Pre-shot Routine

[gazrow]

Hi all,

I've only recently started playing golf seriously and have noticed some of the guys I've played with have consistent swings and pre-shot routines.

My swing seems to lack the discipline that a pre-shot routine might bring, but I'm not really sure what makes an effective routine.

So my question is do you have one? And do you think it's effective?

Gareth

 

[bluewolf]

I do, and my only advice is to keep it as simple as possible.. There's nothing worse than playing with someone who's PSR is like an amateur staging of Les Mis.... KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) - The best advice on anything, ever..:thup:

 

[delc]

Hi all,

I've only recently started playing golf seriously and have noticed some of the guys I've played with have consistent swings and pre-shot routines.

My swing seems to lack the discipline that a pre-shot routine might bring, but I'm not really sure what makes an effective routine.

So my question is do you have one? And do you think it's effective?

Gareth

I pick a spot a few feet ahead, over which I want the ball to travel, aim the clubface squarely at that spot and line myself up in relation to the clubface.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Kept is simple and short and just enjoy

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I have a simple routine, it really does help ensure you are set up correctly.

One of the best pieces of advice I got given was to pick a target from behind the ball then set up to that and stick to it.

 

[London mike 61]

In my opinion a good pre shot routine should establish ;

1. A good ball position for the chosen club ( where the club makes contact with the ground put the ball there )

2. Direction ( aim ) of shot

3. Path of initial takeaway ( not outside nor too much inside the line )

4. Tempo

So the list should read aim, ball position , path, tempo.

All the above should take no longer than a minute and can be applied to most shots including putting.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

A minute for a pre shot routine ? It shouldn't take half of that.

That's possibly nearly an hour and half is some case on pre shot routine ?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I'm just going to make one point on this thread and one point only.

Pre-shot routines DO NOT give you a consistent swing.

That is all.

EDIT: I was only going to make one point then I read London Mike's post...a minute? A whole minute for a pre-shot routine? No wonder golf is getting slower

 

[London mike 61]

A minute for a pre shot routine ? It shouldn't take half of that.

That's possibly nearly an hour and half is some case on pre shot routine ?

Yeah, I know but when you start learning one it takes a little longer to get into a routine and after that it becomes second nature.

 

[Foxholer]

I pick a spot a few feet ahead, over which I want the ball to travel, aim the clubface squarely at that spot and line myself up in relation to the clubface.

That seems seriously arse about face to me!

After a practice swing, or maybe 2, I line myself up according to the target and shape, place the club down making sure it's 'on line' then go for it.

 

[Foxholer]

All the above should take no longer than a minute and can be applied to most shots including putting.

Er. 25 secs would be my thoughts on max. Maybe a smidgeon more for putts occasionally.

 

[the_coach]

Hi all,

I've only recently started playing golf seriously and have noticed some of the guys I've played with have consistent swings and pre-shot routines.

My swing seems to lack the discipline that a pre-shot routine might bring, but I'm not really sure what makes an effective routine.

So my question is do you have one? And do you think it's effective?

Gareth

Pre shot routine is essential which is why every good player tour pro or amateur has one, one that's the same every time it helps focus & stops negative thoughts creeping in.
It occupies the mind with small positive things to do gives you a familiarity that helps you feel comfortable prior to the shot.

It's useful to use taking the club out of bag as the trigger to concentrate (once the club is in your hands just constantly be aware of the weight of the club head as you go through your routine it'll help your rhythm overall) it's the start of the routine.

Then from around 5 feet directly behind the ball pick a target, golf's a target game your brain needs a precise target to function best. Shouldn't be vague as in 'just hit it down the fairway, or hit it on the green' precise is better. While behind the ball you can make a rehearsal swing it you want.

Once you've picked it, with your target & ball, visualize the line between them, still from behind the ball pick a spot around a foot in front of the ball on that line. Better to have 3 points of reference for your aim line, then just visualize the ball going on that line.

Walk around & then at ball with feet close together place the club square to the line, then finalize your grip, then take your stance width.
(if you go in & line up your feet first followed then the club face, doing it that way a right handed golfer will almost always be aimed too far to the right)

Then settle into your posture, (you can feel the ground from foot to foot as you stand there so you've not locked solid in your stance, if you freeze stock still it tends to make the first move away to jerky) take a look your spot in front of ball then target, do this by just swiveling your head, not raising your head that will get you out of posture.

