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. 

Click here to read my Ultimate Guide to Golf Hypnosis.

Click here to learn more about nerves versus readiness. 

1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: If you’re serious about getting out of your own way and playing to your potential, click here to schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call to learn how I can help you make playing to your potential a habit. 

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Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course

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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