Golf is a relatively unique sport played in natural outdoor environments that provides an ideal environment for the proliferation of coliforms and fecal coliforms. Natural features, combined with golfers’ frequent hand-to-mouth behaviors (e.g., using fingers to remove mud from a ball, eating during play), increase the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria. This study aimed to assess golfers’ potential exposure to coliforms and fecal coliforms by swabbing their hands and equipment. A brief survey examined golfers’ hygienic behaviors during gameplay. No golfer’s hands tested positive for fecal coliforms before a round of golf, one golfer’s glove tested positive before the round and 44% of golfers’ hands or gloves tested positive after the round of golf. The survey revealed that golfers were highly likely to engage in hand-to-mouth behaviors and reported not cleaning their gloves or bags. These findings suggest a need for increased awareness among golfers to reduce bacterial exposure.
This cross-sectional study surveyed 55 male professional golfers at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic to assess the injury, illness and mental health complaints, alongside training and competition environments. In the preceding four-weeks, 74.6% reported injury complaints, most prevalent were lumbar spine (25.5%), wrist (20.0%) and thoracic spine (20.0%), 44.9% reported illness complaints and 43.1% mental health complaints, most prevalent were anxiety (25.5%) and performance anxiety (21.6%). Injury was significantly (Chi2 - 5.9, P=0.015) associated with greater need for psychotherapeutic support and the study suggests a link between injury and mental health problems and a need for enhanced mental health support.
We investigated the impact of weather-related variables on professional golfers’ performance on the PGA Tour. Our study extends and improves upon previous research by analyzing data from all PGA Tour golfers across every tournament over seven full seasons. Building on the physics-based insights of Bahill et al. (2009), we incorporate air density, wind conditions, dew point, and precipitation factors to model golfer performance. Our analysis demonstrates significant effects of atmospheric conditions on total strokes and driving distance. These findings provide a basis for adjusting expectations of player performance and driving distance based upon weather conditions at the time of play.
Face tape is commonly used by custom fitters, however, when removed, it can leave adhesive residue on the clubface. This study assessed the effects of three clubface conditions on ball flight. Twenty golfers hit shots under three conditions: 1) clean, 2) face tape, and 3) adhesive residue using both a 5-iron and 7-iron. Data were collected using a TrackMan 4 launch monitor at a driving range. Statistical analysis was conducted using MANOVA, with post hoc assessment via least significant differences. No differences were observed for the 5-iron data. The 7-iron produced a higher launch angle and significantly greater spin than the 5-iron across all conditions. Additionally, the 7-iron generated a significantly higher launch angle, lower spin, and greater distance under the face tape condition compared to the clean and residue clubs. It is recommended that researchers and practitioners use clean clubs when collecting golf data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
The tournament preparation framework (TPF) provides evidence of the behaviours that experts (i.e., coaches, players, academics, high-performance staff) consider important for golfers preceding tournaments and before/after each round (i.e., tournament preparation). This study aimed to evaluate the convergent validity of the TPF-Self-Report (TPF-SR) – a self-administered version of the TPF. In Phase One, 12 amateur golfers were observed on-site and interviewed before/during a tournament to determine the endorsement (i.e., completion rate) of items from the TPF-SR. For Phase Two, 18 amateur golfers (12 from Phase One) self-administered the TPF-SR before/during competition. Comparison of mean endorsement rates for the observation/interviews and self-report administration of the TPF-SR showed good agreement. The total proportion of golfers that endorsed items from the TPF-SR was also high. The TPF-SR displays initial evidence of convergent validity and could improve players’ awareness of preparatory behaviours and promote adaptive self-regulatory behaviours. Further work is warranted to provide a complete picture of the instrument’s measurement properties.
Article published in International Journal of Golf Science on 25 March 2020, available open access at: https://www.golfsciencejournal.org/article/12093.
The work the golfer does on the club is the primary determinant of clubhead speed and is a function of four factors: hand path length, average force along the hand path, club angular distance, and the average couple applied over this distance. The primary purpose was to evaluate the relative importance of these factors in generating clubhead speed. The drives of 76 golfers were captured using a launch monitor and an optical system. Regression was used to determine the relative importance of each of the four factors. Average force accounted for the greatest proportion of variability in clubhead speed (r = .96). Hand path length (r = .45) and the average golfer applied couple (r = .45) were also found to be meaningful predictors of clubhead speed, while angular distance was not (r = .14). These findings will be applicable to instructors and golfers attempting to increase clubhead speed.
This study examines the current state of swimming in the Netherlands against an ideal-type model for developing high performance sport integrated with mass participation. Survey questions were validated by 12 international and Dutch experts including executives from sport governing bodies, swimming coaches and academics. To determine the areas for improvement, 122 coaches completed the questionnaire. Additionally, possible advancements were identified through semi-structured discussions with four top Royal Dutch Swimming Federation administrators. Results suggest possible enhancements at macro level (e.g. greater public and corporate support to prepare and hire more coaches and to address the lack of facilities, monies and publicity at mass participation level in order to make swimming affordable for all), at meso level (e.g. comprehensive education for all coaches and full spectrum of swimming pools), and at micro level (e.g. better preparation of athletes for their future outside swimming and better use of swimmers to stimulate swimming development).
