1. TRUST YOUR SWING YET DEVELOP A “YIP-PROOF STROKE.”  It has become a cliché to trust your swing.  However, most swingsters do not deeply trust what they have.  They have omnipresent little doubts and always seem to be tweaking something.  These patterns eventually lead to flinches and freezes.  The bowling great Billy Welu advised, “Trust is a must or your game is a bust.”  Think right now:  what does it really mean to totally trust your swing?  Take your time and specifically answer this question to your satisfaction.  Your answers are important.  They provide a foundation for not only implicitly trusting your swing, but deeply believing in yourself again.
During this time, you might want to take a series of lessons from a trusted teaching pro who understands your predicament.  At the very least, these lessons will confirm some essentials about your swing.  Feeling solid with your fundamentals can go a long way to resisting the yips.  Your pro may find a couple things to alter.  You may also learn some new shots.  Remind yourself that these mechanical emphases are the building blocks to a trustworthy and repeatable swing.
As you rediscover the essentials of the full swing you then have to honor them.  Whether they may be a full takeaway, powerful coil, hands set on top, smooth transition, purposeful tempo, or a powerful release, reacquaint yourself with your core swing.  Then create one (AND ONLY ONE!) swing cue which encapsulates your core swing.  During a round emphasize this one swing cue from the first tee shot.  Trust that this cue encompasses everything.  Stop thinking about everything else and throw yourself into this one swing cue.
Believe your core swing will be quite good enough.  Build on your strengths.  As you reinforce your swing it becomes more consistent.  This is good in itself and it helps prevent the yips.
HOWEVER, you also need to develop a backup swing for when the yips seep into your game.  I call this a “yip-proof swing” (YPS).  This swing won’t look as nice and the ball won’t go as far, but it will hold up under the stress of the yips.
Typically, this YPS is shorter and has less moving parts than your full swing.  Such a swing relies more on your larger muscle groups instead of the smaller (and more susceptible) muscle groups of the arms.  Develop an abbreviated three-quarter, punch, or knockdown swing which can be used in a pinch.  Have your hands lead during the downswing and purposefully accelerate through these shots. You will discover that such a swing is easy…and even mindless…to execute.  And that’s the point.
Employ this yip-proof swing when you feel queazy and need to survive a shot.  Punch, swipe, or even bunt the ball down the fairway.  This is not giving up.  Rather, it is a positive response to the yips.
So rely on your full swing until you feel the onset of the yips.  In such situations, automatically and unemotionally shift to your yip-proof swing.  Don’t think nor fret.  Just do it.  Succeeding with your YPS will distance yourself from yipping.  Many times you can return to your regular swing in a hole or two.  Even if you have to stay with the YPS, recognize that this a victory in that you have successfully coped with the yips.  And each time you cope with the yips you weaken them and empower yourself.
Think of these two types of swings as different performance “gears.”  Like a race car, you automatically shift between these two swing gears depending on the situation.
B. SWING RELATIVELY EASY YET OCCASIONALLY TAKE A RIP AT ONE.  Trusting your swing means tuning into your optimal rhythm.  A rhythmical swing is a repeatable swing.  It also holds up under stress.  Finally, smooth swing rhythm helps connect mind and body.
What is the ONE point of your full swing from which your rhythm emanates?  Whether it is in the forward press, a long takeaway, complete turn, an uncoiling of the hips, starting down slowly, firing the rear hip and elbow simultaneously, or even posing on the followthrough, find one emphasis on which your rhythm depends.  Feel this and think this.
Rhythmical swings which hold up throughout a round are grounded in swinging relatively easy.  At this level one is more apt to release the club and make consistent contact.  Such swings tend to be consistently performed.  Hence all rounds should be approached with swinging relatively easy.  Battling swingsters typically try to force and blast all swings during a round.  An important step to regaining overall control is to learn again how to swing relatively easy.
How does one find this optimal swing zone?  In human performance there is an important distinction between optimal and maximal.  Not all full swings should be executed full-out.  I define a “100% maximal swing” as the hardest you can swing while remaining in balance.  Given this, at what percent of maximum is your optimum swing?  As you discover and define it, refer to it this way:  an 85% full swing.  Whatever your number, always attach the word “full” after it.  This will remind you that your optimal swing rhythm is NOT 92% OF a full swing, but a full swing AT 92% power.  This is a critical distinction.
So during a round you can keep your mind engaged by “calibrating” the full swing on particular shots.  For instance, on my first drive or approach shot, I may calibrate these early swings to be at “76 full.”  On the important tee shot on the first par 3, I might calibrate this at a “90 full.”  Or if I am playing into the wind or to a back pin, I might calibrate this at an “84 full.”  Or whenever I am engaging my YPS, I might calibrate this at a “79 full.”  After you find your optimal number, experiment with various swing speeds on the range.  Predict each swing rhythm and determine if you can perform it.  This exercise will empower your swinging, ballstriking, and even overall control.
HOWEVER, at certain times during a round you may choose to swing all-out on a shot.  When you determine it is worth the risk, swing one at “100% full.”  On a drive on a par 5, going for that green in two, or wailing one downwind, it is okay to occasionally calibrate a “96 full” swing.  Just make sure that the couple subsequent full swings are back down into your optimal zone.  You don’t want to become giddy and start swinging out of your shoes on every shot.
Especially with the onset of the full swing yips, one good tactic is to go all-out on a swing.  Show the yips who is the boss!  Give yourself plenty of margin for error and go after it.  You see, it is a natural reaction for swingsters to become more hesitant and even timid.  Throw in what I call a “What The Heck” swing to reassert control.  Don’t care where the ball goes.  Such a WTH swing is the best way to confront any fears you have about missing a shot.  Even with your Yip-Proof Swing, occasionally calibrate this at a 95 full level.  Shrug your shoulders, clearly commit yourself, say “What The Heck,” and let it loose!
Swing rhythm can be felt and sensed, but it also can be thought and calibrated.  So feel your rhythm, ground you swings in your optimal zone, calibrate each one, and occasionally throw in an all-out flail!  Rhythm will bring you back and see you through.
Swingsters, there is hope.  There are answers.  Believe it.  You are now on your way!

