Athlete Builder Ep. #137: Building a Champion's Mind in Golf | Greg Towne (Indiana State Women's PGA Pro Golf Coach) - Athlete Builder | Lyssna här

What separates good golfers from elite performers?

In Episode #137 of the Athlete Builder Podcast, I sit down with PGA Professional Greg Towne, Head Coach of Indiana State Women's Golf, to break down the mental, emotional, and performance demands of elite golf.

From competing at the highest levels to coaching future pros, Greg shares what it really takes to succeed—not just physically, but mentally.

We dive into:

Why golf is one of the most mentally demanding sports in the world
How to handle pressure, distractions, and emotional swings
The importance of routine, journaling, and reflection
Why discipline and focus—not motivation—separate pros from amateurs
How athletes can create an edge through preparation and attention to detail
The truth about goal setting vs. process-driven growth

One of the biggest takeaways:

"If you know the right path but won't take it because it's hard… that's the difference."

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Greg Towne Background
01:15 – The Masters, Tiger vs Jack & Golf Greatness
02:30 – Best Courses in the World & Unique Experiences
04:00 – Pressure in Golf: Why "Easy Shots" Become Hard
05:50 – Mental Games & Subtle Competitive Edges
07:15 – Coaching Philosophy: Taking Control & Building Confidence
09:30 – Coaching Women vs Men (Emotional Regulation)
11:00 – Mindset: You Can't Control Emotions—Only Regulate Them
12:30 – Golf's Unique Mental Challenge (Time Between Shots)
14:30 – Resetting Your Mind During Competition
16:30 – Coaching on the Course & Real-Time Development
18:00 – Learning from Experience & Journaling for Growth
21:00 – Player vs Coach Success: Impacting Lives
22:30 – Goal Setting vs Process & Staying Curious
26:00 – The Discipline to Change & Improve
28:30 – Playing in the U.S. Open & Visiting the White House
30:30 – Coaching Elite Players vs College Athletes
32:00 – What Separates Pros Mentally
34:30 – Environment, Focus & Eliminating Distractions
37:00 – Extreme Focus & Learning Faster
39:00 – Sacrifice Required for Greatness
40:00 – Nutrition Then vs Now in Golf
42:00 – Training Without Distractions (State-Based Performance)
43:00 – Travel, Bucket List & Experiences
44:30 – Favorite Sports & Athletes (Michael Phelps Insight)
46:30 – Book Recommendations for Athletes
48:30 – Strength Training & Golf Performance
50:30 – Favorite Quote: Discipline & Hard Choices
52:00 – Where to Find Greg Towne
53:00 – Closing Thoughts