One more look along your line. ball, spot in front, target then bring your eyes back to ball soon as your eyes back use that as a trigger for a smooth takeaway.

This sounds a lot, & long, but doing it, it isn't, need not take any longer than 20 seconds from taking the club out of the bag as routine start, to starting your takeaway and making your swing.

Get this down right & repeatable, you'll definitely play better. You can't concentrate for the whole 3 hours you'll get too tired, but twenty secs before each shot you can.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Pre shot routine is essential which is why every good player tour pro or amateur has one, one that's the same every time it helps focus & stops negative thoughts creeping in.
It occupies the mind with small positive things to do gives you a familiarity that helps you feel comfortable prior to the shot.

It's useful to use taking the club out of bag as the trigger to concentrate (once the club is in your hands just constantly be aware of the weight of the club head as you go through your routine it'll help your rhythm overall) it's the start of the routine.

Then from around 5 feet directly behind the ball pick a target, golf's a target game your brain needs a precise target to function best. Shouldn't be vague as in 'just hit it down the fairway, or hit it on the green' precise is better. While behind the ball you can make a rehearsal swing it you want.

Once you've picked it, with your target & ball, visualize the line between them, still from behind the ball pick a spot around a foot in front of the ball on that line. Better to have 3 points of reference for your aim line, then just visualize the ball going on that line.

Walk around & then at ball with feet close together place the club square to the line, then finalize your grip, then take your stance width.
(if you go in & line up your feet first followed then the club face, doing it that way a right handed golfer will almost always be aimed too far to the right)

Then settle into your posture, (you can feel the ground from foot to foot as you stand there so you've not locked solid in your stance, if you freeze stock still it tends to make the first move away to jerky) take a look your spot in front of ball then target, do this by just swiveling your head, not raising your head that will get you out of posture.

One more look along your line. ball, spot in front, target then bring your eyes back to ball soon as your eyes back use that as a trigger for a smooth takeaway.

This sounds a lot, & long, but doing it, it isn't, need not take any longer than 20 seconds from taking the club out of the bag as routine start, to starting your takeaway and making your swing.

Get this down right & repeatable, you'll definitely play better. You can't concentrate for the whole 3 hours you'll get too tired, but twenty secs before each shot you can.

No it isn't

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have one. Well I say that I try to do the same thing over the ball but I'm also trying to play with more freedom these days and not let anything technical into the head so it's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario for me at the moment.

 

[Imurg]

Yeah, I know but when you start learning one it takes a little longer to get into a routine and after that it becomes second nature.

If you're going to have a PSR learn it at the range - that way you can refine it to the point where it takes as little time as possible on the course.

 

[MadAdey]

Nothing worse than a PSR that involves boring me to the point I lay down and take a sleep. Personally I find just having 1 swing to loosen up the arms and feel the club I have chosen works fine. I then stand behind the ball to check my shot choice, (at this point I might change club), but then it is move into the ball, turn the hip and let it rip.

 

[MadAdey]

No it isn't

NOt trying to be the devils advocate here, or trying to start a debate on the rights and wrongs of a PSR. I am just wondering what ouy do once you have arrived at your ball, before you take a shot.

 

[MadAdey]

All the above should take no longer than a minute and can be applied to most shots including putting.

Are you for real? If you are playing with a 4-ball of players going round in 85, then going on your minute timing you will spend a total of 5 hours 40 minutes on taking your shots. So taking into it that at times you will all be doing this at more or less the same time you can probably knock htat down to say 4 hours between a 4-ball. Now you add in looking for balls, walking between shots, walking to the next hole. I wonder where these 5 hour rounds are coming from.

IMO a PSR should take no longer than 20-30 seconds. My personal one takes no longer than 10-15 seconds, unless i have a change of mind and get a dofferent club out.

 

[Region3]

No it isn't

To have one like Keegan Bradley or Jason day isn't necessary, but some form of PSR is, IMO of course.

Do you always set up to the ball in the same way? If yes, then you have a routine.

If you don't set up to the ball the same way each time, you are making the job of aiming correctly more difficult than it needs to be.

 

[CMAC]

copy a touring pro

[video=youtube_share;hNG-63ivFqs]http://youtu.be/hNG-63ivFqs[/video]