Pilgrim, Jarred (2019) Development of a Tournament Preparation Framework for Golf. PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

Understanding of the behaviours important for preparation preceding golf tournaments and before/after each round is limited. Self-regulatory processes including planning, self-monitoring, and reflection are important for sports performance and may be important for golf tournament preparation. In this thesis, the tournament preparation behaviours of golfers were described and used to develop a tournament preparation framework (TPF) and corresponding self-report instrument (TPF-SR). In study one, 18 golfers and 12 coaches/practitioners were interviewed to determine the behaviours important for golf tournament preparation. Participants reported that specific behaviours to optimise psychological and physiological states, develop course strategy, and structure preparatory routines were important for tournament preparation. In study two, 36 content experts participated in a two-round Delphi to score the importance of 48 items (behaviours) using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Consensus (i.e., 67% agreement) was reached for 46 items and these were used to develop the TPF. In study three, the TPF-SR instrument was developed, and its validity assessed by comparing the level of agreement between 18 golfers’ self-report administration of the instrument and multimethod observation/interviews. Comparison of endorsement rates for both measures showed good agreement. For the fourth study, golfers were observed in-situ and interviewed before/during a tournament to determine their endorsement of items from the TPF-SR. Linear and non-linear analytical models were developed to compare golfers’ item endorsement with their World Amateur Golf Ranking to evaluate the discriminate validity of the TPF-SR. Golfers’ endorsement of items relating to planning, self-monitoring, reflection, and task-specific strategies such as performing practice rounds was shown to discriminate between those of different rankings. The TPF provides information for the refinement of golf learning environments and guidance for the development of individualised player preparation. Further, a TPF-SR instrument that displays suitable measurement properties allows for detailed tracking of behaviours for golfers of different participation levels.

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