What are the yips in golf?

The yips in golf are involuntary muscle movements that disrupt the putting stroke, often appearing as jerking, freezing, or tremors in the hands or forearms. They usually occur under pressure, particularly on short putts, and are not caused by poor technique but by a stress response affecting fine motor control.

What causes the yips in golf?

The yips in golf are caused by a stress response in the nervous system. When a putt feels important, anxiety increases muscle tension and disrupts automatic movement. This leads golfers to over-control the stroke, reducing fine motor control and triggering involuntary jerks or freezing during putting.

Are the yips mental or physical?

The yips are both mental and physical. Psychological pressure triggers a nervous system response that creates physical disruption in movement. This is why the yips feel physical in the hands or arms, even though the root cause is stress rather than a technical fault.

Can the yips be cured?

Yes, the yips can be overcome. They are not permanent damage or a loss of skill. When the nervous system is regulated and pressure no longer triggers a stress response, golfers can regain natural movement and consistent putting performance.

Why do the yips happen on short putts?

Short putts create higher psychological pressure because golfers expect to hole them. This expectation increases fear of missing, which activates the stress response. As muscle tension rises and fine motor control drops, the yips are more likely to appear on short, “should-make” putts.

Does practising more help the yips?

Practising alone rarely fixes the yips. While golfers may putt well in practice, the yips usually appear under pressure. Without addressing the nervous system response to stress, the same symptoms tend to return during competition.

What is the best treatment for the golf yips?

The most effective treatment for the golf yips addresses nervous system regulation rather than technique. Approaches that reduce stress and muscle tension allow automatic movement to return, helping golfers putt naturally instead of consciously controlling the stroke.

How does EFT help golfers with the yips?

EFT helps golfers with the yips by calming the nervous system and reducing the stress response. This lowers anxiety, muscle tension, and overthinking, allowing golfers to access their natural, automatic putting stroke under pressure.

Lower the pressure you feel on the green

Jan 22, 2026

EFT/tapping can look and sound very strange to begin with.

This video walks you through an introductory round so you can get an idea of how to tap and the effect it can have.

Have a watch and do send over any questions you may have.

Lower the pressure you feel on the green

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