Having a consistent pre-shot routine is one of the easiest routes to better golf, especially under pressure. It’s something the pros put so much emphasis on, yet the rest of us continue to undervalue its importance. Here are my top tips…
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Why is a Pre-Shot Routine so Important?
A pre-shot routine is anything a golfer does before they hit the ball to prepare themselves for the shot.
Having this time before you hit the ball serves as a mental reset for golfers to clear their mind before executing a shot. It is important to provide clarity about what they’re intending to do.
Building an effective pre-shot routine: The main points
Nowadays, most players have access to a laser or GPS of some sort. This eliminates the guess work around how far the flag is. This number provided is the actual distance and so a player must now work out what the playing number is. This is demonstrated by Dan and Andy in the above YouTube video. However, for written context, a player needs to factor in air temperature, winter speed and direction. If there is wind blowing into this means a player might need to add 10-15 yards (this could be more or less) onto the original number to account for this.
Once a new number has been calculated, a player now needs to decide on a club. There is multiple factors to consider when making this decision. Are the greens firm or soft? So, does the ball need to carry that number or just finish there? Is the ball on a flat lie, uphill or downhill? This can manipulate the loft of the club.
With a club selected it’s time to pick a target. Most golfers assume that the flag is the target and you would always aim at it, this isn’t always the case. If the flag is tucked behind a big bunker, a golfer would be best to aim at the middle of the green which might be 10 yards further left than the flag.
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Once you’re set on a club, it’s time to prepare yourself for the shot.
A practice swing or two, is a good way to prepare for a shot. With that said, taking an aimless waft with your club isn’t going to do much good. A practice swing should be used to rehearse the swing you’re intending to put on the ball.
This is a great time to use some mental imagery, visualizing the shot. How do you see the shot or putt? Are you going to hit a draw, a fade, will it be high or low? Even if you don’t pull the shot off, it’s good to have a plan in your head.
When you’re over the ball a couple of deep breathes can help clear any tension built up. Over the all you should be thinking about the shot in hand not about the last hole or the up and coming hole. One shot at a time.
Conclusion
Having a good pre shot routine can really help golfers settle into hit the shot. If you’ve done all the preparation before standing over the ball and you have a clear plan it makes the actual shot much easier.
Even if you’re a high handicapper it’s important to clear your head over the golf ball and focus on the task in hand, with freedom. Take each shot at a time and see if a few extra seconds before you pull the trigger helps.
In need of more tips, check out the pages below…
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