The yips are the loss of automated and finely controlled motor behavior in sport, affecting many golfers. Although studies have examined their causes and treatment, the social and psychological factors that contribute to their duration in golfers remain unknown. This study examined whether overcommitment and social support are related to prolonged symptoms of yips. The participants included 54 yips-affected golfers who completed measures to identify those who were overcommitted and explore their experiences with the yips and social support. Although there was a significant relationship between prolonged symptoms of the yips and overcommitment, social support was not related to its duration. The results contribute to the understanding of the prolongation of the yips in golfers and may apply to players in other sports.
Purpose. This study investigated if (1) the beneficial effects of an external focus of attention on learning a motor skill were influenced by an internal focus of attention provided at initial instruction (2) or by an internal focus of attention at the early stage of the acquisition phase and (3) their relation to the automation hypothesis. Methods. Three separate experiments were performed with 168 college students on the acquisition, transfer, and retention of a golf-putting task. Results. In conjunction, the results of the three experiments pointed to the positive effects of an internal attention of focus instructions followed by an external attentional focus on motor learning. Conclusions. These results support the development of an alternative hypothesis on the effects of attentional focus on motor skill acquisition.
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