Golfers have been encouraged to develop consistent pre-performance routines
(PPRs) in order to enhance their performance. However, the theoretical underpinning
of these recommendations is unclear. Issues relating to the overall function(s) of the
PPR, psychological components; routine usage across different shot types; and the
impact of task difficulty on routine execution have yet to be explored in detail. The
general purpose of this thesis was to quantify differences in the duration /
composition of PPRs across shot types and task difficulty while developing a greater
understanding of the psychological skills utilised and the function of the PPRs
To achieve this general purpose four studies were completed. Study one (n=6, age M
= 22.5yrs) explored the behavioural and temporal consistency of the PPRs utilised by
the participants within shot type and across three different environmental conditions
(competition, practice, and simulated). PPR behaviours were classified according to
four categories (head, club, posture, still). The results revealed that the participants
were very consistent in their routines and no significant differences were identified
between environmental conditions.
In Study two (n= 6, age M= 22.5years) the extent to which participants utilised
different routines for different shots (putter, driver, wedge) as well as the impact of
task difficulty on routine duration were explored. Significantly different routines
were used for the three shot types. However, with the exception of one component
for one participant, there were no significant differences between the conditions of
task difficulty (easy Vs hard Vs very hard). In Study three (n=6, Age M= 23.7yrs) heart-rate deceleration (HR-D) characteristics
for each participant prior to shot execution were explored for good versus poor shots
as an indicator of attentional focus. There were clear differences between good and
poor performance in the duration of the inter-beat intervals (IBIs).
The specific purpose of Study four was to explore the psychological strategies
utilised by golfers during their PPRs and the function of the PPRs. A number of key
psychological skills were identified including: imagery, self-talk, relaxation
techniques, trigger-words, concentration/focusing strategies, and achieving a ‘flow
state’. The evidence suggested that the function of PPRs is to focus attention on the
task.
The findings of all four studies informed the development of practical guidelines for
the future use and development of PPRs in golf