Attentional focus and putting performance at different levels of skill development.

Abstract

This research investigated how golfers at different levels of skill development focused their attention while putting. Groups of elite, experienced, and novice golfers completed a block of 20 straight putts from the same position 2.4 m to the hole. They then described what they focused their attention on while putting, and rated their effectiveness in focusing attention as well as their putting performance. Average number of putts holed, distance from the hole, and angle of error were calculated and compared between groups. Novices were significantly less accurate than elite golfers on all three measures, and less accurate than experienced golfers in distance and angle of error. Elite and experienced golfers did not differ significantly in putting accuracy. There were no significant differences between groups in self-ratings of putting performance or effectiveness of focusing attention. Elite golfers were more likely to focus attention externally than other groups. The association between external focus and putting accuracy needs to be investigated experimentally and the extent to which novices benefit from using this attentional focus strategy needs to be determined.