Golfers having trouble on the greens call it “the yips” — a vexing malady in which you involuntarily jerk your putter before taking a shot. Even some pros do it. Mayo Clinic research shows that as many as 25% of avid golfers get the yips, which can add about 4.7 strokes to an affected player’s average score. Most golfers assume that yips are caused by a twitch of performance anxiety under pressure — colloquially known as “choking” — but a new study raises some questions about whether a movement disorder with neurological roots may be to blame.

Before we get into the details, however, I want to point out that the research I am about to tell you about was funded by Allergan, manufacturer of Botox — which, not coincidentally, offers a potential fix for those whose yips fall into a certain category.

That said, I checked in with Charles H. Adler, MD, PhD, research leader and professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, who affirmed that one root cause for the yips does indeed seem to be neurological. His study compared yippers and non-yippers in order to identify which ones specifically have golfer’s cramp or in medical speak, a “focal dystonia” — localized involuntary muscle-tightening similar to writer’s or musician’s cramp.

Are Yips Par for the Course?

The study included 50 golfers, 25 afflicted with the yips and 25 yip-free, all matched for age, gender and ability. On an outdoor practice green, each golfer shot 70 putts while Dr. Adler and his colleagues videotaped them and also measured the electrical activity in the muscles of their forearms and the joint positions of their hands and wrists.

The videos demonstrated that 17 participants made visible involuntary movements during their putts — 15 of whom were in the yippers’ group and two who had had no previous problems with yips. When they later reviewed muscle activity reports, Dr. Adler and his colleagues also found differences in the hand rotation (pronation and supination) of yippers compared with non-yippers.

Dr. Adler presented these findings at the April 2010 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Yip, Yip, Hooray — Some Fixes!

As far as treatment goes, Dr. Adler told me that his team is now planning further research to explore what might help. Specifically, they will study oral medications and/or the use of botulinum toxin injections. Doctors aren’t treating golf yips this way — yet — but Botox injections are currently being used off-label to suppress similar problems, including muscle dystonia, spasms and contractions.

As for those yips, there are numerous Web sites that address the psychological root of the problem — such as Golfpsych.com. Or you can watch a video demonstration on GolfersMD.com (enter “yips” into the search box). It may also be a good idea to work with either a sports psychologist or a golf pro who can help determine whether changing your grip or using a different putter (both of which may bring subtle shifts in how you use your muscles) might make a difference. Meanwhile, there isn’t anyone among us, golf yippers included, who wouldn’t benefit from relaxation techniques… so that, too, is worth a try.