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Purpose: To study whether novices can use sonification to enhance golf putting performance and swing movements. Method: Forty participants first performed a series of 2 m and 4 m putts, where swing velocities associated with successful trials were used to calculate their mean velocity profile (MVP). Participants were then divided into four groups with different auditory conditions: static pink noise unrelated to movement, auditory guidance based on personalized MVP, and two sonification strategies that mapped the real-time error between observed and MVP swings to modulate either the stereo display or roughness of the auditory guidance signal. Participants then performed a series of 2 m and 4 m putts with the auditory condition designated to their group. Results: In general our results showed significant correlations between swing movement variability and putting performance for all sonification groups. More specifically, in comparison to the group exposed to static pink noise, participants who were presented auditory guidance significantly reduced the deviation from their average swing movement. In addition, participants exposed to error-based sonification with stereo display modulation significantly lowered their variability in timing swing movements. These results provide further evidence of the benefits of sonification for novices performing complex motor skill tasks. Conclusions: More importantly, our findings suggest participants were able to better use online error-based sonification rather than auditory guidance to reduce variability in the execution and timing of their movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Golf coaches may recommend "blind" putting drills in which golfers close their eyes to improve their feel. Research on specificity of learning suggests, however, that adding or removing a source of sensory information after practicing under differing circumstances can cause performance decrements. Specificity of learning is also dependent upon specific task requirements. The purpose of this study was to examine whether golf putting, requiring body positioning and aiming an implement, would benefit from blind training. Method: Novice golfers (n = 24) in Vision Training (VT) & No-Vision Training (NVT) groups completed 108 trials of a 10-ft putt. After a 24-hr delay, both groups completed sighted- and blind-putting tests. Results: Acquisition results revealed Group × Block interactions in RE (p = .025) and y-VE (p = .032). Post hoc procedures revealed significant differences between the groups on Block 2 (p = .017), with the NVT group producing longer mean RE. During testing, RE and x-VE results revealed Group × Test interactions (p = .027 & .041), such that performance of the VT group suffered when transferred to blind putting, while performance of the NVT group did not differ when transferred. Conclusion: NVT did not confer any advantage for subsequent performance with vision. Moreover, results were not consistent with the specificity of learning hypothesis and suggest that putting does not rely on complete sensory integration to support subsequent performance. Presumably, task requirements related to body positioning provided adequate sensory cues for successful performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

The purpose of this experiment was to study the role of binocular vision, including both stereopsis and binocular vergence, on the complex task of golf putting. The putting accuracy of 16, visually-normal, inexperienced golfers (range 23- 66 years, mean=35 years) was assessed for small (3cm) and large (12cm) targets located at 3, 6, and 9 feet with their distance corrective lenses in place. Subjects performed the task under either normal binocular or monocular viewing conditions. Putting accuracy (% successful putts) was significantly better under binocular versus monocular viewing conditions for the smaller target. This was true for 10 out of 12 (83%, p=0.019), 11 out of 12 (92%, p=0.003), and 12 out of 12 (100%, p<0.001) of the subjects for the 3-, 6-, and 9-foot test distances, respectively. The percentage improvement in putting accuracy under binocular as compared to monocular viewing conditions for the small (3cm) target was 14%, 8%, and 13% for the 3-, 6-, and 9-foot target distances, respectively. For the larger target, the trends were similar but smaller in magnitude (0.5-7%) and not statistically significant. These findings are consistent with earlier studies demonstrating improved athletic performance under binocular versus monocular viewing conditions. The additional depth-related cues provided by stereopsis and binocular vergence appear to be crucial for more precise and detailed tasks, such as were present with the smaller target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of psychological pressure on physiological responses during the golf putting stroke. Six young adults (four males and two females) participated in the study. The experiment was comprised of a contest that consisted of four sessions, with a dinner prize awarded to the winner. In each session, the subject was instructed to attempt 20, 9-foot putts. Eye, head, and putter motions, as well as heart rate and breathing rate, were objectively recorded during each trial. For all sessions, each successful putt was awarded a score of +2 points. However, as the four sessions progressed, any missed putt was given progressively greater negative scores: -2, -3, -4, and -5 points, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the subject rated the perceived pressure during each session on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 corresponding to no pressure and 5 corresponding to extreme pressure. Overall, the results demonstrated that the apparently simple act of putting involves a complex interplay among various physiological and neurological control parameters, hence reflecting a myriad of emotions that are magnified under increased psychological pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the role of visual and verbal feedback on golf putting accuracy. The putting accuracy of 12, visually-normal, inexperienced golfers (range 23-66 years, mean=42 years) was assessed for small (3cm) and large (12cm) targets located 6 feet away. After a brief practice interval, subjects performed the task: under either normal viewing conditions ("control"); behind a large cardboard baffle that eliminated most of their central and peripheral visual field ("no visual or verbal feedback"); or behind the same baffle but with verbal knowledge of putt accuracy ("verbal feedback only"). There was no significant difference between any condition for both the 3cm and 12cm target. The difference in putting percentage accuracy between the three conditions ranged from 2.1%-4.6% for the 3cm target and from 0.4%-2.9% for the 12cm target. Comparison of the first 10 shots to the last 10 shots for each condition revealed no significant differences in putting performance. These findings are consistent with earlier studies demonstrating a reduced reliance on visual feedback for certain simple, repetitive, and fixed sensorimotor