What To Do When Frustrated With Missing Putts

How to Handle Your Frustration With Putting

Does the frustration from yipping cause a spill over effect into other areas of your game?

According to one reader, David, he thinks that, on hit worst yipping days, it leaks into the rest of his game.

He went on to say there are three reasons for this:

  1. Missing short putts puts a premium on getting close.
  2. General frustration blurs a golfer’s focus.
  3. The round is shot, so you lose interest in the score, and focus is lost.

I think everyone understand the first reason the yips spill over… You start trying too hard to hit it close or chip it close.

Numbers 2 and 3 above are related and not given enough attention. These relate to the emotional reaction to the yips…

I agree with David that when you become frustrated with the yips or the round being shot to heck, this can spill over and affect your entire game.

Frustrations can cause players to:

  • Speed up the pace of their routine
  • Make bad or hasty decisions
  • Try to force shots (or makeup for that bogey)
  • Lose interest in the round

None of the above will help you play good golf.

But how do you deal with the frustration so it does not spill over and affect your entire game?

First, make sure you slow down and take your time during decision-making in your routine. Too many golfers will get up over the ball and slap at it when frustrated.

Second, be prepared to talk yourself down. What this means is to have a coping response ready to go when you start to feel hot under the collar.

Your beliefs and expectations about missing are what cause frustration, not the fact you missed.

You might say to yourself, “it’s only one putt” or “I’m not going to make everything I look at” or “have faith that the putts will drop soon.”

Third, if you lose interest in the round because your score has ballooned on you, you might be too focused on score or too score-conscious.

When a target score dominates your mind, and you have a couple bad holes, this will lead to frustration when not playing within your comfort zone or on track to hit your target.

I teach my students to not be so focused on the score they are shooting by instead focusing on the small things that will help them execute good golf shots.

I can tell you that your frustration will keep you locked in the yips cycle.

Related Article: Breaking The Yips Cycle Success Story

You can read more about how to break the yips cycle below….


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?

“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


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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?

“I have spent hundreds to dollars on clubs, putters, etc. always looking for answers. But I knew this was not going to work because I have some internal issues I had to deal with on the golf course. Working with Dr. Cohn on mental game by far is the best investment I have made. I have some great tools to work on to see my mental game improve.  I feel better now than I have ever have on the golf course and I thank you so much for helping me with the positive mental direction.”
~Sean McQueary


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 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.

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