Women of Golf: Season 13 Episode 5 | Rising Star Mariel Galdiano

Mastering the Mental Game in Golf and Protecting Your Lead. In this episode, Epson Tour player, Mariel Galdiano shares her approach to maintaining focus during tournaments, mental resilience, and how to stay within your game when the stakes are high. Plus, insights from Cindy Miller on protecting versus attacking when holding a lead.KEY TOPICS Mariel Galdiano’s journey from Hawaii to professional golf and her recent achievements.Strategies to maintain a tournament lead: focus on the course, separate scores from emotions.The importance of staying present and managing anxiety on the final holes.How to handle external noise, media pressure, and the mental challenges of leading.The role of self-awareness and working with caddies during critical moments.Comparing protecting a lead vs. going for the win: when to be aggressive or cautious.Tips for amateurs: staying in the moment, focusing on the shot, and managing bad memories.The mental and emotional rewards of competitive golf and the joy of playing the game. TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction to Mariel Galdiano and her golf journey01:21 - The importance of mental grit and protecting tournament leads02:17 - Mariel’s achievements and her role as a mentor03:22 - Moving from Hawaii to Florida: cultural and lifestyle adjustments04:35 - Favorite things about Central Florida and its golf scene05:44 - Practice routines and leading clubs in the area06:08 - Connections with notable players and Hawaii’s golf talent wave07:42 - Hawaii’s competitive golf environment and inspiring talent10:14 - Transition from Hawaii to mainland and missing home flavors like poke bowls12:01 - The challenge of missing home and balancing focus during play13:02 - Mariel’s approach to maintaining a lead: focusing on the course14:20 - Handling windy conditions and second-day consistency15:45 - The mental shift from chasing to playing within oneself17:10 - Playing under final-round pressure and shifting strategies18:45 - Staying in the moment and the importance of focus during shots19:15 - Advice for amateurs: being present and enjoying the game22:19 - Developing resilience: letting go of bad rounds and focusing on positives24:01 - The rewarding moments of tour life and interaction with fans and kids26:07 - Upcoming schedule, LPGA status, and goals28:48 - Handling setbacks, losing full status, and learning from failures30:44 - Balancing fun and fitness: hobbies and routines off the course31:14 - Giving back through the First Tee and mentoring juniors35:44 - Future aspirations in golf teaching and mentorship36:22 - Closing comments and continued success in competitive golfTHE NO BS ZONEWhy players switch to safe strategies when leading, and how to maintain composure under pressure39:53 - The difference between playing smart and playing scared 40:46 - Controlling what you can: decision-making and mindset41:48 - Staying within your natural game and managing external influences44:43 - The role of caddie-player communication and course management45:24 - To check scores or not: understanding personal psychology in scoring50:44 - External noise, media pressure, and staying focused on what you control54:00 - The importance of gratitude, enjoying the moment, and building relationshipsWatch the video version: https://youtu.be/4uWrMKy692k?si=3t8Q4J_xsv-t_OzNBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-of-golf--6428971/support.