Golf can be a great deal of fun to play and learn however many people at some point tend to suffer with this thing called the yips. The yips generally has the biggest negative impact on your putting so let us look into what really causes this so we can cure it once and for all. Most peope when starting to learn the game of golf tend to pick it up quite quickly and improve relatively fast at the start. However once you start getting some experience and also start taking lessons and reading up on the mental game it is easy to get caught up in bad habits that lead to the yips. Here are some habits to avoid if you want to stay free of the yips:
Constantly changing putters or clubs:
Unless your putter or other clubs are damaged then you should really have no reason to change them. Remember that it is your swing and mindset that determine how well you play not the clubs. The best players in the world can shoot great rounds regardless of what clubs they use as long as they are not damaged of course. Pick a putter and a set of clubs that you really like and maybe once every 4 or 5 years you can upgrade to the latest technology which can give you a small advantage however do not think changing clubs without practicing better swing mechanics or a better mental game is going to make a huge difference.
Constantly changing putting mechanics:
It is important to realize and accept the fact that there is no such thing as perfect putting mechanics. There are many different putting techniques and styles that can work well for you. The key is to pick one method that you like and stick with it working hard to refine and fine tune instead of completely changing your core putting style every few months. It takes a lot of time and practice for you to get used to one putting style so if you keep changing to new styles it might work well for a little bit at the start but the inconsistency will show up within a few weeks since the real problem lies in your mindset when you are putting.
Learn to quiet the mind:
Most people that suffer with the putting yips have a tendency to think too much when they are over the ball and about to hit it. They stop focusing on the target and this results in poor execution of short shots since it interferes with the natural athletic ability that already exists within most golfers. If you have the coordination to drive a car then you can probably also be a great putter so most people already have the raw talent. Try some of the above tips to help you overcome golf yips and become a lower handicap player.