Yips

Yips are something no professional golfer wants to experience. Yips can ruin a golfing career.

Over 50% of professional golfers will experience involuntary twitches of the hands or arms during their career. Noted golfers Bernhard Langer and Tom Watson experienced them when putting. Tommy Armour had them so bad that he had to give up his golfing career.

Unfortunately, on Sunday, at the 2009 Masters Golf Tournament, Kenny Perry had that nervous twitch while chipping on the 71^st hole which cost him the golf tournament. Gracious Kenny admitted that it happens to him when he gets nervous. Kenny played 70 holes with only 4 bogies at one of the most pressured filled tournaments of the year. Kenny went on to bogie the 72^nd hole as well.

These involuntary jerks seem to happen more in Putting than with any other shot. The causes are numerous. The big cash prizes, anxiety, and psychological pressure surrounding a golf shot.

Golfers aren't the only ones that experience the yips. Basketball players will experience them at the foul line when the game is on the line. Professional dart shooters get them so bad that they can't release the dart. Musicians over years of playing a musical instrument get them.  Even Dentists.

It seems to happen to older professionals due to years of doing the same thing over and over.

What's the cure? Changing his putting grip every so often has helped Bernhard Langer. Relaxation techniques like Yoga have been known to help. Seeing a Sports Psychologist also helps.

Yips can happen to the best athletes and at the worst possible time. It's unfortunate but that's life!!

 

 

Innovative is the word that best describes these golf balls. Check my review out Here

 

 

 

Going to review some Hybrid Clubs this week. Be sure to come back and check it out.

View More articles at the Golf Blog

Back to Home Page