The purpose of the research was to examine how a golfer's confidence in his/her own abilities to determine yardage and trust in technology impacts how they use distance measuring devices (DMDs). Data were gathered via online survey from 661 golfers and included items measuring confidence in one's own ability to determine yardage, trust in the technology, and demographic questions. Results indicated that how long participants had been playing golf was positively associated with confidence in estimating yardage. Handicap was negatively associated with confidence (i.e., better golfers had higher confidence). DMD use was negatively associated with confidence. Women had higher trust in technology and those that used DMDs had higher trust in technology. Handicap was also negatively associated with trust (i.e., better golfers had higher trust). Regarding application, it is important to note that DMDs provide information, and golfers still need to engage in decision-making and shot execution.
Gaze behavior in general, and the quiet eye (QE) in particular, are integral to the performance of closed, self-paced motor tasks. This review examines the relationship between the QE (and a number of other gaze properties) and golf-putting performance. An analysis of 26 studies revealed conflicting results. For example, while some studies showed that longer QE durations (QEDs) (e.g., 2-3 sec) characterize expert golfers, successful putting performance, and improved learning, several other studies reported no relationship between QEDs and putting performance. Four out of six studies (66.7%) showed that experts have longer QEDs on the ball, five out of eight studies (62.5%) showed longer QEDs in successful versus unsuccessful putts, four out of five studies (80%) found that QE may explain 14-43% of the variance in performance, and five out of six studies (83.3%) showed that QE can be trained and will lead to improved putting performance. We discuss some inconsistencies in the reviewed data, and outline a number of methodological concerns and research limitations associated with the reviewed studies, including (a) a lack of studies on different QE locations, (b) a lack of studies that directly manipulate QEDs, and (c) the failure of most studies to calculate QED for each phase of the putt. We also propose a number of applications for practitioners who teach golfers how to putt.
Every golfer needs to execute a precise putting skill on the green but this is especially the case for professional golfers (PG). PG have a very high cup-in success rate when putting from their dominant stance. However, to clarify this reason it is relevant to use a target putting task rather than a cup-in putting task. In this study, we designed a putting task to evaluate putting ability in PG. The putting task was carried out 4 times in one week using both dominant and non-dominant putting stances and compared with novice golfers (NG) who undertook the same task. The results showed that the PG had significantly lower distance error than NG in both dominant and non-dominant putting stance from a 2m target when measured for distance from the target lengthways, laterally, and directly. However, there were no significant different between dominant and non-dominant putting stances in all distance error variables. Analysis of lengthways distance (Total distance error) was further divided into far-side, which is the distance between the ball and target of a putt that overshot the target (Far-side distance: +) and near-side, which is the distance between the ball and target of a putt that did not reach the target (Near-side distance: -). The Far-side (+) distance rate of NG and PG was significantly higher in both dominant and non-dominant putting stances. PG had a significantly high rate (85.9%) of Far-side distance (+) from dominant putting stance when compared to Near-side distance (-) (14.1%). Oppositely, Far-side rate from the dominant putting stance in NG was 54.7%, which was closer to Near-side (43.7%). From DAY1 PG showed a significantly higher ability to put the ball nearer to the target than NG from both putting stance and further significantly reduced their Total distance error from DAY3. These results indicate that PG not only had a high putting accuracy in their dominant hand from the initial test but also in their non-dominant hand. It also showed that PG have a strong putting skill tendency to slightly overshoot a putt from their dominant putting stance. In this study, it was shown that this occurs even in a low-pressure environment.
Physical preparation in golf is well-recognised as an essential component of high level performance, but research into youth golfers is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a once weekly strength and conditioning session on physical performance over 12-weeks. Thirty-nine male golfers aged 11-17 years (age: 13.54 ± 1.10 yrs, mass: 59.68 ± 13.10 kg, handicap: 10.26 ± 4.67 strokes) were assigned to either an intervention or control group. The control group did not participate in structured training whereas the intervention group received supervised resistance training. Outcome measures were clubhead speed (CHS), ball speed (BS), countermovement jump (CMJ) predicted power and modified pull-ups. Magnitude based inferences and confidence intervals were used to assess the response between groups based on pre-determined threshold values. The intervention demonstrated likely increases in CHS (4.25mph; CI90 1.79 to 6.71), possible increases in ball speed (4.09mph; CI90 0.78 to 7.40), likely increases in CMJ predicted power (308.35W; CI90 176.97 to 439.73). There were only trivial differences in modified pull-ups. This study highlights the potentially positive impact a once weekly strength and conditioning programme can have on physical performance and CHS in youth golfers, and is therefore recommended in this population.
Article published in International Journal of Golf Science on 24 October 2019, available open access at: https://www.golfsciencejournal.org/article/10770-the-longitudinal-development-of-movement-competency-in-young-high-level-golfers.
