The Most Fun Way to Practice

The Missing Link – Fun

A research phenomenon labeled “cooperative learning and peer teaching” has provided some very valuable information into how we can improve, and I’m now sharing to all you golfers.  While many practice strategies are becoming more popular, this one is very easy to understand, and even simpler to implement.  Best of all, you’ve probably used it before and didn’t even know it.

This Lesson Is For You If:

You get bored during practice

You’ve hit a rut with your practice routines

You’re not seeing improvements in your game

The Fun Way is the Right Way

Tell me if this sounds familiar: you’re practicing and for some reason time just seemed to get away from you.  You felt like you had only been practicing for a short period of time, but in actual fact, you’ve been out there playing a game with your buddies for hours.  For all those hours you were trying to figure out how to hit certain shots better, trying to win the game, or imagining yourself winning a Claret Jug.  There is something about this type of practice that is much more fulfilling, and connects with people on a different level compared to other types of practice.  The uncontrollable factors that the other players possess make it addictive.  Whether it is your friends or the random people you meet at the practice ground that you end up competing against, it just grabs you, and time seems to disappear.

There is now abundant evidence that participation by students accomplishes more learning than presentations by their golf instructors. Cooperative learning procedures – small groups of people working together on a common problem – have been shown to enhance later performance.  Peer teaching – when students participate in the teaching process – shows the same beneficial results.  Teaching means retrieving knowledge from memory, which makes the retrieval of that information easier in the future.  Golfers teaching their friends about a particular shot enhance their ability to do it again in the future.

Do yourself a favor the next time you head to the practice ground: go with a few friends or make some new ones when you are there.  Work together and compete against each other.  Your learning will be enhanced, and your performance will improve.

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Matthew Cooke

Instructor at Game Like Training Golf

Originally from the United Kingdom, Matthew developed his knowledge through completing a National Diploma In Sport Performance, a Masters in sports science and a foundation degree from the PGA of Britain. Since joining the United States Matthew now serves on advisory boards for many junior organizations including “World Junior Golf” of Latin America and consults for coaching institutions around the world. He is a team member of multiple research projects with world-renowned professors in Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology and Motor Learning working under Dr. Fran Pirozzolo and Dr. K Anders Ericsson. After showing exceptional skills and understanding of developing talent in people at multiple full time golf academies, Matthew was elected to be co-author of a book entitled “The Taxonomy of Learning Objectives for High Performance in Golf”, with Dr. Fran Pirozzolo, and many other world renowned professionals. At the age of 26 Matthew is also the author of 4 published books for “Game Like Training Golf”, a company in which he founded.

Matthew’s previous positions have seen him work primarily with junior golfers of an elite level and a beginner level, between the ages of 4 and 21. Matthew co-founded ‘Leap Golf UK’ where he worked with Ladies European Tour, Euro-pro and mini tour professionals. Matthew’s work within the long-term athletic development model have seen golfers achieve success at the city, county, national and international level.

Matthew places a huge emphasis on playing to personal strengths, improving weaknesses through deliberate practice and enjoying the game. Simple, friendly and knowledgeable, Matthew aims to contribute to the world of golf.

Latest posts by Matthew Cooke (see all)

• The Basics of Effective Practice - January 10, 2017
• The Most Fun Way to Practice - August 2, 2016
• The Best Golf Training Aid - June 14, 2016