Book Private Mental-performance Lessons with Coach Jakob

I’m Jakob Swanson, a psychology major with a deep interest in cognitive science, performance psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. I plan to pursue a PhD to research how motivation, decision-making, and mental frameworks influence athletic and everyday behavior. My background as both a collegiate golfer and lifelong hockey player gives me a firsthand lens into how mental processes shape performance.

My Christian faith anchors my perspective, directing my goals toward purpose, stewardship, and serving others. I’m passionate about helping athletes and individuals understand the mind so they can grow, overcome challenges, and thrive.

As a coach, I take a holistic approach to developing junior golfers—one that blends technical skill, psychology, and real mental training. My goal isn’t just to help young players swing better, but to help them understand why they improve and how their minds influence every shot they take.

When I teach fundamentals, I focus heavily on procedural memory—the part of the brain responsible for skills that become automatic through repetition. Junior golfers thrive when their swing patterns and short-game motions shift from conscious effort to instinctive execution. I break drills down into simple, repeatable actions that strengthen those motor pathways so a young player can step up to the ball with confidence and consistency, not overthinking or guessing.

At the same time, I help them build strong semantic memory around the game—understanding concepts, strategy, course management, and the “why” behind what we do. When juniors know both how to perform a skill (procedural) and why it works (semantic), their learning becomes faster, deeper, and more resilient under pressure.

Mental performance is a huge part of my coaching. I draw from psychological strategies including elements inspired by EMDR, helping players learn how to reset after mistakes, regulate emotion, and stay grounded in stressful moments. I guide them through bilateral focus tasks, breathing patterns, and visualization routines that calm the nervous system and re-center attention. These tools help juniors move past a bad shot or hole without carrying frustration forward.

I also teach routines built on cognitive principles—pre-shot processes that anchor attention, self-talk patterns that strengthen confidence, and reflective strategies that help them learn from each round rather than fear mistakes. Whether we’re talking about pressure on the last few holes or nerves standing over a three-footer, I show juniors how to train their brains the same way they train their swings.

Most importantly, I coach with patience, purpose, and a genuine belief in every young athlete I work with. My mission is to help juniors grow into confident, composed competitors who understand their minds, trust their skills, and enjoy the lifelong journey that golf—and mental performance—can offer.

First Meeting – Establishing Goals and Understanding the Athlete

The first session is all about getting to know the athlete—both as a player and as a person. We discuss strengths, areas for improvement, mindset, and personal goals, while also considering their long-term aspirations in golf and life. Together, we build a customized plan for their development that combines technical skill, mental performance strategies, and measurable objectives. This session sets the foundation for growth, accountability, and intentional improvement.

Second Meeting – Executing the Plan with Measurable Goals

In the second session, we focus on putting the plan into action. Every drill, exercise, and mental routine is tied to clear, measurable goals so the athlete can track progress. Technical work strengthens procedural memory, while discussion and reflection reinforce semantic memory—helping athletes understand not just how to perform, but why it works. Mental strategies, including visualization, pre-shot routines, and focus exercises inspired by EMDR and mindfulness, are integrated to build confidence and resilience under pressure.

Sheryl Maize has been my favorite coach of all time because she taught me that excellence in sport is about far more than physical skill—it’s about character, mindset, and integrity. She combined world-class technical knowledge with a focus on mental performance, helping me understand not only how to execute a shot but why it works and how to stay calm and confident under pressure. What truly set her apart was her ability to mentor athletes in a way that reflected values like perseverance, humility, and faith, encouraging us to rely on God for guidance both on and off the course.

Under her guidance, I learned to trust my abilities, embrace challenges, and view setbacks as opportunities to grow, all while keeping my faith at the center of my journey. Her mentorship shaped not just my game, but my character, leadership, and perspective on life—teaching me to pursue excellence while honoring God in every part of the process. That combination of technical mastery, mental coaching, and faith-based guidance is why she stands out as the coach I admire most.

Faith is a central part of how I coach. I encourage athletes to approach challenges with perseverance, humility, and trust in God, while fostering a growth mindset and integrity on and off the course. Athletes and parents can expect a supportive, patient, and structured environment where young players build skills, mental toughness, and character—learning lessons that extend far beyond the game.