Pre Shot Routine

[Deleted member 15344]

What is yours ? Is it the same every time ? Or is it just going with the flow or deliberate in each step ?

Mine I think is quite simple

Tee shot - tee up ball , check line behind the ball , a couple of loose practise swings , take stance then hit

It's pretty much the same for second shots just add in check yardage before the loose swings

The putting is a bit more deliberate but along the same lines as the others

 

[richart]

Are you supposed to have one ? I do have an after shot routine of shouting fore.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not getting into this. It'll only lead one way suffice to say I have something I do every shot and is beginning to work and make me more comfy over a shot and free of any negative thoughts and even swing thoughts. As I've been slaughtered on here about routines its not a road I'm going down again. Happy with the one I have and starting to get results. That'll do for me

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not looking to slaughter anyone because every single person had their own routine - from the best in the world to the worst.

The only think to ensure is that it doesn't take too long

If you have found something that works and makes you feel comfy then possibly sharing it might give an idea to some people to help them

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Are you supposed to have one ? I do have an after shot routine of shouting fore.

:lol:

Not supposed to have one

 

[MadAdey]

Mine is pretty simple too. Grab a club stand about 6 foot behind the ball and have a little swing then step up and smack it. Sometimes if it is a tough shot or the pressure is on a bit I might have a second one,but that is it

 

[richart]

Not looking to slaughter anyone because every single person had their own routine - from the best in the world to the worst.

The only think to ensure is that it doesn't take too long

If you have found something that works and makes you feel comfy then possibly sharing it might give an idea to some people to help them

I am intrigued. I wonder if it involves lucky heather or a rabbits foot ?:mmm:

Thinking about it I don't have one. On the tee with the driver I might take a half swing and then give it a smack. Not sure what I do from the fairway. Chipping I will have a few practice swings to try and gage the distance. Yesterday in a match I took a few practice swings to play a little punch into a bank around the green, and then as I went to play the shot changed my mind and just hit a flop shot. Amazingly I got down in two from a heavy lie for a half.

 

[Linnets]

I have a bit of a routine..

On the tee box...Tee ball up, stand behind the ball, grip club correctly, Visualise the shot I want to hit, address ball, no practice swing then hit the shot.

All other shots to the green are the same as above without the teeing up but if I have a tricky lie with the ball above or below my feet I will take a practice swing to make sure I am set correctly. When chipping I will take 2 or three quick practice swings to get a feel for distance.

Putting...Stand behind the ball to assess slope and borrow, stand in my address positon, check alignment, couple of practice swings then address ball and putt.

 

[sawtooth]

I never used to have one until this past year.

Off the tee its 2 full swings away from the ball, and then when I take my address I practice taking the club away to about half way (once) then take the shot.

Maybe on other shots I may only take 1 practice swing or maybe none at all - it depends.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

What is yours ? Is it the same every time ? Or is it just going with the flow or deliberate in each step ?

Mine I think is quite simple

Tee shot - tee up ball , check line behind the ball , a couple of loose practise swings , take stance then hit

It's pretty much the same for second shots just add in check yardage before the loose swings

The putting is a bit more deliberate but along the same lines as the others

Pretty much the same as yours but normally without the practice swings. I wouldn't call it a pre-shot routine as I'm not doing anything other than that required to hit the ball. A pre-shot routine to me is all the extra nonsense that people go through before hitting the ball that can be very annoying.

 

[medwayjon]

Personally, I was never one to faff about, and I dont really take practise swings either as I dont see the point. I think about the shot, and visualise it, but I have no routine.

If its the opening tee-shot I have a very quick drill to loosen the wrists and shoulders, thats it.

Grip it and rip it does me.

I played a medal and had someone in my group with a hugely long pre-shot routine, who would then take 4 practise swings, and if for some reason he didnt like the practise swing the whole palava would restart. By about the 4th the only shot I could visualise was my lob-wedge in his head, it ruined my round.

Each to their own, bet when it slows play down to 4 1/2 hours on a short course its a joke.

 

[MadAdey]

Personally, I was never one to faff about, and I dont really take practise swings either as I dont see the point. I think about the shot, and visualise it, but I have no routine.

If its the opening tee-shot I have a very quick drill to loosen the wrists and shoulders, thats it.

Grip it and rip it does me.

