Abstract
This study investigated differences in perfectionist traits and commitment between professional and amateur golfers, as well as correlations among perfectionist traits, commitment, and golf handicap. Using simple random sampling, 486 professional golfers (mean age = 22.1 ± 3.0, 52.1% female) and 233 amateur golfers (mean age = 44.8 ± 10.2, 55.8% female) were recruited and assessed using the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) and Expansion of Sports Commitment Model (ESCM). An ANCOVA, controlling for age, golf career length, and training time, revealed lower MPS self-oriented scores (10.3%; F = 8.9, p < 0.01; effect size [ES] = 0.498) and higher ESCM-Cognition (12.6%; F = 9.4, p < 0.01; ES = 0.691) and ESCM-Behavior (9.4%; F = 4.6, p = 0.03; ES = 0.479) scores in professional golfers than in amateur golfers. In partial correlations controlling for age, golf career length, and training time, professional golfers’ MPS scores were negatively associated with ESCM-Cognition scores (r = -0.30, p < 0.001). Professional golfers’ mean golf handicap was positively correlated with MPS total (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). Altogether, golfers seeking to attain high levels of performance must consider the mental aspect of golfing and find ways to maximize commitment levels while minimizing perfectionist traits.
Highlights
Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by striving toward flawlessness and setting excessively high standards for performance [1]
Golfers seeking to attain high levels of performance must consider the mental aspect of golfing and find ways to maximize commitment levels while minimizing perfectionist traits
With such research in mind, this study aimed to investigate the differences in perfectionist traits and commitment between professional and amateur golfers who were members of the Korean Golf Association (KGA)
Summary
Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by striving toward flawlessness and setting excessively high standards for performance [1]. There have been several studies about perfectionism in Korean athletes [2,3]. Yoon and Kim [2] reported that the traits of perfectionism in man-to-man sports were higher than those in record genre sports. Bum et al [3] reported that self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism would aggravate the level of stress and emotional exhaustion. Perfectionism can arise from coach and parental pressure, which can disrupt cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects of sport performance [4]. In our previous studies of women professional golfers, perfectionism was associated with burnout and golf handicap [5].
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