Golf Research Update #5: Advancements & Insights
Self-Efficacy, Functional Movement Screens, and Swing Drills
Paper #1 - The Mental Game of Golf: Understanding Relationships Between Self-Efficacy, Fear of Failure, Competitive State Anxiety, and Flow
What: This study investigated the relationships between self-efficacy (GSE), fear of failure (FOF), competitive state anxiety (CSA), and flow among elite golfers. It aims to understand how these psychological factors interact and affect performance in golf. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
How: The study surveyed 375 elite golfers registered with the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee.
Results: The analysis revealed that golf self-efficacy (GSE) is significantly related to fear of failure (FOF), which in turn is related to competitive state anxiety (CSA) and flow. Self-efficacy was found to buffer against fear of failure and competitive state anxiety, promoting a state of flow. These findings suggest a hierarchical relationship: GSE→FOF→CSA→Flow.
Implications:
To enhance performance by minimizing interfering psychological factors, it is essential to boost golfers' self-efficacy. This can be achieved through specific training programs focused on developing relevant mental skills to navigate high-pressure situations, such as those covered in my online course.
For further details, you can read the full abstract here.
Paper #2 - Using a Golf-Specific Functional Movement Screen to Predict Golf Performance in Collegiate Golfers
What: This study examined the relationship between functional movements and golf performance using a Golf Specific Functional Movement Screen (GSFMS). It aims to determine how well these movement patterns predict overall golf skill levels in collegiate golfers.
How: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study with 56 collegiate golfers, assessing their golf skills (e.g., putting, chipping, driving) and functional movement abilities (e.g., pelvic rotation, torso rotation). The study used various statistical analyses to identify correlations between these variables.
Results: The findings showed weak to moderate correlations between functional movement abilities and golf performance. Specifically, pelvic rotation and lower-body rotation were significant predictors of golf skill levels, explaining 31.2% of the variance in performance.
Implications:
While the correlations are weak to moderate, they suggest that functional movement assessments like the GSFMS can still provide useful insights for predicting and improving golf performance. However, caution is warranted, and these assessments should be part of a broader training and evaluation program. Enhancing specific functional movements, such as pelvic and lower-body rotation, can be beneficial for collegiate golfers aiming to elevate their performance.
For further details, you can read the full abstract here.
Paper #3 - Effects of Two-Step Golf Swing Drills on Rhythm and Clubhead Speed in Competitive Juniors
What: This study evaluated the impact of two-step swing drills on the rhythm and clubhead speed of competitive junior golfers. It aims to determine how these drills influence key aspects of the golf swing.
How: Researchers analyzed the golf swings of 10 competitive junior golfers, aged 15-18, before and after a two-step swing drill session. The session included four stages and lasted less than 45 minutes. Various swing parameters were measured to assess changes in rhythm and clubhead speed.
Results: The study found significant improvements in clubhead speed, body and pelvis motion, and swing rhythm after the drill session. These drills promoted a more dynamic and rhythmic swing, enhancing overall performance.
Implications: Two-step swing drills are an effective training method for developing a rhythmic and dynamic golf swing, leading to increased clubhead speed. Coaches and golfers should incorporate these drills into their training routines to enhance performance.
For further details, you can read the full abstract here.
Golf Mental Performance Program
Thank you for reading! If you found these insights valuable, you might be interested in my online course designed to help improve your mental performance on the golf course. Learn more about it here.