Why You're Practising Too Much Golf (And Thinking Too Hard) | Don Christensen #413

Why You're Practising Too Much Golf (And Thinking Too Hard) | Don Christensen #413

Author: Karl Morris June 12, 2026 Duration: 51:53

Can you actually play better golf when you have less time to practice?

In this episode of The Mind Caddie, performance coach, psychologist, and former Stanford golf team player Don Christensen explains why the answer may be yes.

Don combines decades of academic psychology with elite golf experience to reveal why intention, attention, and trust are often more important than technical practice. Drawing on the principles of The Inner Game of Tennis and Tim Gallwey, he explores how golfers can access their best performances by learning to quiet the analytical mind and trust their natural ability.

In this episode:

  • Why golfers with less practice time can sometimes improve faster
  • The hidden power of practicing with intention
  • How to quiet the thinking mind on the golf course
  • Why over-analysis destroys performance
  • The psychology behind playing "in the zone"
  • How attention influences athletic performance
  • Why your intellect always wants to take control
  • Learning to trust a deeper level of intelligence
  • The challenge of keeping golf simple
  • Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation
  • Why rewards can sometimes reduce motivation
  • The indirect path to success in golf and life
  • The happiness delusion and the pursuit of achievement
  • Falling in love with improvement rather than outcomes
  • How elite performers learn to get out of their own way

This is a fascinating conversation for golfers, coaches, sports psychologists, and anyone interested in peak performance, mindset, focus, flow states, and human potential.

About Don Christensen

Don Christenson is a professor of psychology, Certified Mind Factor Coach, former Stanford University golfer, and one of the leading voices in applying Inner Game principles to golf performance and personal development.

Connect with Don Christensen

Don Christensen Coaching & Inner Game Resources

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The Mind Caddie Golf Podcast

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#GolfPsychology #MentalGame #GolfMindset #InnerGame #GolfPerformance #SportsPsychology #GolfCoaching #FlowState #PeakPerformance #GolfPodcast #MindCaddie #DonChristensen #StanfordGolf #MentalStrength #GolfImprovement


Karl Morris has spent years working as a performance coach with some of the best golfers in Europe, and in Mind Caddie-Improve Your Mental Golf Game, he shares that expertise directly with you. This isn't just about swing thoughts or technical fixes; it's a deep, practical exploration of the psychology that dictates performance on the course. The conversation moves beyond simple positive thinking to address the real challenges players face: handling frustration after a bad hole, maintaining focus over eighteen holes, and building a resilient confidence that doesn't vanish under tournament pressure. Each episode feels like a personal session, breaking down the mental frameworks used by tour professionals into actionable strategies for any committed player. You'll hear discussions on managing expectations, creating effective pre-shot routines, and understanding how your brain can be your greatest asset or your biggest obstacle. The aim is to provide the tools that help you access your best game more often, turning those range sessions into reliable performance when it truly counts. Tune into this podcast for honest, nuanced talks that get to the heart of why we play the way we do, offering a distinct advantage that has nothing to do with new equipment and everything to do with the space between your ears.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mind Caddie - Improve Your Mental Golf Game
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