SMOOTHING THE FULL SWING YIPS

Dr. Tom Kubistant, CSP

You knew it had to happen.  For readers of my articles in these pages, you know that I have a special affinity for those poor souls afflicted with the yips.    The responses from “yipsters” and “chipsters” have been gratifying.  They have overcome their flinches and, as importantly, soothed their tormented psyches.
Just about every day I receive emails from golfers throughout the world who experience some type of yips.  I wish you could read some of these heart-wrenching stories.  They have lost control of the fine motor skills necessary for playing solid golf.  It is like some kind of demon is in control of their bodies and minds.  They are embarrassed by their ineptness and frustrated with the inability to maintain control.  Beyond that, the yips have sapped the joy out of playing the game they love.
From the systems we have created, golfers of all abilities have learned how to better accept, respond, and even overcome their putting and chipping yips.  However, there is still one variant which has never been formally addressed…until now.  It is the full swing yips.  You knew it had to happen!
THE TANGLED WEB OF THE FULL SWING YIPS
The full swing yips are a relatively rare form of this performance affliction.  They take on some very specific forms.  Some full swing yipsters (whom I call “swingsters”) are unable to take back the club.  They are literally frozen over the ball.  Other swingsters shutter during the takeaway.  Still others freeze at the top of the swing.  Others “hitch” (one of my swingster’s term) on the way down.  Finally, some uncontrollably flinch at impact, raising up as if they are afraid to hurt the ball.
Each of the three major types of yips are unique and separate unto themselves.  I have very rarely seen golfers who have, say, the putting and pitching yips.  The full swing yips have quite distinct dynamics.  Whereas the putting and chipping yips are subtle and covert, the full swing yips are obvious and overt.  They are almost violent.  In teaching and playing pros’ circles, the full swing yips are that “dirty little secret” to which is rarely admitted, much less discussed and addressed.
In a game where the full swing is the visual and symbolic hallmark of mechanical mastery, yipping is embarrassing.  Beyond the physical flinches, the mental and emotional responses become almost agonizing.  Swingsters constantly struggle and eventually become             ever-rationalizing, discouraged, and even dour.  Indeed, the full swing yips create a tangled web.
The more swingsters try to combat them, the more these yips control through elusiveness.  At the other extreme, trying to ignore them hoping they will go away does not work either.  And of course, pressurized playing situations bring them out more dramatically.  Swingsters can sense that long before they reach the ball they will yip.  They become tunnel-visioned, short of breath, and experience queazy stomachs.  In a game where self-control is elementary, it is personally humiliating to have something else in charge.
Like the other two forms of the yips, swingsters tend to be very intelligent and aware.  Their abilities to analyze and be sensitive can actually  work against them in that they frequently get in their own ways.  The yips develop and flourish in the overly analytical and sensitive.  Now, it offers little solace for those afflicted with the yips to tell their jesting partners, “I have the yips because I am much more cognizant and perceptive than you clods!”  However, just as a swingster’s intellect facilitates the yips, it also provides a pathway out of this morass.  (I used these big words here to titillate your intelligence!)
BEFORE WE START…
Okay, are you ready to work?  Are your really ready?  Are you totally committed to overcoming your yipping?  Answer these questions truthfully.  I have encountered some swingsters who say they are committed to change, but really aren’t.  It is as if their yips have become grudging friends…like a crazy old uncle.  They seem to be comfortable with their yips and actually fear giving them up for the unknown.  As the old saying goes, “The devil you know may be better than the devil you don’t know.”  Do you really want to change?
Even though I have helped a couple hundred yipsters and scores of chipsters, I have only seen 32 swingsters.  However, some definite trends have emerged.  Here are a couple of important perspectives before we embark.

