A new study has found that listening to Jazz music can enhance a golfer's putting ability.
According to the research, while any kind of music improves performance compared to listening to no music at all, jazz has been the most effective musical genre for improving putting.
The 22 participants in the research were university Division I golfers, an average of 20 years old with at least eight years of golf experience. Each of them completed a series of six trials, which comprised attempting five putts at four pre-designated locations around a hole. In a randomized order, participants were required to listen to either no music or a musical genre that included classical, country, rock, jazz, and hip hop/rap while putting.
Clarkson University Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies Ali Boolani said that other researched have shown that country music could improve batting, rap music improved jump shots and running is improved by any up-temp music. But the benefit of music in fine motor control situations was relatively unknown.
The paper indicates that future research would be needed with a larger sample to see if the findings could be replicated.
The study is published in the Journal of Athletic Enhancement.