Effects of psychological skills training on golf performance

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Alyssa Morahan (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Winford Gordon

Abstract: Mental training is an important part of preparation for many high achieving athletes (Orlick & Partington, 1988). The aim of the present study was to build upon previous research suggesting that mental skills need to be deliberately practiced just as physical skills are (Cumming & Hall, 2002; Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Romer, 1993; Feltz & Landers, 1983), and that practicing mental and physical skills together increases an athlete’s chances of achieving peak performance (Krane & Williams, 2010; Vealey & Greenleaf, 2010). The skills of visualization and managing negative self-talk were trained and implemented using local male and female recreational golfers. Performance of each mental skill, as well as putting and pitching performance, were measured. It was hypothesized that over the course of the training program, performance would increase for each mental skill, and that putting and pitching performance would also improve. Ultimately, no clear effects on performance were seen as a result of the psychological skills training interventions, leading to an important discussion on participant commitment and the implications of the findings for consultation with athletes in the real world.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
golf, mental skills training, self-talk, sport psychology, visualization
Subjects
Golf -- Psychological aspects
Self-talk
Negativism
Visualization
Sports -- Psychological aspects
Mental discipline

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