Instruction
Understand (and cure) your short game yips
The short game yips are a plague to scorecards everywhere. This special form of yip happens to golfers who have no problem with their full swing or putting stroke, yet get performance anxiety around the greens. This leads to frustrating chips and pitches — skulls, chunks, shanks or even a complete inability to take the club back.
I see it all the time with my students, and even some tour players. Whether it’s an issue with technique or a mental block, the short game yips one of the hardest faults to overcome.
The process of getting over the yips may be embarrassing, but accepting your problem and working to improve is the only solution.
The following are my go-to drills to help someone improve their short-game technique, help them transfer it to the course and beat their short game yips forever.
Note: After studying a variety of 3D motion graphs from players of all skill levels, there are other items to look at when diagnosing a short-game problem, but these are the areas most commonly affected.
Swinging the club on plane
Plane is the first thing that I look at with my players who are struggling with their short game.
Most golfers know that they need to swing the club on plane during a full swing, but they forget about this in the short game, mainly because the swing is so short. The yips are caused by a manipulation of the club head that the body feels it needs to make to hit a solid shot. If the club is traveling on plane, then the club will return to the golf ball without needing any manipulation.
In most cases, I see the golf club swing under plane, which causes it to bottom out too soon behind the ball. That leads to chunks and bladed shots.
Below is an example of a good pitching motion from 30 yards where the club swings naturally on plane.
The club has started back nicely on plane. The golfer will hinge the club from here for a 30-yard pitch.
The golfer then pivots his body nicely while allowing the club to swing freely through, which keeps it on plane.
The hands don’t have to lead
One of the first things golfers learn about hitting chips and pitches is that the hands must lead the clubhead into the shot. As a result, the club will have a descending blow into the golf ball, allowing for ball-first contact. When you apply this method of chipping, however, the margin for error becomes surprisingly small. You must return the club to the back of the ball precisely to achieve the desired result.
I prefer that my students master the ability to return the club head to the ball just like they had it set up at address. The student returns the club and hands to the same position they were in at address, meaning the club would be ahead or even with the hands.
This creates a wider swing arc at the bottom of your swing, both in front of and behind the ball, creating a bigger margin for error.
An example of the hands-leading method that requires manipulation and expert contact to be able to be successful.
This method allows the club head to swing more freely through the ball, which means the club will pass the hands at some point in the swing and possibly before the ball on higher-lofted shots.
Of course, every yip is different, but swinging on plane and not forcing the hands to lead often produces the desired improvement.
Even when the yipper fixes the technical aspects in his short game, mental ramifications may still linger without some dedicated time practice drills. If you find yourself in that camp, try these two drills.
Drill 1: Short backswing, long follow through
When I teach golfers to let the club head swing through a short-game shot, most times they become timid about swinging the club with any speed. They instinctively try to control the club head by making a long backswing and swinging slowly through impact.
What I like to see is a backswing that stays low to the ground and doesn’t get past the right knee. From there, accelerate the club through to about a full finish, letting the club head swing through the ball and past the hands. Many golfers are amazed at how much speed they can generate with ease and how they can control the height and distance of the golf ball.
Drill 2: Short Game 21
You must simulate pressure in your practice to start to feel comfortable with any new technique, but especially your short game when trying to cure the yips.
Play this game with a friend, and pick a location around the chipping green. Each player will hit one shot from that spot and whoever is closest earns a point. If someone holes it, they earn 5 points. Rotate locations, and the goal is to be the first player to get 21 or more points.
You can alter the rules or scoring system to fit your desire or time constraints, but the point is to compete while trying to master your new technique. If you need more pressure, bet on who buys dinner to add some extra incentive.
The short game yips can be a mystery to many golfers and as a teacher there is no set agenda for helping someone improve this issue. But for me, the motions and drills above are a great place to start.
Drop your fear of the short game and learn to love it being around the greens again!
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!
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!
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!
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
Gary Woodland’s winning WITB: 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship
David
Feb 25, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Good info Scott. If you find yourself in the Chicago area definitely try to get a short game lesson from Scott. I had all sorts of issues with the short game and Scott used many of the above items to work through many of my problems. It’s always a work in process for me, but the week after my lesson I took home the trophy on a buddies trip mainly because I wasn’t leaking shots around the green. Thanks again Scott!
alan
Feb 16, 2015 at 3:59 pm
nevermind i see that it was north berwick. that and crail were my favorites
alan
Feb 16, 2015 at 3:58 pm
what that picture taken at north berwick golf club??
Lo
Feb 5, 2015 at 4:35 pm
You forgot tempo. I’ve had the chipping yips for years and now I’m (shivers) beginning to heal slowing down my tempo. I had gotten so scared that I didn’t realize I was swinging the club lightning fast playing my chips; now I only focus on swinging the club in slow motion and my game around the greens is finally getting better.
Dave reid
Jan 31, 2015 at 4:17 am
Yes….that is north berwick….
Chuck
Jan 30, 2015 at 8:56 pm
I’ve played St. Andrews (Old), Muirfield and Carnoustie. As well as Prestwick, Troon and Turnberry. The list of those I still want to play is long, and North Berwick is at the top.
Scott Hogan
Jan 30, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Hey guys, thanks for the comments and glad the article helped. I recently launched my remote coaching and to kick it off, if you want some help for free send me an email and I’ll let you know how to send me a video! Email is scotthogangolf@gmail.com.
Bwood01
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:56 am
(sorry for the duplicate posts – it took a while for them to go through…)
Bwood01
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:55 am
Cont… I have to hit bump and runs from everywhere around the greens because of the yips. I also like the hybrid/ wood bump and run over putting from off the greens. These are my ‘go to’ shots. What’s really odd here is that I am a good bunker player – probably because it requires fuller swings at times.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 30, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Bwood01, you are a good bunker player because you can hit that shot “fat” and be screamingly successful.
Bwood01
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:53 am
Thanks for the information. This read was helpful for me. I have the chipping and pitching yips and they can ruin the possibility of a great score quickly.
Bwood01
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:48 am
Thanks for the information. This read was helpful for me… I have always been a good ball striker/ putter and I have won 15 amateur type tournaments since 2009… However; I have the chipping and pitching yips and for those of you that don’t, be glad of this. I would have won several more events if only I could pitch and chip… I have had a few lessons to get fixed, but always find myself going right back to my old habits. Because of this, I have to hit bump and runs from everywhere around the greens. I also like the hybrid/ wood bump and run over putting from off the greens. These are my ‘go to’ shots. What’s really odd here is that I am a good bunker player – probably because it requires fuller swings at times. When I put any ‘lofted club’ in my hands from off the green in grass, look out. My hands hinge quickly on the takeaway and I get too steep. I have tried everything from different bounce and grind options and various techniques like dead hands, forward press, hinge and hold – and nothing fixes it. The swing plane is likely my fault here – I get inside to quickly and steep. Guess I will have to get some video of me down the line to investigate further. Feel free to send suggestions/ thoughts to: bwood01@austin.rr.com as it would be appreciated! watching videos help, but putting in to application is the tough part.
Chuck
Jan 30, 2015 at 10:45 am
Dear GolfWRX,
Can someone please tell me the source of the photograph that leads off this story? Specifically, what course is that? Is it the West Links at North Berwick? That golf course is #1 on my bucket list.
Chuck