Help with putting!

[calibnoodle]

I have developed a form of putting yip where once over the ball I can't make myself actually putt. I freeze up. I've tried counting to myself and lifting the putter off the green, but it's like the putter doesn't want to come up. I've started choking way down on the shaft and then straightening up a bit to lift the head for an easier stroke but this is only partially helping. It's a mental dilemma that is causing trauma with putting which kills your scores. Any tips or mental trick to just step up and putt the ball are appreciated. Thanks.

PS: I know this sounds like a knucklehead beginner kind of question, but I actually play pretty well and have putted well over the years. This is a recent development.

[mvmac]

Might not be as mental as you think. Good thread for you to check out. Try to match your backstroke length with your followthrough length.

[bm85]

Think putt putt golf out there. Get your read, line up and make a putt. If you freeze, back away and try again. That's what I do if I get nervous.

Develop a new routine where you look at the hole x amount of times, waggle, whatever else you like to do. Just stick with it for every putt and become machine like.

[dchoye]

One of the things that has help me become yip free is to trace a line from the hole to my putter face just before I putt. Then putt. My eyes will naturally return back to the hole. It's amazing how the body will automatically stroke the ball right at the hole