“The Yips” is a frustrating affliction that can show up in any part of your game. Usually caused by slight mechanical flaws, the yips are mainly a mental phenomenon and they can cause acute anxiety. They make some golfers freeze over the ball, unable to pull the trigger. For others, the yips cause involuntary motor patterns, like flinching and recoiling. Regardless of how they present themselves, the yips can be maddening, resulting in wildly erratic shots that are embarrassing and hard to overcome.
If you suffer from the yips the important thing to keep in mind is that you’re not alone. As Titleist staff member Justin Parsons explains, nearly everyone who plays the game will experience them sooner or later. However, the yips are not a death sentence for your game. You just need a few creative tactics to side-step the faulty motor pattern you’ve developed. In this video, Justin addresses the yips in chipping and pitching and shows how holding the club a little differently can help you feel the proper way to deliver the wedge to the ball while also short-circuiting the negative thoughts that are getting in your way.
Whether you have the yips or not, give Justin’s alternative grips a try in your next practice session. And remember, don’t be afraid to experiment in unorthodox ways. The best players in the world are creative, not conformists.
For more tips and drills from Justin and other Titleist Staff Members, visit Titleist Instruction: https://bit.ly/2W4QkIR
