Why Do Some Golfers Struggle With Long Putts?
Most golfers I work with struggle mostly with short putts, Why? Golfers are expected to make the short ones, right?
This leads to more perceived pressure and thus more worry about missing, which leads to over control in my yips cycle model.
But today, I’m talking about golfers who struggle with long putts, which is not as common when talking about the yips or putting problems.
Here’s a recent question I saw on the putting survey:
“My main problem is with long putts (and this may have arisen from long-term chipping yips). How can I consistently release the putter through the ball rather than stabbing putts or decelerate into the ball then accelerate putter, which at times causes double hits?”
Golfers struggle with longer putts for these reasons:
- They yip during the stroke,
- They misjudge the distance from the hole, or
- The have poor touch or feel
This golfer sounds like he’s having some issues with the yips if he’s stopping and restarting the stroke on the follow through.
If this is the case, you have to keep in mind that it’s NOT a mechanical problem, but rather a fear problem… Fear of three-putting and/or looking silly.
Not only do you have to address the specific fear issue, but you have to train yourself to free up the putter to swing freely again.
However, one strategy that I suggest is to work diligently on your touch control in practice…
Hit a ton of 40, 50, and 60 foot putts uphill and downhill. A half-hour a day would not be too much.
When your touch and speed control improve, so does your comfort and thus freedom over the longer putts.
I ask my golfers to spend most of their practice time–when on the putting green–working to improve touch and distance control.
Related Article: Why Putting Confidence Disappears With The Yips
You can reduce the number of three-putts you make per round and feel freer over the long ones…
This also helps golfers with the yips on short putts. Would you rather have a two-footer or four-footer to make on your second putt (if you miss the first one)? It’s easier to make the two-footer of course.
I know that’s not a solution for the yips, but it does help you improve your putting. To overcome the yips, you have to attack the yips cycle at every stage.
Check out “Breaking The Yips Cycle” and learn all my strategies for overcoming fear and putting freely again:
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?
“Yes Patrick, I’m a five handicap and also mentally handicapped by the yips. What worked for me was the aim, set and go drill. You don’t have time to think about yipping. I played today and not one yip. I owe you big time. Thanks again.”
~Mike Helms
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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!
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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 a very low handicap and of course I have great rounds during the years, but you have taken me to a new level by curing the yips. I have just read your report again, and now I get the point in your comparing with throwing darts. I am very grateful – if you visit Denmark I will invite you out for dinner.”
~Søren Meinertsen
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 saw that he was not discouraged when he was not playing well. We have to give credit to the work you have done with him. The turnaround in his game has been quite dramatic.”
~Mike Fitzpatrick
Glad I found this! I went to left hand low and that has helped my chipping and putting yips. My yapping is with long putts or uphill putts where I need to take club head back a fair distance. I become afraid to take the putter head back. Especially when being with other players. Also I seem to do better with either using only the wrists which produces a solid strike. Or hinge wrists going back and bring club through keeping the shift lean forward. GF