(1) Believe the full swing yips can be overcome.  This process is usually long, nonlinear, and even illogical.  AND they can be conquered.

(2) You have to let go of your pride, self-image, and old ego attachments of how you used to swing.  Accept that you will have to learn new ways of swinging and playing the game.

(3) Convince yourself that you are doing battle not only with those yips, but with your mind as well.  Part of this struggle will be in direct confronting.  However, a big part of this battle will also be in learning how to accept, allow, and remain detached.
THE DUALITIES OF HANDLING THE FULL SWING YIPS
There are four core dimensions in overcoming the full swing yips.  I have found that each of these dimensions needs to be addressed in two almost antithetical ways.  That is, you will have to develop almost contradictory techniques within each dimension.  Rest assured that one of these mutually exclusive techniques will be effective for each yipping situation you encounter.
Before you proceed, please one word of warning:  as you read through these strategies, resist the temptation to apply all of them at once.  This will only exacerbate your yipping.  Diligently read each of these dimensions three times.  Then exclusively emphasize the first for a full two weeks.  Then work on the second.  Next month I will present the third and fourth dimensions.  This will give you time to completely understand and implement the first two.  In this manner, you will build an interlocking system of your new game.

Want more of Doc Kubistant? Get Mind Links now.

Nick Bayley is the author of the highly successful “Draw” System which has been used by over 5000 golfers to hit the ball further, straighter and more consistently. And Nick was recently interviewed by The New Zealand Golf Gazette where he shared his secrets to fixing the dreaded golf slice.

Golf Gazette: Hi Nick, and thanks a lot for agreeing to do this Interview. So let’s get straight into it. Why did you create a system to fix golfers slice and how long did it take to put together?

Nick: The reason I created The “Draw” System was because one day I was surfing the web and I saw a statement that said “85% of golfers slice the ball.” Seeing that statement stopped me dead in my tracks and I decided right then and there to do something to help as many golfers as I could to fix this problem. Because being able to consistently draw the ball is easy, BUT it’s only easy if you’re shown how. Like anything, if you don’t know how to do it, or have never been shown then of course it’s hard or difficult.

From the point of seeing that statement on the web it then took me 3 solid months to create and test what I believe is the best step-by-step “How to Fix Your Slice System” in the world.

Golf Gazette: So what does a golfer need to do to hit consistent draws?

Nick: From all my testing and research it has become very clear to me that all that is required to consistently draw the ball is the following three things.

1. A golfer needs setup for a draw, and 2. Swing from the inside while contacting the ball with a slightly closed clubface, and

3. Have equipment that encourages a draw.

And although it’s possible for a golfer to draw the ball with only two out of these three things being correct, I’ve found that if a golfer wants to consistently draw the ball then they must combine all three perfectly.

Golf Gazette: Clearly you think it’s so easy to fix a slice so why do so many golfers suffer from this problem?

Nick: I believe the main reason is because most of golfers are only ever shown a fraction of what is needed to hit consistent draws. As I’ve said, a golfer needs to setup for a draw, swing from the inside while contacting the ball with a slightly closed clubface and have equipment that encourages a draw. And my system teaches each of these elements in great detail. In essence, my system is giving golfers the complete solution rather than just tips that may or may not help.

Golf Gazette: Apart from the obvious advantage of hitting the ball straighter after fixing a slice is there any other advantages?

Nick: I read some interesting research that Golf Digest did back in 1981 to find out the difference between a fade and a draw. They setup a driving machine to hit draw and fade shots and from their scientific tests they found that on average a draw goes 17 yards further than a fade shot. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out that a slice is going to go even less distance than a fade shot! From the golfers who have tried The “Draw” System this 17-yard increase in distance is conservative, very conservative. Because I’ve found that when a golfer changes from one who slices the ball to one who draws the ball they get a huge increase in confidence. And this huge increase in confidence combined with the change in ball flight from a fade/slice to a draw is gaining most golfers an extra 25-30 yards more distance!

Golf Gazette: Your system has a pretty amazing guarantee but could you explain in more detail what exactly it is.

