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During putting in golf, the direction and velocity of the club head should be consistent across swings. In order to maintain consistency in swing timing, the cerebellum provides temporal information, motor timing, control of rhythm, and timing of movements. We utilized Interactive Metronome (IM), a brain training software program that combines the concepts of neurotechnology with the abilities of a computer, to improve an individual's rhythm and timing. We propose that IM would activate neural networks involved in decreasing variation in putt swing. Twenty professional female golfers (KLPGA) were randomly assigned to either an IM training group (n = 10, 35-40 min per session, twice a week for 6 weeks) or a control group (n = 10). The golf putting movements and brain activity were analyzed using Kinovea Software and resting state functional MRI, respectively. Consistency was measured as the standard deviation of mean swing speed (SSD) during three sections of the swing: backswing (AD-BS), backswing-impact (BS-IMP), and impact-finish (IMP-FIS). Our results show that the consistency of the IM group improved in the time between the back swing and impact in the 2 m putt and 5 m putt compared to the control group. Using functional MRI, after the training period, the IM group showed increased functional connectivity from the superior cerebellar vermis to the right medial frontal gyrus, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right cingulate gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus (uncorrected p < 0.001, voxels > 40). These findings suggest that IM training in professional female golf players may improve consistency in putt timing. In addition, IM training may increase brain connectivity from the cerebellum to the frontal cortex, which plays an important role in motor control and timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the game of golf the putter is used for 40 to 50 percent of all strokes during a round. Therefore, it is important for a golfer to find the putter that suits the own game best and that promises the most success on the green. Compared to all their other golf clubs, average recreational golfers usually select their putter relatively fast - the main criterion for choosing a specific putter being the first impression after a few practice strokes. The purpose of this paper therefore is to find out whether this first impression is reliable in the process of finding a putter, a study was completed. The study was conducted with ninety test subjects of varying skill levels and experience. This study used three different types of putters. The putting accuracy of each test subject with every test putter was recorded. The subjects had to twice fill in a questionnaire about their perception of the putters’ properties before (Q1) and after (Q2) the putting sequences. The results of Q1 and Q2 were set in relation to the analysis of putting accuracy resulting in low number of successful identifications for Q1 and more than twice the number of successful identifications of Q2. An analysis of the handicap and the playing experience of the test subjects indicates that golfers of all skill and experience levels are able to find the best putter through the first impression. However, the results showed that the identification rate is still low. The paper therefore concludes that a golfer should not rely on the first impression alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]