In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with Brittany Atkinson — one of Athletes Untapped’s top private golf coaches — to break down one of the most overlooked parts of the game: mental toughness.

Golf is often framed as a technical sport — swing mechanics, distance, speed, putting stats — but Brittany is refreshingly honest about the reality. Even elite golfers struggle mentally. Nerves show up. Doubt creeps in. Bad shots happen. And learning how to handle those moments is what ultimately separates confident players from frustrated ones.

At a time when many young golfers believe mental toughness means “never getting nervous” or “playing perfect,” Brittany explains why that mindset misses the point entirely. Mental strength isn’t about eliminating emotion — it’s about having tools to respond when pressure shows up.

She walks us through how confidence on the course is built long before tournament day. When disappointment bleeds into the next shot — and the next hole — performance compounds in the wrong direction. The best golfers learn how to reset, stay present, and play from where they are in their development, not where they wish they were.

From there, the conversation shifts to Brittany’s #1 lesson for young athletes: confidence beats raw skill every time.

She explains why players who look incredible in practice often struggle in competition — not because they lack talent, but because they’re playing tight. Real confidence is earned through repetition, muscle memory, and pushing outside your comfort zone in training so that competition feels familiar instead of overwhelming.

Throughout the episode, Brittany highlights the foundations that help golfers perform freely under pressure:

• Developing confidence through intentional repetition
• Training your mind to reset after bad shots
• Separating outcomes from effort and preparation
• Getting comfortable being uncomfortable in practice
• Building belief when no one else is watching

One of the biggest takeaways is that confidence isn’t something you magically find on the course. It’s something you build quietly, day by day, through disciplined practice and trust in the work you’ve put in.

This episode is a must-listen for young golfers trying to play looser under pressure, parents supporting athletes through the mental ups and downs of competition, and anyone looking to better understand the mental side of golf.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com/ - the nation’s leading platform for private sports coaching. We connect families with elite, vetted coaches who help athletes grow through strong fundamentals, smart habits, and positive training environments.

👉 New episodes weekly on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow along on Instagram for highlights and full clips: https://www.instagram.com/athletesuntapped/

If you’re looking to train with Brittany, search for private golf coaches in the Salt Lake City, UT area and start building confidence that shows up when it matters most.