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The Science of the Yips – What’s Really Happening?

Every golfer has experienced it at some point. You step up to a short putt, your hands feel shaky, your stroke suddenly feels foreign, and… you miss.

Welcome to the yips.

For some players, it’s a one-off. For others, it becomes a mental and physical nightmare that can derail their confidence and their game. But what exactly are the yips, and is there a way to get rid of them?

The good news? Science has answers.

Dr. Robert E. Wharen Jr., Dr. Debbie J. Crews, and Dr. Charles H. Adler explore the yips in The Routledge International Handbook of Golf Science. Their research, along with studies from the Mayo Clinic, helps us understand what’s really happening when a golfer "yips"—and more importantly, how to fix it.

What Are the Yips?

The yips are generally described as an involuntary movement, twitch, or jerk during a putting stroke or short game shot. While they can happen on any shot, they’re most common in putting and chipping.

According to Wharen, Crews, and Adler, there are two main types of yips:

1. Neurological (Focal Dystonia): A breakdown in the nervous system, where the brain struggles to control fine motor movements. This is similar to what musicians and surgeons experience in high-pressure situations.

2. Psychological (Anxiety-Based): The brain creates a feedback loop where fear of failure leads to increased muscle tension, overactive thinking, and loss of feel.

Most golfers suffer from the psychological version, which means it can be fixed.

What Does the Data Say?

Research from Wharen and colleagues, as well as Mayo Clinic studies, show that:

• Older, experienced golfers are more likely to develop the yips than younger players.

• High-pressure situations increase the likelihood of yip-like symptoms.

• Players who focus too much on mechanics tend to struggle more with the yips.

• Confidence levels directly correlate with yip frequency—players who expect to yip will do so more often.

One study by Crews and Adler using electroencephalography (EEG) brain scans found that golfers suffering from the yips show higher levels of brain activity in areas related to anxiety and overthinking. This suggests that the yips are often more of a mental block than a physical one.

The Brain’s Role in the Yips

So, why do the yips happen? The answer lies in the brain's motor control system.

Wharen and colleagues describe two key systems at play:

1. The Automatic System (Unconscious Movement) – This is what lets you putt smoothly without thinking. It’s why you can drive a car without constantly analyzing your foot on the gas pedal.

2. The Conscious System (Overthinking & Anxiety) – This kicks in when you start questioning every part of your stroke, leading to tension, hesitation, and jerky movements.

The problem? The more you consciously try to control your stroke, the more you interfere with the automatic system.

The result? A twitchy, nervous stroke.

How to Overcome the Yips

The yips aren’t permanent. But fixing them requires rewiring your brain and approach to putting.

1. Stop Thinking About Mechanics Mid-Stroke

• Research by Crews and Adler found that players who focus on external cues (like rolling the ball over a spot) rather than mechanics perform significantly better.

• Trying to control every movement of your stroke increases brain activity in areas linked to anxiety, which triggers the yips.

2. Change Your Grip

• Studies show that switching to a claw grip, cross-handed, or pencil grip can reduce yips by forcing new motor patterns.

• The brain’s bad habits are tied to specific neuromuscular pathways—a grip change disrupts these patterns and forces a fresh start.

3. Use a Trigger Word

• Many pros use a simple verbal cue (e.g., “smooth” or “flow”) right before putting.

• This keeps the conscious brain occupied so the automatic system can take over.

4. Train Under Pressure

• If the yips are anxiety-based, practicing stress-free won’t help. You need to simulate pressure in practice.

• Try "consequence putting" – set a goal (e.g., make 7/10 short putts), and if you fail, do 10 pushups or pay $5 to a friend.

5. Putt With Your Eyes Closed

• This removes visual anxiety and forces your stroke to be feel-based.

• Many players find their stroke improves instantly when they close their eyes.

6. Play With a "Carefree" Mindset

• A fascinating study found that golfers who purposefully tried to miss actually made more putts than those who tried to be perfect.

• Why? Because they removed expectation pressure, which freed up their stroke.

My Thoughts

The yips are not a death sentence.

As Wharen, Crews, and Adler explain, they are a sign that your brain is overriding its own natural movement patterns. The key is to trick your brain into letting go and trusting the stroke.

Next time you step up to a short putt, remember: stop thinking, change your focus, and let your hands do the work.

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