The Zen of Golf: A Game, A Mirror, A Journey Within
In this profoundly honest and soul-stirring episode of the Mi365 Podcast, Pete Cohen is joined by spiritual teacher and lifelong golfer Paul Hurcomb for a deep dive into golf as a mirror for life. What begins as a chat about The Masters and favorite players quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of identity, ego, emotion, and personal transformation—through the lens of the game they both love. From childhood golf memories to elite performance coaching, Pete and Paul reveal how golf exposes our deepest thoughts, insecurities, and patterns, and how the game can be a tool for spiritual growth, presence, and healing. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why golf is unlike any other sport – and how it mirrors our internal world How golf reveals your emotional patterns, resistance, and unconscious beliefs The concept of "Conscious Golf" – playing from presence, not pressure How trauma and ego show up in performance (and in life) Pete’s raw reflections on grief, loss, and learning to stop The importance of letting go of outcome and playing from joy How to be with emotions like rejection, frustration, and fear The relationship between self-worth and performance What “the second before the swing” reveals about you Zen teachings, stillness, and what it means to truly listen Powerful Quotes: “Golf is like a mirror — it reflects your inner world back at you.” – Paul Hurcomb “Every round of golf is your life playing out over 18 holes.” – Pete Cohen “When ego is lost, universality exists.” – Tea bag wisdom (and now a life mantra) “Golf can’t give you peace. But it can show you where you’re not at peace.” “You don’t need a better plan. You need more discipline with the one you’ve got.” – Jack Nicklaus to Rory McIlroy “The ball doesn’t move. You do. That second before you swing… that’s the moment of Zen.” “There’s only one way in life — yours.” Who This Episode Is For: Golfers looking to connect deeper with the game (and themselves) Coaches, athletes, and performers navigating mindset and emotional regulation Anyone interested in mindfulness, self-inquiry, or conscious living Those processing grief, change, or a desire to stop and reflect Listeners ready to explore the longest journey – the one within Connect with Pete & Paul: Pete Cohen Website: petecohen.com Paul Hurcomb Conscious Golf Group (Facebook) – for golfers seeking deeper conversations and connection through golf www.meetingsinstillness.com www.Paulhurcomb.Org Call to Action: Loved this episode? Let us know your thoughts. Whether you’re a golfer or not, we’d love to hear what resonated most for you. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that golf — and life — is more than just a scorecard. Contact Paul here; www.meetingsinstillness.com www.Paulhurcomb.Org DM Pete with your reflections or stories from the golf course at @PeteCohen_