#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."

Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.

This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys. 

Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.

Subscribe now.

Use Hypnosis to Shoot Lower Scores: Are you curious to learn how hypnosis can help you shoot lower scores? Snag my free hypnosis audio recording today to help you play your best round tomorrow.

Download it here.

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

For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @scratchgolfermindset 
• Twitter: @parsoverbogeys
• LinkedIn: Paul Salter Coaching

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