Pre Shot Routine... How long

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't take a practice swing but I do have a pre-shot routine. I have already worked out yardages etc while others are playing/getting ready and so when it's my turn I can go straight into this and play the shot. I am definitely not a slow player but I am also not going to be rushed just because someone wants to race around. It is my game and as long as I play at a reasonable pace and the group behind aren't being compromised I intend to enjoy being out on the course and playing

 

[One Planer]

I've actually slowed down what I do before I hit the ball.

I was getting too quick and felt like I was rushing myself, simply to get the ball away.

Since I've started to take more time, my scores have improved. Mainly down to better ball placement off the tee and missing in the right areas, all because I take a little time.

From addressing the ball to it being gone is no time at all. The bulk of my gauging and pre shot routine is done while my playing partner is either going through his or playing his shot.

 

[mcbroon]

I am slightly worried about turning up to the KOKS and H4H meets now. Some of you guys must play at lightning speed.

I've never thought of myself as being slow but, from reading the numerous slow play threads on here since I joined, I've begun to think that maybe I am. (Probably the only one on the forum, judging by the comments.)

I take a practise swing, I pause over the ball to check alignment and I don't hit until I'm comfortable. I have no idea how long that takes, but I better apologise to my FCs up front in case it turns out I'm a nightmare :mmm:

 

[Imurg]

We're watching Ya!

 

[pokerjoke]

I am slightly worried about turning up to the KOKS and H4H meets now. Some of you guys must play at lightning speed.

I've never thought of myself as being slow but, from reading the numerous slow play threads on here since I joined, I've begun to think that maybe I am. (Probably the only one on the forum, judging by the comments.)

I take a practise swing, I pause over the ball to check alignment and I don't hit until I'm comfortable. I have no idea how long that takes, but I better apologise to my FCs up front in case it turns out I'm a nightmare :mmm:

Take your time play your own game.
Its medal so it wont be fast anyhow.
We took 4 1/2 hours for our rounds.
Certainly didn't feel slow

 

[phildunphy]

Snedeker pre shot should be max time

 

[North Mimms]

To be honest if I was playing with someone doing 3 practice swings every time they took a shot I'd lose the will to live.

I'm on holiday in US at the moment and we played with 2 lads a couple of days ago who did that on every shot.
Pre shot routine was...
Tee up ball.
Carefully set up square to target..
3 full practice swings with no pause.
Step behind ball, swish twice while looking down line.
Take square stance again.
Swish.
Think.
Think a bit more.
Hit ball.

If green in range, this was preceded by
Unzip laser pouch.
Take out laser
Check distance.
Replace laser and zip up pouch.

4 hours 20 minutes using a buggy!

 

[One Planer]

Snedeker pre shot should be max time

Disagree.

From address to playing a shot yes, but not pre shot routine. He takes just as long as any other pro judging wind direction, getting accurate yardage, choosing shot etc.

Once his mind is made up, theres no hanging around I agree, bu not through the whole 'Pre shot' routine.

 

[Rumpokid]

The Unstoppable Golfer, a book by Dr Bob Rotell is a good read, however,what suits one person may not suit another..He goes on to say everyone should have a routine,nothing set in stone though about length of time,practice swings etc....But most of all,shots should be played unconsciously,which is a great piece of advice..A good sound book.

 

[North Mimms]

So as not to take the pace thread of on one specific direction...

I mentioned I saw a piece that give these timed average stats for arriving at ball until hitting the shot (excludes tap-ins) so basically its what equals the pre-shot routine. This is what they found:

Pro player
Tee shot 25 seconds
2nd shot 33 seconds
3rd shot 36 seconds
4th shot 26 seconds
5th shot 27 seconds
6th shot 13 seconds

Amateur player
Tee shot 27 seconds
2nd shot 25 seconds
3rd shot 21 seconds
4th shot 14 seconds
5th shot 11 seconds
6th shot 8 seconds

One thought was that as us amateurs get to the short game section of a hole we take half the PSR we did back on the tee while pros are much more consistent at having a repeatable PSR and take more time over their approach shot and 1st putt

So either amateurs are taking too long over the tee shot or not enough time over the short game shots

Thoughts?

I'm amazed at those figures for pro golfers.
Watching tv, they can easily spend 30 seconds discussing with caddy what the distance is and is it a full 7 iron or a soft 6.

 

[phildunphy]

Disagree.

