James Berry: How to Think, Train, and Act Like an Elite Golfer (Flashback Friday)

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Feb 27, 2026

James Berry, former pro turned coach and author of The College Golfer, shares what separates high performers from the rest. He talks mindset, disciplined daily habits, and course management systems that remove emotion. Expect stories about mini-tours, returning to college golf, and practical tools for smarter on-course decisions and anxiety management.

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ANECDOTE

Turning Pro Young And Getting Schooled

James Berry turned pro at 19, moved to Florida then Scottsdale, and was repeatedly beaten on mini-tours despite elite athleticism.
His ability to hit it far masked weaknesses in short game, mental game, and course familiarity that mini-tour competition exposed.

INSIGHT

Position Beats Pure Distance In Desert Golf

Driving well is nonnegotiable in desert and mini-tour golf because staying in position outweighs pure distance.
Top players didn't bomb it far; they repeatedly placed drives in scoring positions and avoided digging through desert hazards.

ANECDOTE

Quitting Pro Golf Then Going Back To College

At 27 James accepted a college coach's invite, cleared the NCAA eligibility center despite prior pro starts, and played Division II golf.
Returning to college reignited his competitive spark and gave structure without the financial pressure of mini-tours.

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James Berry is a former professional golfer turned coach and author of The College Golfer. With years of experience competing at a high level and coaching elite players, James shares his insights on what separates high performers from the rest. We dive into the mental game, practice habits, and strategies that help golfers elevate their performance and play their best under pressure.

When you listen to this interview, you will learn:

James pro golf journey.
How to think like an elite golfer.
The importance of driving at high level golf.
How to think, act, and train like an elite player.
Why you must get clear about your end goals.
The importance of discipline to improve off and on the course.
How a system to course management can help you improve decisions.
Going back to college in his late 20s to play college golf.
Turning pro again before eventually getting into coaching and writing his book.

And a lot more - look out for part two and my recap of this awesome episode on Thursday. Follow James Berry on Instagram and check out his website.

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