Instruction
Beat the yips with these simple tips
The yips is a disease that affects the cognitive process of the brain and disrupts fine motor movement of the body. Golfers are predominantly affected by the disease on short putts, but can also be affected on other shots.
The disease has ruined the careers of numerous professional golfers, and has forced many golfers to quit the game all together. According to the Mayo Clinic, 33-to-48 percent of all serious golfers have experienced the yips, but there’s hope. This disease can be treated with a simple remedy that I have outlined in the paragraphs below.
Acceptance
As with any recovery program, the first step is acceptance. Golfers must accept the fact that they have a cognitive problem that hinders their ability to make short putts. Many golfers who suffer from the yips have tried various grips, putters, techniques, etc., but have not addressed the root cause of the problem, the mind. Once golfers have accepted the fact that the yips are a byproduct of faulty thinking, they can begin a process to treat the problem.
Committing to the Process
The second step is commitment. Committing to a long-term improvement plan is essential in overcoming the yips. The process that I recommend includes developing a pre-shot routine, selecting small targets and making appropriate choices to give oneself the best chance possible.
Related: For more on the pre-shot routine, please read Part 5 of The Ultimate Putting Program.
Pick Small Targets
By selecting small targets, golfers can narrow their focus, providing better accuracy and greater results. An archest aims at the center of the bull’s-eye, and even though he may not always hit the bulls-eye, he almost always hits the larger target.
In golf, picking a blade of grass or a discolored piece of the cup can narrow a golfer’s focus, allowing them to more frequently hit the larger target, the hole. Taking practice strokes while looking at the target and holding an image of the target while making the stroke are sure ways of eliminating the possibility of negative thoughts creeping into the mind. This technique can allow a golfer to find comfort during stressful situations.
On breaking putts, it may be beneficial to pick a target outside of the hole (as shown above), creating a straight putt and allowing gravity to carry the ball to the hole.
Drill
Spend more time looking at the target to capture a mental picture of where you want the ball to go.
In practice, putt while looking at the target. This will immediately change your focus from an internal thought process to an external one. Being more aware of the target is the single most valuable thing that you can do for you golf game.
Make the Choice to Putt Well
“Whether you see yourself making the putt or missing it, you are correct.”
As human beings, one of our greatest assets is the power of free will. In putting, we have two choices. We can either think positively of what we intend to do or we can think negatively of what we fear might happen. The fear of failure is a crippling mental thought that can destroy any golfer. I assume we can all agree that it makes sense to focus positively on what we intend to do. The choice of visualizing oneself making putts comes down to a golfer’s commitment to the target and their faith to allow it to happen.
Note: Those who suffer from the yips often times are more fearful of missing than they are excited by the possibility of making a putt. Embarrassment and verbal harassment from their playing partners are often times the reason for such fear.
Press the Reset Button
If a negative thought enters your mind you must STOP and start over, even if it happens after you address the ball and are almost ready to make a stroke. This is critical in the beginning because you will need to break the habit of continuing with the putt regardless of negative thinking. As you continue with this process, the negative thoughts will begin to disappear and you won’t have to restart as often. Soon you will have more confidence and be putting like you have always thought you should.
Good luck and congratulations on becoming a better putter and overcoming the dreaded yips.
Instruction
How to play your best golf when the temperature drops
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Instruction
3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Instruction
What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Bruce Rearick
Jun 21, 2014 at 9:57 am
Henry,
I questioned your conclusion? As the author of the column isn’t it your job to prove your conclusions?
To fix a choke – find the mechanical source of the problem. To start assume it is a rotational problem.
To fix the actual yips? You have to change the task mentally and mechanically. Find the source of the yip. Start with the hands. Change the source of your putting motion.
Henry Stetina
Jun 24, 2014 at 10:45 am
Actually, I believe my article clearly emphasizes the point that the yips (or choke) start in the mind. I believe all motion starts in the mind therefore a golfer’s mentality must change prior to making changes to the stroke. I understand there are mechanical flaws but that has already been covered in thousands of articles related to the topic. I don’t quite understand where you’re going with your criticism, but that’s ok, you’re entitled your opinion.
Brannon
Jun 20, 2014 at 2:44 am
Great article! I’ve personally been battling the yips on many fronts but they all started with putting and chipping as I became obsessed with becoming a scratch golfer. I put way too much pressure on myself and results then lost my focus on the process. I’ve been doing a little better recently with that and look forward to trying your great tips. I don’t want to end up another golfer who had to quit the game he loved due to this awful affliction.
Thanks again
LY
Jun 19, 2014 at 10:33 am
I have found that when I putt looking at a spot 1″-2″ in front of the ball on my intended line and not the ball also helps. I focus on that spot and it helps to swing through the ball not at the ball.
Jeremy Beale
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:47 pm
When I stand behind the ball I often think of this Tiger Woods quote:
As a kid, I might have been psycho, I guess, but I used to throw golf balls in the trees and try and somehow make par from them. I thought that was fun.
For me the thrill of golf has always comes from the battle against the agony of defeat and the constant rigor of the course. Nothing says that more than the putting surface–ones final mark on each hole. There is a since of glory that is provided with our victories and a certain pride that comes with defeat of ill expectations.If we are challenged then we know we are playing golf.