activities. In such tasks, visual information appears to be of less importance, once the proper force- The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the role of visual and verbal feedback on golf putting accuracy. The putting accuracy of 12, visually-normal, inexperienced golfers (range 23-66 years, mean=42 years) was assessed for small (3cm) and large (12cm) targets located 6 feet away. After a brief practice interval, subjects performed the task: under either normal viewing conditions ("control"); behind a large cardboard baffle that eliminated most of their central and peripheral visual field ("no visual or verbal feedback"); or behind the same baffle but with verbal knowledge of putt accuracy ("verbal feedback only"). There was no significant difference between any condition for both the 3cm and 12cm target. The difference in putting percentage accuracy between the three conditions ranged from 2.1%-4.6% for the 3cm target and from 0.4%-2.9% for the 12cm target. Comparison of the first 10 shots to the last 10 shots for each condition revealed no significant differences in putting performance. These findings are consistent with earlier studies demonstrating a reduced reliance on visual feedback for certain simple, repetitive, and fixed sensorimotor activities. In such tasks, visual information appears to be of less importance, once the proper force-distance paradigm has been incorporated into motor memory. Further, motor memory does not appear to dissipate with the withdrawal of visual feedback, at least in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the golf instructional literature, the putting stroke is typically given higher priority than green reading and aiming. The main purpose of this study was to assess the importance of the putting stroke for direction consistency in golf putting. Kinematic stroke parameters were recorded from 71 elite golf players (mean handicap = 1.8, s = 4.2) on 1301 putts from about 4 m. Of the different factors deciding stroke direction consistency, face angle was found to be the most important (80%), followed by putter path (17%) and impact point (3%). This suggests that improvements in consistency of putter path and impact point will have very little effect on overall putting direction consistency and should not be prioritized in the training of elite players. In addition, mean stroke direction variability for an elite player (European Tour) was found to be 0.39°, which is good enough to hole about 95% of all 4-m putts. In practice, however, top professionals in tournaments only hole about 17% of 4-m putts. We conclude that the putting stroke of elite golfers has a relatively minor influence on direction consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dans cette étude, on a examiné l’influence de l’état des attributions et le style attributionnel (AS) sur la persistance à court-terme d’un échec perçu à une tâche de putting. 101 élèves débutants en golf ont participéà cette recherche. Deux épreuves de 8 putts ont été interrompues chacune pendant trois minutes. Durant cette période, on a mesuré la persistance individuelle en comptant le nombre de fois que le sujet essayait de putter. L’analyse des résultats montre que le style attributionnel influence la persistance à court-terme contrairement à l’état des attributions. Les sujets ayant un AS “fort contrôle personnel” font montre de plus de persistance que ceux ayant un AS “faible contrôle personnel”. Ces résultats confirment ceux obtenus lors de recherches antérieures sur les bénéfices motivationnels d’un style attributionnel “optimiste” dans des situations d’échec lors de la réalisation d’une tâche. Des attributions instables sont particulièrement bénéfiques aux sujets ayant un AS externe/incontrôlable. Ces derniers ont un niveau significativement plus élevé de persistance que les sujets ayant un AS externe/incontrôlable mais qui ont fait des attributions causales stables. This study investigated the influence of state-attributions and attributional style (AS) on short-term persistence in a putting task during perceived failure. Participants were 101 novice golf students. Two trials of eight putts each were interrupted by a 3-minute free period during which individual persistence was measured by calculating the number of putts attempted in the free period. Analyses revealed that attributional style influenced short-term putting persistence but state-attributions did not. Participants with a “high personal control” AS showed greater persistence than those with a “low personal control” AS, which supports past research on the positive motivational benefits of a more “optimistic” attributional style in task failure situations. Moreover, unstable attributions were particularly protective for individuals with an external/uncontrollable AS, in that they promoted significantly higher levels of persistence than was shown by external/uncontrollable AS individuals who made stable causal attributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to construct and evaluate the reliability of an apparatus for testing golf putters with respect to distance and direction deviation at different impact points on the clubface. An apparatus was constructed based on the pendulum principle that allowed putter golf clubs to swing at different speeds. The mean speed of the club head before ball impact, and of the ball after impact, was calculated from time measurements with photocells. A pin profile rig was used to determine the directional deviation of the golf ball. Three different putters were used in the study, two that are commercially available (toe-heel weighted and mallet types) and one specially made (wing-type) putter. The points of impact were the sweet spot (as indicated by the manufacturer's aim line), and 1, 2 and 3 cm to the left and right of the sweet spot. Calculation of club head speed before impact, and of ball speed after impact (proportional to distance), showed errors ⩽ 0.5% of interval duration. The variability in ball impacts was tested by measuring time and direction deviations during 50 impacts on the same ball. The mean duration (± s ) after ball impact in the test interval (1.16 m long) was 206 (0.8) ms and the standard deviation in the perpendicular spreading of the balls in relation to the direction of the test interval was 0.005 m. A test - retest of one putter on two consecutive days after remounting of the putter on the test apparatus showed less than 1% difference in distance deviation. We conclude that the test apparatus enables a precise recording of distance and direction deviation in golf putters as well as comparisons between different putters. The apparatus and set-up can be used in the laboratory as well as outdoors on the putting green. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of the study the influence of time preparation on putting performance as a function of skill level and familiarity of participants with the golf tool. It indicates that golf participants of the study were instructed to take time needed to be accurate or putt as fast as possible while still being accurate. The study measures the putting performance and putting time of the participants.