Sandbagging: Faking Incompetence on the Golf Course

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2014

Abstract

Sandbagging is a self-presentation strategy involving the false claim of inability. A golfer sandbags by intentionally inflating his or her handicap. Over 2,400 active recreational golfers participated in the study. The vast majority of these golfers claimed they would be unwilling to sandbag even in a setting where sandbagging was prevalent and one could sandbag without getting caught. Golfers who were willing to inflate their handicaps scored higher on Gibson and Sachau’s (2000) trait sandbagging scale, were more likely to believe that sandbagging is common, and were more likely to use interpersonal sandbagging on the course (direct claims of inability) than golfers who were unwilling to inflate their handicaps. Motives for sandbagging are discussed as are suggestions for reducing sandbagging.

Department

Psychology

Publication Title

International Journal of Golf Science

DOI

10.1123/ijgs.2013-0001

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