title: Beating the bunker: the effect of PETTLEP imagery on golf bunker shot performance.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of physical practice with PETTLEP-based (Physical, Environment, Task, Timing, Learning, Emotion and Perspective; Holmes & Collins, 2001) imagery and PETTLEP + physical practice interventions on golf bunker shot performance. Thirty-two male county- or international-level golfers were assigned to one of four groups; PETTLEP imagery, physical practice, PETTLEP + physical practice, or control. The PETTLEP imagery group imaged 15 bunker shots, their interventions incorporating PETTLEP components, such as physical, environment, and emotion, twice a week. The physical practice group physically performed their 15 bunker shots twice per week; the PETTLEP + physical practice group performed PETTLEP imagery once per week and physical practice once per week. Each group performed their respective tasks for 6 weeks. Pre- and posttests consisted of 15 bunker shots, with points awarded according to the ball proximity to the pin. All groups improved significantly (p < .01) from pre- to posttest, and the PETTLEP + physical practice group improved more (p < .05) than the PETTLEP and physical practice groups. However, there was no significant difference between the physical practice and PETTLEP groups (p > .05). Findings, therefore, support the effectiveness of PETTLEP in enhancing golf performance, especially when combined with physical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. d.d.smith@mmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cantwell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006055:Golf / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance