An inductive exploration into the flow experiences of European Tour golfers

Abstract

This study explored perceptions regarding the experience of flow in elite golf; a sport which is different to those studied previously due to its self-paced, stop-start nature. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 European Tour golfers. Whereas the majority of previous studies have deductively coded data into Csikszentmihalyi’s dimensions, the data in this study were analysed inductively. Thirteen categories were generated which described the flow experiences of these golfers, and these were compared with the original flow dimensions after analysis. In contrast to previous understanding, these golfers reported being aware that they were in flow as it occurred, and seemingly were able to manage their flow experiences. A category describing altered cognitive and kinaesthetic perceptions was also generated which was not accounted for in the existing flow framework, while the participants also suggested that flow was observable (e.g. through changes in behaviour). Findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature, and recommendations made for future research including possible revisions to the flow framework to better describe this experience within golf and other sporting contexts.

Keywords:

• elite athletes
• performance
• positive psychology
• optimal experience
• sport psychology

Notes

1. There appear to be instances of inconsistency regarding the specific number of flow dimensions. For example, clear goals and unambiguous feedback have been presented either separately (e.g. Jackson and Csikszentmihalyi 1999) or as one dimension (e.g. Nakamura and Csikszentmihalyi 2002). Furthermore, autotelic experience is referred to as a ninth flow dimension in some instances (e.g. Jackson and Csikszentmihalyi 1999) but in others, usually outside of sport, it is seen as a description of flow as a whole (e.g. Engeser and Rheinberg 2008). However, flow is most often conceptualised as these nine dimensions, particularly within sport research.

2. The European Tour is the flagship professional golf tour in Europe and one of the major golf tours worldwide, involving world-class playing standards and the highest level of competition.

3. The Challenge Tour is a European-based Professional Tour used as a training ground for promotion to the European Tour (i.e. the second ‘tier’ in Europe); and the Senior Tour is the primary European-based professional golf tour for competitors over 50.