Nick: Sure, I guarantee this system will fix any golfers slice in 90 days. If it doesn’t then the golfer can send it back and they’ll get their money back with no questions asked plus I’ll pay them an extra $35. That’s how confident I am that it works. And through my follow up with golfers who have tried this system I’ve found that it generally takes most golfers about 30 days to consistently draw the ball. But having said that, the other day I received an email from a customer in Palmerston North, New Zealand who had never, ever drawn or even hooked a ball in all his 7 years of playing golf. And just 10 days after getting my system and following the instructions I recommended he was drawing his shots 70% of the time. And this helped him to win a prize for longest drive, nearest the pin and lowest gross in the first competition he played in after receiving the system. As you can imagine he was pretty excited about all of this and it was a great start for my day getting an email like that.

Golf Gazette: Do you have any other success stories you can tell us about?

Nick: On my website I have over 140 customer comments from golfers in over 21 different countries. And I have more success stories and more coming in daily. But one of the success stories I like the best is from the manager of the Two Under Club here in New Zealand who has been playing golf for some 31 years now. And like many golfers he has sliced the ball since starting to play this great game. He tried my system and is now consistently drawing the ball, which he is both amazed and delighted about.

Golf Gazette: So what exactly do you get people to do in this system of yours?

Nick: On the first four days of the system I teach golfers each element of the setup needed to consistently draw the ball. Then on day five I get the golfer to combine all these elements into one simple setup position that encourages them to draw/hook the ball. Then for the next 14 days I give golfers drills that teach them each stage of the swing from the take-away to the follow-through. You see I’ve found that getting golfers to do drills that force them to do a part of the swing correctly is the quickest way to change a golfers muscle memory. Theory is all well and good but if a golfer can’t feel what they should be doing then all the theory in the world will be of no use to them. After completing all the drills the golfer is then given advice on little things they can do with there equipment to encourage a draw. Plus they are given simple tests that quickly show if their equipment is encouraging or hurting their chances of hitting consistent draws. Most golfers find that they have to do very little if anything to their equipment to help them draw the ball. But for others their equipment will never allow them to hit consistent draws and learning that this is the case can literally save golfers years of frustration and heartache. And finally on day 21 the golfer is shown a setup position that encourages a consistent, powerful draw and given advice on what they should keep doing on a consistent basis (drills etc.) to reinforce what they have done over the past 21 days.

Golf Gazette: It sounds very detailed. How much are golfers meant to practice this to ensure they fix their slice?

Nick: I recommend that golfers spend at least 15 minutes on each daily exercise to fix their slice after 21 days. Also 90% of everything in the system can be done at home so there’s basically no need for practice facilities other than a place to hold and swing a club.

Golf Gazette: Are you serious? With only 15 minutes a day for 21 days someone can fix a slice they may have had for 30 years or longer?

Nick: Absolutely. It’s not the time so much as the sequence that a golfer learns all the steps. It’s like building a house. You don’t start with the roof, but instead you build a solid base and foundation. The same is true in the golf swing. Start at the setup, then the swing, then the equipment. And if golfers are given a simple plan to follow that is based on sound fundamentals, then there is no way anyone can fail.

Golf Gazette: Sounds great. How can golfers get more information about this new golf system?

Nick: Any golfer who is interested in this golf system can get more information at my website: The Draw System

Greens and fairways,

Craig

Note: this illustrated golf instruction is just one golf pro’s advice. You will find that you can hardly get any two golf teachers to agree on anything with regard to what the proper swing is let alone how best to teach it. The following illustrated golf swing lesson can be a good starting point in your quest to create a good swing or if you are more advanced, may help you make that little tweak that can help you get to the next level. If you want to check out a new highly rated total swing system, my top recommendation is

Illustrated golf instruction for the basics of the swing by Joe Novak. Written for right handers.

In the making of every golf shot, there are two parts. First – Assuming the proper position to the ball – This means:

1. Proper placement of the club to the ball
2. Correct grip or correct hand positions on the club
3. Correct placement of feet
4. Proper position of body

Once this starting position is established, the second part of the golf shot consists of the actual stroke, that is, the actual swing of the club.

To each of the above two parts, there are four distinct moves, and if these moves are followed in the step-by-step procedure in which they are going to be presented, there will be no difficulty in learning and acquiring a perfectly natural, efficient golf swing in very short order.

Let’s learn the 8 moves (Double 4) that can create a perfect golf stroke.

