What Should You Focus on When Putting?
One golfer said that from all the physical changes he’s tried to get over the yips and improve his putting, the long putter was the most helpful.
“I’ve tried all variations and permutations of grips, grip strength, shaft length, shaft weight, head weights, face angles, head types, long putters. Various stances and grips, postures etc. Long putter was the most helpful.”
But as I’ve discussed, the putting yips are a mental issue, not a physical problem… Some of these solutions can be a short-term fix but will not last.
Another golfer said that he’s changed his putting routine and it seems to help:
“I think it’s all my mental side of putting that fails me. Do you think a new routine that I’ve adopted will help? It seems to be at the moment.”
Personally, I would much rather you make a change in your routine rather than your grip, shaft, or mechanics.
A putting routine should help you focus on the process, be confident, and trust in your stroke.
Remember that most of the anxiety comes from focusing too much on the outcome and the aftermath of a bad putt or missing a short putt.
The aftermath is about fear of embarrassment or not being respected.
When you define a specific routine to occupy your mind in the present moment, this helps deflect the pressure you might feel.
You certainly don’t want to focus on outcome, such as:
- Trying to miss the putt.
- Trying not to yip the putt.
- Worrying about how it will look if you miss a three-footer.
- How it will feel if you have 38 putts in the round.
Staying in the moment means focusing on the ingredients of your putting routine one step at a time.
The most important time to stay in the moment is when you are set up over the ball ready to fire (this is when the gremlins are most likely to attack).
What should you focus on?
Making a good stroke?
NO!
It depends on the type of learner and performer you are, but anything to help you free up your mind over the ball will help.
For example, the simplest is focusing on your intended line (or a spot) and reacting to that line. Or feel players might prefer to focus on pace and feel the putt down the line.
Related Golf Psychology Articles
- How to Beat the Yips and Putting Anxiety
- Does Your Putting Change on the Course?
- Why the Putting Yips Show Up When It’s Important
- Subscribe to The Golf Psychology Podcast on iTunes
- Subscribe to The Golf Psychology Podcast on Spotify
Discover How to Break the Yips Cycle
know you are frustrated with your putting, chipping, or pitching and have considered giving up the game you once loved to play. But before you make that decision, read what I have to say about how I help golfers overcome the yips….
The first place to begin to break the Yips Cycle is to admit that the yips are a mental issue. Stabbing or flinching at impact are symptoms of bigger issues: fear and over control. Changing your grip, putter, swing, club, or routine are only temporary Band-Aids to a mental game issue.
“Breaking The Yips Cycle” is a complete brain dump of the TOP NINE mental training sessions I do with my personal coaching students to help them overcome the yips and play with freedom again!