I played a medal and had someone in my group with a hugely long pre-shot routine, who would then take 4 practise swings, and if for some reason he didnt like the practise swing the whole palava would restart. By about the 4th the only shot I could visualise was my lob-wedge in his head, it ruined my round.

Each to their own, bet when it slows play down to 4 1/2 hours on a short course its a joke.

Some pre shot routines that people do take the ####. Some of them make no sense at all but I suppose if I t works for them. But they need to find a new one when I have time to sit down light a fag and make a cup of tea during someone's pre shot routine.....

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Mine is different every time due to:-

Weather/wind/rain/turf conditions.
Lie
Intended shape of shot
Area where I want the ball to land.
Most forgiving shot/easiest line/get out clause
Where I am in my game, stroke play/medal play. Risk reward.
My confidence in the shot I intend to hit.

Etc Etc

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Yes pre shot routines shouldn't slow up play

But I was just trying to find out if anyone had something quirky they do or something no one else does

 

[Slab]

1. Stand behind ball and pick a mark just in front of ball that’s in line with intended target
2. Take address position for practice swing and to set grip position (how I set my grip is very quirky but works for me)
3. One practice ½ swing where I stop club level with ball to check clubface alignment
4. One full practice swing with follow through
5. Adjust stance to put clubface behind ball and pause before swing

 

[Twire]

I have a bit of a routine..

On the tee box...Tee ball up, stand behind the ball, grip club correctly, Visualise the shot I want to hit, address ball, no practice swing then hit the shot.

All other shots to the green are the same as above without the teeing up but if I have a tricky lie with the ball above or below my feet I will take a practice swing to make sure I am set correctly. When chipping I will take 2 or three quick practice swings to get a feel for distance.

Putting...Stand behind the ball to assess slope and borrow, stand in my address positon, check alignment, couple of practice swings then address ball and putt.

Well that's saved me from writing mine.

 

[two-clubs]

1, Try and find ball
2, Call FC over to help in the search
3, Put all other found balls in bag for later use.
4, Finally locate own ball
5, Do all the stuff listed by others above
6, Hit it in more crap further down the hole
7, Repeat 1 through 4

 

[Snelly]

I do the following:

As I approach the ball I work out the distance and imagine the ball flying towards the pin.
Arrive at the ball and pull the club.
Pick a point about a foot in front of the ball to align to the target with.
Address the ball.
Hit the ball.

This changes on pitches and chips when I will have a couple of practice swings to gauge the feel for the distance.

I can't see the point in doing just about anything else to be honest. For example, standing behind the ball and making a half swing? Why? You aren't going to hit the ball with half a swing are you? Face it, you have seen it on telly and are trying to look the part.

Practice swings? Why? Surely you only have one swing and you are going to use it to hit the ball so just get on with it. Do you have amnesia after every shot and then need to re-remember what you are supposed to be doing so have to practice swinging the club?

Pre-shot routines are at their current level and complexity because of the pros faffing on TV and people trying to come up with a new angle to sell DVDs, books and magazine articles.


All that said, if a PS Routine is essential for you then that is fine by me and I don't mind playing with people who take ages to get ready to hit the ball. AS LONG AS........ all the faffing takes place in a time-managed way that means when it is your turn to hit the ball, you are ready to pull the trigger rather than as some do when it is their turn to play, they start their PSR shenanigans. This is a crucial point. Do your mumbo jumbo in your own time then when the honour is yours, swing the club and hit the ball. (And yes, I know this can't work on tee shots).

 

[One Planer]

Something I've been looking into over the last few months as it's something I've never had.

My current one is:

Stand behind ball and assess lie and distance.

Move to side of ball, set club face behind ball, aimed at target.

Get into address position and align body paralell to the club face so my toe line is paralell to my ball-to-target line.

Make my swing.

I'll generally take a practice swing or 2 while my playing partner goes through their pre shot plan. I like to be ready to play when it's my turn to play.

 

[tsped83]

I'm generally a quick player, but do have a routine on all drives/full shots;

1. Check lie and distance (curse under breath)
2. Stand behind ball and see target, pick something on the ground along this line and align myself to it.
3. Address ball and hit it (in to trees/rough/hazard/oob)

No practice swings, no club twirling, no 'feeling' the shot.