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Talking Yourself Into Better Putts

“Come on, you’ve made this a hundred times.”
“Rock the shoulders.”
“Don’t blow it…”

We’ve all been there. You stand over a three-footer… maybe it’s for birdie, maybe to save par, maybe to win your Saturday skins game, and suddenly, your putter feels like a jackhammer. The hands twitch, the mind races, and next thing you know… you’re walking off with bogey and a bruised ego.

That’s not just nerves. That might be the yips.

But here’s the good news: science says you can talk your way out of it. Literally.

The Yips: Not Just a Problem for Tour Pros

The yips are not just the stuff of golf legend or TV commentary when a tour player misses a short putt. According to research, up to 48% of amateur golfers report experiencing them at some point. The yips, often linked to choking under pressure, are tied to anxiety, disrupted motor control, and a vicious loop of negative self-talk.

In a study by Dave VJ Marshall and Stephanie J. Hanrahan published in the International Journal of Golf Science, they put a group of amateur golfers through a 10-session putting challenge under pressure… with video cameras rolling and a cash prize on the line. The twist? Two groups were trained in self-talk: one motivational, one instructional. The third group? No cue words, just encouragement to stay hydrated.

What They Found: Instruction Matters More Than Inspiration

Golfers using instructional self-talk… simple, actionable cues like “focus on the ball” or “follow through”—showed the greatest improvement in putting performance. Motivational phrases like “you got this” helped too, but not as much. The control group? Not much change.

And this wasn’t just perception. When comparing Session 2 (early in the study) to Session 10 (final session), the instructional group improved their average miss distance the most and holed the most putts.

But here’s the kicker: anxiety scores didn’t significantly change across the groups. So why did performance improve?

Why It Works: You Can't Think Your Way Into a Make, But You Can Cue It

The answer might lie in attentional focus. Under pressure, many golfers shift from “automatic mode” to “manual mode”… they start consciously monitoring their movements. That’s a problem. Skilled putting, like many fine motor skills, depends on letting go, not gripping tighter (figuratively and literally).

Instructional self-talk works not because it fixes your swing path or calms your nerves, but because it gives your brain a clear, simple task… a cue to anchor attention, keep the process automatic, and crowd out performance-killing thoughts like “don’t miss.”

In other words, you don’t calm the storm. You give your mind something else to do while the storm rages.

Actionable Takeaways

Here’s how to apply this to your own game:

1. Pick a Process Cue, Not a Pep Talk:
   Use short, specific phrases tied to your stroke. Try “smooth tempo,” “eyes over ball,” or “rock the shoulders.” Avoid vague or outcome-based cues like “make this” or “don’t miss.”

2. Be Consistent:
   Use your cue on every putt, not just under pressure. Make it part of your routine.

3. Customize It:
   In the study, players were allowed to choose or create their own cues. The flexibility helped. What works for someone else may not resonate with you.

4. Practice With Pressure:
   Replicate pressure in practice… film yourself, play for something, or challenge a friend. The more familiar pressure becomes, the less it throws you off.

5. Track Your Putts:
   Use an app, journal, or strokes gained data (Use DATALOU15 to save 15% on Arccos) to track your putting performance. Improvement is easier to measure, and believe, when you’ve got the receipts.

Final Thoughts: Your Inner Voice Might Be Your Best Putting Coach

Golf is a solitary game, but that doesn’t mean you play it alone. You’re always bringing someone with you: your inner voice. And the science is clear… if that voice is helpful, focused, and process-driven, you’re more likely to putt well when it matters most.

So the next time you’re staring down a six-footer with shaky hands, don’t just hope for the best. Talk yourself through it.

And make sure that voice is saying something worth listening to.

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