Decreasing Putting Yips in Accomplished Golfers via Solution-Focused Guided Imagery: A Single-Subject Research Design

An across-subjects multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of solution-focused guided imagery (SFGI) on putting yips (e.g., jerk in the putting stroke) in three experienced (24 years or more), accomplished (handicap less than 7), male golfers located in the Southeastern United States. Each golfer participated in at least five SFGI sessions designed to guide him to create vivid images of thinking, feeling, and behaving in ways devoid of the problem (i.e., putting with a smooth continuous stroke). Data collected during participants' regularly scheduled weekly golf rounds showed an immediate and sustained decrease in yips after SFGI sessions. Maintenance data collected three weeks after the last sessions showed that these decreases were maintained. Discussion focuses on future research and practice related to treatment of the yips and similar focal hand dystonia.