Battling the yips
There are some peculiar personality traits that are associated with the yips. My theory is based on my own experience and that of my own circle of golf cronies. I've suffered from various yip maladies off and on over the years and one consistent issue that is always present is my own nervous-nelly state of mind. It's simple things like, the first time on a new course or playing with an unknown group or some hi-stakes ($2.00) Nassau bet. The point is that it doesn't take much to create an unsettled and uncomfortable mindset that either runs rampant over my entire game or just settles in over the money putts. My solution is to quiet my head. Rationalize the real situation and calm down.
Golf girl has written a fascinating post on World Golf that sheds more light of truth on this mysterious and often undiscussed golf syndrome. She's good! You can pick up more of her nuggets of golf wisdom here.
7 Comments | in Learn golf
Reader Comments (7)
You make it sound so simple. Just quiet your head, huh? That's some Zen golf! :)
I was playing a short 3 par round with my mother yesterday and it wasn't my head that was distracting, it was the freakin' humidity. I do so hate that.
Didn't mean to make it sound simple, Kristen. It's really a lifelong effort to still the mind and remove the distractions that cause the inadvertent jerk in my putting stroke. When I'm feeling comfortable, confident and competitive, the yips are minimal. When I'm off ...it's ugly!
As someone who has never had the yips per se, I do not envy the rest of the unwashed. I always liken putting to shooting free throws. Believe and visualize and one putts will happen or the charity shot will swish. The "feel" is everything, which is why mechanical putting styles fail at crunch time. Yips are strictly from lack of preparation and practice - and super fast greens of course.