#73: 63 Holes in 72 Hours: Mistakes, Moments, and Memories During My First Member-Member Weekend

Today, I'm sharing a recap of my experience and learning lessons from participating in my first-ever Member-Member Tournament.

In this episode, I take you inside my very first member-member tournament at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club—a 63-hole gauntlet of match play, missteps, and mindset mastery.

You'll hear firsthand stories of:

• hitting 12 fairways on day one (and what fell apart after that)
• navigating USGA match play rules I hadn't previously known
• the temptation to confront cheating—and how I chose to respond
• coaching my partner through his mental spiral mid-round
• laughing off bad shots to stay in the fight
• and how I learned to protect my energy from angry, frustrated playing partners

If you're serious about developing mental toughness, emotional resiliency, and learning to perform under pressure, you'll take away more than a few insights from this candid tournament recap.

I walk through what went well, what didn't, and the tangible mindset and skill improvements I'm now laser-focused on. And of course, I share how this entire experience translates beyond the course, too.

This one's packed with real stories, practical lessons, and reminders to keep showing up, even when the conditions—and competition—get tough.

Get your pencils ready and start listening.

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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

Twitter: @parsoverbogeys

Key Takeaways:

• Tournament Golf Exposes the Truth: The added pressure, emotion, and unpredictability of match play reveal where your mindset and game are truly at—and where they need to grow.
• Stay in the Fight—Always: Even after a bad shot or penalty, you're only one great swing away from turning the hole around. Never mentally check out.
• Control What You Can Control: You can't police every rule or correct every shady scorecard. What you can control is your attitude, effort, and energy.
• Your Emotional State Is Contagious: Whether it's your playing partner melting down or opponents bickering, you must protect your energy and stay anchored in your process.
• Audit Your Self-Talk and Body Language: The way you speak to yourself after a mistake either drains or fuels your next shot. Choose awareness over autopilot.
• Routine Is Your Reset Button: A consistent pre-shot routine was the anchor during high-pressure moments. When things go sideways, your routine keeps you grounded.

Key Quotes:

• "You are not judge, jury, and executioner out there. Control your ball—and your response."
• "Even when I hit a ball OB, I stayed in the fight. I didn't skip my routine. I didn't give up."
• "Every missed shot is just an invitation to execute the next one better."
• "Tournament golf just hits different—and I fucking loved it."
• "You can't afford to leak energy worrying about things beyond your control."
• "Pat's opponent lived rent-free in his head—and it cost him the round. Don't give away your power."
• "I may not have played my best golf, but mentally, I showed up like a pro. And that's the foundation of what's coming next."

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Introduction to Member Member Weekend
• 05:03: First Impressions and Initial Experiences
• 10:58: Learning the Rules of Match Play
• 15:01: Mental Resilience and Self-Talk
• 20:34: Tournament Golf: The Thrill of Competition
• 24:47: Navigating the Course Challenges
• 27:28: Lessons from Competitive Play
• 29:45: Staying Committed to the Process
• 32:14: Managing Emotions and Energy on the Course
• 35:49: The Importance of Team Dynamics
• 38:18: Reclaiming Your Power
• 40:05: Identifying Areas for Improvement
• 44:54: Reflecting on the Experience