Voice of the Athlete: James Nicholas
We had the opportunity to interview James Nicholas, a professional golfer with an impressive resume. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and chose to play football and golf at Yale. However, he decided to focus solely on golf starting in his sophomore year. After graduating in the spring of 2019, he earned Korn Ferry Tour status by advancing to the Final Stage of Q-School. Nicholas achieved a significant milestone by winning the 2020 New York State Open at Bethpage Black. Voice of the Athlete: James Nicholas
How did you get started in golf?
My grandfather bought me a plastic set of clubs when I was 2–3 years old, so I started by simply whacking plastic balls around the house. As I grew older, I would go over to my grandfather’s house and borrow his clubs to play in the backyard. When I finally reached the age to play on the course, my dad and grandfather would take me and my brothers to Westchester Country Club to play. It was a fantastic experience. I became obsessed with hitting the ball as far as I could, resulting in me naturally developing a huge high draw. It may not have been the best approach, but it was enjoyable to hit it far and have my dad and grandfather watch in awe.
What do you enjoy most about playing golf?
Having grown up playing various team sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, basketball, and soccer, golf's individual nature stands out to me. Most of the sports I played were team-oriented, and although I miss that aspect, golf's uniqueness lies in the fact that it's just you against the course and against yourself. You don't need to worry about other players. When players, especially kids, start playing, they often become obsessed with comparing themselves to others, and that holds them back. I believe you should focus solely on yourself. It may sound cliché, but it's true. That's what I enjoy most—going out there every day, challenging myself against the course, and striving to improve personally.
You have participated in many tournaments over the years. Do you have a favorite?
I have several tournaments that I consider my favorites. I'll choose three to highlight. The New York State High School Championship was my first significant victory. I remember shooting 4 under on the back nine holes, making a comeback and winning by 1. During that stretch, I hit a shot out of the water that ended up on ESPN's Top 10.
It was really cool to have my shot compared to Bill Haas' shot during the FedEx Cup. Three years later, I achieved my first collegiate win at the same course. It was Cornell's home event, and I sank a 60ft slider on the 18th hole to secure the victory. That course holds many special memories for me. Lastly, my first professional win at Bethpage Black in the NY State Open stands out. I made five consecutive threes on the back nine (eagle, par, birdie, birdie, par) to win by two shots. I'm extremely thrilled that I was able to achieve my first high school win, first college win, and first pro win in such an exciting fashion.
What was your biggest source of motivation as a golfer on days when you didn't feel like training?
I think it all comes from within, from yourself. In college, I created a mood board where I had my favorite quotes, athletes, and goals. Whenever I felt down or unmotivated, I would look at that board to get myself back on track. The board was filled with things like "Pressure is a privilege" and "Better each day," along with various sayings from athletes like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Wayne Gretzky, and Tiger Woods. These great athletes who came before me inspire me, and I try to use their words to motivate myself.
Have you ever had limiting beliefs that you had to overcome to take your performance to the next level?
I think it's normal to get nervous, and those thoughts definitely come to mind; wouldn't call them "limiting beliefs," but I always had nerves; I kept telling myself that I was going to work harder than anybody else. I knew that if I did that, I would accept whatever I was able to achieve, whether it was winning once in college, ten times in college, once as a pro, or a hundred times as a pro. It all came down to how hard I worked. If I could look at myself in the mirror and say that I poured everything into it, then there was nothing to be nervous about, mad about, or ashamed about. If I was able to work as hard as I could, then the sky was the limit in my opinion.
How do you stay focused when you are under pressure?
I try to stick to what I'm doing. Before every shot, I always say, "Control the controllable." That mindset is crucial for me. I focus on what I can control. Things like bad bounces, misreads, or bad numbers, I can't really control those. Yes, I can improve at reading greens and getting better numbers, but when I'm over the ball, I can only control what I can control, and that's executing the shot to the best of my ability. That's what helps me stay focused under pressure.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Padraig Harrington once said to me, "Your stuff is good enough." He said, "I don't care, I don't even know how good you are or how hard you work, but everybody within themselves has the ability to be one of the best golfers in the world." I think that was really cool for him to say because he didn't know who I was or how good I was. He just knew that everybody has what it takes if they work hard enough.
Who are your role models both in and out of sports, and how do they inspire you?
