YIPS

January 31st, 2008

Definition:
What are the yips?
The yips are a psychological state, a nervous twitch or jerk at the ball when it is time to execute the shot.

Fault:
The yips normally occur in chipping and/or putting.
Some players even suffer from the yips in their full swing
The reason for the yips is psychological.
The player is quietly warning himself about all the possible pitfalls, of a bad swing, chip or putt.

Fix:
There are two levels on which to solve this problem: psychological as well as mechanical.

Psychological: (Long-term cure)
To prevent the mind playing games with you, fill the mind actively with constructive thoughts by way of a thought process known as the pre-shot routine.
Write down every step and move you intend to make from the moment you decide to take the club out of the bag, swing, chip or putt, until you hold or point the club at the completion of the swing or stroke.
Study and memorize this process in detail.
Next time you face your nemesis, you will be so busy concentrating on your process, or pre-shot routine, that you will forget to remind yourself of all the pitfalls and your “problem”.

Mechanical: (Short-term cure)
The problem normally lies with the take away or the first couple of inches of the stroke or swing.
Eliminate this part.
Address the club above the ball.
Or, address the club a little behind the ball.
Then start your reverse (back) swing or stroke FROM THIS POSITION.

Formula:
Pre-Shot Routine = Controlled Constructive Thoughts + Eliminate first part of take away = No Yips!

Equipment:
Whilst this problem is mostly psychological a useful tip is to use as thick a grip as you can, specifically on your putter. This helps to keep your hands “quiet” and the putter-head square at impact. If this does not work there is a wide selection of “broom-stick” style putters that are guaranteed to provide positive results. Broom-stick putters are the long shaft putters that “lock” into your chest and work with a pendulum action. Heavier weighted heads will also benefit your stroke.

“I do not remember having met any golfer who did not consider himself on the whole a remarkably unlucky one”
Horace G. Hutchinson