Differences between experts and novices in kinematics and accuracy of golf putting

In this study, golf-putting movements were examined under three goal distances (short, 1.7 m; middle, 3.25 m; long, 6 m), two different putter weights (500 g, 750 g), and two levels of expertise (5 experts, 5 novices). The study’s aim was to identify differences in kinematics and accuracy between expert and novice golfers. The results demonstrated that experts achieved higher accuracy with lower impact velocity than novices. In addition, while novices showed symmetrical movements, experts exhibited asymmetrical movements, which were achieved by modulating their movement time and amplitude differently from novices. These results demonstrated differences in relative timing, relative amplitude and velocity, but no difference in time-to-contact between novices and experts. The results reaffirmed the role of prior learning and supported the hypothesis of Manoel and Connolly (1995) that motor learning is a hierarchical process organized at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.