My parents are my role models in life. I think they've done a great job raising me and my four brothers and sisters. They are always there for us, and family comes first. They've been the rock of our family, and I think it's really cool to have grown up around such a close-knit family. All four of my siblings are extremely successful in business, in sports, and in life.
When it comes to sports, my mom was a sponsored surfer and skateboarder when she was growing up, and my dad played football and baseball at Harvard. They are incredibly talented and successful, so we always wanted to do what they did, if not better.
I also look up to Tiger Woods (on the course) as a great role model. I mean, no one has been better than him. The way he carries himself and controls his emotions is unmatched in the sport. I don't look at just one person in particular, but I try to learn from everyone and pick pieces from each player and person to mold myself into the person I want to be.
Can you talk about the mindset to develop when you are an athlete at a top-ranking university?
Being a student at Yale is quite a tough task. I was a biology major (pre-med), which meant studying close to 100 hours for every exam I took. Balancing golf and school was challenging but very doable. It tested and refined my time management skills. I scheduled my days down to the minute, and it really helped me achieve success both on and off the course. I was very efficient with my free time. So, it all came down to my mindset. If I had one hour, I wouldn't spend it watching Netflix; instead, I would go to the court, hit balls, or finish assignments that I needed to do. That mindset was crucial.
What advice would you give to a 16-year-old athlete regarding confidence?
When it comes to golf specifically, it's such an individual sport that you shouldn't get discouraged by what other people are achieving around you. You may have friends who are shooting better scores or winning more tournaments, but in the end, you need to focus on your own goals. If your goal is to play golf in college and nothing beyond, that's perfectly fine. If your goal is to be the best player in the world, that's also fine. The key is to set your goals and then take action towards achieving them. If you want to be the best player in the world, you need to work harder and smarter than anyone else in the world. If your goal is to be an average college athlete, then you need to create a system that will help you get there.
It's important to be realistic. If you say you want to be the best player in the world but you go to parties every single Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night and skip practice, that's an unrealistic goal. Sacrifices will need to be made. The first step is to sit down, write out your goals, make them clear, and figure out how you will achieve them. I'm a big believer in writing them down on paper and then taking steps to help you get closer to those goals. But remember, if you don't want to be the best player in the world, that's totally fine, but don't say it and then never put in the practice. Wishing alone won't make things happen; you need to work hard and pursue your goals.
How has golf helped you outside of your sport?
Golf teaches you numerous life lessons. When I was younger, I remember playing a junior match where a kid played the wrong ball. It would have been easy for him to continue playing that ball, and none of us would have known, but instead, he did the right thing and reported it, taking a 2-shot penalty (while there were many cheaters in junior golf at that time who would have just kept playing). Right away, this kid said, "Hey, wrong ball, 2-shot penalty. I'm going back to my ball." This kind of integrity is more prevalent at the younger level and doesn't happen as much in professional golf. Golf taught me to be respectful, courteous, and honest.
What advice would you give to a 12-year-old on how not to overthink when learning a new skill?
Listen to the people who are trying to teach you. Don't think you know it all; be coachable. Being coachable is extremely important. The people who are teaching you know much more than you do. Don't act like you know it all, no matter how good you become. You can always learn from others.
From whom have you learned the most about mindset and golf, and why?
I believe it has been a balance of learning from several people. I've been fortunate to have great coaches like Mark Messier and Joe Namath, just to name a few. Additionally, I've had teammates who have achieved incredible things. So, I've tried to learn from every single person I've been around, from my dad to my hockey coaches to my football coaches. If I can pick up even one useful thing from someone, I know that I'm growing and improving each day.
How do you prepare before a big event?
I approach big events in the same way as I do small ones. Consistency is key. I stick to my routine and follow the same preparations that have worked for me in the past. This helps me maintain a sense of familiarity and confidence heading into the event. I focus on my physical and mental preparations, ensuring that I am in the best possible state to perform at my highest level.
What kinds of goals have you set for yourself, and how do you feel about your progress toward those goals?
My initial goal during my first year of professional golf was to play on the Korn Ferry Tour, and I was able to achieve that. While I didn't secure my PGA Tour card just yet, I have my sights set on winning and earning that card in the future. My ultimate goal is to become the best player in the world, and I am taking steps each day to work towards that goal. I believe in the power of continuous improvement, and I'm committed to getting better each day. I feel positive about my progress so far, and I'm determined to keep pushing forward and reaching new heights in my career.
Next read: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/focus/how-to-improve-your-attention