ABSTRACT

This study compared the visual performance characteristics of three groups of golfers: PGA Tour Players, amateurs, and senior amateurs. Several visual abilities related to the visual task demands of golf were measured and subjected to comparative statistical analysis. Visual performance was found to be related to both golf expertise and age. The PGA Tour Players demonstrated better visual acuity (clarity of eyesight), contrast sensitivity (ability to see subtle visual contours), and stereopsis (one aspect of depth perception). On these measures, the senior, high-handicap golfers generally demonstrated the poorest performance. No differences between the groups were found for fixation disparity (visual alignment error), nor for incidence of mixed eye-hand preference. These results have application in development programs for junior golfers and in enhancement programs for golfers who have experienced age-related visual changes.