Chipping Yips

greyc · 27-07-2022 10:00am #1

I’m at the stage where I’m seriously considering giving up the game, because of my chipping yips. Currently playing off 11 though have been down as low as 8 in the old handicap system, but despite getting 6 or 7 chipping/short game lessons over the past few years the problem won’t go away.

Can anyone who’s had a similar problem in the past recommend a golf coach who they’ve had some success with.

I’m based in Dublin but would be willing to travel within reason.

coillcam · 27-07-2022 11:09am

How often do you practice short game these days?

Had a stage early this year where I couldn't do anything but chunk or blade a chip. A couple of lessons gave me the technique and work-ons to practice. My mentality now is to try to hole it or miss safe. Previously it was "don't chunk/blade". Regardless of what goes on I always try to get one short game session in per week even especially if I don't get 9/18 holes. I generally practice 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of short:long game.

spacecoyote · 27-07-2022 12:09pm

May or May not help, but remember reading an article about it and it was focused on there being 2 types of people around short game, internal focused or external focused.

Suggestion was to go out to green and hit 20 chips focusing on technique (internal), and 20 chips focused on landing spot/target (external) and see which works best for you.

If you're yippy, you could be too focused on technique, so target approach could switch that part of your brain off.

I know they do short game sessions in the GUI academy in Carton, so could be worth considering

greyc · 27-07-2022 12:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393593#Comment_119393593

Thanks for that. I usually try and get to the course about an hour before playing and I’d spend the bulk of that time around the chipping green. At home I’d practice out the back garden most days but obviously space is a bit limited there.

greyc · 27-07-2022 12:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393870#Comment_119393870

That sounds good I never thought of that. I think from the various lessons that I’ve taken my technique is probably ok and I’ve had a couple of lessons from the guys in Carton, but it just seems that when I’m on the course my right hand takes over and everything is bladed or chunked. I’ve even started chipping 1 handed which works better than 2 hands.

coillcam · 27-07-2022 2:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394041#Comment_119394041

I gave up using the garden tbh as the lies and grass were nothing like on the course. I didn't find it helpful but ymmv.

If I've an hour to practice I usually break it into 5 parts unless I'm practicing a specific skill/shot. Not always 12 mins per section either and I like to throw in the odd weird one, like a horrible lie in a bunker, flop over something or next to a bush etc.

Partial wedges 50-80yds
Bunkers
Chips (vary distance and fringe/rough)
Pitches 30-50 yds
Putting.

If I'm an hour early for tee time, I spend less time on short game stuff. More of a focus on warming up to full swings and putting.

Funny you mention about 1 hand chipping. A lad I worked with swore by it. Everything from 30 yards in was one handed!

GandhiwasfromBallyfermot · 27-07-2022 2:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393870#Comment_119393870

+1 for this, improved my chipping massively when I stopped thinking about technique and what could go wrong. Now my pre chip routine is only think about where I want to land it and making solid contact. Helped get me out of my own head.

newport2 · 27-07-2022 3:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393870#Comment_119393870

Along the same lines as this, one of the best pieces of advice on the short game was to separate technique and touch when practicing. The pro I get lessons from said that you can practice either, but not both at the same time. So if you're working on technique, all you should care about is the contact you're making as feedback you are getting it right. Then when practicing touch, forget about technique and just focus on what you're trying to get the ball to do. I found this worked really well. If I'm doing anything on my technique, I'll practice it for say 20 minutes or until I'm happy I'm doing it and then switch to focusing on touch. Then chop and change sometimes. Often I'll think about technique in a practice swing, but then for the chip itself, all I'm thinking about is where I want to land it.

billy3sheets · 27-07-2022 10:00pm

Did you try just using a simple putting stroke with no wrist break? Start with maybe a 7 and work down through the wedges. It'll get your ball on the green and rolling.

