When the Calgary Flames’ Devin Cooley discussed his 34-save effort to beat the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, he credited his ability to quiet his conscious mind. “I have to let my unconscious brain do the work because it reacts a lot quicker,” Cooley said. “What happens is when I have a more conscious brain goalie, I can’t react in time and then I’m slow and I’m behind the play and then I give up seven goals.” Many of us recognize a similar dynamic when we “overthink” on the golf course; we’re usually better when relying on our athletic instincts in the moment. But experts say simply turning off one’s brain isn’t really an option in such a slow-moving sport like golf. What you can do is redirect your thoughts into something that might be more helpful, as I discussed in my Mind Games video about the time-honored golf cliche, “taking it one shot at a time.”