title: Reduced relative frequency of knowledge of results without visual feedback in learning a golf-putting task.
abstract: This study examined the effects of reduced relative frequency of knowledge of results (KR) on learning to putt in golf. Participants (19 men and 15 women) putted a golf ball, stopping the ball on a line at a distance of 3.5 m from the starting position, which included an uphill portion. After a pretest, participants were assigned as they arrived in balanced order by sex to one of two groups (100% KR, 33% KR) and practiced 60 trials. Those in the 100% KR group performed the task in its natural context, while others assigned to the 33% KR were shown the location of the putted ball after every third trial. All participants then performed a posttest and two retention tests, done 10 min. and 24 hr. after the posttest. Analysis at posttest showed each group had a constant error and an absolute constant error (/CE/) less than those at pretest. Also, in the retention test conducted the following day, the constant error of the 33% KR group was less than that of the 100% KR group. Third, in the posttest and both retention tests, the /CE/ of the 100% KR group was larger than that of the 33% KR group. These results suggest that reduced relative frequency of knowledge of results is effective in learning the accuracy of the golf putt.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Education, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. tishikur@mail.doshisha.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tadao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikura
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D030141:Feedback, Psychological / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology