The yips are a real condition that affect people who frequently type, write, play a musical instrument, or engage in certain sports activities  — such as cricket, darts, baseball, and golf. Essentially, they are involuntary wrist spasms said to be caused by a neurological disorder, performance anxiety, or a mixture of both. The term “yips” is said to have been popularized by Tommy Armour who was a golf champion in the 1920’s and 1930’s—to explain the difficulties that led him to abandon tournament play. In describing the yips, golfers have used terms such as twitches, staggers, jitters and jerks.