HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner

In simple terms, the yips are an inability to make a smooth and controlled putting stroke, possibly caused by anxiety and/or a condition known as focal dystonia.
In simple terms, the yips are an inability to make a smooth and controlled putting stroke, possibly caused by anxiety and/or a condition known as focal dystonia.
People call different things the yips. This seems to be a case in point. Stop trying to catch each other out. It's petty.
Just like Adam Scott didn't have, yeah?
Well he admitted that he had no confidence in making putts of 10 feet in, which is probably how the problem starts! Are you also denying that Ernie had the yips as well? His putting stroke became really jerky and stabby after years of having the smoothest putting stroke in the business!
Well he admitted that he had no confidence in making putts of 10 feet in, which is probably how the problem starts! Are you also denying that Ernie had the yips as well? His putting stroke became really jerky and stabby after years of having the smoothest putting stroke in the business!
I did borrow a broomhandle putter for a few weeks when I first started having problems, but couldn't really get on with it. It gave me a nice smooth stroke, but I found it difficult to hit the ball the right distance on longer putts, and it was a nightmare to use in windy conditions. Also tried left hand below right with a conventional putter and struggled with distance control with that as well, although I was pretty deadly with it from 6ft in. Eventually tried the claw grip out of desperation, and found it worked really well, for me anyway.Have you thought about a belly/ broom putter?
That might help, like it did Ernie and Adam![]()
I have struggled with my putting for over 15years. I hate 2-3ft putts with a passion.
I used a broom handle for a while which have me a better rythm, but I found it harder from long range to judge pace so in turn left myself with more of the nasty length putts.
I can go rounds without missing a single short putt, then I can go out and completely miss the cup nearly all day from short range. I am never comfortable over a short putt even if I have holed everyone all day. That's the YIPs, this then effects your stroke and you don't hit putts like you normally do from just an extra couple of feet.
A lot of top players went to the long putter as they found it easier, keegan Bradley was one of these. Then some went to fix poor technique. Garcia had the YIPs, Langar had them worse than anyone I have seen on camera. Watson struggled and continues to.
'The yips' seems to be a definite syndrome with the following characteristics:
1) Generally only affects players who have played golf intensively for many years, often at the top level, often excellent putters until the problem sets in. A few exceptions such as Bernhardt Langer who had them by the age of 19.
2) Players often quite suddenly develop a twitchy or jerky putting stroke. Sometimes they also find difficulty in starting the backswing.
3) Generally only fine motor skills such as putting and chipping are affected. Very rarely players can get the full swing yips, which makes it difficult to start the backswing, e.g. Kevin Na and Cobie Legrange. Sergio Garcia's incessant re gripping thing may also have been a form of the full swing yips. We have one reasonably low handicap player at our club who seems to have the full swing yips.
4) The only cure seems to be a change of method.
'The yips' seems to be a definite syndrome with the following characteristics:
1) Generally only affects players who have played golf intensively for many years, often at the top level, often excellent putters until the problem sets in. A few exceptions such as Bernhardt Langer who had them by the age of 19.
2) Players often quite suddenly develop a twitchy or jerky putting stroke. Sometimes they also find difficulty in starting the backswing.
3) Generally only fine motor skills such as putting and chipping are affected. Very rarely players can get the full swing yips, which makes it difficult to start the backswing, e.g. Kevin Na and Cobie Legrange. Sergio Garcia's incessant re gripping thing may also have been a form of the full swing yips. We have one reasonably low handicap player at our club who seems to have the full swing yips.
4) The only cure seems to be a change of method.
Have you looked at a Champions or European Seniors Tour event recently Homer? About 30% of the players use long putters or non standard putting grips, which suggests that they have had putting problems. The Mayo Clinic study into yips suggested that up to 50% of players will develop them if they play for long enough!Taking point one alone. Most top pros play intensively for many years and 99.9% on them will never get the yips. It's you rehashing the same topic every month and nothing has changed
Have you looked at a Champions or European Seniors Tour event recently Homer? About 30% of the players use long putters or non standard putting grips, which suggests that they have had putting problems. The Mayo Clinic study into yips suggested that up to 50% of players will develop them if they play for long enough!