Prior to the execution of golf strokes

In line with findings from study two, golfers‟ use of either one or both of the strategies largely centred around the execution of a variety of golf strokes. Moreover, in contrast with the previous section usage of the strategies occurred, and were more actively applied, in response to complex, difficult or more pressurising golf strokes. When presented with these golf strokes golfers reported actively analysing the situation, with the use of imagery and self-talk, rather than performing the skills automatically. Figure 5.1 illustrates all of the specific shot types where golfers emphasised the use of imagery and/or self-talk. Figure 5.1 also presents the characteristics of these golf strokes.

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Figure 5.1: Shots where golfers use imagery and self-talk

There was considerable variation between the golfers in terms of prior to which golf strokes they employed imagery and/or self-talk. For example, two of the golfers reported using the strategies prior to the production of all long shots, whilst others emphasised the use of the strategies on shorter pitch shots. A finding of particular importance, which will be covered in section 5.3.3, was that the use of the strategies before the production of certain golf strokes was a function of either the individual‟s perception about the golf stroke itself, or the general situation in which they were producing the golf stroke. For example, the majority of the golfers said that the first tee shot was important because it, in itself, affected the rest of the competition. The participant quote below demonstrates the importance placed on the tee shot itself. Specific golf strokes where golfers’ use imagery and/or self-talk

 Most shots, pre-shot routines (more important

when playing badly)

 Tee shots (important)

o On every tee shot o On difficult tee shots

 Difficult shots (adds pressure)

o Second shot o Narrow tee shot o When playing badly o Pitch shots

 Putts

o Most putts o 6 foot putts

o Putting when over par or playing badly (Important, more focus)

o Putting at the start of the round (Important) o Putting towards the end of the round (more

pressurised)

o Greater use if putting to win a competition o Putting to save par

 Pitch shots

o Every chip shot (precision play) o Weak side of the game (stressful)

o First few holes of competition (important to get feel for them)

 Long shots (full swing, more complex than putts

and pitches)

Analysis rather than autonomous

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“a lot of the time how you hit the first tee shot, say if you hit a good drive might determine a lot of your confidence for the rest of the tee shots….on the first tee shot it‟s important to get a good one.” (P3)

Moreover participant 4 explained why the use of imagery and self-talk was so important on this golf stroke

“most of the time you‟re a bit extra nervous teeing off first, especially if it‟s a big competition, before you get properly warmed up and into the game so it might be good to get calm....get a few extra nerves away.” (P4)

In general, golfers‟ approaches to the use of imagery and self-talk in response to putting and general tee shots were a function of situational factors. For example, the golfers generally stated that they did not find putting stressful in itself. However, under certain conditions, for example when putting at the beginning of a round and when playing badly or towards the end of a competition when winning, they found the execution of the skill more important and stressful and consequently actively applied more focus on the use of imagery and self- talk in these situations. The following participant quotes demonstrate this point clearly

“it depends if it was to win the competition or the match or something or it might be just if you had had a poor round or something (a poor round) would be more pressurised so you would probably use self-talk and imagery.” (P2)

“If you‟re under par it will be more of a natural thing, whereas if you‟re a couple over like P1 said you will be focussing more on making the putts.”(P3)

The experience of stress appeared to result from either the shot type itself or the situation that the shot was being executed under. For example, both participants 4 and 3 reported experiencing difficulty with their pitching at the time of this study. Consequently, they both reported using the strategies „more‟ when executing this skill.

“Before pitching that bit of extra visualisation for where you want to land the ball because obviously with pitching and chipping it‟s more precision. There‟s no power at all it‟s just about precision...it‟s always been a weak side of my game the pitching and chipping so for me it‟s quite stressful. Sometimes I‟m trying to tell myself I can do it and that so I get confident again.” (P4)

“I‟m struggling at the moment with pitching so I kind of talk myself through the technical side of it as well. I do pay extra attention and I do imagine a bit more, tell yourself you can do it.” (P3)

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In contrast, the influence of external factors was apparent in the execution of tee shots. Despite two of the golfers (P1, 5) indicating that the use of imagery and self-talk was important on all tee shots, participants 4 and 2 argued that the level of difficulty of the tee shot dictated whether they would use the strategies at this stage. The quotes below demonstrate this relationship.

“I think, it depends on the difficulty, if you‟ve got a big wide fairway, you might just step up and try and hit it hard. So you might just stick it miles down the fairway, but if it‟s more position play you might look at where the pin is, see which side of fairway you need to be on. I think you‟re probably seeing where you want it go but telling yourself. So „left side of the fairway‟ and as you say that the chances are as you‟re saying that you will be looking down the left side of the fairway. The tee shot goes the furthest, so it does set up the rest of your hole.” (P3)

“I probably use self-talk if there‟s a hazard in the middle of the fairway or something I‟ll try and stay away from them.” (P2)

As well as the difficulty of the tee shot being a determinant of imagery and self-talk use, the golfers were found to emphasise the use of the strategies in response to difficult shots in general. There were indications that the presentation of a difficult shot led to elevations in perceptions of stress. It must be noted that there was considerable variation between the golfers in terms of what they deemed to be a difficult shot. The participant quotes below demonstrate this variability.

“if there‟s a hazard in the middle of the fairway.” (P2)

“You might have to go around a tree or something or you might have to fade the ball” (P3)

“if it‟s a narrow tee shot then obviously the shot‟s the difficult shot.” (P4)

“it depends where you put yourself off the tee, I think your second shot is probably, the second shot is probably the shot that is affected most like the difficulty increases if you‟ve hit a bad tee shot.” (P3)

“when you might have to go around a tree or something or you might have to fade it or draw the ball you kind of imagine it maybes if you have to keep it low, imagine the height of the ball...it‟s just in the pre-shot routine” (P3)

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The findings demonstrate that golfers emphasised the use of imagery and self-talk, and actively placed most focus on their usage, in response to particular golf strokes under stressful conditions. Furthermore, the use of the strategies was either a function of the shot type itself or the situation in which they were producing the shot.