The Intersection of Anxiety and Fear

In the latest episode of the Connected Instructor Podcast, we had the privilege of listening to an enlightening conversation between Landon Michelson and Dr. Michael Lardon, a renowned sports psychiatrist and mental performance coach. Dr. Lardon’s work, especially his innovative concepts like the "mental scorecard" and the "pre-shot pyramid," has been instrumental in shaping the mental game of many elite athletes, including golf legends like Phil Mickelson.

Mental Game of Golf: Insights from Dr. Michael Lardon

Dr. Lardon shared valuable insights into the mental aspect of sports, particularly how mastering the mind can lead to success in high-pressure situations, whether on the golf course, in the UFC, or even in the NFL. His work focuses on helping athletes achieve peak performance through mental discipline, awareness, and emotional control.

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The Importance of Pre-Shot Routine in Golf

One of the most impactful parts of the interview was Dr. Lardon’s breakdown of the pre-shot pyramid, a concept that has become a staple in his coaching philosophy. The idea is simple yet profound: the more consistent a golfer's pre-shot routine, the better their performance will be. Dr. Lardon explained that the routine should involve three key stages:

1. Left Brain (Analytical Function): In this stage, the golfer analyzes the shot. Factors like wind, distance, and hazards are considered, allowing the golfer to plan the type of shot they need to play.

2. Right Brain (Creative Function): After determining the strategy, the golfer should visualize or feel the shot, tapping into their creative mind. As Dr. Lardon pointed out, great players like Jason Day or David Duval use this stage to visualize the ball’s flight or to feel the club in their hands.

3. KNOW Brain (Instinctual Execution): Finally, the golfer must trust their preparation and simply execute the shot. The key here is to rely on instinct, not overthinking the process—a concept echoed in Jack Nicklaus’s philosophy of staying in the now during execution.

Dr. Lardon noted how skipping any of these steps can lead to mistakes. He gave the example of a former PGA player who rushed through his routine on an "easy" nine-iron shot, only to miss the green due to lack of proper preparation.

The Mental Scorecard: Tracking the Mind, Not Just the Shots

In addition to the pre-shot routine, Dr. Lardon introduced the concept of the "mental scorecard." This tool is used to track how well a golfer sticks to their mental process during each shot. Regardless of the outcome—whether the ball ends up in the cup or out of bounds—what matters most is whether the golfer followed their pre-shot process. A golfer can hit the ball out of bounds but still score positively on the mental scorecard if they stayed true to their routine. Conversely, even a successful shot could get a poor mental score if the golfer didn’t follow the correct process.

This approach offers golfers a way to stay focused on the controllable aspects of the game—mindset and routine—rather than becoming overly fixated on results. It’s a technique that can improve consistency and help manage the psychological ups and downs of competitive golf.

Managing Pressure and Anxiety in Golf

A large part of the discussion focused on how golfers can handle pressure and anxiety. Dr. Lardon emphasized that a little bit of anxiety can actually improve performance by heightening focus and awareness. The challenge, however, is to prevent anxiety from spiraling into fear.

"Anxiety is not fear," Dr. Lardon explained. He provided an insightful analogy about a surfer riding next to a giant whale. At first glance, it may seem terrifying, but upon closer inspection, the “whale” is actually a harmless giant porpoise. Similarly, what golfers often mistake as fear is merely anxiety—something manageable with the right techniques.

Dr. Lardon teaches athletes to embrace anxiety rather than fear it. This shift in perspective helps athletes stay calm and in control, even in high-stakes moments, such as when playing in a major championship or making a critical putt. Visualization, controlled breathing, and understanding the distinction between anxiety and fear are all strategies Dr. Lardon encourages athletes to practice.

Applying These Techniques to All Levels of Golf

While Dr. Lardon has worked with some of the biggest names in sports, his techniques are valuable for golfers at any skill level. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just beginning to break 100, mastering the mental game can have a significant impact on your performance.

As Dr. Lardon mentioned, consistency in the pre-shot routine and maintaining a strong mental scorecard can make a measurable difference, especially for the average golfer. In fact, studies involving high-level amateur players showed that those who followed a consistent pre-shot process were up to 25% more likely to make birdies.

Conclusion

The mental game is often the difference between good golfers and great ones. As Dr. Lardon said, "Golf is what you do, not who you are." This powerful message encourages golfers to separate their self-worth from their scorecards and focus on what they can control: their mindset and approach to each shot.

If you’re ready to take your mental game to the next level, be sure to listen to the full episode of the Connected Instructor podcast with Dr. Michael Lardon. His strategies could be the missing piece that helps you unlock your full potential on the course.