Gradually introduce some wrist as your confidence returns.

greyc · 28-07-2022 6:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396949#Comment_119396949

Yes I’ve tried everything, even using a rescue from off the green where possible, but more often then not as I’m just about to make contact with the ball, my right hand takes over and the ball ends up 20yds off the green on the other side.

The strange thing is, I’m actually quite a good putter, it’s probably the strongest part of my game.

greyc · 28-07-2022 6:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394842#Comment_119394842

Good advice, and I suppose I should’ve said that I don’t spend the full hour just chipping, I would vary distances and lies as well.

i think your comment about the back garden is spot on, I was doing a lot of this during Covid and my issue has gotten much worse since we went back playing last year.

I know it’s in my head at this stage and I’ll just have to find a way around it, but I think what some of the OPs have said about focusing on touch rather than technique might be worth a try.

Infoseeker1975 · 28-07-2022 7:15am

I think that lots of things in golf can be overthought; I agree with the above. I am a good chipper though my technique might not be textbook.

All I think of is make sure I am aligned to target [spot on the ground a foot or two in front of me], visualise the shot re where it needs to land, then my hitting the shot it is eyes only on the spot on the ball to hit, do not look up, I take a short backswing and always accelerate through the ball.

Get a hula loop or something circular, put it 20 feet onto the chipping green and practice the landing area approach.

Most important part is weight more on the left side, leaning tower of pisa approach.

BoardsMember · 28-07-2022 7:35am

I've been there, I did give up and haven't played more than 3 or 4 rounds sincen2015.

But at home during lockdown I pulled out my sand wedge and hit countless chips on rich pile carpet, so nice lies every time.

At the start I bladed most, right hand issues like yours. Gradually I hit more and more decent chips, but at the start of each little session I'd blade the first few, the fear would be there at the start. So I did more short sessions to face the fear of the first few chips.

Very gradually my body has forgotten about yips. Sometimes I get a slight wave of fear but then I go back to technoque, 2 focused practise swings them straight into it, rely on muscle memory. So it's great advice above re separation of practise for technique and touch/feel.

One thing that also helped me was being kind to myself. Accepting that I've the yips and accepting that, even though I'm putting lots of time into fixing it, it will still happen. Celebrate the little wins, where you do get up and down, rather than focus on the boned costly errors.

2 technical thing I found worked for myself and may help or resonate.

1. Making sure my chest rotated away on backswing, this makes sure shoulders turn, and stopped it all being about my hands and getting more and more rigid over the ball.

2. Rather than hold your right hand weak and focus on left hand in the strike, I gave permission for my right hand to be dominant in the strike. I kind of felt that worrying about the right hand coming through early causing the blade had made me losses the right hand, this may have been counter productive. Asking the right hand to dominate made it behave more. I dialled that back a little as things improved.

More than anything though its about repetition, hit thousands of chips. It's easy but it's hard. You'll get there. Keep at it, between meetings, first thing in morning, as often as you can.

greyc · 28-07-2022 7:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119397654#Comment_119397654

Thanks for this advice, really helpful and always good to know that I’m not the only one going through the problem.

newport2 · 28-07-2022 11:18am

https://holetheputt.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-chipping-left-hand-low/#:~:text=When%20you%20chip%20left%20hand,of%20cross%20handed%20practice%20drill.

Ever tried chipping left-hand low? Matt Fitzpatrick did this as a drill and found it easier than the conventional way, hence stuck with it.

willabur · 28-07-2022 1:16pm

the best golfer I know has chipping yips, its crazy to see how somebody can be so good at every aspect of the game bar one. He putts everything from 50 yards in if there is no obstacle in the way, if there is an obstacle.....

newport2 · 28-07-2022 1:47pm

Deleted

ShivasIrons · 28-07-2022 2:28pm

The chipping yips are so rare that in all the golfers I've seen I've never seen a genuine case of them.

