Feedback Influences on the Skill of Putting

To determine the influence of two forms of visual control techniques and one kinesthetic technique on putting accuracy 27 right-handed female volunteers performed a putting task under one of three testing conditions: eyes on ball, eyes on target, and no vision. Three putting distances of 5, 10, and 15 ft. were employed. The results of a 3 (conditions) x 3 (putting distances) analysis of variance with repeated measures on the second factor indicated that the shorter the putting distance the more accurate the responses. There were no marked differences among the three visual and kinesthetic conditions. Since no differences were found among the visual and kinesthetic putting conditions, it may be argued that the elimination of vision may enhance learning in the early stages of putting skill acquisition.