Kevin Cahill is a real estate broker strategist with nearly three decades of experience across every layer of residential real estate. Beginning his career in 1999, he has built a rare track record that spans top-tier luxury home sales, multi-office brokerage leadership, and prop-tech innovation. Kevin has recruited, trained, and managed thousands of agents across multiple states, serving as both a Keller Williams investor/owner and a corporate executive for one of the nation's largest brokerage networks. His leadership history includes oversight of high-performing offices in Ohio, Florida, and Washington, along with strategic coaching that has shaped the careers of agents and teams nationwide. Today, Kevin operates at the intersection of local market expertise, brokerage operations, and software development. With deep experience in scalable lead-generation infrastructure, marketing systems, and agent attraction, he serves as both a trusted advisor to agents and a builder of tools that help them grow predictable, profitable real estate businesses. Learn more about Kevin: Realtyfunnels real estate agent software systemRealean real estate broker team 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 is a high-performance hypnotherapist, mindset and performance coach, keynote speaker, author, and host of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast. With over 16 years of coaching experience and nearly 4,000 clients served, Paul helps high-performers—especially entrepreneurs, executives, and athletes—unlearn the destructive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that limit their potential. He specializes in working with individuals who know what to do but struggle to execute consistently, particularly when pressure is high and the stakes matter most. His approach blends hypnosis, neuroscience, performance psychology, and real-world coaching to create lasting, identity-level change—the deep work most people avoid until they realize it's the only path to sustainable, next-level success. Paul's clients include CEOs, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and professional poker players. He also has a strong focus and passion for working with golfers and professionals in the real estate space. Paul believes that when someone knows what to do but consistently fails to follow through, the issue is not a lack of knowledge—it's a mindset problem. He helps clients get unstuck, eliminate self-sabotage, and perform to their highest potential. Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Systems are not meant to box you in; they free up the energy and attention needed to perform at your best.Structure is the bigger framework, while systems are the tools and processes that help you fulfill that framework.Your calendar and spending habits reveal what truly matters to you more honestly than your words ...
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    52 mins
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