What Should You Focus On While Over The Ball?

Improving Your Putting Focus

What should you think about over the ball before you pull the trigger?

This is a question I get a lot–especially from golfers who are hindered by the yips

Here’s what one golfer asked in my putting yips survey:

“I basically ‘blackout’ over the ball and forget what I was working on. Why is this and what should I focus on to make a good stroke?”

I think you mean that you lose focus over the ball. Some players describe it as blanking out over the ball–not knowing what to focus on or they don’t focus on anything.

Golfers with the yips try not to focus on anything over the ball so they don’t become tense or over think the stroke.

But you shouldn’t be “working on” anything over the ball. You want to react…

I tell my students that you want to focus on something and not just blank out over the ball.

When you do blank out, this leaves room for doubt, indecision, and negative thoughts to flood in — just at the wrong time.

What should you focus on over the ball?

Related Article: How Much Should You Think in Golf?

For putting, you want to focus on an image of the target. I use the word target broadly because this can mean different things to different golfers…

Target can mean a spot on the hole, the line, or a spot on the green to roll the ball over. You want to imprint the target into your mind as you stroke the putt–react to the image in your mind.

For chipping, I ask my golfers to focus on a landing area or general feeling of the shot they want to hit, such as tempo.

But the landing area you think about needs to be general — the size of a big plate. Don’t make the landing area so small that you over control or manipulate the stroke to get it to the spot.

Much of what you focus on depends on your learning style and how you perform; if you are predominately a visual learner or a feel-oriented learner.

Ultimately, you want a strong image in your mind of what you WANT to do with the shot. Then, allow your body to react to that image—like you do when you react to the bulls eye when playing darts.

Check out “Breaking The Yips Cycle” and learn how to react to the target and trust your skills.


Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!

Golf Yips

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?

“Thanks for all your help Dr. Cohn. You can rest assured that all our work came in very handy when I successfully qualified for the European Tour. I’m very happy and extremely thankful to you for helping me achieve this massive goal of qualifying for the European Tour! Thanks a lot again.”
~Alex Rocha, European Tour Player


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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?

“To play well, you have to believe you can play well. Confidence goes a long way in golf. Dr. Cohn has developed a great system that helped me improve confidence and my overall mental approach to golf.
~Brian Watts, 11-time Winner on the PGA Japan Tour


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?

“The mental side is everything in golf—the ability to see your shot or line and trust that you can hit that shot or putt. Dr. Cohn has helped me trust my game and putting  stroke.
~Frank Lickliter, PGA Tour, Nike Tour Winner

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