:help:after 35 years of golf I've got the chipping yipps.
I'm suicidal !At least with the putting yipps you are already on the green and might eventually get the ball in the b***dy hole !!
Anyone got any advice other than give the game up ?

Specific advice, no; but some offer of hope. They are curable; some people have recovered and wound up as good, or better, golfers than they were before.

Don't try to cure it on the golf course, though, as it's (almost always) a psychological problem. You might need to talk to someone about it, and whether that's worth doing depends how important golf is to you.

Which sort of chip shot is it your having trouble with?

>10 yarder
<10 yards
Having to flight it over something and land on green?
Pitch & run

And what's your handicap?

One problem I see time and time again with higher handicappers (14+) is when they try to flick lob wedges or PWs from 10 - 40 yards onto the green, when a good old fashioned 7ir 'bump and run' would suffice and by far the easier shot to hit.

If it's knackering your game that badly, then I'd definately advise going to see a Pro about it.

Its any bump and run that gives me trouble. I'm 8 hcap-seen the pro-know what to do -but just can't do it anymore. I practice and practice but its now psychological I'm sure. I dread missing a green which puts more pressure on the approach-I need a shrink !

Its any bump and run that gives me trouble. I'm 8 hcap-seen the pro-know what to do -but just can't do it anymore. I practice and practice but its now psychological I'm sure. I dread missing a green which puts more pressure on the approach-I need a shrink !

Mmm, then as Heyesey says, maybe a trip to a Sports Psychologist may help.

One last suggestion,... have you tried using a 3 wood, or rescue wood to play these shots instead?

Have you tried one of those Chippers, think you play them like a putter so they might help!

I think Odyssey have just brought one out

http://www.odysseygolf.com/

I think Odyssey have just brought one out

http://www.odysseygolf.com/
A golf pal of mine, plays off 6, bought one like this from JJB for £5 last year (Jaguar or some other obscure make). He swears by it for those 10ft off the green bump n run shots.

Personally I have no problem playing these with my 6ir and playing the stroke off the instep of the back foot and like a putt (ie no wrist break at all). Not sure I'd like to use up one of my 14 clubs in the bag with something so specific. Anyway, round Bondhay if you miss the green by 10ft you're usually in bunker, or have to play over one so it wouldn't be much use anyway.

A golf pal of mine, plays off 6, bought one like this from JJB for £5 last year (Jaguar or some other obscure make). He swears by it for those 10ft off the green bump n run shots.

Personally I have no problem playing these with my 6ir and playing the stroke off the instep of the back foot and like a putt (ie no wrist break at all). Not sure I'd like to use up one of my 14 clubs in the bag with something so specific. Anyway, round Bondhay if you miss the green by 10ft you're usually in bunker, or have to play over one so it wouldn't be much use anyway.


There's a few bunkers;)at Bondhay I believe

Personally I have no problem playing these with my 6ir and playing the stroke off the instep of the back foot and like a putt (ie no wrist break at all). Not sure I'd like to use up one of my 14 clubs in the bag with something so specific. Anyway, round Bondhay if you miss the green by 10ft you're usually in bunker, or have to play over one so it wouldn't be much use anyway.


How is Bondhay these days, I was a member there for a couple of years just after it opened (before the kids came along), I always thought that it would mature into a really good course once the trees had grown a bit and the greens had a bit of time to bed in.

How is Bondhay these days, I was a member there for a couple of years just after it opened (before the kids came along), I always thought that it would mature into a really good course once the trees had grown a bit and the greens had a bit of time to bed in.
I 've been a member for the last 3 years now, and rate it as one of the toughest tracks in Yorkshire.

It's so tight because of the trees, water and bunkers. But the biggest challenge I believe is the greenside protection. So many low to mid-handicappers gain shots at other courses by getting away with being able to drop approach shots short of the greens and run them on. That's just not possible on 90% of Bondhay's greens. Most of them have a small entrance to the green, with bunkers either side, and then lined up the length of either side of the green. You need to be able to accurately drop and stop from 150 - 180yrds on many holes.

The quality of the greens is improving. But there's still too many visiting societies for my liking (wear and tear can be an issue in mid summer), and the owner will insist on fiddling with the course design (the new ponds on the 18th haven't gone down too well).

I'd like to see the course design left alone now, and money be spent on really improving the all round quality of the course (greens, paths, tees etc).

Still, playing off 9.8 round Bondhay, I reckon I'm off 7 round most other courses now. It's definately a course that will improve your game over time.

I played with a visiting pro last summer, and he reckoned that in 15 years time, once the trees have matured a little and filled out, it will be a monster.

I 've been a member for the last 3 years now, and rate it as one of the toughest tracks in Yorkshire.

It's so tight because of the trees, water and bunkers. But the biggest challenge I believe is the greenside protection. So many low to mid-handicappers gain shots at other courses by getting away with being able to drop approach shots short of the greens and run them on. That's just not possible on 90% of Bondhay's greens. Most of them have a small entrance to the green, with bunkers either side, and then lined up the length of either side of the green. You need to be able to accurately drop and stop from 150 - 180yrds on many holes.

The quality of the greens is improving. But there's still too many visiting societies for my liking (wear and tear can be an issue in mid summer), and the owner will insist on fiddling with the course design (the new ponds on the 18th haven't gone down too well).

I'd like to see the course design left alone now, and money be spent on really improving the all round quality of the course (greens, paths, tees etc).

