THE 10 TALENTS OF SUCCESSFUL A THLETES: EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF A COMPREHENSIVE GOLF MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
THE 10 TALENTS OF SUCCESSFUL A THLETES: EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF A COMPREHENSIVE GOLF MENTAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
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Issue Date
2006
Authors
Jones, Eric M
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Abstract
This study sought to evaluate The Ten Talents of Successful Athletes: A Comprehensive Mental Skills Training Program for Golfers. This program was developed previously by the researcher. Study participants (n = 5, four male and one female) were instructed over a 14-week period in a variety of mental skills and techniques, including motivation, goal setting, effective practice, imagery, emotional management, positive self talk, centering, relaxation, concentration, confidence, and commitment. The program was contextualized and presented along the "athletic continuum", defined in the program as planning and practice, preparation, performance, and peak performance. This study encompassed a greater number of techniques and was conducted over a longer time span than most previous mental skills training programs in the sport psychology literature. The study method was a single-subject across multiple baseline design, and results were evaluated using grounded theory analysis. Objective measures (golf scores), subjective feedback (participant interviews and reflective journals), and direct observation provided raw data. Results indicate that participants were found to have an improved level of performance, both in objective measures, such as golf scores, and in subjective measures such as increased confidence, enjoyment, and motivation. Performance improvement, however, was nonlinear in that participants showed an initial improvement, than a performance decline, followed by a greater performance improvement. Mental self-mastery emerged as the central phenomenon which both explained and encompassed participant experiences. A new model for the mental self-mastery process, with two primary components of self-awareness and self-regulation, was developed and presented.