From address to playing a shot yes, but not pre shot routine. He takes just as long as any other pro judging wind direction, getting accurate yardage, choosing shot etc.

Once his mind is made up, theres no hanging around I agree, bu not through the whole 'Pre shot' routine.

so without breaking down the parts you actually agree

 

[One Planer]

so without breaking down the parts you actually agree

No, that's why I put 'Disagree'

Snedeker takes as long as any tour pro. The only difference is when he steps into his address position, he gives the ground a thump, then plays his shot with very little delay.

 

[Slab]

I'm amazed at those figures for pro golfers.
Watching tv, they can easily spend 30 seconds discussing with caddy what the distance is and is it a full 7 iron or a soft 6.

Yeah did seem quick when compared to TV (maybe TV makes it like waiting for kettle to boil etc, even though its pretty quick its never quick enough)

Not sure I'm allowed a link to the site as its another golf site (in the US) but apparently the stats were taken at the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational and covered 45 PGA tour players over 9 holes

 

[Foxholer]

From address to playing a shot yes, but not pre shot routine. He takes just as long as any other pro judging wind direction, getting accurate yardage, choosing shot etc.

Once his mind is made up, theres no hanging around I agree, bu not through the whole 'Pre shot' routine.

I've always differentiated between 'assessing the shot' and 'making the shot'. To me, assessing the shot is not part of the pre-shot routine and takes however long it takes. Pre-shot routine, to me, is from Waggle/ground thump/loosener/practice swing or whatever on. That should take 5-10 secs at most.

However!
The practice swing is part of that for me and if I don't feel comfortable with it/them, I may do more than my normal 2. The number of times I have simply got on with it and made a hash because of my discomfort demonstrate why doing that actually saves time (another shot)! Not being 'comfortable' is probably the major cause of my poor shots - but I'm a slow learner!

 

[Snelly]

How long? About 15 seconds. I assess what I am going to hit on the way to the ball, look at the lie, pull a club take a stance and hit the ball.

I only have practice swings for pitches and chips generally. Can't really see the point of a practice swing for a full shot. It is not like you have never done it before.

 

[North Mimms]

How long? About 15 seconds. I assess what I am going to hit on the way to the ball, look at the lie, pull a club take a stance and hit the ball.

I only have practice swings for pitches and chips generally. Can't really see the point of a practice swing for a full shot. It is not like you have never done it before.

Same here snelly.
Can't be bothered with a practice swing for a full shot.
Up until recently I didn't even do them for chips and pitches ...probably why my short game is rubbish.
Now I have a couple of swishes prior to chipping to gauge the shot.

A lot of people say that they don't feel comfortable if they don't do their full PSR.
But at some point in the past they have created that routine. If it's too long, they have the option of creating a new shorter equally effective routine.

 

[John]

I sometimes play with a mate that at one stage was taking seven or more practise swings, I had a word it was getting silly.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Seconds - no practice swings as such - maybe a couple of short swishes of the club as I stand behind ball visualising the shot I'm about to play. See the shot - then address the ball. Pause - strike - watch ball attentively until it comes to rest or I have a clear marker on it's position. Club back in bag. Done. Onwards and upwards.

 

[LIG]

I am slightly worried about turning up to the KOKS and H4H meets now. Some of you guys must play at lightning speed.

I've never thought of myself as being slow but, from reading the numerous slow play threads on here since I joined, I've begun to think that maybe I am. (Probably the only one on the forum, judging by the comments.)

I take a practise swing, I pause over the ball to check alignment and I don't hit until I'm comfortable. I have no idea how long that takes, but I better apologise to my FCs up front in case it turns out I'm a nightmare :mmm:

No apologies needed. We can form a "We think we may be slow players, but don't really know" club.:mmm: It'll be very exclusive -we won't be letting just anyone in! *** where's the tongue-in-cheek smiley ***


IMO each shot takes as long as it takes. I only think about time if someone in my group (including me) is having a bit of a mare on a hole or two. Even then, I'm very quick to suggest letting a group though when a search is in the offing. Other than that, my watch is used only before 1st tee and when walking off the 18th. Obviously, if I've got somewhere to be straight after then all bets are off.

 

[London mike 61]

Walk up to ball , assess lie, stand behind ball to pick aim point,stand parallel to aim point, a couple of swishes, step into ball big deep breath, make full back swing and exhale on down swing, done.