How Do You Control Your Nerves When Putting?
The moment you walk on the green to look at your putt, do you become anxious about putting?
This is what happens to Jacob. He wrote me to say:
“I want to find a way to control my nerves once I get on the green. I start shaking from nerves and miss every single putt no matter the length. Do you have a remedy for this?”
This reminds me of a story when I worked with The University of Florida Men’s golf team a few years ago…
One of the players on the team said that the moment he walked onto the green, he’d start to feel anxious about putting. He wanted to pick up the ball and walk to the next tee box!
First, I have no “remedy” because there is no such thing as a quick fix for the yips…
Second, how do you control your nerves or anxiety on the greens?
First, you have to start by understanding why you feel nervous and stab or jerk at impact when putting or chipping.
The nervous feelings are often about the outcome and the aftermath. For golfers with the yips, the outcome is missing an easy putt or blading a routine chip.
But the aftermath is often the real sources of the fear. Everyone misses putts, right? The aftermath is how missing affects your game and life.
The aftermath is often about:
- Worrying about embarrassment
- Thinking how silly it would look to miss a two-foot putt
- Fear of not being accepted by others
- General worry about what others might think
- Not playing to your potential in golf
Thus, the nerves or anxiety is about more than just missing a putt…
To overcome the fear, you have to know the source of the fear.
Which fear seems like it fits you?
The solution is a bit individualized based on your answer.
However, here’s the bottom line… You have to play golf for the right reasons. Playing golf for approval from others or avoiding disapproval is not the right reason.
You must convince yourself that your playing partners don’t really care about how many putts you miss.
You must also stay in the moment of your preputt routine. This means thinking about what helps you execute a putt instead of focusing on not missing or looking silly if you miss!
If you need help with overcoming the fear on the greens, I have two options:
- One-on-one personal coaching via Skype, FaceTime or phone. Contact us for more details about my programs.
- Breaking the Yips Cycle Video and Workbook program. This is my home-study guide for overcoming the yips. Learn more about my program for putting, chipping, and full-swing yips or tension:
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 write you because it’s been 6 months since I started the program Breaking the Yips Cycle. Before that I was putting with a long putt and due to the ban on anchoring I switched to a short putt and started your program. The yips program has helped me a lot. I have been able to focus on what matters instead of thinking about the outcome or fearing a yippy stroke.”
~Ricardo Abogabir C.
“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
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 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
“I was pleased to find your website and tips to address the mental issues with the yips. Your drills made sense to me. Other people only tackled technique. That isn’t the problem with me as I can stroke them all nicely on the practice putting green. I can even hit the long ones on the course. I will keep working at it and thank you for your interest.”
~Pat Collins
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?
“Patrick–something seems really weird here. You are giving out so much good material to help with the yips, and I feel like I am stealing from you! I really like your style! You don’t see that very often–ever as a mater of fact! You are an amazing guy!”
~O’Jay Omlid
“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
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