Confidence may help cure the Yips...

Confidence, a possible solution to the Yips…

By. John K. Abendroth, PGA

Director of Golf, Putter Key

First off, I will not admit to the yips, but I have made yip-strokes in the past.

This issue is not a mechanical thing or the putter you are using but caused by low confidence, tension, fear of missing the putt or your mind trying to control the motion of the putting stroke.

It has been said that confidence alone will not cure the yips but it is often the gateway to curing them. In my opinion if you have a clear, quiet mind as you prepare to putt it will help lead to a smooth proper putting stroke. Putting is an equation of speed, path of the club, club face alignment and body alignment. A pre-shot routine is needed to get you to the proper condition so as not have to think through all those aspects over the putt.

That brings me to Putter Key, (putterkey.com) a putting training aide that was developed by a marksman in England. It assists with path of the putter, club face alignment and centering of the ball. In practice you can improve these key aspects of the putting stroke so that when you are over the ball and ready to go, you are confident that these aspects are in good working order. Now consider the speed of the green and your goal for the putt to either lag a long putt or be firm on an uphill putt you are in good order to make a proper stroke.

www.putterkey.com

When you work with Putter Key, your eye and mind will see the proper alignment and both see and feel the path of the putter in practice, then take it to the course. Putter Key fits on most putters easily with 3M adhesive.

Davis Love III has a wonderful pre-shot routine in putting. He lines up the putt, gets ready and makes what I feel is a rehearsal or authentic stroke, then in a moment gets to the ball and makes the same stroke. I suspect there is thinking going on, but he is confident enough not to have to go through a check list like an airline pilot would.

The equation of what brings on the yips is much about tension that will cause the hands, and grip pressure will tighten up along with wrists and shoulders. All of this will disrupt rhythm and timing which can cause the stroke to be uneven or jumpy. A quiet mind and quiet hands will lead to success.

In conclusion, confidence leads to a smooth proper golf stroke and better results. In practice if you can improve your club path and clubface alignment you will not second guess yourself.

We at Putter Key feel using the product will be a step toward gaining confidence and very possibly help cure or lessen the effects of a yip type stroke happening.