Quantification of the "yips" phenomenon during golf putting

The problem. Certain golfers report a twitch in their arms during the putt. This unintended movement is generally referred to as the "yips." The "yips" phenomenon has been discussed for many years within the golf arena. However, the "yips" have never been scientifically quantified. This study used electromyograph (EMG) readings to identify the degree of muscle tension during the "yips." The purpose of this investigation was to test the principal hypothesis that golfers with the "yips" would show significantly greater increases in mean (uv) forearm EMG activity than the mean (uv) forearm EMG increases of non"yip" golfers during low- and high-anxiety conditions.

Method. A total of 34 golf students (17 with "yips" and 17 without "yips") were measured on an electromyograph to assess forearm muscle tension during a low- and high-anxiety putting condition. All subjects were randomly assigned putting conditions. The subjects were also given a Golf Questionnaire, and the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). The groups were compared using a two by two factorial design. Correlation was then made between the "yips" group and the non-"yips" group and the SCAT.

Results. Findings indicate that the "yips" group showed significantly greater mean increases in forearm EMG (uv) activity than the non-"yips" group in both putting conditions. However, there were no statistically significant EMG (uv) differences between the anxiety conditions. Significant differences were also found between the golfers with "yips" and golfers without the "yips" on the SCAT, with the "yips" group having greater competitive trait anxiety.