Pre shot routine

[jayxmoneyx101]

My graphics arts teacher used to play on Central Connecticuts Golf team back in the day. He's very knowledgeable about the game and equipment yet he's not played in 10 or so years.

 

He said the most important thing about competitive golf is your pre shot routine. No matter where you hit the ball no matter what's going on around you you have to keep your mind in the same state at all times.

 

Do you guys have the same pre shot routine every shot?

 

 

I know for me it's never the same. Is this something I should work on to become a better golfer?

[webmstrk9]

yep, my preshot routine for all my shots are the same with the same amt of time. It's a comfort zone for me.

[jayxmoneyx101]

Where did you work on this?

 

At the range?

[Rabidpenguin45]

I just got used to it on the course, and stuck with mine for years. Sometimes at a junior camp\clinic thing they want you to take one swing as practice and then hit the ball. I take my time, and take my normal routine, approach the ball, and hit it. I dont change my routinue, and if i'll be kicked out of an event, then so be it. Its a big phycological thing in my game. Like the poster above, its a comfort zone, and it gives me confidence so i will then precede to maybe hit a good shot.

[webmstrk9]

Sadly, I dont know where my pre shot routine came from. I dont think where it was 'worked on' at the range, I think it just appeared and it felt comfortable.

 

My routine for my driver is picking a target in the distance, during this, I take a couple of practice swings. Then walking up taking my line and stance, a couple of deep breaths and on the exhale, I start my takeaway - 30-45 sec

 

Putting is slightly diff for me. Read the line with no practice strokes, walk up, align the putter, take my stance, inhale on the takeaway and exhale on the stroke - 30-45 sec

 

EDIT - find one that is comfortable for you and doesnt take a long time(etiquette) If you think you dont need one, then that's what is comfortable for you. Some people play better just by addressing the ball and hit it. My bro is in this category.

[2DOWN3TOGO]

I always take a look behind the ball and invision the ball flight in the air. Step into the ball - right foot 1st and get ball / club in proper posistion. The mental picture of the flight of the ball or the putt dropping in the hole works for me. I learned this on the range and took it to the course. I also play every hole on the course(range) in my mind and select the proper club. If I ever hit a bad shot , I start all over and don't quit until I get 18 holes done correctly.

[Rabidpenguin45]

When i putt i can be as slow as tiger on the 18th at oakmont, or fast. It depends on how im putting, how hard the putt is, what the putt is for, and if my round is competive\or just to try out new shots\equipment.

[hillster32]

I love my pre shot routine. For me, its all about inspiring confidence and removing doubt.

 

1. Stand behind the ball picking a target and take practice swing ingraining the feel of the swing/shot.

 

2. Walk up to address with a swagger! (I try to make myself feel cocky, arrogant, confident as I walk up to the ball. Basically, I try to prentend I own the effin place!)

 

3. Line up the feet. Trace the shot back from the target.

 

4. Let it go.

 

In essence, I just try to make it all about feel and confidence. It takes me about 15 seconds. I try to keep anything mechanical out of my head and try to let it go before any doubt creeps in.

 

I am not necessarily a confident guy but when I walk up to that ball I try like heck to act like one. I think that is the biggest difference for me.

 

Bob Rotella has a lot of good thoughts on this.

[Shaitan]

I take a couple (1, maybe 2) of light swings as I'm looking down my target line and envisioning the shot. I then walk into the shot with club in my right hand, tap the club on the ground about 2-3ft from the ball, step up, aim up, finally push my hips just a little forward (gives me crisp contact, stops any sway back and stops most lateral movement through the ball) and bang, it's over and I'm generally happy :bad:

[mikpga]

Developing a consistent pre-shot routine is very important. It is also hard to discipline yourself to stick to it for every shot during a round of golf. My best performances on the course have been the one's in which I stuck to my pre-shot routine for every shot and did not deviate from it. It seems like a simple discipline, but it is very hard to do.

[villa]

A good, consistent pre-shot routine is so underrated. For me, it's one of the most important parts of my game.

 

First of all, i'll stand over the ball and work out the shot I have to hit, taking into consideration wind, lie, yardage, club, type of swing, shape of shot, trajectory etc etc etc.

 

Once I know exactly what I want to do, i'll take the club out of the bag and take two practice swings (of the exact shot I want to hit) from a few paces behind the ball.

 

I'll walk towards the ball and place the club head square to the target. Then i'll take my stance and make sure i'm happy with my posture and alignment. I'll look at the hole, then look down at the ball, one waggle to loosen the hands and swing.

 

With most pitch and chip shots, i'll take a couple more practice swings to get a good feel for the shot but everything else stays the same.

 

Some people like to line the shot up before hand with the club pointing in front of them (grip end over the ball/club head at the pin) and some people will pick a marker a few yards in front of their ball and use that as their target but there is always a risk of over complicating things.

 

You don't have to copy what everyone else does though. Just make sure it's consistent and that it works for you!

[dpriester]

Watch the good free throw shooters in basketball. They ALL have a pre shot routine that never varies. The important thing in a golf pre shot routine is to not copy what other golfers do. Come up with something on your own. It can be anything from always stepping off the yardage, to always placing the club where you want it and then stepping into your stance with the same foot, etc. Do your own thing and do it every time. This really helps clear your mind of everything else before you pull the trigger.