Flag Hunters Golf Podcast

• Breaking Through Mental Barriers: Howard Falco on Identity and Performance

  Send us a textHoward Falco joins us to discuss how awareness—both internal and external—can transform your performance on the golf course and beyond. We explore how our subconscious mind often drives our actions, and how becoming aware of these hidden forces can dramatically improve our game and our lives.• Acceptance is the first step to improvement—recognizing your current abilities without judgment• Most amateurs avoid weaknesses while pros actively seek them out to transform them• Our identity and self-perception create invisible boundaries on our performance• True improvement requires changing how you fundamentally see yourself as a player• Curiosity rather than anger is key when facing challenges on the course• Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and other champions win through mindset, not just physical skill• The most successful players compete against history, not just other players• Asking yourself "Why not me?" can reveal hidden limitations to overcome• The "bounce back" statistics of tour players show how quickly they return to their identity• Self-awareness is potentially the next leap in human evolutionCheck out Howard's new book "Invincible: The Mindset of Infinite Potential and the Secret to Inevitable Success" available now. You can also follow Howard on Instagram or visit totalmind.sports.com and howardfalco.com for more information.A special thank you to Mizuno Golf and JumboMax Grips

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• Identity, Acceptance, and Performance: Why We Self-Sabotage on the Course

  Send us a textDiscover why your mental approach might be sabotaging your golf game with renowned sports psychologist Dr. Raymond Pryor. In this profound exploration of golf psychology, we uncover the concept of "stable confidence" – self-given permission to perform freely without guarantees – and how it transforms performance under pressure.Dr. Pryor, author of “Golf Beneath the Surface”, challenges conventional wisdom about golf psychology, explaining why common practices like distraction techniques and positive self-talk often fail long-term. Instead, he reveals how acceptance of uncertainty and potential failure actually creates the psychological space needed to access your best skills when it matters most. This counterintuitive approach explains why you might play brilliantly after a terrible front nine – you've finally accepted your situation instead of resisting it.One of the most powerful insights concerns the relationship between identity and performance. When we attach our self-worth to being "a good golfer," we create an unsustainable psychological burden that manifests as anxiety during important rounds. Dr. Pryor offers a more sustainable alternative: building identity around action-oriented traits rather than outcomes we can't fully control.Whether you're struggling with performance anxiety, inconsistency, or simply want to enjoy golf more deeply, this episode provides practical wisdom for transforming your relationship with the game. Dr. Pryor's approach isn't just about shooting lower scores – it's about finding freedom, authenticity and joy in the process, regardless of outcomes.What would it feel like to step onto the first tee completely comfortable in your own skin, accepting all possible outcomes while still fully committed to playing your best? That's the question at the heart of this conversation – and the answer might change your game forever. Thank you to Mizzuno Golf and JumboMax Grips. To reach us, [email protected]@flaghuntersgolf.com OR (831)275-8804Raymond, www.golfbeneththesurface.com

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• Golf's Wisdom Keepers: Insights from Mark Heartfield

  Send us a textMark Heartfield, a Class A PGA member since 1986 and former Director of Golf at Sankaty Golf Club, shares his teaching philosophy and career journey spanning over three decades in golf. His approach emphasizes understanding each player's unique swing characteristics rather than imposing a system, helping students realize their full potential through personalized instruction and course management strategies.• Started playing golf at 15, played collegiately at Stetson University, and turned professional immediately after graduation• Worked at prestigious clubs including Hyannisport, Plymouth Country Club, Baltusrol (under Bob Ross), and 33 years at Sankity Head• Believes teaching should be individualized rather than system-based, saying "it's all a puzzle to try to solve"• Begins lessons with comprehensive assessment including questionnaire and TrackMan yardage session• Uses sports analogies to help students understand swing mechanics (tennis forehand for golf swing)• Encourages young players to continue playing multiple sports through high school• Teaches putting with emphasis on routine, alignment with a line on the ball, and distance control• Recommends creative practice like the "kiss the fringe" drill for lag putting improvement• Shares personal battle with melanoma and importance of sun protection on the course• Advocates for simplicity in teaching, avoiding overly technical jargon that confuses studentsFor more information about Mark Heartfield, visit www.markheartfield.com or find him at The Ridge Club on Cape Cod.

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• Your Mind is the Most Important Club in Your Bag

  Send us a textTrevor Telin, mindset coach for elite athletes including those at IMG Academy, reveals practical strategies for golfers to overcome mental barriers and perform at their best under pressure. After experiencing his own mental roadblocks as a college basketball player, Trevor developed techniques that help athletes bridge the gap between technical ability and peak performance.• Awareness of personal thresholds is the first step in managing pressure situations• Mental skills require dedicated practice just like physical golf skills• Personalized strategies work better than generic mental game approaches• Resonance frequency breathing (4-second inhale, 6-second exhale) helps regulate nervous system• Observational skills allow players to step back and avoid emotional reactions• Mental resilience developed in golf translates to all areas of life• Elite performers aren't surprised by adversity—they expect and prepare for it• The goal isn't to eliminate challenges but to respond to them effectivelyFollow Trevor on Instagram and YouTube @MindsetTrev or email him at [email protected] to learn more about his coaching services.

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• Unstuck: Performance Coaching for Lower Scores and Greater Joy

  Send us a textTim O'Connor shares his journey from golf-obsessed amateur to performance coach, revealing how the mental game is often what separates good players from great ones.• Getting into golf initially as a caddy, observing and learning from scratch players• Moving from technical, "tab A into slot B" approaches to more instinctual, joy-focused golf• Understanding that mistaking the golf ball for the target creates unnecessary tension• Recognizing how we typically view golf as a test of competency rather than an experience• Exploring "inside-out thinking" and finding happiness from within rather than external results• Balancing competitive drive with present-moment awareness• Learning to embrace negative thoughts rather than fighting them• Using awareness as a curative tool to diffuse performance anxiety• Practicing "quiet mind" putting by simply enjoying your stroke without technical thoughtsFind Tim at www.oconnorgolf.com and follow his blog "Up and Down" on Substack, or listen to his podcast "Swing Thoughts" now in its 10th year.A big Thank You to Mizzuno and JumboMax grips !

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