DIFFERENCES IN PUTTER TRAJECTORY AND PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR GOLFERS UNDER STRESS CONDITION

Abstract

This study compared the differences in the putter trajectory and psychophysiological variables of winners and losers in a competitive putting game that targeted professional and amateur golfers under stress. Eight professional golfers (handicap: [Formula: see text]) and eight amateur golfers (handicap: [Formula: see text]) participated. To maximize the tension of the competition, the putting game was held in a single-elimination one-on-one knockout tournament with a single 2.1[Formula: see text]m putting competition for each group. In the case of a hole-in or a failure by both golfers, the game resumed until the winner was determined. To compare the golfers during the game, the maximum speed, moving length, and amplitude of the putter head during the back-swing and the follow-through were set as the motion variables; and psychological variables (heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2)) were analyzed. The results showed significant differences between the putter trajectory variables (maximum velocity and amplitude of the putter head during follow-through) of the groups, but no differences in the psychophysiological variables. In comparing winners and losers within each group, however, the professional group showed a difference in only the psychophysiological variables (HRV and self-confidence of CSAI-2), whereas the amateur group showed a difference in only one putter trajectory variable (follow-through length). It was quantitatively confirmed that factors that determine the outcome of the game differed at a technical level.