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Nerves While Putting


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1 minute ago, Billy Z said:

Absolutely, because some think is more important than anything else in life.

I'd take that bet. I don't think you could find two people on earth who think golf is "more important than anything else in life."

I require no "convincing" that golf is a game, because it is, and it's also how I derive my livelihood.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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13 minutes ago, iacas said:

I'd take that bet. I don't think you could find two people on earth who think golf is "more important than anything else in life."

I require no "convincing" that golf is a game, because it is, and it's also how I derive my livelihood.

I think you are missing the point, it really doesn't matter what is actually the truth, but there is truth in what I did say, what matters is what you convince your mind of. 

Thomas Gralinski, 2458080

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1 minute ago, Billy Z said:

I think you are missing the point

I think you're missing the point.

I was making a bit of a joke about how you said you have to "convince" yourself that a game is, in fact, a game. That struck me as odd, and a bit funny.

I don't have to convince myself that 2+2 = 4. It is. Golf is a game. I don't need "convinced" of that. It's a fact. A true statement.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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16 minutes ago, iacas said:

I'd take that bet. I don't think you could find two people on earth who think golf is "more important than anything else in life."

I require no "convincing" that golf is a game, because it is, and it's also how I derive my livelihood.

Coach, you are blessed and I wished you continued success in your golf livelihood.  I think you have to concede that Pro's can become obsessed with improving their "game" so much that it ruins their career and also impacts their regular lives.  What you may not see, but can help you in future lessons, is that we mere mortals can become obsessed with our game and create false self-identifications.  Good golfers who develop the yips or hosel-rockets find fault with their selves; not their clubs, their swings, or their games.  

Regarding the first point:  how many marriages have been broken by people who absolutely believe golf is more important than anything else in life? Playing; practicing; equipment; partners; instruction; etc.

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3 minutes ago, HoganApexFan said:

Regarding the first point:  how many marriages have been broken by people who absolutely believe golf is more important than anything else in life? Playing; practicing; equipment; partners; instruction; etc.

Zero.

And back to the topic, please.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

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It's just that if you minimize the importance of a particular situation, sort of trick the mind, you have a better chance to control the outcome. Would I be more stressed/afraid of a lion or a housecat?

Thomas Gralinski, 2458080

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9 minutes ago, Billy Z said:

It's just that if you minimize the importance of a particular situation, sort of trick the mind, you have a better chance to control the outcome. Would I be more stressed/afraid of a lion or a housecat?

Stress can also make some people focus more and perform better.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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1 hour ago, iacas said:

Stress can also make some people focus more and perform better.

That's true, but one thing you forgot was this:

"Lately I've been struggling with what could probably be described as the "yips" while putting"

This was the OP basically asking how he could reduce his stress, or yips, while putting. So I addressed that. Yes, stress does help some perform better, but my answer was with the OP in mind, not myself.

Thomas Gralinski, 2458080

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58 minutes ago, Billy Z said:

That's true, but one thing you forgot was this:

"Lately I've been struggling with what could probably be described as the "yips" while putting"

This was the OP basically asking how he could reduce his stress, or yips, while putting. So I addressed that. Yes, stress does help some perform better, but my answer was with the OP in mind, not myself.

I wasn’t talking to the OP.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

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17 hours ago, Billy Z said:

Absolutely, because some think is more important than anything else in life. 

Being passionate about golf does not imply that the game occupies any particular spot on a hierarchical ladder in life's priorities.

Recognising that golf is not life or death doesn't make it easier for someone with the yips to stop jerking their putter or having their arms freeze.

 

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In the race of life, always back self-interest. At least you know it's trying.

 

 

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wrong thread, d'oh...

 

for this one, I like Phil's approach in his putting video...the way he did the phantom putts before and after the one that mattered to make a pressure shot routine was spectacular

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1 hour ago, darthweasel said:

wrong thread, d'oh...

