157. Tim O'Connor: The Unconscious Patterns Keeping You Stuck in a Pattern of Repetitive, Destructive Swing Thoughts (and Swings)

In this episode, I sit down with Tim O'Connor—golf coach, author of Getting Unstuck, and one of the most refreshing voices in golf psychology—to unpack why so many golfers stay trapped in the same frustrating cycles year after year.

Tim explains why being "stuck" has less to do with mechanics and more to do with unconscious patterns, repetitive thinking, fear-based control, and a disconnect from the physical experience of playing golf.

We also explore surrender, awareness, gratitude, adaptability, and why the golfers who improve fastest are often the ones who stop trying so hard.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What being "stuck" actually feels like for golfers
• Why fixing your swing mid-round keeps you trapped
• How awareness is the first step to lasting change
• Why golfers overthink because they're disconnected from feel
• How to stop bringing swing thoughts to the course
• Why surrender creates more control than forcing outcomes
• How gratitude can instantly improve your relationship with golf

If you've ever chased swing tips mid-round, sabotaged a great start, overthought every shot, or felt like your scores no longer reflect your ability, this conversation will hit home.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

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More About Tim O'Connor

Tim O'Connor is a performance coach with more than 30 years of experience in golf as an author and coach.

Tim is co-host of the Swing Thoughts podcast.

Tim is mental performance coach of the GTS Academy in Las Vegas and Zone Golf Academy in British Columbia and co-host of the Swing Thoughts podcast with "Humble Howard" Glassman.

He's written five books including The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story, and Getting Unstuck: 7 Transformational Practices for Golf Nerds.

And he plays bass guitar in a punk rock band in Guelph.

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3. Download 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:

• Most golfers stay stuck because they repeat familiar patterns.
• Thinking more often creates worse golf, not better golf.
• Feel is frequently the missing link in performance.
• Great golf requires adaptability, not perfection.
• Gratitude brings you back to the present moment.

Key Quotes:

• "You cannot change what you are not aware of."
• "Most golfers have never actually felt their swing because they're trapped in their head."
• "The game is about hitting shots—not building the perfect swing."
• "The more you try to control everything, the less free you are to perform."
• "Your suffering in golf often comes from wanting it too badly."

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Understanding the Feeling of Being Stuck in Golf
• 02:37: The Importance of Awareness in Overcoming Stuckness
• 05:22: Experiencing the Physical Sensation of the Swing
• 08:22: Breaking Through Performance Barriers
• 11:14: The Role of Surrender and Letting Go in Golf
• 14:06: Creating a Warm-Up Routine for Success
• 16:42: Adapting to Your Game on the Course
• 25:06: Breaking Free from Expectations
• 25:33: Predictable Sabotage in Golf
• 27:22: The Complexity of Golf Performance
• 28:37: Understanding Variance in Golf
• 30:27: Expectation Management in Golf
• 31:46: The Writing Journey of 'Getting Unstuck'
• 34:25: Target Audience for 'Getting Unstuck'
• 36:27: The Key Takeaway: Awareness