ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of positive and negative outcome imagery on golf-putting performance. Performers of both high and low levels of ability each performed a golf-putting task in three imagery conditions: (a) positive outcome imagery condition (b) negative outcome imagery condition (c) no-imagery control condition. The task was conducted in a competitive situation with the possibility of demand characteristics reduced. Findings indicated that negative outcome imagery was detrimental to putting performance, however performance in a positive outcome imagery condition was no better than performance in a control condition. Evidence also suggested that outcome imagery operated through the mechanism of confidence, as negative outcome imagery was detrimental to both confidence and performance. Therefore the present study suggests that golfers should avoid visualizing negative images as this could damage both confidence and performance.
