I just watched an impressive round during the 2012 Players Championship. Kevin Na shot 68 to take a one-shot lead going into the final round. But what’s impressive is that he did it with the full swing yips.
After the round in the media center, he said the problem with his full swing started when he changed his swing and set up in 2011. Today, he still feels uncomfortable over the ball with his balance and can’t hit the shot until it feels right.
“I’m having this trouble pulling the trigger. I changed my setup starting at the Masters last year. I was trying to get more forward, trying to get the back swing more up. And because my balance at the setup is totally different, I don’t feel comfortable,” Na said.
His coach said that his body is having a hard time adjusting to a new feeling over the ball. He can’t pull the trigger because he does not feel fully comfortable with the new set up, which is common when you make a big change in your mechanics. This is one form of the yips—when you can’t take the club back. I’ve worked with players on this very issue—they are “stuck” over the ball. They can’t progress into the shot, because their mind is too caught up into feeling perfect over the ball.
“I’m trying to get comfortable with my waggles. It’s usually a little waggle, half waggle, little waggle, half waggle, and boom, supposed to pull the trigger. But if it doesn’t work, I’ve got to go in pairs. So it’ll go four; and if it doesn’t work, it’ll go six; and after that, just? There’s a lot going on in my head,” Na said.
And to make matters worse, Na seems to be overly ritualistic with his routine. He has to take his waggles in pairs. This is not uncommon for players to have a specific routine with a certain number of waggles. But I think this only makes it harder to get over the yips with pulling the trigger.
And then you add the fact that he’s in the last group of the Player’s Championship and everyone is watching what’s he’s going through. The stress of trying to win added to the fact that millions are watching him fight himself over the ball makes it even harder. It’s forcing him to back off when it does not feel right.
“I’m not being nice to myself, trust me. I’m ripping myself. But you know, there’s so much on the line that I just have to sometimes back off. Or I’ll force myself to take it back, and on the way down I’ll come up and pull up and go over the top. As ugly as it is and as painful as it is, believe me, it’s really tough for me, and I’m trying.”
But he still managed to shoot 68 and 12 under par for three rounds at the Players. Here’s the good news: He knows once he pulls the trigger, the shot is going where he’s looking. So his yips are confined to his set up, waggles, and take away. So technically he does not have the full-swing yips. He has the set up or take away yips.
“It’s tough, especially when you’re on the clock and you have to hit within a certain 40 seconds first it’s a minute. So there’s more added pressure. And only the whole world is watching, so there’s a lot more pressure there, too. It’s hard, but you know, I’m swinging it well, so if I trust it and pull the trigger, my ball is kind of going where I’m looking, which is great, and also I’m rolling the ball great,” Na said.
It’s going to be interesting what happens in the final round. Will Na overcome the yips with his routine? Can he fight himself one more round and win?
Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!
Golfers, do you suffer from:
- Anxiety, tension and over control of the stroke or swing?
- Performance anxiety about what others will think?
- Inability to wing the club freely on the course, despite the fact that you can in practice?
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Breaking The Yips Cycle: How to Putt, Chip, And Pitch Freely and Enjoy Playing Golf Again
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“I wanted to tell you I have broken out of the yips short putt issues. I have won 2 of the last 3 competitions. Right now my putting confidence is sky high. I HAD the putt yips for past 6 years. I contribute the success to two of your drills. First focus hard on the hole, forget about all else. It took awhile to get the 100% focus, but I could see the results coming. Then your advice “Let go and trust your ability.” Immediate result. Wow what a relief. Having putted for so long under yip pressure, I now feel I can be put under extreme pressure to win the club championship. I now look forward to short putts.”
~Ian Dodd
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“I am so grateful for your insights and experience. My focus is sharp and I feel relaxed but ready to meet whatever challenge comes up. If I make a mistake, I am able to let it go and move on immediately. You have really helped me to get back on track and get things going again.~Suzanne Strudwick, LPGA Tour
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What are our mental coaching students saying?
“I’ve had the yips for 30 years. With the anchor ban, I thought I needed to quit golf. It was frustrating hearing golf experts and commentators state that no amateur was going to quit golf because of the anchoring ban. Obviously, these experts don’t know anything about the yips. I’m so glad I found you. Your drills really helped. It might sound silly, but the biggest thing that helped me is knowing that the yips is mental. It might sound crazy, for someone to have the yips for 30 years, and not know it’s mental. I also believe I know my reason for having the yips, and I see how my insecurities in every day life contributed to the yips. Thank you for your help.”
~Kevin Stankewicz
Boy can i relate lol. My golf game is ruined now, went from a 1 hcp to mid 80’s almost overnight! Takeaway yips, peer review yips, chipping yips, fear of high scores, hitters impulse.. So bad i’ve considered switching to other side of ball to start over! Been over 8 months since i came close to a red # for 18.