Episode Details

In Episode 9 of Aligned Athlete, Justin Langhill and Brendan O'Neil welcome their first guest, sports psychologist and former Division I golfer Dr. Carley Hunt.

As a former collegiate golfer at Maryland and Georgetown and now a performance psychologist, Dr. Hunt brings a unique perspective from both sides of performance—the athlete who has competed at a high level and the psychologist who helps athletes navigate pressure, confidence, focus, and uncertainty.

At the center of this conversation is a question every golfer has experienced:

If I can do it on the range, why can't I do it on the course?

We explore why your brain often doesn't trust your swing, how uncertainty leads golfers into endless swing changes, and why trying harder is rarely the answer. From YouTube rabbit holes to swing-thought overload, many players spend years searching for technical fixes when the real issue is how they think, focus, and respond under pressure.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why YouTube golf instruction isn't the answer for every golfer
• How many swing thoughts you should actually have during a round
• What thoughts, habits, and routines to delete—and what to keep
• How to keep your attention on what matters most during performance
• The difference between being results-focused and process-oriented
• Why golfers become obsessed with fixing themselves
• Emotional regulation versus traditional ideas of mental toughness
• How uncertainty fuels overthinking and swing obsession
• The importance of a pre-shot routine—and an often-overlooked post-shot routine
• The "Plan Phase" and "Play Phase" of effective performance
• The Three C's: Catch It, Check It, Change It
• How to handle negative thoughts without fighting them
• Why junior golfers who develop mental skills early gain a significant advantage
• The role of creativity, presence, and self-awareness in better golf
• The number one factor that helps golfers improve long term

This was a fascinating conversation between three performance coaches from different disciplines—golf instruction, physical performance, and sport psychology—and despite coming from different backgrounds, the message was remarkably consistent:

The golfers who improve the most aren't always the ones with the best swings. They're the ones who learn to trust themselves.

Follow Dr. Hunt on Instagram: @thinkbettergolf

If you've ever felt stuck between the player you are on the range and the player you become on the first tee, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do about it.