Training Ugly and The Ultimate Golf Game

golf

Feb 18

When I practice golf (or anything really) it’s often easy to find comfort in repeating something I’m good at for extra validation. This creates familiarity and allows me to prove my skill to myself [and friends] without any real or simulated stress. If you look around a practice facility, you’ll see many fluffed up shots around the green, and perfectly placed balls on the range. Unfortunately, these situations don’t always reflect the reality of play, nor do they challenge the mind in a way that really prepares one for a game as unpredictable as golf.

I’ve been reflecting on ways to mitigate the false reality that comes from dropping practice shots in a place of comfort. Believe it or not, the best way is to simply do the opposite. Make practice harder and less predictable. Find areas in your game that you can expose, it may cause you to look a little less proficient to onlookers, but ultimately you will be getting more out of the hours you put in. I’ve seen the positive results for myself.

One of my favorite golf podcasts, the Go Low Show, highlights this concept in an episode where they talked to Trevor Ragan, the owner of “Train Ugly”. The episode discussed the importance of evaluating each shot as if one was playing, and the motor learning benefits that come from stretching your skills and curiosity. Simply going into auto pilot and hitting the same 4 footer and the same pitch shot at your home course will be the pitfall of motor learning.

In fact, the podcast referenced instances where practicing tasks that have about a 35% success rate maximizes learning and sharpens skills to a higher potential. If one were to actually simulate shots that have a 35% success rate, their practices would look different and it would force them to evaluate each situation just like on the course. Now, of course 35% success is different for varying skill levels, and anything more difficult than that could cause a player to eventually disengage with the task if they deem it nearly impossible. So, it is important to not take it too far.

To really harness this form of practice, one must leave their ego at the door and embrace the feeling of being uncomfortable as a vehicle for improvement.

The possibilities for applying this are endless and player dependent.

The Ultimate Game

One way I plan on apply this principle on the golf course is using a version of the “Ultimate Golf Game.” Below is a modified version of an on course game that was given to me by John Weir, founder of Mental Golf Type. It is especially good for people that play the same course frequently. I have made my own modifications for personal challenges and pace of play reasons. The original ultimate game is also listed below for reference.

Ben’s Ultimate Game

Every missed FW is a Penalty [add one additional stroke to score]
Every missed green is a Penalty [add one additional stroke to score]
Draw back one club length after chipping/pitching within 40 yards
Draw back after every missed putt
Clarifications
1. Chipping on less than regulation (par 5 in 2 or par 4 in 1) can add no draw back as it is a green in regulation
2. FW miss is penalty instead of OB to get experience playing from rough or trees
3. If you are struggling you can stop drawing back after 2 putts

Original Ultimate Game

Every missed FW is OB
Every missed green is a penalty
Draw back one club length after chipping/pitching within 40 yards
Draw back after every missed putt

This game will represent extreme conditions, so tournaments feel easier. Many PGA Tour players use a similar game and call it “US Open golf”, “Hell golf” or other names. Regardless of what it’s called, when preparing for events and majors many of the top players find a way to make their practice experience more difficult to simulate or exceed tournament level conditions.

My plan is to commit to doing the ultimate game for most leisure rounds [which I define as any non-competitive or specific practice round]. I will do this over a certain period, record my findings/feelings and then play without the restrictions.

To do this I have to be process oriented, embrace the challenge, and focus on how the practice will help me, rather than dwelling on the extreme conditions or total score. Overall, I feel that the experiment will sharpen my bogey avoidance and allow for more stress-free pars. It could also help me more efficiently capitalize on scoring opportunities (birdie holes, wedge shots, etc.) and engage with my process with professional level focus. Can’t wait to see!