Toner and Moran (2011) also found that when holing balls while engaging in a think-out-loud protocol the golfers not only reported numerous skill-focused thoughts but also that they performed as well as when they simply holed balls without thinking aloud. The researchers conclude, not that experts should putt without thought, but “that golfers may need to choose their swing thoughts very carefully because focusing on certain elements of movement, such as the impact spot, could lead to an impairment in performance proficiency” (p. 680).
