mjyounie
Club Champion
Every golfer is looking to be more consistent right? Take a couple of shots off the handicap this summer? Heck, maybe even win the Club Championship...Understanding why a pre-shot routine and using it on the course I can absolutely guarantee that every single one of you will improve.
A pre-shot routine is the single thing you should do the most on the course. A pre-shot routine settles the nerves, focusses the mind and gets you into the best state to hit the shot required. There are 2 parts to a pre-shot routine; The physical part and the Mental part.
Physical pre-shot routine
Every time you watch golf either live at an event or on theTV you will see that every golfer goes through an exact replica on every shot of their pre-shot routine before they hit the ball. For some people it might be 2 practice swing or maybe 3. They might waggle the club 2 times, 3 times, 4 times etc etc. Included in the physical pre shot routine and the most important part is as you walk into the ball and get aligned to the target. This is something that needs to be rehearsed before you go and play so that you can have no worries when stood over the ball as you are fully confident you are lined up correctly.
In short the 'Physical pre shot routine is a series of movements which take you from arriving to the ball, to being over the ball and right up until the ball is struck. The more consistent you can make these moves the more constant your golf will be.
Mental pre-shot routine
This is the most important part of the routine. When you arrive at the ball you need to find out the yardage to the hole, the pin location, how the green slopes, where is the best place to land the ball, do I want to be short of the hole of past the hole? Is their a safe side? These are all things you need to be asking yourself when your thinking about what shot and what club to use for the shot. After you have decided all these things and you have gone through your physical pre shot routine comes the absolute most important part. Committing to the shot. Standing over the ball and saying to yourself "Im going to hit the ball right there! Its going to land in that spot their and finish right there." Then visualise the shot you just described to yourself and right before the moment of truth put everything into perspective. Say to yourself "No matter where this ball goes its not the end of the world' This will not only help relieve any nerves or pressure you are under but it will also free yourself up and to swing confidently. When you swing confidently, you swing your best. It also stops yourself from getting angry if the shot does not work out. This is a great attribute to have because theres nothing worse than seeing a player hit a bad shot and then follow it up with another bad shot because the player has yet to forget about the original poor shot. Having a strong pre shot routine helps you not only play your best but limit the amount of tactical and silly mistakes you might make due to lack of concentration but it also increases the chance of getting into "THE ZONE" (The holy grail for golfers).
Lots of tour players have described their pre shot routine as though they feel like their in a bubble, their own little world where they feel completely in control.
Complete a pre shot routine on every shot and simply sit back and watch the handicap come down!
A pre-shot routine is the single thing you should do the most on the course. A pre-shot routine settles the nerves, focusses the mind and gets you into the best state to hit the shot required. There are 2 parts to a pre-shot routine; The physical part and the Mental part.
Physical pre-shot routine
Every time you watch golf either live at an event or on theTV you will see that every golfer goes through an exact replica on every shot of their pre-shot routine before they hit the ball. For some people it might be 2 practice swing or maybe 3. They might waggle the club 2 times, 3 times, 4 times etc etc. Included in the physical pre shot routine and the most important part is as you walk into the ball and get aligned to the target. This is something that needs to be rehearsed before you go and play so that you can have no worries when stood over the ball as you are fully confident you are lined up correctly.
In short the 'Physical pre shot routine is a series of movements which take you from arriving to the ball, to being over the ball and right up until the ball is struck. The more consistent you can make these moves the more constant your golf will be.
Mental pre-shot routine
This is the most important part of the routine. When you arrive at the ball you need to find out the yardage to the hole, the pin location, how the green slopes, where is the best place to land the ball, do I want to be short of the hole of past the hole? Is their a safe side? These are all things you need to be asking yourself when your thinking about what shot and what club to use for the shot. After you have decided all these things and you have gone through your physical pre shot routine comes the absolute most important part. Committing to the shot. Standing over the ball and saying to yourself "Im going to hit the ball right there! Its going to land in that spot their and finish right there." Then visualise the shot you just described to yourself and right before the moment of truth put everything into perspective. Say to yourself "No matter where this ball goes its not the end of the world' This will not only help relieve any nerves or pressure you are under but it will also free yourself up and to swing confidently. When you swing confidently, you swing your best. It also stops yourself from getting angry if the shot does not work out. This is a great attribute to have because theres nothing worse than seeing a player hit a bad shot and then follow it up with another bad shot because the player has yet to forget about the original poor shot. Having a strong pre shot routine helps you not only play your best but limit the amount of tactical and silly mistakes you might make due to lack of concentration but it also increases the chance of getting into "THE ZONE" (The holy grail for golfers).
Lots of tour players have described their pre shot routine as though they feel like their in a bubble, their own little world where they feel completely in control.
Complete a pre shot routine on every shot and simply sit back and watch the handicap come down!
I notice you haven't suggested practicing yet, which is surely the only way any of us will get better.
