Golfers who 'see' bigger holes play better
Some golfers play better because they think the hole is being bigger than it actually is, scientists have found.
Psychologists say there is a link between a golfers perception of the hole and their ability.
Jessica Witt, an assistant professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University tested 46 golfers who were asked to estimate the size of the hole after they played a round of golf.
Shown a poster with holes ranging from 9-13cm those players who had better scores on the course that day guessed larger than the 10.8 centimeters of a hole.
Lab tests where golfers putted near or far on a traditional putting mat were then used to determine whether performance influenced perceived hole size or remembered hole size.
In one study, they judged the size of hole from memory, and in the other study, the group judged its size while viewing the hole. Participants in both studies who putted closer drew the circle to be bigger than those who putted farther away.
"Golfers have said that when they play well the hole looks as big as a bucket or basketball hoop, and when they do not play well they've been quoted as saying the hole looks like a dime or the inside of a donut," said Witt.
"What athletes say about how they see the hole and how well they play is true. We found golfers who play better judge the hole to be bigger than golfers who did not play as well."
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