#35: [Inside the Mind] Jesse Perryman: Stop Trying So Hard and Play Better Golf

Buckle up.

You're about to enter into the ether of a zen-like, hypnotic flow conversation with a +2 handicap index golfer who recently won his club tournament - at 54 years of age.

Meet Jesse Perryman - a competitive amateur golfer, father of five, with a deep-rooted fascination of psychology (alongside a degree in it) and the host of the Flaghunters Golf Podcast.

He's been golfing for over 40 years, including three years as a Division I golfer, alongside multiple tournament trophies.

Jesse has an eerily similar and unique view about harnessing the power of your subconscious mind to play your best golf.

In today's episode, you'll learn:

• The importance of setting intentions before a round, being present in the moment, and getting out of your comfort zone.
• The need to embrace nerves and doubts as part of the human experience and use them as a guide for growth.
• The concept of the pie chart, which includes technical skills, physical well-being, and the mental game as key components of improvement.
• Why ever golfer - no matter their handicap - should enter tournaments as soon as possible.
• How - and why - to practice passionate acceptance about their natural fear and nervousness on the course.
• The importance of accepting where you are in your golf game to facilitate growth.

Get your pencils ready and start listening.

P.S. Please excuse the audio on my end - I lost my voice that week and barely held it together for the conversation.

Connect with Jesse

• Host of The Flaghunters Golf Podcast
• Twitter/X: @podflag

> > > If you enjoy Jesse and I riffing (we've talked for HOURS), you can catch two more hours of conversation between the two of us discussing all things mindset on his show here:

1. Conquering Self-Sabotage on the Golf Course with Paul Salter
2. Achieving Flow State in Golf and Life with Paul Salter

Key Takeaways:

• Setting intentions before a round can help golfers relax and alleviate stress.
• Being present in the moment is crucial for optimal performance on the golf course.
• Getting out of your comfort zone, such as playing in tournaments, can lead to significant growth and improvement.
• Embracing nerves and doubts is part of the human experience and can serve as a guide for progress.
• The pie chart concept highlights the importance of technical skills, physical well-being, and the mental game in golf improvement. Accept fear and nervousness as part of the game and embrace the energy in your body.
• Simulate tournament conditions in practice to prepare for competitive rounds.
• Play the golf course in your mind to develop the right mindset for playing your best.
• Meditation can help cultivate mental resilience and the ability to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
• Accept where you are in your golf game to facilitate growth and improvement.

Key Quotes:

• "You need to be able to remember it under duress or if you're starting to go the other way, you're going to play well because I can guarantee your listeners that listen to this podcast, Paul, that if they do that, they will supersede their expectations during the course of the round."
• "When you can, when you start whatever that practice is, whether it's meditation, whether it's yoga, whether it's breath work, whatever it is, chanting, I don't care. Scottie Shephler's single greatest asset he has in his game right now is his ability to be in the present moment."
• "Your pie chart is in motion. It's in motion. You have the basics. Hey man, I want you to get up and work out every day or get some movement in your body. That's going to be huge because a stiff golf swing is not going to lend itself to fluidity of mind."
• "Whether you make this or you miss it, you're not going to die. So just get up and hit the damn thing."
• "What you resist persists."
• "Use one ball. Don't use three balls. Don't use a sleeve. Just use one ball."

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For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.

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Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Introduction and Background
• 03:04: Setting Intentions and Relaxing for Better Golf
• 07:38: The Power of Being Present in the Moment
• 11:56: The Pie Chart: A Holistic Approach to Golf Improvement
• 18:43: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone for Growth
• 21:10: Embracing Nerves and Doubts as a Guide for Progress
• 24:27: Embracing Fear and Nervousness
• 26:42: Simulating Tournament Conditions in Practice
• 29:42: Playing the Golf Course in Your Mind
• 33:26: The Power of Meditation in Golf
• 42:04: Acceptance and Growth in Golf