Our method

A Performance-driven method

Our approach is:

Evidence-based, not trend-driven.
Applied, not theoretical.
Integrated, combinin cognition, technique, and competition context.
Focused on decisions, not just execution.

We don’t train the mind in isolation.
We train how players think, decide, and execute when it matters most.

We strongly believe that the next step in peak performance will come from a conscious and structured development of cognitive abilities.
As you know, in golf, performance is not only about technique — it is about decisions made under pressure.

Cognitive Growth was founded in late 2021 as a research-driven project focused on improving:

Decision-making
Risk analysis
Reasoning in competitive golf

From research to competition

During 2022, the project expanded to include key cognitive domains directly linked to performance, such as attention, memory, perception, and coordination.

By the end of 2022, and through collaboration with Ali Berk Berker, competitive results began to validate the method. Between October 2022 and March 2023, players involved achieved multiple tournament victories, including the Spanish Under-18 Championship, as well as several top-10 finishes in WAGR events.

Scientific validation

In parallel, a five-month neuropsychological study was conducted with a professional golf player in collaboration with a neurorehabilitation center and performance specialists.

The study revealed a strong correlation between cognitive improvement and enhanced performance, both in practice and in competition — confirming that cognitive training can directly impact results.

Structured tools, real environments

In 2023, applied trials led to the development of the Alcaraz Test Battery, tested with high-performance players, including members of the Spanish national team.

The method was later implemented with elite junior players at the St. Leon-Rot Golf Academy (Germany) between 2023 and 2024, resulting in multiple WAGR victories, 2 German Under-18 titles, and a Bundesliga Championship.

To strengthen scientific consistency, a strategic partnership was established with CogniFit, allowing our conclusions to be contrasted with data from a scientifically validated cognitive assessment platform.

As part of our method, we have developed our own cognitive training software specifically designed for golf.
Its primary focus is the improvement of mental calculation skills, a key component in decision-making, risk assessment, and shot planning during play.

Beyond calculation, this training has a direct impact on other essential cognitive functions, particularly attention and working memory, both of which are critical for maintaining clarity and consistency under competitive pressure.

The software is not used in isolation, but as a practical tool integrated into our analysis and coaching process, supporting measurable cognitive development that transfers directly to performance on the course.

Beyond players

The methodology has also been transferred through education and institutions:

Author of “Calculation Exercises for Golf Players and Caddies” (2023)
Author of “Golf and Neuropsychology” (2024)
First implementation at federation level by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation within its BLUME high-performance program

The Team

Cognitive Growth is led by a multidisciplinary team with over 30 years of combined experience in high-performance golf and sports conditioning.

Francesc Alcaraz leads the project. He has 30 years of experience as a caddie for junior and professional players at the highest competitive levels. Alongside his background as a lawyer and risk analyst, he has specialized in the neuropsychology of executive functions and cognitive abilities.

Agustín Domingo, former professional golfer and holder of a European Tour card (now DP World Tour), brings elite competitive insight combined with a strong business background, holding a degree in Economics and an MBA.

Ignacio Castells, graduated in Sports Science, is specialized in psychomotricity and neuromotricity, contributing to the integration of cognitive training with movement, coordination, and execution.

Together, the team combines elite competition experience, scientific rigor, and applied field knowledge, ensuring that the methodology is both evidence-based and directly transferable to real performance.