The Effect of Quiet Eye Training on Golf Putting Performance in Pressure Situation

Abstract

Purpose This study discussed the effect and mechanism of quiet eye training on the accuracy of golfers´ putts in pressure situations. This study provides methods and basis for targeted attention training and regulation. Method 22 young golfers in China golf team aged from 13–18 were randomly assigned to the experimental group (quiet eye training group) and the control group (technical guidance group) according to gender. Both groups of participants underwent two consecutive weeks of push training (3 groups per day, 20 times golf putter training each group) separately in accordance with the guidance of a professional psychological research group and an expert coach. Eye tracking technology, biofeedback technology, and subjective evaluation methods were used to test and analyze the push process of the two groups of participants before and after training under pressure situations (Eye movement behaviors and the heart rate were recorded by ASL Mobile Eye-XG and NeXus-2 biofeedback, pressure and state anxiety were evaluated by self-rating pressure scale and S-AI. Golf putting performance was recorded by a research graduate assistant). Results A higher hit ratio as well as lower pressure and SAI level was founded in quiet eye training group in the pressure situation, the stationary eye movement time and total fixation time was longer than technical group. The quiet eye training group has a better putting performance. Conclusions Quiet eye training can improve the golf putting performance in pressure situations.