How to Beat The Putting Yips

On the practice green, you probably can sink everything in sight. But on the golf course, it's a different story. You've missed so many short putts out there that you are convinced that you will never again make a 3-footer. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. It's called the dreaded putting yips! Is it a reaction to pressure, or does it begin happening when you reach a certain age? Regardless of the reason, there are things you can do to beat the putting yips.

Instructions

1. Try putting with your eyes closed. This may sound like a drastic measure, but for some people, it works. Go through your normal routine of assessing the putt, deciding how much it will break, and how hard you intend to hit the ball; then line up the ball accordingly, but before you take the club back, close your eyes and visualize how the ball will go into the hole. With eyes still closed, execute the stroke as you have planned.

2. Focus on the hole, not the ball. Most instructors will tell you to keep your head down and stare at the ball; but in order to cure the putting yips, you need to show a little more imagination. Once you have gone through your pre-putt routine, stand over the ball, aim where you have planned, then keep your eyes on the hole throughout the putt. Some find this method helpful because it will force you to concentrate on the route that the ball will travel to the hole.

3. Speed things up. This theory is based on the contention that you are giving yourself too much time to think about the putt, and that you will tense up before hitting the ball. Go through the pre-putt routine that you favor. Once that is done, address the ball, (No, don't tell it “hello”), take about two seconds to aim your putt, then hit it. Supposedly, this will prevent you from over-thinking the putt and it will make you execute it as you decided during your pre-putt routine.

4. Listen for the ball going into the hole. It could be that you are so spooked by these shot putts that you are trying the “look” the ball into the hole. Try keeping your head down throughout the entire putt, and listen to what happens to your ball. Practice this technique by counting 3 second at the end of your putt before you look up.

5. If all this fails, change your grip or change your putter. Many of the touring professionals, for example, have adopted the cross-handed grip to improve their putting while others now use the longer “belly putter” to create a more perfect swing. Putting style is a very personal thing; so, unlike your long game, most teaching professional will tell you “if it feels good, do it.” More than that, if changing your grip or your putter adds to your confidence, you have made a great decision.