Witt's team asked 46 golfers to estimate the size of the hole after playing a round of golf. From a poster, they selected one of nine black holes, ranging in size from 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 13 cm). In reality, the diameter of a golf hole is 4.3 inches (10.8 cm).
Those who selected larger holes had better scores on the course that day.
To clarify the results, the researchers had golfers putt on a traditional putting mat in a lab. The golfers either judged the hole size from memory after putting or did so while viewing the hole. In both scenarios, participants whose putts ended up closer to the hole drew the circle to be bigger than golfers who hit putts that landed farther from the hole.
To keep strokes under par, golfers should stay focused on that hole. "If you look at the hole, the hole is going to remain the center of your vision where there are more receptors," Witt said. "This means you are more likely to see it clearly, which will hopefully help you putt better."
