What happens when you mix child psychology, creative play, and golf instruction? You get a revolutionary approach to junior golf that's changing how young players connect with the game.

Meet Lisi Mueller, an assistant golf professional who left a high-paying corporate job to pursue her passion for teaching golf to children and women. Drawing from her educational background in child psychology and development, Lisey brings a refreshingly innovative toolkit to the driving range—complete with stuffed animals, ribbons, and hopscotch patterns that translate complex golf movements into age-appropriate learning experiences.

Throughout our conversation, Lisi shares the beautiful simplicity of her teaching philosophy: meet children where they are, not where traditional golf instruction expects them to be. Her monkey named Rory teaches body rotation, her octopus Shelly demonstrates grip pressure, and her creative hopscotch patterns help four-year-olds understand weight transfer without ever using those technical terms. The results? Children who hit "a million balls" while having fun, develop critical self-awareness, and keep coming back to the course with excitement rather than obligation.

Beyond teaching methods, we explore deeper questions about golf's accessibility, particularly for young girls who rarely see themselves represented in the game. Lisi's courage to be visible in predominantly male spaces creates pathways for future generations of female golfers. Her reminder that "no one owns golf" and "golf can look like whatever you want it to look like" offers a powerful counterpoint to an industry increasingly focused on professional competition over recreational enjoyment.

Whether you're a parent hoping to introduce your child to golf, a coach looking for fresh teaching approaches, or simply someone who believes golf should be more inclusive and joy-centered, Lisi's insights will inspire you to see the game through new eyes. Connect with her on social media @lisilea_tothetee to learn more about her innovative teaching methods.

What if your biggest obstacle in golf isn't your swing but your mind? In this illuminating conversation with clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Klein, we uncover the powerful psychological elements that separate elite performers from struggling golfers – regardless of physical ability.

Dr. Klein brings a unique perspective as both a trained psychologist with over 18,000 therapy sessions and an experienced golf mental coach working with players from juniors to tour professionals. His central message? While not everyone can move like a pro, anyone can learn to think like one.

We explore how anxiety manifests on the course through two primary channels: future-oriented worry ("don't hit it in the water") and past-focused grief over missed opportunities. Dr. Klein offers practical strategies for regulating emotions, including breath control techniques, walking rhythm adjustments, and accessing feelings of gratitude to flush out negativity.

The conversation delves into the critical importance of pre-shot routines – how professionals perform the same sequence every time, creating a dependable framework that allows them to execute under pressure. We examine the concept of "agency" – the psychological feeling that you're capable of the task at hand – and how selecting shots from your actual repertoire builds genuine confidence.

Perhaps most revolutionary is Dr. Klein's perspective on finding your authentic golf identity. Not everyone needs to adopt the stoic Tiger Woods approach to succeed. Some players thrive with more emotional expression, while others perform better with quiet focus. The key is discovering how you function best rather than forcing yourself into someone else's model.

Want to transform your mental approach and experience more freedom on the course? This episode provides the roadmap to thinking like a champion, regardless of your handicap.

Standing on the first tee of the Old Course at St. Andrews, a strange calm washed over me. The nerves that typically plague my game had vanished. Six holes later, after holing out an eagle on the ninth, I turned to where my father would have stood and whispered, "That's for you, Dad." Twenty years after his passing, I broke down in tears on golf's holiest ground, feeling his presence in a way I hadn't experienced since losing him.

This transformative journey through the UK revealed the stark differences between American and Scottish golf cultures. While American courses often emphasize manicured aesthetics and cart-based play, Scottish links golf embraces the natural terrain and walking. At Carnoustie, I watched children and women casually enjoying the same championship courses the pros struggle with during major championships. The local clubs function as community centers where golf is accessible to all – with memberships at world-class venues costing a fraction of American prices and programs ensuring every child receives free lessons and equipment.

Course design philosophy differs dramatically as well. Conversations with architect Mike DeVries reinforced that great courses should be playable and engaging for everyone, not just elite players. This contrasts sharply with American golf's obsession with length and difficulty that caters to professionals while forgetting that most golfers shoot in the 90s and drive the ball modest distances. The Scottish approach treats golf as more than a game – it's a communal experience, an honor code, and a way of life connecting generations.

After playing 169 holes in seven days (all rounds under four hours while walking!), I've returned with a renewed connection to why I love this game. The experience at St. Andrews wasn't just about golf – it was about reconnecting with joy on the course and feeling my father's influence once more. If you have the means to take the person who introduced you to golf to St. Andrews, do it. There simply isn't a better way to honor what this game truly means.