However, it still good to remember that off the course everything else is just life, on the course well, we are just playing another game.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Great quote Jeremy! I also like the one about his Dad teaching him to “putt to the picture,” referring to his mental picture of the target.
François
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:46 pm
What would you recommend for the chipping yips ? It is harder to chip while looking at the target i guess?
I have been struggling baddly with this for years 🙁
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 6:02 pm
There will always be a combination between physical and mental when dealing with these issues. I am sure you are plagued with fear, doubt, and low confidence. You may also be using a faulty technique which causes your body and hands to stop and you are left to desperately fling the clubhead towards the ball. If I were you, I would start by making a full pivot toward the target in the forward swing. Mentally, it is important to visualize the trajectory and landing spot. I hope these two tips help.
François
Jun 18, 2014 at 8:14 pm
You are so right about fear and confidence, i use my putter from ridiculous distances because of this… i will try the 2 tips for sure. Thank you
David
Oct 3, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I have suffered from the yips for a number of years to the point the game became miserable. I recently designed a very simple device that attaches to the putter shaft providing a guide towards the target. Putters have markings behind the ball but very little to help the player aim forward. The putting aid creates a smoother stroke because you keep your head down and accelerate through the putt. I believe the guides on the putter behind the ball create deceleration. Since developing the training aid my yips have subsided. Confidence has grown and more putts are on line. Please take a look at http://www.trainyouraim.com It also helps with chipping using the same principle of accelerating through the shot.
Jason
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Henry,
Thank you for taking the time to write this helpful article. I developed the yips nearly 1 year ago (almost to the day as i still remember the round/day it happened) and i’ve been struggling with my game ever since. I anxiously look forward to putting these tips into play this weekend.
I’ve gone from a 1.7 index to a 6.4 in the last year and haven’t broken 80 in almost 3 months. I’ve had too many rounds to count where i’ve shot 80 or 81 with 35+ putts. It’s nauseating.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Jason,
Thanks for sharing. I would really like to hear your progress in the upcoming weeks/months. I hope that something may have clicked to help you get back on track. Good luck
Gene
Jun 18, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Henry, Any help for backswing yips? With an iron in my hand it’s a freak show!
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:08 pm
What do you think about just prior and during your swing?
Chuck
Jun 18, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Real yips is focal dystonia (google it). Focusing on a spot and changing your routine isn’t going to make it magically go away. It’s a neurological problem that takes years of cognitive training to cure – beta blockers can also help. I now play tennis.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Yes, I am aware focal dystonia is a neurological disorder and in sports it is referred to as the yips. Beta blockers slow the heart rate and are banned by the PGA Tour. Meditation, a natural practice, can have a similar result though.
Steve
Jun 18, 2014 at 11:36 am
Great article.. I used to have occasional negative thoughts over putts, but I would ignore them and make a reasonable stroke. Starting last year, I’ve noticed that these negative thoughts sometimes cause a sort of “misfire” in my stroke. It feels like a flinch just before impact, and it seems to happen mainly in competition or when my long game is going well and I have a chance to match or beat my personal best score.
It is definitely a cognitive issue not a mechanical one.
Thanks for writing it.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Great feedback Steve. You are definitely on the road to better golf.
Bruce Rearick
Jun 18, 2014 at 11:02 am
Small targets for someone with the yips?
Steve
Jun 18, 2014 at 11:40 am
Focus on the target is the key. If I look at the hole while putting, the yips are gone, but my speed control is hit or miss. Focusing on the stroke mechanics in matches spells trouble for me.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Aim small, miss small
Bruce Rearick
Jun 18, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Not if you really have the yips. There is a difference between a yip and a choke. For those who truly have the “yips” this information is misleading at best.
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Bruce,
I see you are becoming a constant critic of my work. I like your feedback but I would also like to share one point with you. Don’t point out a problem without a solution. If you see fault in my articles, feel free to comment on them, but please provide an alternative, an idea that you believe is more accurate.
Bruce Rearick
Jun 20, 2014 at 1:02 pm
OK –
Small targets increase the anxiety of the task. Anxiety exaggerates the problem it doesn’t fix it.
Yips are an involuntary uncontrollable movement.
Your tips are better suited for a player who has an aggressive steer or reaction to a perceived target. This is typically a rotational issue. Closing the putter on the backswing is the typical culprit. Another choke pattern is a flip which is caused by a slow lead arm and an attempt of the low hand to continue the stroke. These patterns are more commonly described by experts in the field as a “choke”.
Knowing the difference between the two is critical! As the anxiety increases from the misses caused by the choke they can easily develop into the real yips. Nothing described in you article would of any help then.
Bruce Rearick
Henry Stetina
Jun 20, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Ok. So with that said, what is your prescription for someone with the yips?
Pingback: Beat the yips with these simple tips - I'd Rather Be Golfing
Adrian
Jun 18, 2014 at 3:46 am
Archest? Don’t you mean ‘archer’?!
Henry Stetina
Jun 18, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Yes, my apologies.