Golf coaches’ perceptions on the role and use of player errors in motor learning: A quantitative survey

This dataset provides the results of an online quantitative survey of 78 professional golf coaches exploring their perceptions towards the role and use of errors during motor learning and practice. Responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale. The dataset is related to the upcoming publication Ferguson, C., Collins, D. & Carson, H. J. (in preparation for submission), ‘Golf coaches’ perceptions of the role and use of player errors in motor learning: A quantitative survey’. This dataset provides the results of an online quantitative survey of 78 professional golf coaches exploring their perceptions towards the role and use of errors during motor learning and practice. Responses were recorded using a 5-point Likert scale. The dataset is related to the upcoming publication Ferguson, C., Collins, D. & Carson, H. J. (in preparation for submission), ‘Golf coaches’ perceptions of the role and use of player errors in motor learning: A quantitative survey’. The Professional Judgement and Decision Making approach is well-established within the sports coaching and psychology literature. While recently extended to consider the holistic skill development opportunities (i.e., psycho-motor and psycho-behavioural) afforded by players’ errors in practice, little research has explored how this approach can be effectively operationalised within the sports coaching process. Focusing on golf as an exemplar sport, this study aimed to develop existing applied knowledge on this topic by exploring 78 professional golf coaches’ perceptions on the role and use of player errors in learning, testing coaches’ perceptions when comparing errors for two distinct player populations, and assessing the perceived relevance and utility of the Professional Judgement and Decision Making approach to error utilisation. Findings indicate that coaches recognise the potential benefits and limitations of errors on players’ development but may lack a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate errors effectively into practice design for holistic skill development. This study highlights the need for further exploration of errors in applied sports coaching environments.