Golfer's 'yips' like writer's cramp, says study

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By NICK ALLEN in Los Angeles
A golfer's "yips" are not down to the pressure of a crucial putt but are caused instead by a movement disorder similar to writer's cramp, according to a new study by neurologists.
Also known as the jitters, the jerks, the staggers, and "balky putter," the condition has affected some of the greatest names in the sport including Bernhard Langer, Ben Hogan, Harry Vardon and Sam Snead.
More than one quarter of all mature golfers are thought to experience it at some point and are left bewildered as involuntary twitches lead to easy 3ft putts sailing by the hole.
The so-called "golfer's curse" has led many of them to give up completely out of frustration and embarrassment at the state of their short game.
In the latest study researchers recruited 25 golfers, who complained of the yips and 25 who did not, and studied them making dozens of putts of varying lengths, measuring the electrical activity in their muscles.
They also wore a "cyber glove" which measures movements in the hand and their putting stroke was videoed.
The research, presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Toronto, showed 17 of the golfers made visible involuntary movements.
Of those, 15 were in the group with the yips, while two had never complained about the problem before and thought they were just bad putters.
The study suggested the condition is similar to the muscle rigidity or cramp which affects writers and has ruined the careers of concert pianists and guitarists.
Dr Charles Adler, a neurologist who led the research, said: "I believe that's the case in a subset of golfers. Identifying that subset is my goal." Sadly, he could not offer a solution and for the moment golfers will have to rely on the current "cures" which range from changing their grip to seeing a psychologist.
Despite the research some believe that nerves could still play a role. Dr Stewart Factor, a neurologist from Emory University in Atlanta, who was not involved in the study, said it would help to analyse twitching golfers "out on the course in real conditions."