Investigating Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise, Visual Gaze, and Neural Activity in Golf Putting

Abstract

Background/Aims: Perceptual-cognitive expertise, measured through quiet eye (QE) duration has been linked to superior golf putting performance. There are however some unanswered questions in relation to how QE duration improves performance and inconsistencies when trying to apply optimal QE duration in practice. Consequently, the overarching aim of this thesis was to identify factors of perceptual-cognitive expertise related to golf putting performance. Methods: To explore the impact of QE duration on performance, Study 1, Study 2 (a, b, c) assessed gaze behaviour, performance, stroke kinematics and neural activity. The final studies explored perceptual-cognitive expertise in golf putting through exploring the whole putting routine capturing gaze behaviour, performance and stroke kinematics alongside golfers and coach ratings. A mixed method triangulation design was used to interpret the data and to develop further understanding of perceptual-cognitive expertise in golf putting. Results: Shorter QE durations were most effective for performance, influencing our decision to explore perceptual-cognitive expertise beyond QE. Exploring the interaction between the golfer, task and environment formed the basis of the development of an intervention designed to improve performance. Observable neural signatures differentiating successful and unsuccessful putts were also found. Furthermore, we found even within a highly skilled cohort a high level of within and between variation in performance, gaze and kinematic measures. Conclusions: Findings reveal perceptual-cognitive expertise in golf putting is multi-faceted and goes beyond QE duration. We discuss the benefits of future research adopting an Ecological Dynamics approach to explore the complex interactions between the task, individual and environment. The challenge lies in collecting combined synchronised EEG and eye tracking data and we suggest future studies employ longitudinal designs to examine changes in expertise over time. It is proposed any applied recommendations are devised on an individual level.