How to Get Rid of the Yips in Golf

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Common Faults & Fixes

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Quick answer

• Loosen up that grip and find a smooth, repeatable tempo.
• Work on drills that help you trust your stroke again.
• Don’t be afraid to get a coach or sports psychologist in your corner.

Who this is for

• Any golfer who’s felt that dreaded twitch or tremor on the greens.
• Players whose mental game is getting the better of their putting.

What to check first

• Grip Pressure: Are your hands like a vise? Seriously, check it.
• Stance & Posture: Are you balanced and solid, or wobbly like a newborn deer?
• Pre-Shot Routine: Is it consistent and does it actually calm you down?
• Equipment: Sometimes, a putter that doesn’t fit can mess with your head.

Step-by-step plan to get rid of the yips

1. Action: Assess your current grip.

• What to look for: Are your fingers white-knuckling it? Is there tension radiating up your arms? This is a big one. A grip that’s too tight is a surefire way to invite the yips. You want a relaxed connection to the club, not a death grip.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking your grip is fine when it’s actually a tension-fest. Many golfers unknowingly squeeze the club too hard, especially under pressure.

2. Action: Focus on tempo.

• What to look for: A smooth, unhurried backswing and a natural transition to the downswing. Think “pendulum,” not “hammer.” The goal is a consistent, rhythmic motion that your body can repeat without conscious thought. Listen to the sound of your practice strokes; it should be even.
• Mistake to avoid: Rushing the stroke because you’re anxious. That’s a fast track to more yips. When the yips hit, the instinct is often to hurry through the stroke, which only exacerbates the problem.

3. Action: Implement a consistent pre-shot routine.

• What to look for: A series of steps you do every single time before you putt, rain or shine. This builds predictability and trust in your process. It might include waggle, visualizing the putt, taking a practice stroke, and then executing.
• Mistake to avoid: Winging it and hoping for the best. Chaos breeds yips. A lack of routine leaves you vulnerable to overthinking and anxiety.

4. Action: Practice specific drills.

• What to look for: Drills that focus on feel, like putting with your eyes closed for a few strokes or using a broom handle to groove a stroke. Another good one is the “one-handed putt” drill, focusing on a smooth wrist hinge. These exercises help desensitize you to the putter and retrain your stroke mechanics without the pressure of scoring.
• Mistake to avoid: Just hitting balls without a purpose. You need targeted practice to retrain your brain and body. Mindless repetition won’t break the yips cycle.

5. Action: Try a different grip.

• What to look for: Grips like the cross-handed or claw can sometimes alleviate tension. Experiment to see what feels natural and relaxed. The key is to find a grip that allows your wrists to remain fluid and free of tension. Some folks even use a thicker grip to encourage a lighter touch.
• Mistake to avoid: Sticking with a grip that clearly isn’t working for you just because it’s “normal.” If your current grip is contributing to tension, it’s time for a change.

6. Action: Visualize success.

• What to look for: Seeing the ball rolling true and dropping into the cup. Positive imagery can be powerful. Before you even step up to the ball, picture the perfect stroke and the ball finding the bottom of the hole. This mental rehearsal can build confidence.
• Mistake to avoid: Visualizing missing or the yips themselves. Feed your brain good stuff. Negative mental movies will only reinforce the yips.

7. Action: Seek professional help if needed.

• What to look for: A golf instructor who understands the mental side of the game or a sports psychologist. They have tricks you might not think of. A good coach can spot subtle grip or swing flaws you miss, and a psychologist can provide tools for managing anxiety.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking you have to tough it out alone. Sometimes, an outside perspective is exactly what you need to break free from the yips cycle. I know I’ve sure benefited from a good instructor’s eye.

How to Overcome the Yips in Golf

The yips are a frustrating beast. They can strike out of nowhere, turning a confident golfer into a nervous wreck on the greens. While it feels like your body is betraying you, the good news is that the yips are often a mental challenge with physical manifestations. By focusing on the fundamentals and building a robust mental game, you can regain control and enjoy your putting again.

One of the first things to tackle is grip pressure. It’s so common for golfers to tighten their grip when they feel pressure, and this tension travels right up to the wrists and arms. This restricts the natural pendulum motion of the putting stroke, leading to jerky, uncontrolled movements. Try to consciously loosen your grip on the putter. Imagine you’re holding a delicate bird; you don’t want to crush it. You should be able to feel the weight of the putter head without squeezing. Practicing with a very light grip during practice sessions can help retrain your hands.

