291: How Well You Play and How Well You Score Are Not the Same Thing - Peter Melton

Peter Melton is a Golf Enjoyment Coach and author of Conversations with Par. He spent three decades stuck in the same trap most golfers never escape — believing his score determined his worth. In this conversation, we dig into the inner golfer versus the outer golfer, why your survival identity is quietly running your game, and whether enjoyment is just another arrow in the quiver or the whole bag. You're going to leave this episode with a completely different answer to the question "How did you play?" and “Why do you play?” Get Conversations with Par here. Check out Peter Melton Golf here. Topics and Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Join Mental Golf Club! 00:36 - How You PLAY and How You SCORE Are Different Things 7:07 - How to Play Without Getting Upset 11:26 - Are ‘Results’ and ‘Score’ Naughty Words? 13:49 - Basic Practice Plan: joshnicholsgolf.com/practice 14:52 - You Need to Work On the “Outer Golfer” and the “Inner Golfer” 23:33 - PutterCup: puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and sign up for the PutterCup newsletter for 15% off 25:45 - Why We Play Small and Safe and Get Protective and Bail 34:07 - What Role Does Enjoyment Play in Scoring? ----- Join Mental Golf Club for FREE here: app.joshnicholsgolf.com ----- Mentioned in this episode: 🏌️‍♂️ Basic Practice Plan - Practice made simple, intentional, and accountable. ⛳️ PutterCup: Get 15% off your PutterCup order by going to puttercupgolf.com/mentalgolfshow and signing up for the PutterCup newsletter. ----- Josh's stuff: 👨🏻‍🏫 1-on-1 Mental Coaching with Josh: Visit joshnicholsgolf.com/coaching to see plans and pricing to work with Josh on your mental game. Or send an email to josh@joshnicholsgolf.com. 🎓 The Perfect Pre-Shot Routine digital course - Dial in your pre-shot routine, play your best golf. 📊 FREE Mental Game Assessment: joshnicholsgolf.com/assessment - identify your mental strengths and areas for mental game improvement. 📧 The Mental Re-Grip Newsletter: Sign up for weekly mental game tips atjoshnicholsgolf.com/newsletter. ----- Other podcast partners: 🎯 Shot Pattern - The Golf GPS App Designed to Help You Play Smarter Golf - Start a free trial and get 20% off by using the discount code 'MENTALGOLFSHOW' or click this link to go straight there. ⛳️ The Divot Board: Get 10% off at divotboard.com/mentalgolfshow using code 'MentalGolf10'. 🏋️‍♂️ FREE Nerd Fitness Golf Workout - Get the Free MVP Golf Workout from Nerd Fitness here! 🍀 Fairways & Fundays - Ireland Golf Tours - Named World’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the World Golf Awards in 2024 and 2025! If you’re interested in going on a golf trip to Ireland, send me an email and I’ll get you set up with them - josh@joshnicholsgolf.com ----- 🔥 🧈 Special thanks to Titleist for their support of The Mental Golf Show. Join Team Titleist here.