The effects of pressure on pre-performance routines and performance in golf

Abstract

The main goals of this study were to see if the duration of pre-performance routines (PPR) in golf would change under pressure, and if this change would affect performance. It was hypothesized that the time of PPRs would change under pressure. It was also hypothesized that performance would change under pressure. There were 12 participants in this study, six female and six male. All participants played golf regularly, with handicaps ranging from -3,1 to 14,5. An intervention was conducted where pressure was induced, and duration and performance were measured, to see if a change between the two conditions would occur. Participants were asked to answer the Immediate Anxiety Measurement Scale, to see if pressure was inflicted. The results showed that the duration of PPRs increased, and performance decreased, when pressure was induced. This indicates that pressure has a negative effect on performance, and systematic PPRs could help minimize this effect. Future research will hopefully come to a more certain conclusion, if PPR can help keep performance steady, under all conditions.