Golfers May Sink More Putts by Visualizing Hole as Bigger Says Purdue Scientist
Golfers looking to improve their putting may find an advantage in visualizing the hole as bigger, according to a new study from Purdue University.
In this golf study, 36 participants putted to two different-sized holes while a projector displayed a ring of smaller and larger circles around each hole to create an optical illusion. The smaller circles around the hole made it look bigger. Before putting, the person's perception of each hole was measured by having them draw the estimated size of the hole. Their perception was correlated with their scores. The participants who saw the smaller hole (which was 5.08 centimeters in diameter) as bigger putted about 10% more successfully.
Jessica K. Witt, an assistant professor of psychological science who studies perception in sports (pictured above), says, "People in our study made more successful putts in a smaller hole when a visual illusion helped them perceive it as large. We know that how people perceive the environment affects their ability to act in it, such as scoring as basket or hitting a baseball, and now we know that seeing a target as larger leads to improved performance."
Witt's previous work has shown that perception and performance also work together in softball, tennis and football. For example, softball players who hit the ball better saw it as bigger, and people successfully kicking a football through the goal posts saw the target as larger.
Golfers Golf has joined Pinterest. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that lets users create pinboards for different subjects, such as your favorite golf courses or products. You can find us on Pinterest here.
Obama: Women Should be Admitted to Augusta National
President Obama thinks women should be admitted to Augusta National golf club, the home of the Masters, and a mens-only club. Obama thinks the private club should allow women to be members. Jay Carney said the President's personal opinion is, "Yes, his personal opinion is women should be admitted." Take a look:
Tiger Woods Ends 30-Month Winless Drought at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Tiger Woods has ended his 30-month winless drought. It was his first win in 924 days. Woods stepped out of his loser dome with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Woods won the event by five strokes. This is the seventh time in his career he has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Take a look:
Callaway Golf Company has announced that its new Odyssey Metal-X line of insert putters will be available on April 13. Callaway says the putters feature a lightweight aluminum face in front of a urethane backer layer. Callaway also says the face pattern of the putter features oval depressions that create a mechanical lock with the ball’s dimples at impact. The putters will range in price from $149 to $189.
Austie Rollinson, Principal Designer for Odyssey Putters, says, "The texture on the face does two things—it reduces surface contact and increases edge contact between the face and the ball. Reducing the surface contact during impact helps us create a solid, yet soft, sound at impact. That sound equates to feel, so it’s a great feeling insert. I came up with the oval design on the aluminum insert to also create a lot of edges, which increases the friction between the face and the ball and helps create a very smooth and consistent roll."
Here is a fun Rory McIlroy song out just in time for St. Patrick's Day. The song praises the fact that McIlroy is the world's #1 golfer. On another note, McIlroy, is also having dinner at the White House. Here's the song:
The Callaway Golf Company has introduced its HEX Black Tour golf ball. Callaway says the ball yields distance-enhancing low spin off the tee. The balls features a dual core construction, dual mantle, DuraSpin cover and HEX Aerodynamics. The new balls will be available March 2nd for $45.99 per dozen.
Callaway says the dual core construction maximizes the compression difference between the inner and outer core layers. The soft inner core helps reduce spin off the tee for more distance, while the high compression outer core creates higher spin closer to the green. Callaway also says its Hex Aerodynamics means 100 percent surface area coverage on a golf ball, compared to the 88% coverage of traditional round dimples on a regular golf ball.
Callaway Golf staff professional Phil Mickelson says, "I've had more fun working on my game with the new HEX Black Tour ball than I have in years because I've been able to hit shots around the green that I haven’t been able to hit since the ’90s with wound balls. The amazing thing to me is the spin separation; how this ball spins so much from 40 yards in, and yet spins so little off the driver and goes so far. I've never seen a ball with that combination of short-range control and distance."
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Golf in the Kingdom is a film based on Michael Murphy's 1972 novel. The novel has sold millions of copies in many languages. The film stars David O'Hara, Malcolm McDowell and Frances Fisher.
En route to India in 1956 in search of enlightenment, a young American philosophy student – Michael Murphy – takes a Scottish detour to the “Links of Burningbush.” Seeking to enjoy one last round before giving up his beloved game, he is unexpectedly paired with the mysterious and mischievous golf pro – Shivas Irons. A wild adventure on and off the links ensues, where Murphy’s perception of golf and life are indelibly changed. Out of this transformation the two forge a deep and unbreakable bond of camaraderie.
Sharks Have Infested Lake at Australian Golf Course
Several Bull sharks have infested a lake at the Carbrook Golf Club in Brisbane, Australia. The sharks found their way into the lake several years ago when a river overflowed. The sharks became stranded in the lake. They have survived and breeded. A sign posted outside the lake warns people not to swim in the lake. Don't bother trying to retrieve any lost balls either. Take a look:
Video: President Obama and Former President Bill Clinton Go Golfing
President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton took up a round golf today at the Andrews Air Force Base golf course. The course in located just outside of Washington. Obama and Clinton golfed for four hours. Clinton wore a red shirt and opted not to wear a sun visor. Obama wore a blue shirt with a cap. They looked pretty relaxed on the course. Here is some raw footage of the golf outing. Take a look:
Dustin Johnson and Ernie Banks Golf From Wrigley Field Stands
BMW Championship defending champion Dustin Johnson and "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks teed off from a platform built in the stands at Wrigley Field to mark the start of the 2011 BMW Championship. BMW pledged to donate a $100,000 college scholarship to the Evans Scholars Foundation, a national charity, if either one was successful.
Johnson and Banks made alternating attempts at the 139-yard hole. Johnson came closest to the pin at 25 feet 2 inches and earned a $10,000 donation to the Evans Scholars Foundation in his name.
The 2011 BMW Championship will be played from Thursday, September 15 through Sunday, September 18. The top 70 players on the PGA TOUR will compete. All proceeds from the BMW Championship will benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation.
Trailer for Seven Days in Utopia Starring Robert Duvall, Lucas Black and Melissa Leo
Here is the trailer for Seven Days in Utopia starring Robert Duvall, Lucas Black, Melissa Leo, Deborah Ann Woll and Brian Geraghty. Pro golfer Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) cracks under the pressure of the tour, and his career is pretty much over. Then one day he accidentally meets up with a former golf legend (Duvall) in the tiny town of Utopia. There, Chisolm reinvents his game and his life. The film is based on the bestselling novel Golf's Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia by David L. Cook.
Directed by Matthew Dean Russell, the film hits theaters September 2nd.
Tiger Woods was probably not going to win the PGA Championship after his terrible opening that put him seven strokes back from the leader. However, it was a surprise that he followed up with another bad. Tiger Woods failed to make the cut. Tiger had lots of bogeys and double bogeys during his two days of play. He hit the ball in the water and found himself in several sand traps. Tiger Woods has not won a tournament since 2009 and his unspectacular play is making a comeback seem less likely than ever. Take a look:
Tiger Woods Gives Terrible Performance at PGA Championship
Tiger Woods got off to a terrible start at the PGA Championship. He shot 7-over 77 for his worst score ever at PGA. Woods started with birdies in his first five holes, but things quickly went downhill. Woods had three double bogeys and five bogeys. He hit two balls in the water. Woods is seven strokes back from Steve Stricker, who is the leader after shooting a 63, which ties the major championship record. You can see the Leaderboard here. Take a look:
