Checking your work emails or taking business calls while playing golf could ruin your chances of hitting that elusive eagle or birdie, according to researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU).
The study surveyed 186 recreational golfers at five clubs on their performance, enjoyment of the game, and smartphone use during play. Data was collected immediately after golfers participated in mid-week club competitions. Participants reported how often they used their phones for work-related calls, emails, WhatsApp messages, personal calls, and social media during the round.
“We found that when golfers used their phones for personal reasons, like checking social media or responding to messages, their performance was unaffected. However, reading work-related emails or taking business calls led to poorer performance,” the researchers explained.
Performance drain
Interestingly, smartphone use did not directly impact the golfers’ enjoyment of the game. However, performance is crucial for enjoyment, as any golfer would agree.
The study underscores the dual nature of smartphones on the golf course. While they offer the convenience of staying connected, they can also impair focus and performance, ultimately making the game less enjoyable.
Digital distraction refers to when an individual shifts attention from a primary activity (e.g., conversation, work, driving, or playing golf) to a secondary activity involving a computing device like a smartphone or tablet. For instance, using a smartphone for distance measurement during golf is on-task and not a digital distraction. However, reading a work email or answering a business call between shots constitutes digital distraction since it’s unrelated to playing golf.
Attention matters
The researchers noted that while sustained attention is important for golf performance, few studies examine how recreational golfers manage their attention between shots. Most research focuses on elite golfers.
A 2015 Golf Digest survey of 233,000 golfers revealed their attitudes towards smartphone use on the course. Most respondents (44%) checked or used their phones every few holes, 21% felt inseparable from their phones, and 19% carried their phones in their pockets. However, 66% tried to forget about their phones during play.
Despite these insights, few have investigated how smartphone use affects golfers’ performance and enjoyment. Using a smartphone during play could disrupt concentration and impair performance, reducing enjoyment.
Why are some forms of smartphone use more harmful than others? The answer lies in attention residue—the lingering thoughts from an email or conversation that make it hard to focus during shots. Work-related communications generate more attention residue than other smartphone activities.
The researchers advise recreational golfers to recognize that using smartphones can negatively impact performance. Identifying which smartphone activities disrupt focus and create high levels of attention residue can help golfers develop strategies to avoid distractions, such as blocking notifications or setting phones to silent mode.
