How To Stop the Yips in Golf Once and For All

Now that we've got a grip on what the yips are and what causes them, it's time to explore how to overcome these mental roadblocks.

The mental side of golf is often an underestimated but crucial aspect of the game; many don’t realize it's where many battles with the yips are won or lost. When practiced consistently, the following powerful techniques can help you regain control over your mind, and therefore your game, and banish the yips as a result.

Visualization is like creating a mental movie of your perfect golf swing or putt. It involves closing your eyes, taking a deep breath, and vividly picturing every detail of your ideal shot. You can see the ball's trajectory, feel the club's grip in your hands, and even hear the satisfying sound of the ball dropping into the cup.

Why is visualization so potent? Because your brain doesn't distinguish between a real experience and a vividly imagined one. By repeatedly visualizing successful shots, you're essentially training your brain and muscle memory to recreate those ideal movements when you're on the course.

Visualization is key to helping you eliminate doubt and enhance your focus, turning those yips-inducing moments into opportunities for success.

Positive self-talk involves replacing self-doubt and negativity with encouraging and affirming thoughts. For example, instead of saying, "Don't mess up this putt," you switch to, "I've got this, and I know how to sink this putt."

Your subconscious mind is a powerful force that can influence your actions. When you feed it positive thoughts and affirmations, it boosts your self-confidence and self-belief. As a result, you're more likely to execute your shots with conviction and control.

Next time you find yourself on the green with the yips looming, remind yourself of your past successes, focus on the process rather than the outcome, and maintain a mindset of determination and positivity. Your self-talk can transform your mental state from one of anxiety to one of unwavering confidence.

In the high-pressure world of golf, your breath is a criminally overlooked asset that can be your best friend. Controlled, conscious breathing is a simple yet potent tool to combat the yips.

Before each shot, take a moment to inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your diaphragm to expand, and then exhale slowly through your mouth. This deliberate breathing pattern helps to reduce tension, clear your mind, and regain composure.

Breathing exercises work for a number of reasons, mainly because they trigger the body's relaxation response, reducing the production of stress hormones and promoting a sense of calm. By incorporating deep breaths into your pre-shot routine, you can create a mental space that is more conducive to focused and controlled swings.

One of the most effective ways to combat the yips is by establishing a consistent pre-shot routine. This routine serves as your anchor, a series of steps that you perform before every shot, helping to create a sense of familiarity and control.

A typical pre-shot routine might include:

• Addressing the ball from behind and visualizing the shot.
• Taking a practice swing to feel the tempo.
• Aligning the clubface and checking your stance.
• Taking a deep breath to calm nerves.
• Trusting the process and executing the shot.

A solid pre-shot routine is so powerful because it provides structure and consistency to your game. By following the same steps before each shot, you reduce the likelihood of anxiety creeping in.

Your routine becomes a trusted ritual that can help minimize the impact of the yips and ensure you approach each shot with confidence.

Sometimes, the solution to the yips isn't just in your head – it's in your grip, stance, and alignment.  Physical adjustments can work wonders in banishing the yips.

Let’s move on to actionable tips and techniques to improve your grip, perfect your stance, and align yourself for yip-free shots.

Your grip on the club is the foundation of a successful golf swing. A proper grip promotes control and minimizes the risk of yips-related mistakes. Here's how to enhance your grip:

• Neutral Grip: Start with a neutral grip, where the V-shape formed by your thumb and forefinger points towards your trailing shoulder (for right-handed golfers, this is the right shoulder). This position encourages a square clubface at impact.
• Pressure Points: Pay attention to the pressure points of your grip. Your left hand (for right-handed golfers) should apply more pressure with the fingers, while your right hand should have a firm but lighter grip. This balance helps maintain control without excessive tension.
• Interlock or Overlap: Experiment with interlocking or overlapping your fingers to find the grip that feels most comfortable and secure. Both grips have their proponents, so choose the one that suits you best.

Your stance sets the stage for a controlled and balanced swing. Here's how to perfect it:

• Balanced Weight: Distribute your weight evenly between both feet. This balance helps you maintain stability throughout your swing.
• Shoulder Width: Position your feet approximately shoulder-width apart. A wider stance can provide more stability for longer clubs, while a narrower stance is suitable for shorter clubs.
• Foot Alignment: Ensure that your feet are parallel to the target line. This alignment helps with proper hip rotation during the swing.
• Knee Flex: Slightly flex your knees to promote a relaxed and athletic stance. Avoid locking your knees, which can restrict movement.

Proper alignment is essential for accurate shots. Here's how to align yourself effectively:

• Target Alignment: Pick a specific target or target area in the distance and align your body, clubface, and feet towards it. Imaginary lines connecting your feet, hips, and shoulders should all point at or parallel to the target.
• Intermediate Targets: To improve alignment, consider selecting an intermediate target—a spot a few feet in front of your ball on the target line. Use this point as a reference for your alignment.
• Clubface Alignment: Ensure that your clubface is square to the target line. A misaligned clubface can lead to off-target shots, increasing the likelihood of yips-related mistakes.
• Visualize the Line: Visualize a straight line from your ball to the target and imagine your shot following that line. This mental image can help you commit to your alignment.

By making these physical adjustments to your grip, stance, and alignment, you'll create a more solid foundation for your golf swing. These elements contribute to improved control, consistency, and accuracy in your shots, reducing the likelihood of succumbing to the yips during crucial moments on the golf course. Practice these adjustments regularly to make them second nature in your game.

Improve your putting speed and distance control to help you conquer the yips with Blair O'Neal's "Single Hand Drill." Discover which hand gives you the best feel and focus on honing your dominant hand's precision. Set up an "Around the World" challenge to master hole-to-hole distance and build confidence with your Pyramid iCOR Putter. Putt like a pro and make more putts on the green.

With the knowledge and strategies you've gained from this ultimate guide to stop the yips, you're now equipped to successfully face them head-on. Get ready to say goodbye to those erratic swings and missed putts and embrace your golf game with renewed confidence and a sense of fun.

The yips may have haunted you in the past, but now, you're the one in control of your golf destiny. It's time to tee off and enjoy the game like never before.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time.

Matt Stephens

Inventor, Pyramid Putter, P3 Pharaoh Wedge, iCOR Putter