In Search of the Golf Zone

C H I C A G O, July 25 -- For Tiger Woods and other elite athletes, it’scalled the zone — an altered state of being that enables them tofocus so deeply on performing that their actions become almostautomatic, and success comes much easier.

Now, University of Chicago scientists are peering deep into thebrains of professional golfers to find out what happens on aneurological level when they enter that elusive zone. Researchershope the answers will lead to new methods of helping strokepatients relearn tasks such as walking.

In a sport considered one of the biggest mind games of them all,golfers can take time to make big drives, chips and putts in theirheads before taking the shots.

Recovery by Thinking

Dr. John Milton, a University of Chicago neurologist leading thenew study, believes that brain activity during this “imaging”phase is exactly the same as during the actual physical movement.

“Should you have [stroke patients] walk around the block tohave them learn to walk again or try visualizing it instead?”Milton asked as he paced around a research lab turned into aputting green.

Nine top women golfers volunteered for the study, in a settingfar different from the hushed silence of a tournament course.

With a green carpet rolled down a laboratory hallway in front ofher, LPGA tour veteran Michelle Bell prepared to raise her putterwhile undergoing an electroencephalogram, or EEG, on Saturday.

As her dark eyes darted to and from the makeshift hole a dozenfeet away and her hands gripped the putter, Bell seemed obliviousto the 12 electrodes stuck to her head. They were attached to thinwires leading to an electric jack box strapped around her waist.

Researcher Debbie Crews stood nearby at a video monitormeasuring Bell’s brain waves while the golfer imagined the putt,and then took it.

Locating Focus

Her EEG showed tall, spiky alpha waves emanating from thebrain’s left side during the visualizing phase and smaller betawaves from the right side when she swung the club.