Psychological momentum among non-experts: Evidence from club golfers

Andrew E. Evans, Paul Crosby and Sunny Shin

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), 2023, vol. 104, issue C

Abstract: This study examines the link between psychological momentum and performance. In sporting settings, the notion that prior performance may influence future outcomes is a familiar one to fans and athletes alike. However, the identification of a causal relationship between psychological momentum and subsequent performance is complicated by the need to control for the ability of a player and the situational context. Furthermore, studies focused on professional athletes may understate results due to the well-practiced nature of such individuals. To address these challenges, we develop a novel method of isolating the effects of a change in psychological momentum. Using data from club golf competitions, we find evidence of a cold-hand effect among both male and female players. We also find evidence of a hot-hand effect among male players only. Investigations into the individual playing characteristics that drive psychological momentum reveal that male players who can keep a cool head during periods of success and failure perform better. Conversely, males who are prone to cold-hand effects perform worse. Our results can be placed in context with the existing literature, which primarily examines professional athletes.

Keywords: Psychological momentum; Performance; Golf; Hot hand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 J24 L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:soceco:v:104:y:2023:i:c:s2214804323000423

DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2023.102016

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