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Imagery has been shown to be an effective tool for enhancing performance in a variety of sports, specifically in golf. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a PETTLEP imagery intervention, implemented into a pre-shot routine, on a full swing golf shot. A single subjects design was used with three conditions: imagery before pre-shot routine, imagery after pre-shot routine, and withdrawal from intervention. A control condition was included for comparison with illuminate the possible effects of practice. Participants were nine undergraduate volunteers with an average age of 19.3 years and an average golf score of 82.1. Three sets of data were recorded: total score, balls in A1 (the closest area), and balls in A5 (outside of the grid). When comparing control means: the intervention phase (M = 29.15) decreased in total score from baseline (M = 33.85), and withdrawal (M = 33.8). All imagery participants improved from baseline (M = 42.25) to intervention (M= 48.1), to withdrawal (M= 47.75). There was no apparent difference in imagery time, before or after the pre-shot routine. Implications from this study may benefit golfers and sport psychology consultants working with golfers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of synchronized metronome training (SMT) on motor timing and how this training might affect golf shot accuracy. Twenty-six experienced male golfers participated (mean age 27 years; mean golf handicap 12.6) in this study. Pre- and post-test investigations of golf shots made by three different clubs were conducted by use of a golf simulator. The golfers were randomized into two groups: a SMT group and a Control group. After the pre-test, the golfers in the SMT group completed a 4-week SMT program designed to improve their motor timing, the golfers in the Control group were merely training their golf-swings during the same time period. No differences between the two groups were found from the pre-test outcomes, either for motor timing scores or for golf shot accuracy. However, the post-test results after the 4-weeks SMT showed evident motor timing improvements. Additionally, significant improvements for golf shot accuracy were found for the SMT group and with less variability in their performance. No such improvements were found for the golfers in the Control group. As with previous studies that used a SMT program, this study's results provide further evidence that motor timing can be improved by SMT and that such timing improvement also improves golf accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]