Tempo is another crucial element. A rushed stroke is a yippy stroke. When you feel the anxiety creeping in, the urge to just get the ball moving is strong, but this is precisely what you need to fight. Focus on a smooth, unhurried backswing that matches your downswing. Many instructors recommend a 2:1 ratio, meaning your backswing is twice as long as your downswing, creating a natural acceleration. Think of it as a controlled, flowing motion rather than a sudden jab. You can practice this by using a metronome app on your phone or simply counting a consistent rhythm during your practice strokes.

Your pre-shot routine is your anchor in the storm of the yips. A consistent routine provides a sense of control and predictability. It acts as a mental cue to shift your focus from anxiety to execution. Develop a routine that works for you and stick to it religiously. This might involve a few practice swings, a specific look at the ball-to-hole line, a deep breath, and then the stroke itself. The more you repeat this routine, the more automatic and calming it becomes.

Targeted practice is essential for breaking the yips. Simply hitting putt after putt on the practice green without a specific goal won’t cut it. Instead, focus on drills that help you rebuild trust and feel. Putting with your eyes closed for a few strokes can force you to rely on your feel and tempo rather than visual cues, which can sometimes exacerbate the yips. Another effective drill is the “gate drill,” where you set up two tees slightly wider than your putter head and aim to putt the ball through the gate. This focuses on the start line and a clean stroke.

Sometimes, a change in equipment can offer a fresh perspective. While the yips are primarily a mental and physical tension issue, the right putter can make a difference. A putter that is too long or too short, or has the wrong weighting, can contribute to tension. Experimenting with different grip styles, like the cross-handed or claw grip, can also help reduce tension in the hands and wrists. These alternative grips can promote a more stable, less tense connection to the club.

Common mistakes when trying to overcome the yips

• Tight Grip — Restricts natural wrist movement and leads to tension — Consciously relax your grip pressure before and during the stroke. Focus on a light touch.
• Rushed Tempo — Disrupts rhythm and causes jerky movements — Focus on a smooth, consistent backswing and downswing. Think “pendulum.”
• Overthinking the Stroke — Creates mental interference and anxiety — Trust your practiced routine and focus on feel. Let muscle memory take over.
• Ignoring the Mental Game — The yips are often a mental battle — Work on mindfulness and visualization techniques. Acknowledge the anxiety and redirect your focus.
• Inconsistent Practice — Sporadic effort won’t break the cycle — Dedicate regular, focused time to drills designed to rebuild trust and control.
• Blaming Equipment Only — While equipment can matter, it’s rarely the sole cause — Address the physical and mental components first. Your body and mind are the primary drivers.
• Trying to Force a Solution — Getting frustrated and trying too hard often backfires — Be patient with yourself and focus on incremental progress.

FAQ

• What exactly are the golf yips? The yips are involuntary muscle twitches or tremors in the hands and wrists that occur during the golf swing, particularly the putting stroke, leading to a loss of control and confidence. They often manifest as a sudden, jerky movement or a complete freeze at the moment of impact.
• Can the yips be cured permanently? While “cured” might be a strong word, many golfers learn to manage and effectively overcome the yips through dedicated practice, mental strategies, and sometimes professional help. It’s about regaining trust and control, and for many, this means developing strategies to manage the condition long-term.
• Is there a specific grip that helps with the yips? Some golfers find success with alternative grips like the cross-handed (left hand below right for right-handed golfers) or the claw grip, as these can reduce tension in the hands and wrists. Experimentation is key to finding what works best for your individual tendencies and helps you achieve a relaxed connection.
• How long does it take to get rid of the yips? There’s no set timeline. It depends on the individual, the severity of the yips, and the consistency of their practice and mental work. Some see improvement quickly, while others take longer. Patience and persistence are vital components in the journey to overcoming the yips.
• Should I stop putting when I have the yips? Taking a short break to reset and focus on drills away from the pressure of the course can be beneficial. However, avoiding putting altogether will likely make it harder to regain touch and confidence. It’s a balance; you need to practice, but perhaps in a way that reduces pressure and builds trust, like working on specific drills.
• Can sports psychology help with the yips? Absolutely. Sports psychologists specialize in helping athletes overcome performance anxiety and mental blocks like the yips. Techniques like visualization, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring are invaluable tools for addressing the root causes of the yips, which are often mental.
• Are the yips only a putting problem? While the yips are most commonly associated with putting, they can also manifest in other areas of the golf game, such as chipping or even the full swing. The underlying cause is typically tension and a loss of fluid motion, which can affect any part of the swing.

Sources:

• How to Overcome the Yips in Golf
• Overcoming the Yips in Golf