The golfers that think they have the chipping yips really just have poor technique, my advice for anyone who thinks they have them, go see an expert, you'll be sorted out in no time at all.

copacetic · 28-07-2022 5:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396949#Comment_119396949

I had chipping issues a couple of years ago and switched to this approach for most shots, 8 iron to 60. generally get perfect strike now and plenty of spin, much more than most people with ‘traditional’ chipping technique. Only add wrist break back in now when absolutely needed.

callaway92 · 28-07-2022 5:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119400393#Comment_119400393

The Rick Shiels special. Has honestly revolutionised my chipping game

con___manx1 · 28-07-2022 5:53pm

I grip really lightly with the wedge in my hand for the shorter chip shots.

I imagine im throwing the ball then. Pick a spot on the green and throw it there.

I grip a little more on the right hand as thsts the one i imagine im throwing the ball with.

It works pretty well for me anyway. Very very rarely do i clunk any chips. Seen a video on it years ago.

Sipper · 28-07-2022 9:14pm

www.yipsguru.com

Quahog217 · 29-07-2022 1:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119398674#Comment_119398674

You should definitely try cack handed chipping, it has fixed my chipping yips after around 8 years of duffs. Its not for everyone but is has helped me a huge amount. Try it for a few hours around a practice green, don't get too technical just focus on a decent strike and see if it works. Hope this helps.

greyc · 29-07-2022 9:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119398674#Comment_119398674

I’ve tried it a couple of times but tbh I find chipping one handed a bit easier

greyc · 29-07-2022 9:43pm

Thanks very much for all the comments and suggestions and I’m definitely going to try a few of them the next time I practice. I’ve decided to give coaching another go so I’ve booked a lesson next week with a pro I’ve never been to before. In the back of my mind I keep thinking that one simple tip might just transform my game and while that might be deluded I’m prepared to risk €40 to give it a try.

in the meantime though I’ll give the other ideas a try and see what works.

ill keep you posted on how I get on.

BoardsMember · 30-07-2022 5:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119405884#Comment_119405884

You're probably right, if you get something positive you're trying to do that you believe in you'll be focused on doing something good and you'll likely stop worrying about doing something bad.

Repetition is key though, hundreds/thousands of chips as often as possible to help your body remember how good you are and how easy it is.

ShivasIrons · 30-07-2022 8:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119408685#Comment_119408685

Repetition is not the key, good technique is the key. Repeating bad technique is how golfers get worse.

BoardsMember · 31-07-2022 7:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119409521#Comment_119409521

I was taking for granted good technique as he'd said he was going for lessons. A lesson or two won't fix long ingrained mental scars of identifying as a yippy chipper and experiencing it over years. He needs to hit thousands of chips so that when he stands over one he thinks positively and starts to look at them as a positive opportunity.

opinionated3 · 06-08-2022 6:59am

The suggestions from fellow posters are all excellent. If all else fails however,I would highly recommend the new ping chipr. You say that you are a good putter. The chipr utilizes the putting stroke for a nice bump and roll shot up to the hole. It's obviously not suitable for every shot around the green but I've played three rounds with it in the bag so far and it's getting easier and easier to eliminate chunks and blades and leave short putts for myself, so much so that I'm thinking of leaving the 50degree wedge out of the bag. . It's bloody expensive though at 199 euro.

As I say, just a different idea

Quahog217 · 06-08-2022 9:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119435917#Comment_119435917

It really does look like a stroke saver for anyone with chipping issues. Some people think its just like chipping with an 8/9 iron with the different loft, lie angle and bounce its actually a lot easier than using and 8 iron (for people who struggle that is). The price however is a little outrageous!!

greyc · 10-08-2022 7:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119435917#Comment_119435917

Thanks for that I’ve never heard of it before but I’ll definitely have aloo,

trigger26 · 10-08-2022 8:38am

Had the yips on chips last year, bloody horrible, hitting irons in praying they'd be on green, it doesn't help the enjoyment of game at all.

