Long-term and actual golf performance and their relation to putting success and accuracy in amateur players

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the putting skills of amateur players and the relationship between these skills and long-term and actual performance. The participants (n = 34) performed tests from different distances (1 m, 3 m, 5 m) and slopes (uphill, downhill, right-left, left-right). Based on these tests, the accuracy and success of their putting were measured. ANOVA results showed that performance on 1 m putts was more accurate and successful than 3 m and 5 m putts. Furthermore, 3 m putts were more accurate and successful than 5 m putts on all slopes (p < 0.001). The participants with HCP ≤ 5 were more successful than the HCP 5.1–12 and HCP ≥ 12.1 groups, and HCP 5.1–12 players were more successful than HCP ≥ 12.1 players in 1 m and 3 m putts (p = .046). Accuracy did not vary between HCP groups. Initial putt slopes influence accuracy (p < 0.001) and success (p = .0038). Downhill and left–right slopes are associated with lower accuracy than other slopes and downhill slopes provide the best success at all distances. This study showed that putting skills play a crucial role in shaping the golf performance of amateur players.

KEYWORDS:

• Putt
• test
• golf skills
• putting performance

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Programme for Development of Fields of study at Charles University under Grant UNCE/HUM/032, Grant Agency of Charles University GAUK No. 1466120 and specific university research project SVV No. 260599.