This paper draws on interviews with four stroke survivors (age range = 52--68 years), who participated in a six week 'Get-into-Golf' program and four coaches with experiences of delivering disability golf sessions, to examine the barriers and facilitators to golf participation. Findings indicate a positive response from participants, who referred to the social and physical benefits of the program that was perceived to promote independence. The results also highlight that considerations in regards to format, equipment, cost, access and overall awareness should be borne in mind for golf programs among people with disabilities. Golf clubs could employ this framework to help facilitate the participation of people with physical limitations. It is argued that opportunities to promote golf as a lifelong physical activity among people with disabilities may be missed in clubs where personnel are unsure of the barriers and facilitators to participation outlined here.
This study examined the effects of anxiety and perfectionism on putting performance and their relationship to the yips, a specific type of choking in golf. Two hundred and eighty amateur golfers completed an online questionnaire that included items on anxiety (Smith, Smoll, Cumming, & Grossbard, 2006), perfectionism (Stöber, Otto, & Stoll, 2004), and putting performance. Results indicated that 26.1% of the participants have experienced the putting yips when executing a putting stroke in golf. A series of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that participants who independently reported higher anxiety levels, and higher perfectionism reported significantly greater disruptions in putting performance. The best predictors of disrupted putting performance were anxiety and negative reactions to imperfection that together accounted for 35% of the explained variance. Anxiety also fully mediated the relationship between perfectionism and disruptions to putting performance. These findings add to the existing choking, and golfing literature, and are discussed in this context.
This paper addresses the rapid growth, popularity, and structure of US Golf Academies. Specifically, we highlight a phenomenon from a non-US golfing community’s perspective; namely, that of the “talent tourist” (i.e., youth golfer) seeking to develop their playing skills and academic ability within a foreign talent pathway. With so much of these golfers’ futures at stake (e.g., large financial costs and time dedicated), there is a surprising lack of research attention paid to these academies’ talent development environments; for instance, their structure, position in the overall talent pathway, the quality of the approaches used, or reasons why golfers strive to enroll onto them. By addressing these issues, this paper will present the case for greater research interest and the development of more effective talent development pathways.
As the prevalence of target focussed aiming in golf putting increases amongst professionals and amateurs alike, it is important to understand its operation if the synergy between research and practice is to be optimised.Therefore, the current paper's aims were firstly to review and critique existing empirical literature.Although our observations of these studies were informative, however, we identified a number of key methodological inconsistencies and omissions, which limits our understanding as a complete evidence-base across studies.Consequently and secondly, we provide insight into possible mechanisms for how target focussed aiming might work with corresponding measures for investigating these suggestions.Finally, we propose a number of methodological considerations that need to be addressed by future research.It is hoped this research will inform future practice when coaching the skill of putting.
Reduced lead hip mobility has been proposed to be associated with low back pain (LBP) in golfing populations, although the literature is contradictory. This study aimed to clarify this relationship by recording the magnitude of hip rotation during the golf swing and a range of clinical assessments. Sixteen recreational male golfers (8 with a history of LBP and 8 age and anthropometrically matched controls) performed their golf drive with their hip movement recorded. Hip range of motion was also recorded in sitting, lying prone and standing and correlated to hip rotation during the golf drive. The LBP group demonstrated reduced lead hip internal rotation (LHIR) compared to those in the no pain (NP) group when using the prone passive and standing clinical measures (*p* \< .01), but not sitting. The prone passive measure of LHIR was moderate-strongly correlated to golf swing LHIR r = 0.560; *p* = .024. The LBP group had an average of 8° less LHIR during the golf swing than the NP group and were closer to end or range, although both were non-significant trends. These results may have implications for LBP prevention and rehabilitation strategies in golf populations.
We develop a flexible and efficient simulation algorithm of a stochastic (queueing network) model of group play over a conventional 18-hole golf course. We apply this algorithm to study ways to improve the pace of play in recreational golf. We consider: (i) using a wave-up rule for par-3 holes to allow two groups to play at the same time, (ii) finding a "minimum cost" tee schedule (the intervals between successive groups starting play on the first hole), and (iii) making the first hole a bottleneck par-3 hole (when they are bottlenecks). The simulation exposes complexities in the wave-up rule, but nevertheless shows that the wave-up rule can increase the daily number of groups that can play each day by about 13%. A simulation optimization is used to select a good constant tee schedule. It shows that the cost of making the tee interval too short tends to be far greater than the cost of making it too long. Finally, when there is a bottleneck hole and it appears first, then the greatest delay occurs there, making congestion developing over the day more evident to both golfers and management.
The purpose of this study was to compare near-target (NT) and far-target (FT) visual focus strategies during the stroke on breaking putts. The ball was considered the NT and the FT was the point along the target line closest to the hole. Over three testing session, 28 golfers completed an equal number of putts for each combination of three independent variables: Method (NT, FT), Putt Length (6, 10, 14 ft), and Break (toe-to-heel, heel-to-toe) for a total of 144 putts. The FT method was associated with a significantly higher make percentage (40%) in comparison with the NT (37%), (*p* = .047). There was also a significant Method x Break interaction (*p* = .041); the FT method was relatively more effective for heel-to-toe breaking putts (41%) than the NT method (36%). These findings suggest that a FT visual strategy could be effective for golfers on breaking putts inside 14 ft.
