Over on the Golf Science Lab we’ve just released our first “powered by” podcast. It’s called GAME LIKE TRAINING RADIO and coach Matthew Cooke and I are dedicating an entire show to discussing effective learning and practice environments
Because the topic of learning is so under explored, Matt and Cordie are going to explore more effective and efficient training environments, have conversations with experts in the field, and also dive into research papers on different topics related to golf training.
For this second episode of Game Like Training Radio – Our guest today is Trevor Ragan from TrainUgly.com. Trevor explains his “jungle tiger” analogy and walks us through his four-step framework to achieve amazing results in your game.
Trevor explains that Train Ugly is the marriage of the mental component, or growth mindset, and motor science learning. He emphasizes that a motor learning science practice can get ugly – it’s harder, more chaotic and more random. When you’re in that zone, you make more mistakes.
That’s why coupling that science with growth mindset research produces the best results; the mental approach to learning helps you see the value of mistakes and struggle and how that helps you to grow more.
About Trevor Ragan and Train Ugly
Trevor Ragan has dedicated himself to researching how learning best occurs. However, he has noticed that there is a large gap between the best practices found in the research and common coaching methods.
Train Ugly is based on motor learning and performance science research, and focuses on how to foster an environment that promotes personal growth and improvement. Trevor’s mindset approach has been used both in the sports world (e.g. the USA Women’s Volleyball Team, the Miami Heat) and the corporate world (e.g. Starbucks).
Matthew Cooke
Originally from the United Kingdom, Matthew developed his knowledge through extensive study in sports and exercise performance, sports and exercise science, and the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) of Great Britain. Whilst in the U.K. Matthew Co-founded ‘Leap Golf UK’, with Iain Highfield, where he worked with Ladies European Tour, Euro-pro and mini tour professionals.
Since joining the United States, Matthew founded ‘Game Like Training Golf Academy’. The Academy runs full scale coaching programs for all level golfers, and educational programs for coaches looking to expand their knowledge on scientific learning principles. Clients spread from all over the Unites States, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.
Matthew is currently involved with research studies in expertise and expert performance with Dr K Anders Ericsson, and Len Hill PhD, and is collaborating with professors in motor learning, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and professionals at the United States Olympic Association.
Matthew has written 4 workbooks that have helped hundreds of golf coaches, and players, in over 13 countries, practice, and train more efficiently. The workbooks give an insight, and practical examples, to the key characteristics of creating an environment that fosters learning.
In 2016, Matthew was elected to be part of a book project, called “The Taxonomy Of Educational Objectives For High Performance Golf” with Dr. Fran Pirozzolo, Dr. Robert Bjork, Iain, Highfield, Sean Foley, Chris Como, Jonathan Dismuke, Pat Goss, Bernhard Langer, Dr. Rob Neal, Russ Paine, Trillium Rose, Grant Waite, Joey Wuertenberger, and Kevin Smeltz.
Collaborating with the worlds best golf coaches, and academic professors, Matthew aims to educate, grow, and give back to the golf community.