I got a lesson and he said to concentrate on getting chest towards target on chips, that encourages big muscles to take over rather than hands, arms. I'd like to say that fixed it very quickly but then it was chipping 30-60 balls a day every day for months and forcing myself to use the chest idea on course in times when going well. Skulled a few early but eventually started to come round and now it's something in back of mind. I use only 3 clubs for chipping, 9 iron, 54 and 58. I'll use the 9 where I can mostly.

I'm still not best chipper but at least I'm giving myself chances now to make a putt, the ground is so hard at the mo it's tricky to judge distances, best of luck with this

BoardsMember · 10-08-2022 12:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119452610#Comment_119452610

Thats great advice. The less one thinks about hands when chipping the better. I focus on the above. Bit also rotating away a little on the backswing.

boccy23 · 10-08-2022 2:55pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpMjFwrA26s&t=186s

Might be worth a look as well.

AyeGer · 11-08-2022 12:47pm

I had the chipping yips for a couple of years. I found placing the ball in the middle of the stance and chipping mainly with body turn helped. I am using the bounce more now and use the forgiving CBX wedges.

My chipping anxiety was causing me to put the ball further and further back in the stance and to dip into the chips often swaying into the chip too. I changed the mindset to lower my expectations initially, I started just being happy to make solid contact and get it on the green, as I was duffing chips so regularly. As I grew confidence that I wasn’t going to duff it I began to get better.

Id still reach for a 9i before a high lofted flop shot if possible. I try to only use the SW or LW when it is genuinely required.

billy3sheets · 11-08-2022 8:54pm

I think @copacetic was the only one to mention spin in this thread.

Personally I don't place much emphasis on getting spin. I just aim for a landing spot and judge the roll out to the pin. I could use literally any iron in the bag for chipping.

Do others feel it's a big part of chipping? Something that needs to be practiced and perfected or just for the better golfer?@casio4

Kirby · 12-08-2022 3:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119454666#Comment_119454666

I bought one. 42-degree version. It's so easy it's ridiculous. Even when you mishit them a little they still go near the hole. I chipped in TWICE my first round using it.

I know people talk about technique being king.....and they are right. But it takes a lot of time to master chipping. Even some pro's are terrible at it and that should tell you everything you need to know. Most people don't have the time to practice every day. Sometimes technology trumps proper form.

I consider myself decent with my 60 degree but the bottom line is that the margin for error is pretty big. If you make a mess of it and fat it 3 feet in front of you or hosel it through the green.....you are going to pay massively. This thing is just like a putter with loft. It's pretty hard to mess up with it.

It might look like an odd club but I can't recommend it enough.

BoardsMember · 12-08-2022 8:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461051#Comment_119461051

I think it's the cherry on top. If you're a good chipper chances are you're acceleration through the ball. Acceleration and a good strike create spin. But anyone struggling with chipping shouldn't be worring about spin, I'd get be looking at getting the ball on the ground as early as possible and let it run out.

greyc · 14-08-2022 10:10pm

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions. I had a chipping lesson last week and so far having played 3 rounds since, my chipping has definitely improved, though I’d say I’ve a fair bit to go before I really feel comfortable.

Basically he said the main problem was not having my weight far enough forward. I always thought I had it a lot on my left side, but it was only my bottom half, my spine angle was tilted too far back.

Funnily enough I found the biggest improvement was with my lob wedge, whereas I’m still more likely to skull the ball through the green when faced with a basic chip and run using a 9 iron or PW.

GreeBo · 15-08-2022 8:47am

Really all that matters when chipping is the low point of your swing, this is typically between your sternum and your left pec (for right handed golfers)

Get this at worst over the ball and you can use a multitude of techniques from hinge and hold, to flipping the wrists, depending on preference and lie.

And its the same for chips, pitches, flops and bunkers. Find your low point and that's where you want the ball/sand to be, anything else means you are moving and manipulating which you dont really want on these short swings/shots.

Chipping Yips

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