 

for this one, I like Phil's approach in his putting video...the way he did the phantom putts before and after the one that mattered to make a pressure shot routine was spectacular

Phil does an excellent job in his video, in all aspects of the short game.

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Thomas Gralinski, 2458080

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During the winter months, I go to golf town on Sunday afternoons and putt for half an hour while my better half shops. I have no intention of buying, just try every left handed 34 inch putter that fits my eye. 

Putting at golf town on a Sunday afternoon has overcome any nervousness I ever had about putting with strangers. You are dealing with folks trying to use the balls you are using, three year olds running past you and the "pros" trying the latest SC, but can never sink a putt. 

Its really taught me how to tune everything out. and my putting has improved.

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  • 2 weeks later...

It is probably a good idea to never take a gimmie for the purpose of nerves. If you putt everything out, this will give you good practice and confidence. Imagine a golfer, when playing casual golf with friends is often given those 3 foot putts, then has to make a slippery one in competition? It's good to putt everything out and challenge yourself as you do it, pretending those putts are in a competition.

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Thomas Gralinski, 2458080

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  • 1 year later...

I read through this thread.   People who have never suffered from Yips or putting tension or whatever it is don't understand how real it is.  

I have been playing golf since I was 5.  (I am 60 now)   Played in college.  Was a great putter when I was a kid.  But when I hit about 30 I started struggling with short putts.  I had a better chance to make a 30 foot putt than a 5 foot putt.  It seems to have really gotten worse the last decade.   Anything more than a tap in is an adventure.   I am a decent player.  I have a 7 handicap, I can hit the ball well, but putting is not fun.  

It doesn't matter how much I practice.  I can practice on the putting green for hours and my stroke looks and feels pretty good.  It doesn't matter how much I try to convince myself its only a game, etc.,  when I get to the first tee, under any kind of pressure, my hands and arms feel weird.  It feels like I don't even know how to stroke the putt.   It is the same whether I play with family, friends or strangers.  I putt better with my hybrid than my putter.

 I have around 30 different putters that I have accumulated over the years.  I have tried the following methods that I can remember.  There are probably more.

-Short backstroke

- pop stroke like Snedeker

-look at hole on stroke

-follow putter blade with eyes on stroke

-close eyes on stroke

-long putter

-long side saddle putter

-claw grip

-praying hands grip

-pencil grip

-one armed putting

-cross hand putting

-putting left handed

-cut putting

-Grip putter very loosely

-Grip putter very tightly

I have read Bob Rotella books.  I have read numerous instruction books.   

It is really sad.

 

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I developed this method. It works for me.
On the greens that I play a 5 inch backswing goes about 8ft. (stroke don't hit)
You will be able to adjust for your own greens.
1.. Place the ball at long iron position, just off left instep.
2.. Place Putter mid stance.
3.. Take a 1 inch backswing and just stroke it towards the hole.
4.. If I want the ball to go 16ft I place the putter 10 inches behind, take a 1 inch or less backswing and stroke it towards the hole.
I went from awful to averaging 31 putts and less..
I think it works because you are preloading the backswing. On a 30 footer I am starting with the ball just off the left instep and the ball up to 15inches behind it.
You need to work out your own distances for the pace of greens you play but this method does 3 things.
Your backswing is always one inch. You have preloaded the distance by pre-setting the backswing. You just need to stroke the ball.
It stops jerky backswings, rushed putts and gives you a pre putt routine.

Good luck, 

On a 30 footer I am starting with the ball just off the left instep and the ball up to 15inches behind it.
TYPO

On a 30 footer I am starting with the ball just off the left instep and the PUTTER up to 15inches behind it.

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On 5/11/2022 at 5:22 PM, KansasDude said:

I putt better with my hybrid than my putter.

Then putt with your hybrid. Seriously. Sometimes a mental reset can help with these things.

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Bill

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - Confucius

My Swing Thread

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