Pre shot routine - do you have one?

[Fader]

Assess things like wind, hazards, slope and pin placement whilst walking up to my ball to save time.

Once I'm there quickly work out the yardage with GPS literally takes a second. Decide on correct club have one practice swing with the only thought being the end result and not the technique required. Pick target and small spot in front of ball to align to, address, aim and fire. Then go an find it!

If there's a wait due to group ahead I'll do all of the above but won't remove club from bag until they start moving as it feels like to long between pulling the club an hitting the shot ad means to many practice swings leading to doubt! And we all know what doubt causes!

 

[Dellboy]

9 times out of 10, when I reach my ball I'm still swearing under my breath about the duff shot I just played, so I just pick a club and rip it.

 

[duncan mackie]

pick a target
pick a shot to get there
pick a club to deliver it

fire when I'm comfortable that my concious and subconcious are all on the same wavelength!

 

[Shakey]

I wonder what Bruce Forsythe's pre-shot 'routine' is: tap dance, couple of catch phrases, then his Sammy Davis Jr impression. "Marvellous, luv".

 

[HawkeyeMS]

How can you asses your next shot whilst walking to your ball? Until you can see your ball, lie, slope you cannot commit to any proper thoughts on how you will play your next shot.

Whilst you're walking to your ball, you assess wind direction, slope, hazards, pin at the back/front. The last thing you do is assess the lie/distance/club as you arrive at your ball - simples, and it saves time. All this in the zone/special triggers wooosahhh cwap just over complicates the game.

This ^^^^

 

[North Mimms]

How can you asses your next shot whilst walking to your ball? Until you can see your ball, lie, slope you cannot commit to any proper thoughts on how you will play your next shot.

Not even think about the wind? Where you want the ball to go?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Whilst you're walking to your ball, you assess wind direction, slope, hazards, pin at the back/front. The last thing you do is assess the lie/distance/club as you arrive at your ball - simples, and it saves time. All this in the zone/special triggers wooosahhh cwap just over complicates the game.

Well said Hobbit

Golf is a natural game, why are sooooooooooo many folk trying to make it unnatural.
It also used to be an athletic game. All this 'pre-shot routine' and other measuring guff by guys who cannot hit two decent shots in a row have made it an endurance test.

 

[G1BB0]

I can hit 2 decent shots in a row.... sometimes

The reason I asked is that I felt I needed something to focus/concentrate as I am probably too casual resulting in poor shots or go the other way thinking too much and over complicating my little brain. Each to their own and all that. Oh and I dont use a DMD

 

[MadAdey]

1) Approaching the ball I will be thinking about wind and what my target is and gettign a feel for the shto that is needed.
2) When I get there I will take everything into like wind, elevation changes to my target and all the other things that need to be taken into account.
3) I select a club according to the above and then it is time to commit to the shot.
4) I then stand about 4/5 yards behind the ball and take my grip while having a smooth gentle practice swing.
5) I take another look at the shot to make sure I am happy with my choice of shot and club. Then I walk into the ball.
6) I put the club behind the ball and then line my body up to it.
7) GRIP IT AND RIP IT!

Sounds long winded but it does not take that long.

 

[Andy808]

I have a look at the wind direction, speed and how gusty it is as I walk up to the ball.
Stand behind the ball for a moment and look at the distance and the lay of the land.
Pick my club and back behind the ball to "see" the shot I want to hit. (sometimes I even hit it)
Take aim to the side of the ball and have 2 practice swings.
Address the ball, look up one final time at my target, look back at the ball still seeing the target in my mind and pull the trigger.

It's certainly starting to pay off having a good solid routine that I can now trust fully on every shot. More and more are going the right distance, direction and path I see before the shot. Dropped 3 shots already this year and I'm enjoying playing again.

 

[Farneyman]

Well said Hobbit

Golf is a natural game, why are sooooooooooo many folk trying to make it unnatural.
It also used to be an athletic game. All this 'pre-shot routine' and other measuring guff by guys who cannot hit two decent shots in a row have made it an endurance test.

That's the beauty of my pre shot routine, I am keeping it natural and not complicating it with swing thought/mechanics

 

[m10johnson]

I always use a pre shot routine. Gets me into focus after walking to the ball or tee.

They are slightly different depending on; a full shot, pitch, chip or putt.

 

[Revolt]

Stand behind the ball club in hand, figure a point 6" infront of the ball that I want to send the ball over, take position and have few practices, as soon as I have a good practice swing that takes the shape of the swing I wana hit, inch forward and belt it ^_^

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Yes, find one that is good for you.

 

[Andy]

Whilst you're walking to your ball, you assess wind direction, slope, hazards, pin at the back/front. The last thing you do is assess the lie/distance/club as you arrive at your ball - simples, and it saves time. All this in the zone/special triggers wooosahhh cwap just over complicates the game.

So you've launched 5 iron to lay up on a 550 yard par 5. You expecting to see what lie and assess your shot as you walk up?

Garbage!

 

[Andy]

Not even think about the wind? Where you want the ball to go?

Nothing till Im over the ball.

Its good to switch off in between shots.

 

[Hobbit]

Whilst you're walking to your ball, you assess wind direction, slope, hazards, pin at the back/front. The last thing you do is assess the lie/distance/club as you arrive at your ball - simples, and it saves time. All this in the zone/special triggers wooosahhh cwap just over complicates the game.

So you've launched 5 iron to lay up on a 550 yard par 5. You expecting to see what lie and assess your shot as you walk up?

Garbage!

I've highlighted the bit you obviously missed... and maybe being a low single figure golfer for most of the last 40 yrs might suggest I've got some inkling of which end to hold...

Each to their own. If your version works for you...

 

[Crow]

As I'm running to my ball I pull out a club, then as I reach level with the ball I give it a smack, then slip the club back in my bag and carry on running without even breaking step.
The last thing I want to is to be known as a slowcoach.

 

[Moquillo19]

i think about what I'm going to do when I approach the ball. Check the yardage, pick a club, 2 practice swings (as if I'm hitting the ball, not just some half hearted rubbish strokes for the hell of it), step back to check line, address, breath in, then out, hit it. . . . Sounds like a lot but takes no time at all. I do much the same with putting too. Choose line, 2 practice, wipe putter face, breath in, breath out, hit it!!

 

[Andy]

I've highlighted the bit you obviously missed... and maybe being a low single figure golfer for most of the last 40 yrs might suggest I've got some inkling of which end to hold...

Each to their own. If your version works for you...

Damn are you meant to hold the rubber end?