When players labels themselves as having the putting yips, they think they have an incurable disease. Putting confidence declines and the fear of missing putts makes matters worse. Players who suffer from the fear of missing don't like to putt. The more they putt, the worse it gets, until it's intolerable. This leads golfers to believe they have an affliction that they must learn to play with. When golfers condition themselves into believing they have the yips, it is extremely hard for change to occur.
The yips start with poor results and missing short putts. The player then progresses to the fear of missing and the fear of putting. The player feels like it is a physical condition, which leads golfers to believe that it can be corrected with a change in technique or practice habits. But the yips come from the golfer's inability to gain neuromuscular control due to poor attentional focus or anxiety. Intense anxiety or fear does not allow the golfer to control his muscles and putt smoothly. The player freezes and can't draw the putter back from the ball and initiate the putting stroke. The player wants to move the club back, but his or her hands and arms are in a vise. It's like a deer that freezes in the middle of the road by the fear of an approaching car. Another form of the yips occurs when the player tenses up at impact and feels like he or she is stabbing at the ball.
The yips are curable. Several touring professionals such as Bernhard Langer, who suffered from the yips have putted free again. The first step is to stop labeling yourself as having a physical "illness" that causes you to jab at your putts. Next you have to realize that the physical symptoms of the yips come from a conditioned way of thinking about putting. Here are some suggestions for dealing with the yips:
1.The fear of missing is where it starts. Throw away the fear of missing putts. Fear and anxiety come from what you think might happen in the immediate future. It's very important to not let your mind wander to outcome of the putt or missing. You need to stay focused on the execution of the putt and how you are going to hit a good putt. Forget about what might happen, good or bad.
2. Forget about the past. You can't change the fact that you missed several short putts the last round. If you carry a poor putting round with you, you will have a monkey on your back. It's very hard to putt with a monkey on the back. Every round is different and every putt you have is different. You must look at each putt as a new opportunity for success!
3. Simplify your approach to putting. Often the tendency when not putting well is to search for the answer with your method or putter. Often, this can make matters worse-when you have too many thoughts about how to putt. Prepare for your putt with only one focus--to hit your target that you selected. Think about throwing darts. Focus on the bullseye (or your target in this case) and let your body do the rest. Look at your target and pull the trigger as your eyes return to the ball. Continuous motion helps prevent you from freezing over the ball.
4. See the ball going in the hole. How often do you imagine the ball missing as you are over the putt ready to start your stroke? It is very important that all your thoughts and images are focused on the ball rolling into the hole. As you read the putt and select a line, see the ball roll along that line into the hole. As you walk into the ball, stay focused on that image of the ball dropping into the hole. Over the ball, continue to have a powerful image of the ball rolling towards the hole, even if it is only for the last two feet of the putt.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn is a master mental game coach who works with athletes of all levels including amateur and professionals. Visit Peaksports.com to gain access to over 500 exclusive mental game articles, audio programs, and interviews with athletes and coaches to enhance your athletic potential: http://www.peaksports.com/membership/ or call 888-742-7225.
Even the most casual of golfers needs a golf bag.... Read More
The perfect golf swing IS achievable for any senior golfer!Actually... Read More
Womens golf is not much different than mens golf, but... Read More
Whether you are just starting to learn golf, or you... Read More
For the past seven years I have been researching what... Read More
Gone are the days when a golf training system mainly... Read More
To quickly improve your golf, stretch your golf muscles regularly!What's... Read More
Back exercise and golf. Doesn't that sound like a common... Read More
After taking golf lessons and/or attempting to make changes in... Read More
What does it take to reproduce the perfect golf swing?... Read More
Golf fitness training might sound grueling, sweaty and a lot... Read More
Whether you are a golf pro or a rookie trying... Read More
There is really no doubt about just how important the... Read More
There is a lot of money in the Myrtle Beach... Read More
Many of us might assume that there isn't too much... Read More
One of the most common mental errors golfers make when... Read More
One of the challenges about being a young person is... Read More
Why is it considered the most electrifying club in your... Read More
Golf clubs: Reviews and tips is the central message of... Read More
Achieving the correct golf swing is the magic key that... Read More
Getting the golf swing plane right and virtually perfecting this... Read More
Golf training programs designed to help condition the body for... Read More
Every golfer is continually in search of that elusive feel... Read More
I want you to meditate on a couple points for... Read More
What will it take to get you to perform better... Read More
Without developing a proper golf swing, chances are that you... Read More
Many athletes suffer from pain in their elbow that is... Read More
Golfers are often on the lookout for a magic tip... Read More
Fascinatingly enough a bad golfer is consistent enough with his/her... Read More
Slicing the ball is a common problem among golfers. A... Read More
Preparing to tee-off on the par 4 tenth. (Internal dialogue,... Read More
Much debate has occurred about kids and strength training. There's... Read More
Golf exercise and stretch. This is a combination I use... Read More
If you are just starting out to play golf, you... Read More
The essentials of golf begin with the clubs you choose.... Read More
A golf conditioning program should always be accompanied by a... Read More
You are an avid golfers always looking for the best... Read More
Genuine golf power swing tips will have little or nothing... Read More
You can be the greatest golfer alive but if you... Read More
How do you get the edge when you're playing junior... Read More
Here is a golf workout tip that you can afford... Read More
In part one of this article we discussed the core... Read More
While most golfers are aware of the fact that the... Read More
Golf has always been viewed as a game of leisure.... Read More
Golf exercise equipment can be a variety of pieces; but... Read More
The trend in larger and therefore heavier club heads in... Read More
If you've been on a golf course and have tried... Read More
Are you looking for a way to play golf during... Read More
Some call it a Swiss Ball, some call it a... Read More
The perfect golf swing IS achievable for any senior golfer!Actually... Read More
Online golf lessons have grown tremendously in popularity, for the... Read More
It is a simple question yet one that is not... Read More
I have a friend who blew out his ACL in... Read More
Since before the time Mary Queen of Scots was disciplined... Read More
When most golfers think of the elements of the game... Read More
Functional exercise for golf can mean different things to different... Read More
Fitness for golf is a common term and senior golfers... Read More
If you've been battling a hook for a while you... Read More
Golf training has been brought to the masses thanks to... Read More
If you are like most golfers, you have purchased hundreds... Read More
Most golfers are aware that by focusing on the golf... Read More
Having a golf trainer in your corner to give you... Read More
Golf training programs designed to help condition the body for... Read More
With the increase in number of schools for learning Golf,... Read More
Many golfers around the world still do not understand why... Read More
Anyone who tells you, that he or she would not... Read More
Golf |