“Yips,” an annoying but common muscle condition familiar to many golfers, may be a task-specific movement disorder -- much like a musician’s or writer’ cramp, according to a study presented April 14 at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Miami Beach, Fla.Yips prevents golfers from completing a stroke in the appropriate way. It often occurs during putting or chipping, and tends to worsen when a golfer is anxious.The study included 10 male golfers with the yips and 10 others who were yips-free. A high-tech scan called electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the participants’ muscle activity while sitting at rest, arms extended, and during handwriting; while standing at rest; while holding a putter at rest; and while using their own putter for 75 putts from three, six and eight feet.
