Your Mindset And The Yips When It Means More

Do The Yips Come Out Under Pressure?

Sam recently wrote in to tell me he’s working on my anti-yips practice drills he downloaded. But there is a catch…

He said he can putt well in practice, but in competition, “when the round means something” his right hand is over active.

Here’s what he said:

“The practice drills helped a lot. I have been practicing with your drills during a practice round and I didn’t miss anything within 6 foot. However, in competition I missed 2 or 3 and felt my yip in my right hand take over. The yips are definitely more active when the round means something.”

Once again, more evidence supporting my theory that the yips are mental and not physical–as I’ve suggested over and over.

If you can putt well on the practice green or in practice rounds, but struggle on the course or in tournaments, then the yips is completely a mental game issue!

Why does the round mean something more for Sam? Most likely for Sam and you, golf becomes more important. You want to score well or play to your ability in competition.

What happens when you walk (or ride) from the practice green to the course?

Related Article: Why the Yips Come on Course and Not in Practice

You might feel:

  • More pressure and expectations to play well.
  • There is more at stake if your score is published where others can see it.
  • A greater need to have the bragging rights to the low round.
  • The game becomes a treat to one’s ego if you fail (score poorly).
  • You only get once chance to make a putt: no redos like in practice.
  • A need to avoid embarrassment or ridicule.
  • You want to win badly because you are just competitive.

For the most part, all of the above are related to social approval (or worry about social disapproval). Did I miss anything?

When you step on the golf course, the brain misfires because of THREAT! And this leads to tension, over control, or anxiety about outcomes.

That’s when the putter feels like it has a mind of its own!

In order the break the yips cycle:

  1. You have to learn how to putt freely on the course–just like you do on the practice green.
  2. You have to understand your specific threat and what’s at stake for you on the course.
  3. You have to manage your fears about the outcome and the aftermath of not playing your best.
  4. You must let go of the mental scars of missing putts that haunt you.

If you can chip away at these things, you are on the way to breaking the yips cycle, but it’s not an overnight fix or an all or none phenomenon.

And no magic grip or new putter will be an overnight fix.

Learn how to break the yips cycle with my new DVD program


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?

“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


putting-yips-report-web2

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?

“I went on to the putting green right after receiving your mail. What a great feeling of freedom. No tense at all, smiling and more consistent than ever before. I have great rounds during the years, but you have taken me to a new level with you tips for the yips. I am very grateful – if you visit Denmark I will invite you out for dinner.”
~Søren Meinertsen, Denmark


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

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