(Also not irrelevant questions today. I saved a brutal day at Seminole Golf Course yesterday with a sweet par on No. 18. Solid drive, 3 wood from the fairway to get me in striking distance, a nice 8 iron onto the green about 15 feet from the pin, then a solid two putt to get out with par. Don't ask about the other 17 ...)
Golfers who play well are more likely to see the hole as larger than their poor-playing counterparts, according to a recently released study mentioned in Science Daily. "What athletes say about how they see the hole and how well they play is true. We found golfers who play better judge the hole to be bigger than golfers who did not play as well," said Jessica K. Witt, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University who studies perception in athletes.
Which suggests, no surprise, that confidence in your own ability can positively affect your perception of the world. No word on whether confidence affects your perception of conceptual challenges as well as spatial challenges, but that certainly wouldn't be a stretch.
I found that study linked to another possibly more useful, on how high level golfers successfully cope with stress. You can find it here at Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050617235448.htm
A study of 18 of Ireland's best young international male golfers showed some interesting differences in times they coped well under stress, and times when they coped badly.
"In general, effective coping involved gaining a sense of control, while ineffective coping involved the golfers trying to force their play," said co-author Dr. Nick Holt, a professor of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta.
During effective coping golfers maintained a positive mindset by using positive self-talk, blocking negative thoughts, and focusing on the next shot (rather than on past shots). They stayed physically relaxed by using deep breathing exercises and stretching. Finally, they sought advice from their caddies, and were sure to follow their playing routine.
All of which are practical strategies that may find application well beyond the golf course.
