Why Does This Golfer Putt Freely in Practice, But not the Course?
Okay, so John downloaded my Anti-Yips Putting Drills and has some mild success at home in practice working on the drills to free up his putting. However, when he goes to the course, he still can’t putt with total freedom. John says,
“I downloaded your suggestions for Anti-Yips Practice Putting Drills, and I’m trying to absorb and practice your drills, so far it works for a short period at home, but when I go to the course and try to putt I am still unable to put smoothly.”
He thinks it will take longer to change his attitude with putting as his yips have been going on for a long time. And he’s right. If you have the putting yips, it takes a while to rewire your brain so you can putt freely again.
But John, like so many other golfers who are not having fun with a balky putter, feels like quitting the game because it’s so frustrating for him:
“I have played for a long time and was a pretty good player, but now I have no confidence because of my putting and it has really affected my whole game. I was a club professional for a few years and could play pretty good, putting was not my strongest attribute, but I still managed to maintain a low handicap. I am retired now and play on a regular basis, but am getting so frustrated that I feel like quitting the game that I love so deeply, I just hoped to enjoy the game again.”
How can John take his free putting to the golf course?
First, anyone can putt freely on the practice green and putt relaxed and smooth when it does not count. In most cases, golfers put pressure on themselves when they go to the golf course and for many different reasons. This causes them to stay stuck in the yips cycle.
But in my opinion, the pressure golfers feel is often hidden from their conscious mind. They are not aware of the real issue that prevents them from putting freely.
For example, I worked with a club pro from California who had the yips. His main pressure was the need to be respected as a teaching pro. He felt others expected him to be a good player as well as a fine teacher. So the real issue was the fear of embarrassment and avoiding a bad reputation as a teaching pro. Most of the time, these fears are irrational.
So to take you game to the golf course, you have to understand the “core” issues that cause you to feel pressure and expectation.
Working one-on-one with a trained mental coach or golf psychology expert can help you uncover the fears and take your practice game to the course as you will not find a book to solve this problem.
Related Article: How a Preputt Routine Can Improve Putting
Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!
Golfers, do you suffer from:
- Anxiety, tension and over control of the stroke or swing?
- Performance anxiety about what others will think?
- Inability to wing the club freely on the course, despite the fact that you can in practice?
Check out: Breaking the Yips Cycle
Golfers: Learn how to overcome the fear that keeps you stuck in a vicious cycle
Instructors: Learn how to give your students the mental game edge.
Coaches: Help your team members play with freedom instead of fear or tension.
Breaking The Yips Cycle: How to Putt, Chip, And Pitch Freely and Enjoy Playing Golf Again
What are Golf Psychology Students Saying?
“I wanted to tell you I have broken out of the yips short putt issues. I have won 2 of the last 3 competitions. Right now my putting confidence is sky high. I HAD the putt yips for past 6 years. I contribute the success to two of your drills. First focus hard on the hole, forget about all else. It took awhile to get the 100% focus, but I could see the results coming. Then your advice “Let go and trust your ability.” Immediate result. Wow what a relief. Having putted for so long under yip pressure, I now feel I can be put under extreme pressure to win the club championship. I now look forward to short putts.”
~Ian Dodd
Download Our FREE Anti-Yips Putting Drills
Do you spend most of your practice time trapped by stroke or mechanics on the practice green?
Are you unsure how to practice to hep you overcome the putting yips?
Golfers: Learn how to putt with freedom using proven putting drills!
Download our FREE putting report and drills to help you unlock your putting potential today!
What are golfers saying about our putting yips drills?
“Hank has consistently improved over the summer. He is getting stronger and more confident. He often talks about the mental game techniques that you have shared with him for his success. We visited my home in Wisconsin last week and he shot a 69 on my old home course which is a one-under round. Thanks for your help.”~Billy Dettlaff, Hank’s Father
Overcome The Yips With Expert Mental Game Coaching!
Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.
You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!
What are our mental coaching students saying?
“I’ve had the yips for 30 years. With the anchor ban, I thought I needed to quit golf. It was frustrating hearing golf experts and commentators state that no amateur was going to quit golf because of the anchoring ban. Obviously, these experts don’t know anything about the yips. I’m so glad I found you. Your drills really helped. It might sound silly, but the biggest thing that helped me is knowing that the yips is mental. It might sound crazy, for someone to have the yips for 30 years, and not know it’s mental. I also believe I know my reason for having the yips, and I see how my insecurities in every day life contributed to the yips. Thank you for your help.”
~Kevin Stankewicz
I have been what I consider a timid putter all my life. In the past if I had a five foot downil left to right putt for birdie, i would nurse iot the hole in an attempt to have a 4″ or 5″ putt coming back. The results, as expected, were seldom successful. Now that I have retired, and am playing golf 3 times per week on a regular basis, my putting has greatly improved. And so has my confidence. I now putt with the attitude I may as well attempt to make all putts. Finish with the putter facing down the line, accelerate through the ball, and forget what happens if I miss. I cannot believe the putts I am now making. I am now an aggressive putter.