The First 4 Steps of the Position for the golf swing

Step 1 instruction - Place the club behind the ball, using the left-hand only.(Illustrated below-D: strong left position, E: weak position)

If there is any one thing that is important in a golf shot, it is the way in which the left hand works. As a matter of fact, it will be learned that the left hand action is the very crux of every golf shot. Actually, the left hand has a triple duty in a golf shot:

1. creating or determining the position of the club will be in during the swing.
2. keeping the club in the desired position.
3. bringing the club into and through the ball

The proper position of the left hand on the club is as follows: the hand is more or less on top of the shaft. When it is in the proper position, three knuckles of the left hand are in clear view when the player looks down at his hand and the left thumb is at a point more or less behind the shaft.

Step 2 - Place feet in position

The proper place to stand is in a position where the ball will be opposite the left heel. A line running from the ball to the inside part of the left heel will be at right angles to the line of the shot. The feet should be so placed that the toes of both feet are parallel to the line of the shot.

This position is to be assumed on all shots and with all clubs. (editor’s note: many golf instruction professionals advocate this for the driver and then moving the ball back as you graduate to more lofted clubs.)

The feet should never be wider apart than the width of the shoulders. In other words, always use a narrow, rather than wide stance because with the narrower stance it is easier to shift the weight to the right foot for the upswing and reshift it to the left foot for the downswing.

golf grip fundamentals Step 3 – Complete grip by bringing the right hand to the club.

When the right hand comes to the club it assumes a position on the club which is directly opposite the position of the left hand. Whereas the left hand is definitely on top of the club handle (illustrated far left), the right hand assumes a position more or less underneath the club. (editor’s note: this will help most beginning golfers avoid the typical slice, hookers might turn their hands more counterclockwise)

When placing the hands on the club be certain that there is no tenseness or tight grip. Any sense of holding or gripping the club should be confined to the front part of each hand, to the first two fingers and thumb. The thumb of the left hand fits naturally into the hollow of the right hand palm and in a perfectly natural way the overlapping grip is created.

See golf grip instruction page for more detail and tips

Step 4 - Turn or flip the right heel out slightly

In a normal foot position it is generally natural to stand with both toes turned out slightly (illustrated second from left). This fourth and final move is to flip or turn the right heel out slightly so that a pigeon-toed effect is created on the right foot. (illustrated far right, compare it with other right heel pictures above)

The purpose of this move is twofold: first, this outward flip of the right heel places the right foot in a much stronger position for the backswing, and also makes it easier to shift the weight to that foot. Secondly, when the backswing is made, that is, when the club is raised to the top of the swing with the right side, it will be found that because of this outward flip of the right heel, there is a greater freedom in the vicinity of the right hip and throughout the entire right side of the body. This makes it easier to raise the club naturally and to take it back on the inside.

Additional setup tip:

Good golfers all assume a sort of “sit-down” position, whereas many novices in golf act as though their club were too short and seem to bend forward from the waist as they prepare to make the shot. This bending forward straightens the knees and really locks them tightly so that any sense of footwork or shifting of weight is impossible. From the sit-down position the good golfer assumes his knees are easy and relaxed so that footwork and weight-shifting can be done easily. Learn to get the sit-down effect rather than the straight locked knee effect.

Fundamental golf instruction

The Four Moves that Make the Stroke

Step 1&2 – Create proper weight shift and balance starting with a forward press then reverse press

Do not walk up to a golf ball and plant both feet solidly on the ground with weight evenly divided, because you will be really locking up and thereby destroying all chance of an easy, natural swing. All good golfers change their weight from their left foot to the right foot with a distinctive one-two move, the forward press, also called a zigzag movement. The forward press is a slight forward motion, a slight forward bending of the right knee.

This forward kick with the right knee enables the player to do a “reverse press, ” a reversing of the knee positions, whereby the player can balance himself on his right foot and right leg, so that the upswing of the club can be made with the right side of the body. And I want to say emphatically that if there is any trick to making a good golf shot, it is exactly this trick of getting onto the right leg and right foot before the club is picked up on the back swing. From the forward press, there is an easy natural opportunity, a natural impetus to make move 2, which is to reverse the knee positions, and through this reversing of the knees, transfer or shift the weight to the right foot. (All during steps 1 and 2, the clubhead remains on the ground and so do the heels of both feet)

This Step 2 is actually the key move to good golf, because it opens up the way and makes it possible to raise the club to the top of the swing in an easy natural way.

Let me issue a warning. Do not let the importance of this lead you to any exaggeration because an overemphasis of these 2 first moves can produce a reverse effect; causing the weight to reverse back to the left foot. With good players, steps 1 and 2 are done with such nicety and finesse that, to an untrained eye, these moves can and do go by unnoticed.

Step 3 – The player raises the club to the top of the swing.