Study of Arm and Putter Movement in Golfers With Golfer's Cramp

Dystonia affecting athletes has received little research attention and there has been a lack of awareness or interest among both physicians and athletes. Task-specific dystonias or occupational cramps affect people while writing, typing, and or playing a musical instrument. Our group has previously shown that a subset of golfers who complain of the yips appear to have a task-specific dystonia or golfer's cramp. The yips are characterized by an inability to appropriately complete a golf stroke, most often putting and chipping strokes. Most individuals with the yips describe a jerking or shaking movement that interrupts their swing. In many cases the yips are disabling and the golfer, including professional tour players, give up golfing.

Golfers who have evidence of golfer's cramp will putt a series of putts during which they will be monitored for arm movements and putter movements. They will then be treated with a low dose of propranolol to see if there is a change in these parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-75
• Complaint of golfer's cramp/yips
• Visual evidence of a movement disorder during putting
• Able to complete 80 putts during the session

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication to treatment with propranolol
• Movement disorder not when putting