Still, playing off 9.8 round Bondhay, I reckon I'm off 7 round most other courses now. It's definately a course that will improve your game over time.

I played with a visiting pro last summer, and he reckoned that in 15 years time, once the trees have matured a little and filled out, it will be a monster.

Thanks for posting this!

When I was a member there a lot of the trees had just been planted so it was fairly open.

I agree totally with your analysis of the bunkering and its impact on Handicaps, I was off 12 there and I reckon I'm a couple of shots better than that at other courses.

The Greens always used to frustrate me, because of their undulations I always thought they'd develop into very good and testing surfaces, unfortunately this never seemed to happen and I don't know why.

I'm assuming the 18th is the par 5 that plays down hill then has a pond and then a three tieed green (they've changed this round in the past), that was a cracking hole where a cgood rive would allow you to go for the green, what have they done then has the pond moved closer.

Just out of curiousity, what are your green fees now? When I joined I paid about an £750 joing fee and then about £700 per year which got me gold membership.

Thanks for the suggestions-I'll give them a try.
What started as a plea for help has gone off on a tangent (just like my bl**dy chips !!!)

Thanks for the suggestions-I'll give them a try.
What started as a plea for help has gone off on a tangent (just like my bl**dy chips !!!)
Yeah, sorry about that. :blush: Hope you find your touch again. Let us know :thumbsup:

Titanic99 - I've tried PM'ing you info, but yer inbox is full.

Although this bit of the game is mostly between the ears, there is normally a technical reason that will need sorting out. It could be rhythm or the plane you take the club back on...or deceleration into the ball. Not sure this will make you feel any better but a guy I play golf with who has been down to +3 at his best, but now plays off 1, still has trouble with the odd fat and knifed shot...
the pro should be able to assist you with some drills to improve it. To echo someone else on here...whats the point of slicing under the ball with a lob wedge....its a risky shot, get that 6 iron out and just nudge it up there.

I used to get the yipps at chess when I was younger. Socially I was relatively strong and could beat anyone at the club I went to (on a decent night). When I got into a competitive situation with a clock ticking away, I'd lose it big style. I used to be guaranteed to make a pretty serious mistake in the first ten moves. As soon as I'd made the mistake I'd relax and be able to play properly, but of course from a positional disadvantage. Sometimes I'd lose anyway, sometimes I'd fire out a draw but I never won a single competitive game.

Recently I tried playing a few league games again, not having played any sort of chess for years. My game is way weaker than it used to be. In all the recent league games I played I was behind all the way through, without making the serious mistakes - just getting pulled out of position because... well... I'm no longer any good. BUT... I won every game I played by hanging in and making it difficult, letting the pressure do for my opponent.

I can't tell you how happy I was with the first win (nor how unamused the team captain was when I told him afterwards that it was my first EVER competitive win. If he'd known my history I don't think I'd have ever got a game).

I used to get the yipps at chess when I was younger. Socially I was relatively strong and could beat anyone at the club I went to (on a decent night). When I got into a competitive situation with a clock ticking away, I'd lose it big style. I used to be guaranteed to make a pretty serious mistake in the first ten moves. As soon as I'd made the mistake I'd relax and be able to play properly, but of course from a positional disadvantage. Sometimes I'd lose anyway, sometimes I'd fire out a draw but I never won a single competitive game.

Recently I tried playing a few league games again, not having played any sort of chess for years. My game is way weaker than it used to be. In all the recent league games I played I was behind all the way through, without making the serious mistakes - just getting pulled out of position because... well... I'm no longer any good. BUT... I won every game I played by hanging in and making it difficult, letting the pressure do for my opponent.

I can't tell you how happy I was with the first win (nor how unamused the team captain was when I told him afterwards that it was my first EVER competitive win. If he'd known my history I don't think I'd have ever got a game).

I can't tell you what horrific memories this has brought back, I used to play Chess every dinner time and I got quite decent, I was then asked to play for a mates team in a match at Millhouses, I was nearly physically sick at the thought of making a complete fool of myself.

Anyway, as it turned out I ended up playing this pompus p***k and I mated him really easily (his face was a picture), I can't explain how relieved I felt afterwards, but despite further requests I've never played another competitive game.

It was the 19th March when I asked for help and 4 months later its as bad as ever.! I've read books,had lessons,watched videos and practiced like a lunatic, and I'm at the end of my tether. I dread missing a green. So you all know what happens ? I try so hard to hit the greens-I MISS THE GREEN. I may as well pick the ball up.
I wasn't aware that this 'thing' can happen to chess players and its a little comforting to know (sorry chess players) but it is now very serious.
I asked my pro for advice and he told me to cut 3 inches off all my clubs.
He said they'd fit more easily into the bin ! I may take him up on that.

It was the 19th March when I asked for help and 4 months later its as bad as ever.! I've read books,had lessons,watched videos and practiced like a lunatic, and I'm at the end of my tether. I dread missing a green. So you all know what happens ? I try so hard to hit the greens-I MISS THE GREEN. I may as well pick the ball up.
I wasn't aware that this 'thing' can happen to chess players and its a little comforting to know (sorry chess players) but it is now very serious.
I asked my pro for advice and he told me to cut 3 inches off all my clubs.
He said they'd fit more easily into the bin ! I may take him up on that.

Did you try a "chipper", I used to have one and they can help!

I was in American Golf this afternoon & had a look at the "Golden Bear"(keep quiet at the back;)) Utility "chipper/putter",priced at only £19.99;could be worth ago at at that price:thumbsup: