Can a Preshot Routine Improve Putting?

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.

Get more strategies to overcome the putting and chipping yips with my popular program, Breaking the Yips Cycle Video and Workbook program:


Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!

Putting Yips Cure

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?

Check out: Breaking the Yips Cycle

Golfers: Learn how to overcome the fear that keeps you stuck in a vicious cycle

Coaches: Help your team members play with freedom instead of fear or tension.

Instructors: Learn how to give your students the mental game edge.

Breaking The Yips Cycle: How to Putt, Chip, And Pitch Freely and Enjoy Playing Golf Again

What are Golf Psychology Students Saying?

“I am a single digit handicap who has battled the yips for some time. As I applied his methods I have found almost instantaneous success…. I recently shot even par to be medalist in a state qualifier (I missed too shorties to boot), but I just kept playing and my free strokes far outnumbered my bad ones. Thank you for giving me the tools I need to face my demons. I could not recommend his program more highly!”
~Alex Davis

“I was pleased to find your website and tips to address the mental issues with the yips. Your drills made sense to me. Other people only tackled technique. That isn’t the problem with me as I can stroke them all nicely on the practice putting green. I can even hit the long ones on the course. I will keep working at it and thank you for your interest.”
~Pat Collins

“I’ve read so many teachings regarding the yips, and you’re right on. I’ve read articles from top 10 teachers who have supposed cures for the yips, and realize, they don’t even know what the yips are… You know what they are, and I believe you know how to cure them. Thank you for your newsletters.”
~Kevin

“Yes! Awesome tips and they worked great. I was having a tough time mentally with putts inside of 4 feet for self imposed fear of missing them. After doing all of your drills I found myself just looking at the hole on the shorts putts similar to a free throw. Seems to be working. Thank you so much!”
~Shawn Barr

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