Golfers Who Are Afraid Of Missing Putts

Are You Afraid Of Missing Putts?

Do you stand over a putt and know you won’t make it? Does the image of the ball missing burst any confidence you had from putting practice?

Here’s a new question that one reader asked on the putting yips survey:

“How do you get rid of the feeling, when you stand over a putt, you know you can’t make it?”

You can miss putts in two ways:

  1. See the putt miss before you pull the putter back
  2. Miss the hole after you hit the putt

If you think you will miss the putt, then it’s not really an attempt to make the putt–it’s an attempt to miss.

Some golfers miss the putt in their minds before they hit it. Some say to themselves that they will miss it.

In either case, you’re not helping matters with the yips.

The feeling of missing before you even attempt to hit the putt comes from past misses and knowing the yips will cause you to miss again.

It’s a vicious cycle.

“I’ve missed in the past, so I will miss again.”

How do you stop this negative cycle or thinking your will miss again?

Related Article: Do You Focus on Missing or Making Putts?

Do you have to make putts before you can starting thinking you will make putts again?

That approach not going to work in my opinion.

First, stop focusing on missing or making. You already know the goal–that’s a given. Instead focus on the process of hitting a good putt, hitting the ball on your intended line or with good pace.

It’s the outcome of missing that causes the tension.

You can focus on a lot of other things that will lead to a better, more positive attempt:

  • Focus on hitting your target/line.
  • Think about your pace or speed.
  • Feel solid contact.
  • Think about swinging the putter freely.

Any of these would be better than focusing on the outcome, or in this case, the negative outcome.

Second, lock onto a positive image of the putt at the start of your routine and burn that image in your mind.

For example, if you are a visual putter, lock on to the image of the line in your mind’s eye. Hold that image in your mind and only think about hitting the ball on your line–during your routine.

This way, you are more proactive with your routine and what you focus on over the ball.

Keep in mind that thinking about missing is a huge source of tension in the yips cycle–because of the fear of embarrassment that comes with missing, for example.

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!

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 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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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’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


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?

“Yes! Awesome tips and they worked great. I was having a tough time mentally with putts inside of 4 feet for self imposed fear of missing them. After doing all of your drills I found myself just looking at the hole on the shorts putts similar to a free throw. Seems to be working. Thank you so much!”
~Shawn Barr

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